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Katie stood on her apartment balcony, the frigid Milwaukee air biting at her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around herself. Snowflakes danced in the pale light of the street lamps below, turning the city into a shimmering winter wonderland. She sighed, her breath visible in the cold, a small cloud that quickly dissipated. Christmas was just around the corner, and while the city buzzed with holiday cheer, she felt as though she was on the outside looking in.	“Hey, Katie!” her neighbor, Mark, shouted from two balconies over, his voice breaking through the soft sounds of holiday music drifting from nearby shops. “You coming to the party at the pub tonight?”	Katie leaned against the railing, her heart sinking a little. “I don’t know, Mark. I’ve got... things to do.”	“Things?” he laughed, a warm, hearty sound. “C’mon! It’s Christmas! You have to celebrate a little. It’s not the same without you.”	She offered a halfhearted smile. “I appreciate the invite, really. It’s just... I’m not feeling very festive this year.”	“There’s always next year!” he shouted, but his voice trailed off as he turned back inside, leaving her alone with her thoughts.	The truth was, Katie had been feeling alone for years. Ever since her parents passed away, the holidays had lost their luster, replaced by a shadow that loomed over her every December. She turned back into her apartment, the space filled with memories that felt both comforting and suffocating.&nbsp;	Just as she settled onto the couch, a soft thud echoed from her doorstep. Curious, she opened the door to find a small, brightly wrapped package sitting on the mat. No name, no return address, just a simple bow on top.&nbsp;	“What the…?” she murmured, kneeling to pick it up. It felt surprisingly heavy in her hands. She glanced around, half-expecting to see someone hiding around the corner, but the hallway was empty.&nbsp;	With a mix of excitement and trepidation, she brought the package inside and set it on the coffee table. A flicker of anticipation fluttered in her chest as she carefully unwrapped it, the crinkling paper filling the silence. Inside, she found a delicate snow globe, the kind that sparkled when shaken. Inside was a miniature scene of a cozy cabin surrounded by pine trees, complete with tiny twinkling lights.&nbsp;	“What a strange gift,” she murmured, turning it over in her hands. Then she noticed a tag tucked beneath the base. “To Katie, from your Secret Santa.”&nbsp;	The weight of the gesture struck her, and for the first time in a while, she felt something other than sadness. A smile crept onto her face. “Who even knows me enough to send me a gift?” she wondered aloud, shaking the globe gently. The scene inside swirled with glitter as she imagined the person behind it.	Later that evening, she found herself standing in front of her bathroom mirror, contemplating her reflection. The glow of the snow globe sat on her dresser, casting soft light that illuminated the room. She ran her fingers through her hair, pushing aside the urge to curl up in bed.&nbsp;	“Okay, Katie,” she said to herself, “you can do this. Just a couple of hours. It’ll be fun.”	With that, she threw on a warm sweater and stepped into her boots, bracing herself against the cold as she made her way to the pub. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses greeted her, a stark contrast to the quiet of her apartment.&nbsp;	As she entered, Mark spotted her immediately and waved her over. “There she is! The Christmas spirit has arrived!”	“More like the Christmas ghost,” she retorted, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile.&nbsp;	“Hey, don’t sell yourself short!” He handed her a drink, and she took a sip, the warmth of the spiced cider enveloping her. “You’re just in time for the Secret Santa reveal.”	“What’s that?” she asked, feigning ignorance, though the curiosity was real.	Mark grinned like a child. “Everyone exchanges gifts! It’s a blast. Don’t worry; no pressure. Just enjoy!”	As the evening wore on, Katie found herself laughing and chatting, the warmth of the room melting the frost that had settled around her heart. She even joined in on the Secret Santa game, taking a seat as people began to reveal their gifts.&nbsp;	“Okay, who’s next?” a woman called out, holding a small, colorful box.&nbsp;	“I’ll go!” A man with wild hair and a contagious grin jumped up. “This one’s for my buddy, Tim!”	He handed over the box, and the crowd leaned in, anticipation thickening the air. The box was opened to reveal a ridiculous Christmas sweater, complete with blinking lights. Laughter erupted, and Katie couldn’t help but join in, the sound bubbling from her like champagne.