Two Strangers, One Holiday

The crisp winter air bit at Alannah's skin as she stood on her apartment balcony, staring down at the city streets below. The holiday season had descended in full force, with the world around her aglow in festive lights and glittering decorations. Yet, for Alannah, it was just another day, another reminder of the loneliness she felt during the most celebrated time of the year.

The holidays had always been a big deal in her family—until last year. That was when everything began to unravel. Her parents had separated, her sister had moved abroad, and her best friend, Emily, had been swept up in her new relationship, leaving Alannah feeling like an afterthought. 

So, this year, she had decided to do something different—something for herself. Instead of returning home to her parents' place in the suburbs, she’d booked a small, quiet cabin tucked away in the mountains, far from the noise of her past. No one knew where she was; it was just going to be her, the mountains, and a good book. That was the plan.

Except, the universe had other ideas.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, breaking the stillness. It was a message from Emily.

*“Hey, I know you’re away for the holidays, but Mia’s coming to the cabin this year. I told her she could join you. I hope that’s okay. :)”*

Alannah’s heart sank. Mia. Of course, Mia.

Mia was Emily's cousin—someone Alannah had always been polite to but never truly connected with. Mia was everything Alannah wasn’t: outgoing, spontaneous, and effortlessly surrounded by people. She had an uncanny ability to make friends in every room she entered, something Alannah could never quite manage. While Emily was her closest friend, Mia always seemed to slip into their dynamic with ease, filling any empty space left by Alannah’s quieter nature.

Alannah stared at the message for a long moment, trying to steady the sudden rush of emotion. This was supposed to be her time alone—her escape from everything. She didn’t want to spend it with someone she barely knew, especially not someone so different from her. 

*“I hope it’s okay”*—that’s what Emily had written. Of course, it was fine. It had to be. She had no right to back out now, especially when Emily had already made plans.

Reluctantly, Alannah typed a response: *“Sure, no problem. See you both soon.”*

She wasn’t happy about it, but what could she do? The cabin was small, and Mia would be coming whether she liked it or not.

---

Mia arrived later that afternoon, her bright smile and lively energy filling the cabin the moment she stepped through the door. She was exactly as Alannah had imagined—loud, exuberant, and completely at ease in the space that was supposed to be her sanctuary.

"Hey!" Mia greeted, her eyes scanning the cozy living room before landing on Alannah. "This place is adorable! I’m so glad Emily talked me into coming. It’s exactly what I needed after everything with my family."

Alannah forced a smile, trying to mask the tightness in her chest. "Yeah, it’s great. I’m glad you could make it."

Mia set down her bag and immediately began inspecting the small kitchen. "Do you cook? I’m an *amazing* cook, by the way. I could make us something special for dinner tonight." She turned to Alannah, her eyes twinkling. "How about we bake some cookies? It’ll be fun!"

Alannah couldn’t help but laugh a little at Mia’s enthusiasm, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I’m not much of a baker. But I’m sure we’ll figure something out."

"Perfect! We can make a mess together," Mia said, pulling out a baking sheet from one of the cupboards. "I love how quiet and peaceful this place is. It’s like… I don’t know, a retreat from everything, right?"

Alannah nodded, but it felt like Mia’s energy was overpowering the very peace she had come here to find. It was too much, too soon. She wasn’t used to this kind of company, especially not when she was trying to escape her own thoughts.

As the evening unfolded, they cooked dinner together—though Mia took the lead, adding a little of this and a little of that while Alannah mostly watched from the counter. But as Mia worked, Alannah couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly the other woman filled the silence between them. She spoke about her job in marketing, her latest dating disaster, and how she had been feeling drained by her family over the holidays.

"You know," Mia said casually while stirring the pot on the stove, "I really needed this. It’s funny. I’ve always been the one who makes sure everyone’s having a good time, but I’ve never really stopped to think about what *I* want. My family… well, they’re all in their own little worlds right now, and it’s just been a lot to handle. So, when Emily suggested this trip, I thought, why not? I could really use a break."

Alannah paused, giving Mia a thoughtful look. "Yeah, I get that," she replied softly. "I came up here to get away from everything. It’s been a rough year, you know?"

Mia tilted her head, considering Alannah’s words. "Yeah, I get it. You don’t have to explain. It’s been a rough year for everyone. Sometimes you just need a moment to breathe, right?"

Alannah nodded, surprised by how easily the conversation had shifted from small talk to something deeper. She didn’t know why, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe Mia wasn’t so bad after all.

