"Hey, guys!" A voice calls out to you.
You turn around to see Ruggie approaching. "You can stop standing in the middle of the hall and blocking traffic now!"
"Ruggie?" Deuce's eyes widen. "Wait, what's with all that luggage? A backpack, three duffel bags, and a giant cooler..."
"Oh, this?" Ruggie laughs. "I took all the food that was about to hit its sell-by date at the cafeteria and the school store. Since we're about to go on break, they gave 'em to me basically for free."
"For real?" Ace asks. "There's no way you can eat all that."
Ruggie grins. "You'd be surprised. The neighborhood kids devour this stuff like, well... a pack of hyenas. Besides, gotta make sure my grandma eats well over the holidays. Speakin' of which, this frozen food ain't stayin' frozen for long. Gotta run! Smell ya next year!"
"Oh, Ruggie! Wait!" You put a hand to his shoulder.
Ruggie turns to you, tilting his head in surprise. You open you bag and pull out a piece of paper. It had a drawing of Ruggie. He was sitting atop the trunk of a large elephant skull. You hand it to the hyena. "This is for you."
Ruggie takes the paper and looks over it. "You drew this for me?"
"I thought this could be good holiday gift." You rub your arm nervously. "I got inspired by the terrain in the Savanaclaw dorm."
Ruggie looks to you. "It's perfect! It's even better than your last drawing you made me."
You smile brightly. "I'm glad you like it."
Ruggie tucks the drawing into one of his many bags. "Thank you, Y/N." Ruggie salutes you and makes his way to the mirror.
"There he goes..." Deuce scratches the back of his neck. "What was that about neighborhood kids, though?"
"Ruggie comes from a place where food is a bit scarce."
You turn around to see Jack behind you. "So whenever school lets out for a long break, he stocks up on all the food he can get and shares it with the local kids."
"What about you, Jack?" Ace points to the cactus strapped to Jack's bag. "What's with that planter you're hauling? You taking up gardening or something?"
"It's a cactus I've been growin' in my free time. It'd wither up if I didn't keep it watered over break." Jack clears his throat. "A-anyway, enough about me!"
Grim tilts his head. "Ruggie's sharin' his food with a bunch of kids who ain't even family, huh? Never knew he had it in him."
"Hyenas believe in sharing spoils equally." Jack explains. "I'm sure that's how Ruggie was raised."
Leona steps beside you, scoffing. "The mere thought of a feeding frenzy like that gives me the willies. I can barely stand the noise one kid makes as it is."
"Does that mean you're skipping out on visiting your family, Leona?" Jack asks.
"Man, I wish. Nah, they'd give me no end of grief if I did. I'm goin'." Leona groans. "Talk about a holiday chore."
Jack twitches an ear. "But you're not bringing anything?"
"So? I got my wallet and smartphone. What else do I need?" Leona shrugs. "I've got clothes at home anyway."
Grim rolls his eyes. "This's a whole different kind of extreme."
"You're not even bringing your homework, are you?" Ace folds his arms.
Leona smirks. "Homework can wait until after break. Holidays are for resting."
"Oh," You rummage through your bag. "I have something for you, Leona."
Leona quirks an eye. "Do you now?"
You hand him a paper with a drawing on it. The drawing was of Leona grinning as he leans against a rock, holding an animal skull in one hand. Leona takes the drawing.
You watch with bated breath as he examines the drawing. "I know I already gave you drawings before but I hope you still like this one."
Leona smiles, rolling up the drawing and tucking it under his arm. "I'll have to add it to my collection."
Leona reaches into his jacket pocket and holds out an item to you. "Here."
You see it's a bracelet with claw-like pendants on either side of a lion head jewel. It's held together by a shimmering gold chain.
You pick up the bracelet gingerly, looking to Leona in surprise. "You're giving this to me?"
Leona rolls his eyes. "Of course. Who else would I be giving it to?"
You admire the bracelet as it shimmers in the light.
Leona holds out a hand. "Allow me."
You hand Leona the bracelet. He undoes the clasp and wraps the bracelet to your wrist. His gloved hands traces delicately over your skin. Leona grins as he finishes clasping the bracelet to your wrist.
"There." Leona let's go of your hand. "It suits you perfectly."
You smile at the lion. "Thank you so much, Leona!" You wrap your arms around him. "I love it!"
Leona chuckles, used to your hug attacks. "I figured you would."
Leona stares into your eyes for a moment longer before stepping back. "I'll see you after the break, Y/N." Leona walks towards the mirror. "Later, herbivores."
Jack shakes his head, folding his arms. "He's good enough to do anything when he applies himself, so why doesn't he? Well, I know I'll be getting mine done. You guys had better do the same."
