ση тнє ƒσυятн ∂αу σƒ ¢няιѕтмαѕ, му тяυє ℓσνє gανє тσ мє 

ƒσυя ¢αℓℓιηg вιя∂ѕ, 

тняєє ƒяєη¢н нєηѕ,тωσ тυятℓє ∂σνєѕ,αη∂ α ραятяι∂gє ιη α ρєαя тяєє

Title: Starlight Wishes
Prompt: 'you' overhear a stranger's Christmas wish and decide to make it come true.
Synopsis: A girl from a family who secretly fulfills wishes overhears one from a boy and decides to grant it, all in the spirit of Christmas.
Requirements: [Word Count] 2000+

DECEMBER 22

     I love Christmas. From the kindergarten years where I still believed in Santa, to the more recent times where I continue the charade for my little siblings.

     Don't get me wrong, I love presents and the winter break from school. But I don't celebrate Christmas religiously, and people often ask me: why exactly do you like this holiday so much?

     My answer is always the same. I love the feeling of happiness that comes with the holiday season. I love the look on my younger siblings' faces when they see the presents "Santa" got them. I love spending time with my family, and yes, I do love presents.

     So it always hurts my soul to see people who don't have that, whether it's due to financial things or family things, or something else entirely.

     But every year as long as I can remember, my family has gone out into the community as soon as December starts. We don't call it eavesdropping or stalking, but we watch out for people who are in need of a little bit of happiness. Then, we try to make their wishes come true.

     And if that involves listening to, er, more private conversations, then we try to be as unobtrusive as possible.

     This particular wish-granting escapade started out innocently enough: I was walking by the pool, on my way home, when the swim team's practice let out.

     One person in particular caught my eye, because unlike his rowdy teammates who were basically attacking each other with their wet towels, he seems a lot more subdued.

     He had walked out of the building, his wet hair messy and his blue eyes fixed on his phone. I slow down, still a good hundred feet away.

     His teammates spill out of the pool, and peel away to parked cars or parents. But the boy stays standing there, phone in hand and head bowed.

     I keep walking slowly, then creep up the lawn next to the pool building and drop down behind the hedge near him.

     And that's how I hear his wish.

     "I wish my mom could be happy again," he whispers, looking away from his phone for the first time. He tilts his head up towards the sky, letting the streetlights play across his features. My first thought, embarrassingly enough, is Wow, he's hot.

     But he looks so sad, and I quickly shove those...interesting...thoughts out of my head. That was the kind of Christmas wish I couldn't grant. Hopefully he would say something else that could clue me in as to how I could go about making his mom happy.

     I almost miss it when he says, "Maybe if I took on another job I could help with the expenses..."

     He trails off, a forlorn expression on his face. Okay, I think. Money problems.

     I shift my position, my legs cramping slightly.

     He runs his hand through his hair. "Sh*t," he says, and he sounds so tired, so sad, that my heart breaks a little. "I just wish that I could do something."

     Please, I telepathically plead with him, just make a list of the things you want. And please make them tangible, because I can't make anyone feel a certain way.

     I realize, at this point, that he is quite literally just talking to himself, and I get a little concerned. But really, I'm not in a position to judge, since my whole plan hinges on him talking to himself more.

     He pulls out his phone again and starts typing. "Cake...for...Janie," he mutters. "Write...congrats..."

     Okay, a cake I could do. He'd even told me what to write on it!

     He continues his list, "Princess...dress...for...Molly,"

     I make a mental note, and strain my ears harder.

     "Decorate...house...for...Mom, and- and- dinner! Make...Christmas...dinner. And...get the money for all of this."

     Ok. Wow. I bite my lip and readjust my position behind the hedge, holding my breath so I don't accidentally give myself away.

     He presses his phone to his chest and looks up at the sky again. "Please," he whispers, "stars above, help me be strong for my family."

     If my heart was breaking earlier, it's getting ripped to pieces now.

     But I have tangible things I can do to help him. My family will inevitably be busy fulfilling other wishes, but I know they'll let me do this one. And I already have some ideas.

*****

     "Ma, I got a Christmas wish," I say, dropping into a chair at the kitchen table.

     "A wish?" she asks, setting a steaming bowl of soup in front of me.

     "Thank you," I reply. "And yeah, a boy at my school. He wants to help his family, make them happy for Christmas."

     "That's sweet."

     "Yeah."

