"But, honey, you've gotta learn to stop putting your happiness below other people's." Said Thalia. "You were happy with Robby."
Odessa frowned deeply. "I know. But he hurt Miguel. He hurt me. How do I move on from that?" 
Thalia didn't know how to answer that. She was a teenage girl once. She understood the feeling perfectly.  Christian was the love of her life. She dated a lot in high school but he was always the one she went back to. She understood how it felt to love someone so much. "What about Hawk? Have you guys talked?" She moved on. 
She shook her head. "No. It's like every time I think we're taking a step forward, he takes it three steps back. It's so exhausting. I feel like an idiot for thinking he would change."
The woman grabbed her hand "You're not an idiot.  You're just a girl with a good heart."
She smiled and then frowned. "Is it bad that I still love him? Love them both in some kind of way?"
"No, it's not. You can't control who you love. But you can control who hurts you and decide if you want them in your life or not." Thalia lectured. "It's all about following your heart, baby."
Odessa smiled sadly and nodded. She heard her phone go off and flipped it over to see the picture of her and Miguel wearing matching heart shaped sunglasses. "Hello?" She spoke into the phone.
"Dessi, you have plans tonight?" Miguel asked quickly like he was in a rush.
She looked at her mom with furrowed brows. "Um,  probably just hanging out at Hailey's house. My mom's going to a party. Why, what's up?" 
Her mom sipped her sweet tea and listened with curiosity.  
"Sam and I are throwing a Christmas party at her house. Only it's not an actual party, we're trying to get Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang to join together. You in?"
She smirked instantly. "Hell yeah I'm in."
she couldn't see but he threw his fist up in the air happily. "Yes! Okay, tell Hailey and the others. See you tonight. Love you!"
Before she could say anything, he hung up the phone.  "Everything okay?" Asked Thalia. 
"Looks like i'm going to a party,  too." 

























Oliver went through with Miguel's plan. He had been texting with Odessa since arriving at Sam's house. It also meant he had to lie to Demetri which he absolutely hated. Faint Christmas music was playing in the back and it was very quiet. He sat with Demetri on the couch and his arm leaned across the back of the furniture. "Well, this Christmas party's turning out to be Ho-Ho-Horrible," said Demetri. 
"Yeah. Sam, I thought you said your parents were gonna be out for the night," Chris pointed out. "So, why aren't we throwing a rager?"  
Sam met Oliver's eyes for a brief second. "There's a keg on the way. It's just gonna be a few more minutes."  She told them.
"Yeah, so be patient and listen to sweet sound of. . . whatever Christmas song this is," Oliver added and furrowed his brows. 
"Can we at least put on a Christmas special? I'd even watch that creepy one with the little elf dentist,"  Demetri suggested.
His boyfriend gave him an odd look.
"Yeah, i'm that bored." 
Oliver quickly, but sneakily, texted Odessa and told her to hurry her ass up. After a few minutes, the doorbell went off. "It's here!" Sam announced and went to open the door.