You hand Jack the drawing you made for him. "Oh, I made one for you too."
The drawing you did of Jack was of him standing on a cliff's edge, smiling brightly with a sunrise behind him.
Jack's eyes widen. "You drew this?"
You nod. "Do you like it?"
Jack tears his gaze from the drawing to you. "I never knew you were such a talented artist."
You feel your cheeks redden. "Thank you."
Jack puts the drawing into his bag. "I'll see you around, Y/N. Later."
You wave to the wolf as he leaves. Ace folds his arms. "Hey, why does everyone else gets a drawing but us?"
You giggle. "Don't worry. I have yours right here."
You hand the two their drawings. You drew Ace holding a flamingo mallet and a cute, pink hedgehog. Deuce's drawing is similar but he wields a blue flamingo and has a blue hedgehog in hand.
"Wow, Y/N!" Deuce says in amazement. "This is absolutely incredible!"
Ace nods. "Yeah. This is on a whole new level here. How come you never said you can draw?"
You rub your arm. "I think you guys are exaggerating a bit. I can't be that good."
Ace shakes his head. "Don't down play yourself like like that. You totally have talent."
You smile. "Thanks, guys."
An arm wraps around your shoulders. You turn to see it was Cater. "Okay, froshes! Don't let those bad boy upperclassmen give you any bad ideas, you hear?"
Trey stands next to him. "In our dorm, if you don't turn in your homework, Riddle makes sure it's off with your head."
Ace waves to his dormates. "Hey, Trey. Hey, Cater."
Cater groans and rests his head against your shoulder. "Going home is kind of a drag for me, too. I just know my sisters are both coming home. They don't care if it's the holidays, they'll run me ragged anyway." Cater lets go of you and looks to Trey. "I wish I could stay over at your house instead, Trey!"
Trey laughs. "You'd be welcome to, but we'd be running you just as ragged. Winter is the patisserie's busiest time of the year."
"Oh yeah, your family runs one of those, huh?" Cater plays with a strand of his hair. "So much for any escape."
"Oh, I have a holiday gift for you guys." You rummage through your bag.
Cater smiles at you. "Aww, you didn't have to."
You hand Trey and Cater their drawings. Cater had a paintbrush and bucket in hand while Trey was leaning against a ladder with a paintbrush. Both were set in the rose garden.
"O. M. G!" Carter wraps an arm around you. "This is the greatest thing anyone has ever given me!"
You giggle. "I'm glad you like it."
Trey gives you a smile. "These are incredible."
You shyly smile at the ground. You feel a gentle bump on your shoulder. Turning around, you see Riddle behind you. He looks a little sad.
"Oh, sorry Riddle." You say to him.
Ace and Deuce stiffen at the sight of the Housewarden. "Housewarden Rosehearts! Sorry for blocking the way!"
Riddle looks up, realizing he bumped into you. "Oh, it's you guys. I apologize for running into you, Y/N. If you're going to stand around and congregate, at least stay near a wall."
You sheepishly laugh. "Yeah, we probably should."
You all move to stand by the wall and out of everyone's way. Grim hops onto your shoulder and whispers. "Huh, he's soundin' kinda defeated."
Ace nods. "The housewarden's got an extreme case of helicoptor parenting waiting for him at home. No wonder he's not enthused about heading back."
Trey smiles sympathetically at Riddle. "Riddle, I'm not allowed in your house, so I won't be able to bring by any cakes. But you're always welcome to visit me at the store. I'm sure Chenya will drop by to hang out, too."
Riddle nods sadly. "Yes, you're right. I think... I'm going to try talking with Mother some. I don't know if she'll listen, but even so."
You put a hand to Riddle's shoulder. "You can do it. I believe in you."
Riddle places a hand over yours, smiling kindly. "Thank you, Y/N."
An arm slings around you, pulling you away from Riddle.
"What'sa matter, Goldfishie? Don't wanna go home?"
Turning your head, you see it's Floyd. The twin grins. "Then here's an idea: don't. We're not. C'mon, you can join us in the stay-at-school club."
Riddle folds his arms, glowering. "Where did you come from, Floyd? And would you kindly refrain from sticking your nose in business you know nothing about? It's quite irksome."
"He's right, you know." Jade appears beside you. "It's never a good idea to blindly pry into others' family affairs."
"Aw, c'mon, Jade." Floyd slumps against you, wrapping his arms around you. "It's boring spending every new year with the same old suspects. Besides, Goldfishie's so teeny, I'm sure Azul would love to keep him as a pet!"