---

The following day, after a leisurely morning of coffee and pancakes, the two women decided to take a walk through the snow-covered woods that surrounded the cabin. The sun was low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. The air was crisp and clear—quiet and peaceful, just the way Alannah liked it. But Mia, ever the social butterfly, was determined to fill every moment with conversation.

"This place is so magical," Mia remarked, kicking a snowdrift as they walked side by side. "It’s like we’re in a Christmas movie or something."

Alannah smiled softly, nodding. "Yeah, it is. I guess that’s what I was hoping for when I booked the trip."

They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes, the only sound being the soft crunch of their boots in the fresh snow.

"So, how are you really doing, Alannah?" Mia asked, breaking the silence. "I know you came here to get away, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to it than that. You seem… well, distant. Like you’re carrying something heavy."

Alannah stopped in her tracks, taken aback by the directness of Mia’s question. She hadn’t expected the conversation to take this turn, but as she looked at Mia, she saw something in her eyes—something like genuine concern. It made Alannah’s heart ache. She hadn’t allowed herself to talk about her struggles with anyone for months, not since her family had fractured and she’d tried to pick up the pieces on her own.

"I just… I don’t know. Everything’s been falling apart," she confessed, her voice soft. "My parents, my sister, my best friend… I just don’t know where I fit anymore. It’s like I’m drifting, and I don’t know how to get back."

Mia stood there, silent for a moment. Then, to Alannah’s surprise, she reached out and placed a hand gently on her arm. "You’re not alone, Alannah. It might not seem like it right now, but you’re not."

For the first time in a long while, Alannah felt a small flicker of warmth—a connection, a reminder that there were people who cared. Mia, of all people, had shown her that.

The two women continued their walk, but this time, there was an unspoken understanding between them. The rest of the day passed more easily, the space between them no longer filled with awkwardness or tension. They shared stories, laughed at silly things, and even ended up baking the cookies they had promised each other. 

By the time Emily called later that evening, the two of them were sprawled on the couch, mugs of hot chocolate in hand, watching a cheesy holiday movie.

"How’s everything going up there?" Emily asked, her voice light and cheerful.

Alannah smiled, her eyes meeting Mia’s across the room. "Better than I expected," she said, her tone soft but genuine. "I think I might just be glad you sent Mia after all."

Mia laughed, winking at her. "I told you we’d make good holiday buddies."

And for the first time in a long while, Alannah didn’t feel quite so alone.

---

The next morning, they woke to the soft sound of gentle snowfall outside the window. The cabin was warm and cozy, and the light filtering through the windows made everything feel as though it had been dusted with magic. Alannah stretched, a contented sigh escaping her lips. She felt surprisingly rested. The stress she had carried with her seemed lighter, and it wasn’t just the quiet atmosphere of the cabin that had changed her mood.

It was Mia.

As they went about their morning routine, Mia casually mentioned she had heard about a small Christmas market in the nearby village. "It’s a little kitschy, but I bet it’d be fun. What do you think?"

Alannah hesitated. She wasn’t used to venturing out, especially not on a day like Christmas Eve when she preferred to just stay in. But Mia was so excited about the idea. Alannah realized, maybe she could let herself experience a little more joy this year. After all, Mia was right—she needed a break from her own thoughts, even if it meant stepping outside her comfort zone.

"Sure, why not?" Alannah said, surprising herself. "Let’s go."

The market was small, but lively, with booths selling hot cider, homemade candles, and locally crafted goods. The air was filled with the sweet scent of cinnamon and pine, and the sounds of laughter echoed through the street. As the two women strolled through the market, Alannah couldn’t help but notice how at ease Mia seemed. She was chatting with the vendors, laughing with strangers, and soaking in the holiday spirit.

Alannah, on the other hand, hung back a little, observing the scene from a distance. But as the afternoon wore on, she found herself laughing more, sharing little jokes with Mia

, and even buying a hand-carved ornament from one of the stalls. By the time the market closed, the tension in her chest had eased, and for the first time in a long time, Alannah felt like she was truly *present*—not lost in the past or the weight of the future.

As they returned to the cabin that evening, Mia turned to Alannah with a grin. "See? That wasn’t so bad, right?"

Alannah smiled back, her heart lighter than it had been in months. "Yeah, you were right. It was exactly what I needed."

The two of them spent the rest of the evening cooking dinner, wrapping gifts, and watching holiday movies. For once, Alannah didn’t feel like she was just going through the motions. She wasn’t simply waiting for the holiday to end so she could return to her routine. She was embracing it.

And, for the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel so alone.