     I take a spoonful of soup, which is delicious, like always. Vika and Niko should be almost in bed at this point, since their 6-year-old energy tires them out to the point where their bedtime is basically 8:00. My twin siblings always act like they have unlimited energy, but we all know they don't.

     My mom comes over to the table and sits next to me. "So let me guess: you want to do this wish on your own?"

     "Well, yes," I say, "but if I need help or a two-person job, could someone still help?"

     "Of course," my mom pats my hand. "I'm glad you're stepping into your role as an Ivanov."

     I smile at her and finish my soup.

DECEMBER 23

     The next day, I'm on a mission. I've got less than two days to find out the information and make his wishes come true. I keep my eyes peeled for Mysterious Sad Boy, since I can't actually do all the things for him if I never know who he is.

     It sounds like he has two sisters, one of whom is older - maybe graduating high school or in college? - and the other is younger. And of course, he's on the swim team.

     I watch for him as I walk around the neighborhood and pool area, and right as I'm about to give up, I see him. He's walking, head down, buried in his phone.

     "Argent!" someone calls from behind him. One of his teammates runs up to him and falls into step. Another skids to a halt on his other side.

     Argent, I realize. Now I have a name. All that's left is to find where he lives.

     Okay...that sounds creepy. But it's true? I mentally sigh and think of ways to find out his address - so I can decorate his house, make Christmas dinner, and deliver the presents. Not for any other reason, of course.

     Argent and his friends are now far ahead of me, but thankfully he's put his phone into his pocket and is laughing with them.

     They turn right, heading to the park, his two teammates shoving their phones into his face, Argent shoving them away. I can't help but laugh, and tell myself that I will do whatever it takes to get his Christmas wishes fulfilled.

*****

     Once again, I'm outside the pool when practice ends. But this time, I'm not planning to go home just yet. I texted my mom earlier, saying, going to find more info, b back l8r. Xoxo

     She'd given me the go-ahead, so now my mission is really underway. This part is especially crucial, as today, the 23rd, is the last day the swim team will have practice until after Christmas. And also, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so I really need to get a move on with this wish.

     Argent starts walking, putting an earbud in his ear as he shoves his phone into his pocket.

     I follow as inconspicuously as I can. He's walking slowly, looking down at his phone as he does. He makes a left on the next corner and continues walking. Leaving a few seconds behind him, I follow.

     He doesn't seem to notice that I'm following him, and that's the way I want to keep it. Eventually, he turns onto another street; a narrow one lined with small, neat houses.

     I creep close behind him, still making sure he doesn't turn around to see me. Finally, he reaches his destination: a small nondescript house with beige colored walls and a dark blue door.

     Dropping his bag, he rifles through it for a second until he pulls out a key. I make note of the address, and then quietly sneak away.

CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24

     "IT'S CHRISTMAS EVEEEEE!" squeals an excited voice next to my ear. I sigh, abandoning all hope of continuing my sleep.

     "Aren't you only supposed to wake me up by jumping on me ON Christmas?" I ask my brother Niko.

     "Nooo," Vika says from her position on my other side. "It's Christmas EVE so we also get to wake you up!"

     I groan as my mom appears in my doorway. "Sorry, Iso, honey. They escaped...Twins, leave Isobel alone."

     "No, Mom. It's okay. I'm awake anyways."

     The twins cheer, and again I am reminded that I have basically just doomed myself to a day full of speculation. They always try to guess what Santa got them days in advance, and Christmas Eve is the day they really double down on their guesses. As the person who bought the gifts, because Santa - the bearded white dude who comes down peoples' chimneys - is not real, keeping the secret is exhausting.

     I do believe though that Santa is more of a spirit. He is in the adoring looks that my siblings give me. He is in the home cooked meals that my mother makes. He is in the hugs I give my family, in the gifts (material or otherwise) that we give and receive. Santa is not real, and very real, all at once.

     However, my siblings are six, and even if I were to ruin their Christmas by telling them Santa isn't real, they probably wouldn't get it anyway. So I keep my mouth shut and nod along as Vika tells me she really thinks Santa will have given her a pony this year.

     Full disclosure - I did not get her a pony.

     Niko is convinced that Santa has gotten him a jet plane, and while I obviously couldn't get him that, I think the model airplane I bought will still be equally prized to him.

     Oh, the joys of being young.

*****

     After an exhausting day of babysitting and phone calls, I am literally about to drop dead. But there's still much to do - Argent's wish needs to be fulfilled tomorrow, and it has many many steps.

