Chapter 421: Before the Winter Break
As another week began, the entirety of Avaloria City had fully transformed into a winter postcard. Breathtaking, but equally cold as the temperatures plummeted further.
Snow fell more frequently now, dusting rooftops and blanketing the sidewalks. It also gathered in neat little hills at the edges of the streets.
It was beautiful, until it melted and turned into muddy water.
From morning to night, shop windows glowed with golden lights, with wreaths hung proudly on the doors. Both upbeat and sorrowful festive songs blared from speakers outside and inside the stores.
At the same time, carol singers gathered to sing familiar tunes, their voices bright against the crisp air. They huddled together in scarves and mittens as they sang through the bustling streets.
That Thursday morning, Lariette walked quickly along the path leading to the school building, clutching her bag tighter against the cold. Ruediger had just dropped her off outside.
The man said he had to go to the studio today. She excitedly told him that she anticipated which song he would cover for the holidays. He had kept it a secret.
Lariette’s boots crunched softly against the thick layer of snow, and her breath puffed out in little clouds. As much as she shivered, she couldn’t deny that the atmosphere was enchanting.
Seeing how much the world seemed to be wrapped in celebration cast a smile on her lips.
As Lariette hurried to the building, the students’ conversation floated in the air, reaching her. They braced the cold air while being bundled in thick coats.
"Brrr! It’s so cold!"
"Hurry inside! I wanna play cards."
"Urgh... The teachers won’t assign us much homework for winter break, right?"
Lariette almost laughed, but said nothing. The students were more carefree after the final exam. The school also allowed leniency, as long as they didn’t break any major rules.
Inside the building, the warmth of the heaters and the smell of brewing coffee welcomed Lariette. At this hour, only a few of her colleagues had arrived.
Lariette carried her usual backpack and sling bag, not forgetting a bulky and huge tote bag she hung on her left shoulder. After setting her things down at her desk, she checked the contents inside the tote bag.
Inside were neatly wrapped little boxes, each containing a fountain pen and a bar of chocolate she had chosen days ago. They were her token of appreciation to her colleagues before the year ended.
When Lariette was quietly placing the boxes on the other teachers’ desks, Phoebe arrived. Shaking snowflakes from her coat, she greeted the former.
"Lari! Good morning!"
"Morning, Phoebe," Lariette smiled, "Here, this is for you."
Because she hadn’t placed Phoebe’s share on the latter’s desk yet, Lariette took this chance to give it to her personally.
Phoebe blinked, but not entirely in surprise as she accepted the little box, "Oh? Another gift this year?"
"Just a small gift," Lariette chuckled, "A little thank you for this year."
Phoebe beamed, "You’re too thoughtful! Thank you so much."
Soon, Lariette was done going around the teachers’ lounge. For the administration staff, janitors, guards and the cafeteria staff, she discreetly sought Principal Smith’s help.
He easily agreed to assist her again this year. Like before, he simply told the support staff the gifts came from a mysterious donor.
Unlike what the teachers received, Lariette gave the support staff gift cards for a grocery store nearby. The place was known for selling quality stuff at much lower prices.
Soon, the lounge gradually filled with chatter. The teachers gathered around the coffee machine, clutching steaming mugs of tea or coffee to warm themselves before classes began.
A jar of cookies and pineapple tarts had been set on the table, and the air was filled with the cheerful hum of conversation. Lariette also joined her colleagues there, with her own mug of tea.
"I’m going skiing with my family," Nora gushed, her cheeks flushed with excitement, "We’ll celebrate Christmas and New Year there. Only our immediate family."
"Lucky you," Benjamin laughed while reaching for another cookie, "I’m planning to do nothing at all. Just sit by the fireplace and nap as much as I can."
"That sounds even better," Phoebe teased, "I might just follow your plan instead."
Another teacher sighed happily, "My husband and I are traveling to Prague for a week. I heard it looks like a fairy tale during Christmas. We won’t visit families and relatives like usual."
"That sounds romantic," Nora chimed in.
As the others swapped stories and plans, Lariette sipped her tea quietly, the warmth spreading through her chest. She listened with a smile, nodding here and there, but her mind drifted elsewhere.
Like the others, her winter break would be far from idle, but it filled her with a different kind of anticipation.
Lariette thought of Ruediger’s promise to bring her to visit his mother’s grave this Saturday, the very first day of the break. They would fly to the north, Moonville Village, the next day.
The grave visit felt intimate, heavy with meaning. Her heart softened at the thought.
Lariette had never met Ruediger’s mother, but she knew how much the woman had meant to him. Being able to accompany him there carried a deeper meaning of trust.
’This year will be so different,’ she thought to herself.
Unlike the previous years, Lariette wouldn’t need to pretend to happily celebrate Christmas and the New Year with the Elshers. Aside from the occasional texting with Declan and Rafael, she hadn’t reached out to the others in so long.
Lariette was more than content with her current life. She didn’t want to go out of her way seeking heartaches from her biological parents and Alaric again.
"Lari, what about you? Any plans?"
Nora’s voice drew Lariette back from her trance. Settling her mug down, she smiled at the former.
"Quite a lot, actually. I’ll bring my husband up north for Christmas. And we’ll travel to Norvonna to visit his family for the New Year."
"That sounds tiring, but wonderful," another teacher said before adding teasingly, "You must be excited. It’s your first winter holidays as a husband and wife, right?"
"Hehe, I am," Lariette admitted with a chuckle. Her gaze flickered toward the snowy window, "Very much."