Christmas Banquet - Chapter 1

My eyes scan the large hall. There are plastic Christmas trees with fake snow in front of the tall windows, golden festoons along the walls, glittering stars dangling from the ceiling between huge chandeliers and most of all: people. People standing in groups, talking to each other and laughing. People enjoying themselves, hugging in greeting and pointing at mistletoe hanging above them. Everyone seems to know everyone. Except for me of course.

Christmas Banquet - Chapter 2

When I return to our table the game has already started. It involves Mr. Greenwood (note to myself, ask Alexander about the title-thing) reading questions out loud and people scribbling their answers on a piece of provided paper. Apparently we have to work in groups of two because people are whispering into each other’s ears.

Christmas Banquet - Chapter 3

“I made a huge mistake.”

“Whzzup???”

Charlie’s eyes are unnaturally large in the dim light from the lamp on my bedside table. My roommate is blinking at me with startled confusion written over his face, his hair mussed and his cheeks swollen from sleep. “Whatppnd?!”