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Well, everyone except me. I had never felt so alone in a crowded room before.

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. There were no snakes. And no fights. I was pretty sure everyone else would remember this night forever. But I hoped to forget it.

It was still early. And if I went to Scarlett’s room, I’d ruin her and Axel’s night. I needed to go home. Alone. Like always.

I headed toward the closet and grabbed my trench coat. I slowly pulled it on. Maybe he’ll come to the next party. I took a step toward the door, but before I was anywhere near it, the door opened.

And Mr. Halifax was standing there in all his feathery glory.

Chapter 16 – A Christmas Miracle

Tuesday

It was a Christmas miracle. The room hushed around me as the Empire High eagle mascot locked eyes with me. At least, I thought he was locking eyes with me. I couldn’t see Mr. Halifax’s eyes through his big eagle head.

But his beak tipped down and rose like he was slowly taking me all in. Even though I was almost completely covered in my trench coat. And there were tons of half-naked women behind me. He was still staring at me like he couldn’t look away.

For a few seconds we both just stared at each other. Like neither of us could believe this was really happening. Shit, is it? Or am I imagining him? I grabbed the closest person to pinch me.

“Hey, Sophie,” Leo said. “Like my snake?” He pointed to his dick. Unlike everyone else who’d come in fig leaves, Leo was in a man thong. There was a sleeve on the front to hold his junk that was printed to look like a snake.

It was a clever costume. And his snake really jutted forward. Total props to him. But I didn’t have time for this. “Pinch me,” I said.

“You mean bite you?” Leo winked at me.

“What? No. Go away.” I pinched myself instead. Ouch. Yeah, this was definitely real.

Mr. Halifax was still just standing there watching me.

“I heard there’s a sex dungeon here,” Leo said.

Had he not gone away? “Leo, do you see him?” I pointed to the mascot.

“Yo!” Leo yelled. And then he cupped his mouth and turned around. “The Empire High mascot is here!”

YES!

“Go Eagles!” someone else yelled.

Mr. Halifax didn’t pay them any attention. He was still just staring at me.

He wasn’t here for them.

He was here for me and only me. Because I’d asked him to come. And he was finally ready to give in to temptation and eat the apple. Or rather...coffee berry. I shook my head. Apples worked better for a teacher. But I did understand Mr. Tanner’s logic...

What am I even thinking? What was important was that Mr. Halifax was here to eat the forbidden fruit... Me.

I pushed my trench coat off my shoulders, letting it pool on the floor around my heels.

Mr. Halifax shook his head and then stepped toward me.

I couldn’t resist the temptation any longer either. I ran over to him. “You actually came!” I jumped into his arms.

He caught me just like he had after the game. With his hands on my ass, pulling me closer.

“I didn’t want your Christmas wish to not come true,” he said, his muffled voice barely audible over the music.

I’d written that in a few of my notes. That the mascot showing up was my only Christmas wish this year. He had no idea how much this meant to me. It really was a Christmas miracle.