KATEIt was already snowing. Back in California, it was already freezing cold. I stared at the photo my sister just sent together with an ‘I miss and love you’ message. I let out a sigh just as the final bell rang, indicating the end of our last subject for today.“Enjoy your holidays, everyone!” Mister Roy Filadel, our arts teacher said, bading all of us a goodbye as he walked out of the room. Once he was gone, everyone erupted into cheers.Finally, class was over for a few days and the holiday break has begun.“Oooohhh, is that your sister?” Claude said, appearing behind me. I nod, letting her see the picture more closely.“Lucky you, you were able to experience snow first hand,&rdq

KATE“Whoa,” Shane exclaimed upon getting off the bus.“Right, whoa is the right word,” Anne claimed, placing an arm around Shane’s shoulder, pulling her as she took her phone out from her pants pocket.I was about to tiptoe away knowing that Anne would be taking a picture right after.However, before I could even make my escape, Claude grabbed me by the arm and positioned beside Anne, the latter had already extended her hand, her phone’s camera was already open.“In one, two, three, say cheese,”I forced myself to smile along with the three of them.“Oh my, we look so pretty,&rdquo

KATE I felt like the entire universe had fallen on me. My body was weak and it was difficult for me to open my eyes. Tons of bricks were like shoved inside my head, it was throbbing. I managed to open my eyes and found that I was lying in bed. I was back at Aunt Hilda’s and the events from last night was taking their toll on me. Groaning, I got myself up and squinted at the brightness of the room coming from the sunlight outside. Did I run a marathon last night? Why do I feel so tired all of a sudden? Well, I still have no idea what I was doing back at Aunt Hilda’s. I was supposed to be at a camp with my friends.

"Smile for the camera". My mother said as she made a dash to find her place beside dad on the front. I felt Kelsea's nudge before the camera clicked and captured what supposed to be our new family photo for Christmas. It was the third Christmas picture that she had to nudge me supposing that was my cue to smile. As per usual, I didn't and as soon as the madness was over, I took my seat at the table and mooned over my plate of pasta. I know that it tasted wonderful as the rest of the food on the table. But I could hardly appreciate anything. I actually hadn't appreciated anything at all. I was literally a walking dead. I also felt that everyone around me wanted to say something but instead they seemed to respect my silence and ignored me for the rest of the meal. While all of them went for the gifts after eating, I decided to pick up the trash. I tugged on my sweater as the cold wind hit me while I dumped the heavy black bag inside the bin. I let out a sigh and slowly trailed m