     Step one and two were completed during babysitting - get the cake and the dress - and both have been picked up by my dad.

     He smiles at me as I slide the cake into the refrigerator. "Finally getting in on the wish-granting Iso?"

     "Yep," I reply, "it's for a boy at my school."

     "Is he cute?" my mom asks, sliding her arm around my dad's waist.

     "Mom!" I yelp, slamming the fridge door.

     "What?" she asks, mimicking my tone. "It's a genuine question, Isobel." She emphasizes my name as well, continuing in the same exasperated voice I used.

     I lower my voice a bit, my cheeks flushing. "Okay, he is a little cute. Like scrawny but toned, in a way?"

     My mom nods slowly, considering this information. My dad is making his weirded out face, which he always uses when my mom and I talk "girl stuff".

     Sure enough, he claps his hands and says, "All right, enough of that. Isobel needs to fulfill her wish for this cute boy of hers, and we need to make dinner for the demons." He looks around for my siblings, who are, predictably, hiding somewhere in hopes that no one will make them wash up for dinner.

     "I'll get them," my mom says with a laugh.

     "And I'm just gonna...go," I back out of the room before anyone can ask me any more questions about my love life.

     Now that two things are taken care of, that just leaves two more. After some intense research, my parents and I had found Argent's mom's contact information.

     Earlier, I had emailed her:

     Hello Ms. Hathaway, I hope you're doing well. My name is Isobel Ivanov, and I would like to grant a Christmas wish involving your family. My family helps make wishes come true each holiday season, and this year I would like to surprise Argent by bringing him gifts for his sisters, and if possible, decorate the house and cook Christmas meals for your family. Again, this would be a surprise, so if you would keep it from your son, it would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, I trust that you will keep the Ivanov family tradition a secret as well. All the best, Isobel.

     She had responded back enthusiastically, and given me permission to go over to their house tomorrow morning. While she didn't question how I had her email, she did say that Argent was planning to swim at the lake like he did every morning, so I had time to put everything together.

     I feel a familiar tingle of excitement fill my body. I have been a part of many wish granting adventures before, but never done one entirely on my own. This is a new kind of exciting, one mixed with that blissful joy I always get while watching my siblings open their presents. This is what Christmas is about; this is why I love Christmas.

*****

     My dad returns to the kitchen, dragging a half-boneless Vika to the table. She flops into her seat and lays her head on the placemat. "I really hope I get a pony," she says, and I have to stifle a laugh.

     Niko seems to have employed the same solution as Vika, and my dad carries him into the room. He also puts his head down on the mat, but at least they both seem to be washed up.

     My mom bustles around, putting out the dishes and spooning small portions onto the twins' plates. I let the wish ideas settle in my brain, focusing instead on the here and now: my family, surrounding me. The people that love me, and the people I love. And also, food. My soulmate.

     Tomorrow morning is go time - get to Argent's house, deliver the presents, bring the food, and decorate the house, then get back before my siblings open their presents. As much as I wish I could see his reaction, that was never the Ivanov way. Get in, get out. You felt the impact rather than saw it, and really, the best feeling is that of knowing that you helped someone.

     So I relax into my chair, cracking a joke and digging into my dinner, and I realize just how lucky I am to have a family like this.

CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25

     I'm awake basically before the sun has even come up. Argent's mom said that he swam from around 5:30 to 7:00 in the morning every day in the lake on the edge of the city, which is the only place for him to practice on holidays. My first thought had been jeez, this guy is serious about his sport.

     But I can't blame him, I am passionate about many things. I am just grateful that he would be out of the house for an hour and a half for me to set everything up. Apparently, Argent's mom and younger sister had stayed at the older sister's apartment last night to help her settle in - why this was happening on Christmas Eve I do not know, but again, it was working out perfectly in my favor.

     I knew for a fact that Argent had ordered the presents for his sisters and the ingredients for the meals, but with a little help from the senior Ivanovs, I was able to intercept the payments and charge everything to the family fund, as well as change the pickup and order information to better suit my needs. (Which is technically illegal. But...you don't get in trouble if you don't get caught?)

     I imagine he is probably freaking out a little because all of his stuff was supposed to arrive yesterday. Technically, it did, just not to the right person. But I can also imagine the look on his face when he sees what I did, and then I don't feel as guilty anymore.

*****

     I move quietly through the halls, careful not to wake anyone. My parents know where I'm going, of course, but if Vika and Niko wake up, we're all done for. Thankfully, they're sound sleepers and hopefully won't wake up until at least 7, and then my parents can stall them if I'm not home yet.

