13 GOODBYE FOR NOW

As the sun fell lower in the sky just after midafternoon, the crowd started to thin. The goody bags were stacked by the entrance for guests to grab on their way out. Mrs. Carmichael stood near the door to wish everyone happy holidays and thank them for coming. She also made sure to get a photo with all the guests so she could post them on her Instagram feed.

There were still more than half the guests at the party when Zee spotted Ally grabbing her holiday goody bag. “Ally! Where are you going?” Zee asked.

“I just got a text from my aunt saying she was on her way,” Ally said.

“But I thought you were gonna stay the night,” Zee said. “You, me, and Chloe were going to hang out all night and watch holiday movies.”

“I wanted to too, but I guess my aunt is picking me up now,” Ally said. “We have a bunch of family stuff going on right now. But maybe I can meet up with you guys another day this week.”

Zee’s frustration was written all over her face. “But our reunion! This was going to be like our Christmas Eve! We didn’t even put on our pajamas and take photos!”

“I know, I’m sad too,” Ally said, her mouth frowning. “But maybe I can come another day. You’re here for another two weeks, right?”

Zee looked heartbroken as Mrs. Carmichael walked up behind the two of them. “What’s wrong, girls? Ally, is that your aunt outside?”

“Yes, Mrs. Carmichael,” Ally said, looking out the front window. “I’ve got to go. Zee, I’ll text you. Thanks for everything, Mrs. Carmichael.”

“Okay, of course, yeah,” Zee said, stammering.

“Let’s catch up this week!” Ally said as she hurried through the front door and down the driveway to the street, not looking back once as she got smaller and smaller in Zee’s view. Confused, Zee shook her head in disappointment. She turned back toward the party.

“Honey, you okay?” Mrs. Carmichael asked.

“I thought she was going to stay the night with Chloe and me,” Zee said.

“Me too,” Mrs. Carmichael said. “And I’m surprised her mom didn’t come by. Let me find out what happened. Go back to your guests before they leave. Landon is still here.”

Zee walked back through the living room toward the patio and spotted Landon there, looking around for someone or something, perhaps Zee, perhaps another star-shaped sugar cookie. He then turned toward the door and walked inside the living room behind his parents.

“Did you have fun?” Zee asked as she approached.

He turned around and grinned when he saw her. “Yeah, great party,” Landon replied. “Really liked your Christmas carol. Catchy tune. Good to catch up.”

“Yeah, it’s good to see you too,” Zee said, her eyes dropping slightly. “I guess this might be the last time we’ll see each other for a while.”

“Yeah,” Landon said. “But it doesn’t have to be long before the next time.”

“No, of course,” Zee replied, shifting from one foot to the other. “I’m sure I’ll be back in California at some point.”

“Or, you know, maybe I can come visit you in London,” he said.

Zee looked at him. Her eyes fluttered. “Yes! That would be cool!” she said. Her mind raced. Would he really fly thousands of miles to London to see me? That would be amazing!

Then an image of her friends Archie and Jasper flashed across her mind. She wondered what would happen if either one of them knew about her thing with Landon. I can barely handle the boundaries and responsibilities of both of their friendships. What in the world would happen if Landon jumped in the picture? Zee thought to herself. Would Landon’s visit really be cool?

“Maybe,” she said awkwardly. Zee tried to sound enthusiastic. “Anyway, yeah, London is so much fun and I’m sure you’d have a blast.”

“Right,” Landon said slowly. “Well, hope you enjoy the chocolates.”

“Oh yes, thank you. Super kind of you. Happy holidays!”

Landon turned and followed his parents out of the main entrance, toting his gift bag behind him. Zee widened her eyes and shut them tightly, hoping she didn’t make things with Landon even more awkward than they already were.

Kathi arrived at the front door right after Landon, as if she were following him out. “Great party, Zee! These goody bags are a nice touch. How classy,” she said.

“Thanks, Kathi,” Zee said through clenched teeth.

“We’re going to be spending Christmas in Aspen, so this is probably the last that I’ll see you before you go back to London.”

“Great, Kathi,” Zee said, unclenching her teeth and smiling. That’s one less awkward encounter I have to worry about for the rest of break, Zee thought. “Good to see you. Thanks for coming.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it. Happy holidays, everyone!” Kathi said, waving her hand like a beauty pageant queen as she walked through the door.

Zee rolled her eyes as she shut the door. “Happy freaking holidays, Kathi Barney,” she muttered under her breath.

Mr. P and his partner were among the last guests to leave. They thanked the Carmichaels for their hospitality as they each grabbed a gift bag. “Don’t be a stranger, Zee,” Mr. P said. “And why did I have to hear about you performing a solo on YouTube? I’m your first mentor! Let’s have some regular Zoom calls or something and we can talk music.”

“That would be cool! I just didn’t think you’d have the time,” Zee said.

“I always have time for you,” Mr. P said. “Maybe we can even talk about some virtual music lessons if your parents allow.”

Zee smiled as she waved goodbye, feeling reassured to have guidance from her old music teacher at the ready even when she was in London.

Chloe ran up behind Zee. “I cannot wait to put on our pajamas and make s’mores in front of the fire! Where’s Ally?”

“She had to leave.”

“What?!” Chloe exclaimed. “This was our night!”

“I know, I thought so too!”

Zee looked as if she might cry, but Chloe perked her back up. “Listen, doesn’t matter. We’re going to have the best night ever, and if we have to do a video call with Ally, then fine. Where are your pajamas?” Chloe said.

“In my room.”

“Great, let’s get changed. We have a whole night to plan.”

• • •

Zee and Chloe rang Ally on video conference. “Allyyy…”

Ally answered from her bedroom, looking a bit sad. “Hey, girls.”

“Ally, what are you doing?” Zee asked.

“Oh, just sitting in my bedroom again, like I do every night.”

“Where is your mom?” Zee asked. “I thought you guys had family plans!”

“My mom has plans, but I don’t have plans.”

“Okay, then you’re joining us. Put on your pajamas! We’re taking photos!”

Ally laughed. “Are you serious?”

“Yes! Put on your pajamas right now, we’re taking photos!”

Ally disappeared off camera for a few moments while Chloe and Zee waited on Zee’s bed. They put on some Christmas music on Zee’s phone in the background and danced around.

“Okay I’m ready!” Ally said, wearing the same red-and-white-striped pajamas that the other girls had on.

“Okay, stand still, Ally!” Chloe said. The girls put Zee’s computer on the middle of their bed, and Zee stood on one side. Chloe set up her phone on the dresser across from the bed, setting a timer to take a photo of all three of the girls together. “Okay, smile!” Chloe said, rushing to the other side of the screen.

They posed as if they were all together, modeling their matching PJs, giggling and singing along the way. The camera flashed and took the photo. The girls cheered. “This will have to do until our next reunion,” Zee said, smiling at the photo.