&nbsp;	As the game continued, someone called her name. “Katie! You’re up!”	“What? I didn’t—” she stammered, but it was too late. The group was watching her, their eyes filled with warmth and expectation.&nbsp;	“Uh, okay,” she said, standing up and feeling a flush creep into her cheeks. She picked up a small gift bag that had been placed on the table. “I guess I’ll open this?”	Inside was a soft pair of mittens and a small card that read, “To keep your hands warm, just like your heart.”&nbsp;	“Aww!” a few people cooed, and she felt a rush of gratitude.	“Who’s your Secret Santa?” Mark asked, eyebrows raised.	“Honestly? I have no idea!” she laughed, turning the card over. “But this is so thoughtful.”	After the game ended and the group began to disperse, Mark pulled her aside. “So, how do you feel?”	“Surprisingly good,” she admitted, leaning against the wall. “I didn’t think I’d enjoy myself this much.”	“See? Told you! You just needed a little push,” he said, nudging her playfully. “And hey, if you liked this, you should come to the community ice skating rink tomorrow. A bunch of us are going.”	Katie hesitated, the old doubts creeping back in. “I don’t know, Mark. What if I’m just a downer? What if—”	“Stop right there!” he interrupted, his tone serious but still warm. “You’re not a downer. You’re one of the best people I know. Just give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?”	She considered his words, her heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”	“Good! I’ll text you the details!” he said before running off to join the others, leaving her standing there, the snow globe of her heart starting to thaw.	The next morning, Katie found herself staring at her phone, Mark’s message lighting up the screen. “Ice skating at noon! Can’t wait to see you!”&nbsp;	With a deep breath, she replied, “I’m in.”&nbsp;	As she arrived at the rink, she was met with a flurry of laughter and the sound of skates slicing through ice. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but the atmosphere was electric.&nbsp;	“Hey, there she is!” Mark called, waving her over. “Ready to show off your skills?”	“Skills?” she laughed nervously. “I can barely walk in these skates!”	“Don’t worry! We’ll hold your hand!” someone teased, and laughter erupted around her.	Katie took a deep breath, pushing aside her insecurities as she stepped onto the icy surface. The first few moments were shaky, but with each glide, her confidence grew.&nbsp;	“Look at you go!” Mark cheered, gliding beside her. “You’re a natural!”	“I’m just not falling,” she replied, breathless with exhilaration. The wind whipped through her hair, and for the first time in years, she felt free.&nbsp;	As they skated, she found herself laughing and shouting along with the others, the weight of her past lifting with every turn. The world felt brighter, the snowflakes falling more gently, and she realized how much she had missed this connection.	After an hour of skating, they took a break, huddling together with cups of steaming hot chocolate. “So, how are you feeling now?” Mark asked, his expression hopeful.	“Honestly? I feel... alive,” she admitted, warmth spreading through her chest. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”	“Good! You’re part of the community now. We want you around,” he said, nudging her shoulder. “And who knows? Maybe next year, you’ll be someone’s Secret Santa.”	Katie’s heart swelled at the thought. “Maybe I will.”	As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t experienced in a long time. The laughter, the warmth, the joy—it was all starting to seep into the cracks of her heart, mending what had been broken.	“Okay, one more round of skating before we head out!” Mark announced, standing up with a grin.	“Let’s do it!” Katie said, her excitement bubbling over.	As she pushed herself back onto the ice, she felt a new sense of purpose. The snow globe on her dresser would be a reminder—not just of her parents but of the joy still waiting for her in life. And maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to embrace the holidays again.	With each glide, she let go of the past, leaving behind the shadows that had haunted her for too long. The sound of laughter surrounded her, echoing in her heart, a promise of hope and healing. And in that moment, Katie knew she was ready to embrace the future, one joyful step at a time.

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Secret Santa 

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Secret Santa

Quiarrah

Jody Johnson

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Jody Johnson

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