Riddle's face flushes red. "I'm sorry? Would you like to say that again? You're awfully brazen to take that tone with the head of Heartslabyul. And speaking of heads, I'll have yours for this!"
Cater holds up his hands, attempting to calm Riddle down. "R-Riddle, no! This is NOT the place, my guy!"
"Settle down, Riddle." Trey says. "You're letting him goad you again."
Riddle lets out a frustrated groan. Cater turns to the twins. "Sooo, Floyd and Jade! Your family's in the Coral Sea, right? Why aren't you visiting them?"
Jade nods. "We and Azul live in the far northern reaches of the Coral Sea. At this time of year, the whole surface is covered in ice floes."
Floyd perks up, finally letting you go. "What he said! It's hard gettin' home with all the freezy-freeze, and it's boring there anyway. So the three of us prefer to go home on spring break instead, when the ice has melted."
"Wow. Living under the sea has all kinds of challenges, huh?" Trey asks.
Riddle rolls his eyes. "The last thing I need is to spend the new year with you Octavinelle boys. I'll be going now. I bid you all a pleasant holiday."
"Oh, before you go," You reach for Riddle's hand. "I have something for you."
Riddle shakes his head as you hand him a piece of paper. "You didn't have to give me anything."
You shrug. "I know, but I wanted to."
Riddle looks at the paper. It was a drawing of him sitting on a throne. Rose petals swirl all around him. Riddle looks to you in surprise. "You made this?"
You nod, smiling brightly.
"This is a very thoughtful gift." Riddle gives you a smile. "Thank you, Y/N. I shall see you when the break is over."
You wave goodbye to Riddle as he leaves. Trey adjusts his glasses. "Well, at least he's got his moxie back. As for you guys, don't cut TOO loose over the holidays, okay?" Trey waves to you. "See you around."
"I should be getting home, too. Ah, but first," Cater pulls out his phone and wraps an arm around you. "a commemorative photo!"
Cater snaps a picture with you and the drawing. Cater types on his phone. "Hashtag #FallSemesterLastDay #WithTheFroshes #BestGiftEver #HappyNewYear #JumpingTheGunLOL." Cater waves as he walks to the mirror. "Okay, bye now! Happy holidays, folks!"
Floyd rubs his shoulder. "Hey, little Shrimpy! How come Goldhfishie and his groupies gets a gift?"
You rummage through your bag. "Don't worry, yours is right here."
You hold out the drawings to the twins. Floyd immediately snatches the paper while Jade gently takes his. Floyd's drawing was of him leaning against one of the Mostro Lounge chairs, holding his fedora with a wide grin. Jade's drawing is the one you drew of him mixing drinks behind the bar in the lounge.
"Wowsers, little Shrimpy can draw!" Floyd exclaims.
"This is really impressive." Jade tucks the drawing neatly into his jacket pocket.
"Thank you. I also have one for Azul." You hand Jade the drawing. "Could you give to him for me, please?"
Jade nods. "Certainly. I'm sure he'll love it."
"So, little Shrimpy. Are you and the Seal stayin' on campus?" Floyd asks.
You nod. "Yeah. I have no where else to go."
Floyd grins. "You can always drop by Octavinelle, y'know. We'd be happy to keep you company."
"A fine idea, brother." Jade smiles at you. "Ah, what a delightful holiday this is shaping up to be. You're welcome anytime. Now then, if you'll excuse us..."
The twins chuckle as they leave the Mirror Chamber. Grim shivers as he watches them leave. "Just lookin' at their faces makes me think back to when they were workin' me like a dog in the Mostro Lounge."
Deuce runs a hand through his hair. "Yeah, that was brutal stuff."
Ace lets out a groan. "Don't remind me."
Deuce looks at the gathered students. "Well, the crowds are thinning out. We should probably head out, ourselves."
"Good idea." Ace turns to you and smiles. "Feel free to hit me up if you get bored over winter break!"
You nod, wrapping Ace in a hug. "Thanks, I'll do that."
Ace blushes as you let him go. He looks anywhere but at you. "Man, you take everything I say so seriously, Y/N. I was joking."
Deuce rolls his eyes. "Then it was a lame one. Anyway, feel free to reach out if you need anything at all. My mom's probably waiting on me, so I'd better go. Y/N, Grim, happy holidays."
You hug Deuce as well. "Happy holidays." You let him go and wave. "See you guys next year!"
The two wave back and walk to the mirror. Now it's only you and Grim left in the room. The sudden quite defining.
Grim hops down from your shoulder. "I've always thought of those guys as a couple of loudmouths, but now that they're gone... It's clear as crystal just HOW loud they've been! Buncha meddling so-and-sos..."
You laugh. "Come on. Let's head back to the dorm."