A Curvy Carol (A Curvy Girl Christmas #2)

2. Whit

2

WHIT

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a town like Garland, but it sure wasn’t the over-the-top scene I’d stepped into. Right now, I was surrounded by hundreds of people for the famous Christmas tree lighting, all dressed in Christmas clothes and chatting happily with each other while Christmas music played over big speakers.

It was the kind of moment that made you think you’d been transported to a cozy movie. There was no way it was real.

Except it was.

When my parents had told me three months ago that they’d bought the local lodge and we were moving, I couldn’t believe it. It was like they were in the middle of a midlife crisis or something.

They both worked high-stress corporate careers. Then, all of a sudden, we were leaving it all behind, packing up our lives, and moving to this small Christmas-obsessed town.

And while they were busy at the lodge, I was here to watch Garland’s most famous Christmas tradition: the lighting of the tree. Someone had told me if you made a wish on the Christmas star, it would come true.

I watched the star on the giant tree at Cider Center light up the sky. The crowd around me gasped. My mouth fell open. I’d never see anything like it.

Nearby, a couple of guys my age stood together, smiling and talking about something. They probably went to the high school here.

I’d only moved here in the middle of last semester, so I didn’t know a ton of people yet. Since I had finished up my classes from my old school online, I wouldn’t be enrolled here until the new year.

Supposedly, we’d moved here so we could spend more time together as a family and get out of the bustling city. Live somewhere with fresh air and nice people. But so far, all my parents did was run the lodge.

I didn’t have any siblings, but this was sort of how I imagined having a baby brother or sister would be. The lodge required Mom and Dad’s attention pretty much all the time, and sometimes, I got stuck babysitting.

It wasn’t too bad, except for the fact that I really could’ve used some friends. I missed my old friends like crazy.

So far, I really liked Garland. It was the opposite of the big, hectic city we’d lived in all my life. Here, people actually said good morning to you. They made small talk instead of ignoring you.

The problem was, I wouldn’t have the chance to make any friends until the new semester started after the holidays.

It was a huge bummer because Christmas was my favorite time of year. At least back home, I’d had a couple of good friends to hang out and do things with. Now all I could see were families and friend groups enjoying the season. And me? I was alone.

After the lighting of the tree, I walked around town for a while. There were lots of things to do, but it felt lame doing them on my own. Like the sleigh ride. Maybe next year , I thought to myself. Or maybe if I could find a way for my friends to visit.

I wondered where the high schoolers hung out in this town.

After checking out the mall, I headed back to the lodge. It was almost dinnertime. I hung around for a while, bored and wondering when Mom and Dad would have a chance to eat with me.

The lobby was busy, so I made my way to the grounds in the back. The lodge was over fifty years old, and it sat on a large property. Almost a hundred acres, mostly forest, and this time of year, it was completely covered in snow.

I took a seat on one of the benches outside, admiring the view. Mountains sat majestically in the background covered in snow and evergreen trees. A couple walked along the trail, hand in hand, and I saw a family building a snowman together under an orange lamplight along the winding path. They were probably on vacation, enjoying all a Garland Christmas had to offer. A small spot of jealousy burned in my chest, and I shifted on the bench, trying to quash it.

Then I spotted Dad. It looked like he was talking to the groundskeeper. The guy had worked here for years, saying he started after he graduated high school. Now he was about my dad’s age and knew the property like the back of his hand.

I gave Dad a wave, and he waved in return before turning back to the groundskeeper.

It seemed like everyone had a place here in Garland. My mom and dad had their jobs to do at the lodge. The families visiting had each other. And all the people around this picture-perfect town had friends and loved ones to spend their time with.

It was by far the most beautiful Christmas season I’d ever experienced.

But even so, I couldn’t help but think that I couldn’t fully enjoy it.

Garland was supposed to be the most magical place on earth this time of year, but I’d never felt more alone.