     I take the pre-packed boxes and bags that we'd stacked next to the door yesterday, and slip out of the house. I'm early to Argent's house, so I watch him jog out the door and turn towards the lake, his backpack on his back. I wait a few minutes, in case he forgot something, but when he doesn't return, I make a dash for his front door.

     All of this is going according to plan, and his mom said she would turn off the cameras starting at 5:30. Now that it's 5 minutes later, I know the cameras and alarms should be off.

     However, since Argent's mom doesn't seem to be stupid, and it would be extremely stupid to let a random kid into your house with all cameras and alarms disabled, she didn't tell me where the key to the house is (her exact words were: "if you can figure out where the key is, then you're a good kid"). I wasn't sure how exactly that was a good indicator of my personality, but I just needed to find that key.

     I check the obvious places: the doormat, under the potted plants; but then think to look up. Right next to the camera, the key is nearly camouflaged with the wall. Now I'm realizing what she meant. Not only would you miss it if you were intending to do damage to as many things as possible - smashing the pots and the doormat wouldn't give you the key - but to get the key, you needed to find a way to climb up there without breaking anything.

     I'm considering jumping for it when I realize that I have an impromptu ladder with me. Stacking two of the boxes of decorations, I snag the key easily. I string up some lights on the outside of the house before opening the door and getting to work on the inside. The wrapped presents go under the tree (the one for his older sister - who, I found out, is in college - is a sweater and a note saying to look in the fridge; his younger sister's is the dress). I cook the food I brought with me, and in between, I decorate the interior of the house.

*****

     An hour later, everything is pretty much ready. There are lights and garlands strung all around the doorways and mantels, the tree is aglow, and there is a steaming table of food for breakfast along with food for lunch and dinner in the fridge and instructions on how to cook and reheat it.

     However, I couldn't resist adding my own special flair. I'd gotten a present for Argent, a pair of new mirrored goggles, along with some cash. Included with that was a note: Merry Christmas! The stars are very bright tonight. Spend time with your family. You deserve it. Love from your secret starlight fairy, II

     It had been tempting to leave my phone number, my name, something behind, but that went against all of the Ivanov rules. "Maybe some other time," my mom had said. "Go get that boy the real way. And hey, maybe talk to him first."

     I laughed, but sadly, because she was right. I needed to actually get to know Argent before anything could happen between us. But I'm hopefully making him happy, and that's all that matters right now.

*****

     Back at home, I slide into the living room just as the twins tear out of the hallway. "PRESENTSSSSSS!!" they shriek in unison. I can't help but laugh as they dissolve into a giant mountain of wrapping paper and toys.

     My parents make their way out, recording my siblings as they tear apart the wrappings on their presents. As expected, neither the absence of a pony nor the absence of a jet plane really impacts my siblings much.

     My heart feels full, and my face hurts from smiling. Ah, this is Christmas, I think.

     My mom slings an arm around my shoulders, "Well, go on Iso. We got you some presents too!"

     Grinning, I make my way into the center of the room and look at the labels on the presents. I spot three right away with my name on it. "Open it!" Vika yells impatiently, and Niko nods in emphatic agreement.

     I tear off the wrapping paper of the smallest box, which is barely bigger than the palm of my hand. Inside is a thin silver chain with a glittering star-shaped pendant.

     I feel myself tearing up. "I love it!" I choke out, looking up at my parents, who are beaming.

     "We thought it was fitting," my dad says.

     "Our little ray of starlight," my mom chimes in.

     The twins look back and forth between us, Vika finally breaking the silence by saying, "...I don't get it."

     We all burst into laughter as I tear open my other presents. I'd also received a boxed set of a book series I'd wanted and a new jacket.

     Finally, at the end of the present-opening spree, we gather for an Ivanov family tradition, one we did with our immediate family as well as the extended family at the Christmas dinner later tonight. "I am grateful for each and every one of you, and I love you so much. Long live the Ivanovs!" we cheer in unison, wrapping our arms around each other in a big group hug.

     I feel the warmth of my family surrounding me and smell the sweet scents of Christmas Day. I know that my story is far from over: I still have wishes to grant, boys to talk to, people to love, and many more Christmases to come. But right now, in this moment, even though it's daytime, I think I can feel the stars smiling down on us.

3748 WORDS

~~~~~WELCOME to day four!

i kinda went overboard with the words, but i'm very pleased with how this came out!