Christmas Time Is Killing Us Novels & Stories

Ah, December! The time of year when everything smells like mint or chocolate, sometimes both, you can’t get that annoying version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” out of your head (and let’s face it, which version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” isn’t annoying?), and everyone has a crazed look in their eyes like they’re trying to be happy despite the fact that you know if they remember that they’ve forgotten just one more person they needed to buy a present for, or one more social event they neglected to put on their calendar, they’re going to end up in an asylum somewhere muttering about “crack-nutters” and “rotten fruitcake” for the next few months until spring hits, and we ca

Or just an idiot, like Ryan. ‘Thank God,’ he muttered as an orange ‘For Hire’ sign hove into view. ‘Hop in.’ He said little as the taxi stopped and started through the pre-Christmas traffic, past the shops with their Christmas lights winking merrily. ‘Thank heaven for Christmas,’ she remarked, for something to say. ‘Imagine how depressing November and December would be without Christmas!’ ‘I’m afraid it leaves me cold,’ he said. ‘Grossly over- commercialized.’ Well, that puts me in my place. Why did everybody say they hated Christmas? Did they really, or was it just the fashion to be cynically bored with it all?

I recollected my thoughts and continued working hard for the system. There was a huge increase in our workload lately, most probably because it was nearing the end of the year. The system seemed to have a knack for wanting to see couples break up around Christmas time because it added to the drama. So, it kept relentlessly sending us out during that time period. Finally, I lost my cool with it. While slurping instant noodles from a cup, I angrily asked the system, "Do we even get time off during Christmas? Even large corporations don't work their employees to the bone like you do!"

It didn't matter to us, it was entertaining to watch when either Starliss or Neo took up the arguments. "Simple, Christmas is the period to dress up in the scariest of costumes in honor of Santa's wife, Draculaura, scare the souls out of humans, and then gather together for trick or treat. No treats, then you devour their souls," Odette said with a proud grin. Neo and I snickered as he took from my bag of banana chips. I didn't buy it for myself. It was kind of a habit to buy the chips and have Neo and Odette eat from them with either of their arms over my shoulders.

I spoke tauntingly moving my hands around the house. Oh wow! That rhymed.... This is not the time to think how good you rhyme. My subconscious mocked me. But what you said also rhymed. Ohh no.no..this is definitely not the time to get lost in my head. Looking at him, I realized...my words might have enraged him more. “Christmas is not celebrated here.” “Was not. Now it is.” I countered crossing my arms across my chest. “Triantáfyllo....Do not test my patience.”

“What items would those be?” “There are several,” Brady said, undeterred by their attitudes. He hadn’t expected this job to be easy, after all. “For example, the Christmas festivities. I haven’t been in town long, but my understanding is that Christmas used to be a special time here in Holiday Hills. Now, it seems to be more of an afterthought.”

Whispers followed me everywhere. "I can't believe she's that kind of person." "The more innocent they look, the wilder they are." "That coat she's wearing? It's Chanel's latest. The rumors on the campus forum must be true." I retrieved my phone to check the campus forum. My entire body was shaking from anger. Sharon actually spread dirty rumors about me on the campus forum. [A Golden Apple on Christmas Day Exposed Our Fake Friendship!] She accused me of flaunting wealth with a golden apple on Christmas Day and scamming them out of an expensive meal.

"I never celebrated Christmas growing up. Werewolves aren't particularly religious, and most holidays just meant another excuse for my Dad to throw a party that would inevitably end in someone being daggered." Despite everything, Annie felt a flicker of affection for him. Of course, he hadn't celebrated Christmas normally. Nothing about his family was normal. "I don't think I can do this Killian." Her voice cracked. Killian turned her gently to face him, his hands on her shoulders, his eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her feel seen in an almost uncomfortable way. "We can leave," he said quietly. "If this is too much, if seeing the decorations brings back too many memories, we

"I am not ordering Christmas dinner, Rex! I am not an animal. What kind of message would that send to Ethan and Paul, huh? That I'm willing to make a phone call and share a meal?" He presses his lips together tightly. Poor guy is doing his best not to laugh in my face but he's not succeeding very well. "Christmas doesn't have to be a specific menu. It's not about the food. It's about family and spending time together." "Well aren't you poetic," I sneer, cranky. "Testy, testy." "Don't mess with me, Rex. I'm a little, well, you know." "Pregnant and irritable?" My glare doesn't affect him in the least. "We don't know that."

"I just miss them." "We all do," Callum said, his voice gentle but firm. He leaned over to press his lips against mine, the kiss tender and brief. "But they'd want us to carry on. Especially today." Today. December 21st. The start of the Christmas festival that had once filled me with excitement and anticipation, now loomed before me like a mountain I lacked the strength to climb.