As good friends often do, Lisa and Lora decided to support Emma and took her to a ski resort for Christmas to help her get over her recent breakup. However, going off-piste with Sam made her realize that this Christmas wasn’t going to go as planned.
Emma tightened her scarf to protect herself from the icy mountain air before she and her best friends entered the cozy lobby of the ski resort.
The warm interior was a stark contrast to the cold outside, buzzing with the lively atmosphere of the holiday season.
Families laughed and children played, while in the center of the room, a massive Christmas tree twinkled with golden lights.
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The rich scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the light sound of holiday music.
For most people, this scene would have brought joy, but for Emma, it only highlighted the dull ache in her chest.
It had been two months since she and Sam had broken up, and no amount of partying could distract her from the memory of their last fight.
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Her friends, Lisa and Lara, had practically dragged her along for the trip, insisting she needed a change of scenery.
Emma knew they meant well, but moving on wasn’t as easy as they seemed to think.
Lisa, the group organizer, turned to Emma with a beaming smile.
“Cheer up, Em! This weekend is all about having fun. Don’t think about the past, okay?”
“Yes,” Lara agreed, tossing her wavy hair over her shoulder.
“And maybe we’ll meet some cute guys on the slopes tonight. Forget that loser!”
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Emma tried to smile, but it felt forced. Her chest tightened at the mention of Sam, as if his name alone could bring back the pain she was trying to bury.
Still, she nodded. “You’re right. A fun weekend. No dwelling on the past.”
As they checked in and headed to their room, Lisa excitedly outlined their plans.
“Okay, tomorrow we’re doing the longest ski run, then maybe we’ll try the ice rink in the afternoon. Oh, and the Christmas party later in the living room is supposed to be awesome.”
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Lara smiled. “I heard there’s a band! And a hot chocolate bar. You can’t miss it!”
Emma lagged slightly behind, pulling her suitcase, trying to match their energy but struggling to shake off her melancholy.
The elevator ride to their room was filled with chatter, Lisa and Lara bouncing ideas off each other while Emma remained silent, lost in thought.
Their room was small but charming, with rustic wooden furniture and a window overlooking the snowy courtyard.
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Emma sighed as she approached the window, drawn to the serene scene outside.
But as soon as his eyes fell on the courtyard below, his breath caught in his throat.
There he was. Sam. He was unloading skis into the back of a car. His familiar figure moved with ease, his breath visible in the cold air. Emma’s heart sank like a stone into water.
“Guys… I think Sam’s here,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lisa and Lara rushed to her side, peering out the window. “Oh no,” Lisa muttered, frowning.
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Emma turned away, panic rising in her chest.
“We have to leave,” she said urgently. “I can’t do this. I can’t stay here.”
“Emma, stop,” Lisa said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“We paid for this trip and we’re here to have fun. You can’t let him ruin it.”
“Lisa’s right,” Lara added, crossing her arms.
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“You can’t run away from him forever. He’s just another guest at the hotel. Act like he’s not there. You have us. Focus on having fun.”
Emma hesitated, her heart pounding. Part of her wanted to pack her bags and run away, but deep down, she knew her friends were right.
She couldn’t keep running every time she risked running into Sam. Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly nodded.
“Okay,” she said softly, her stomach tightening.
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Lisa smiled reassuringly at him. “That’s the spirit. Stay with us, and we’ll make this the best Christmas ever.”
Sitting on the edge of her bed, staring out at the snowy landscape outside, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that this trip wasn’t going to go as planned.
Lisa jumped up and down with excitement as she double-checked her equipment.
“All right, ladies, today is going to be epic! The longest run in the resort, perfect views, and nothing but fun!”
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She beamed as she adjusted her ski goggles. Emma, standing aside, fiddled with her gloves, her nerves on edge.
She had always loved skiing, but hadn’t been on the slopes for years.
Today was different—she wasn’t just nervous about the track; the thought of running into Sam again haunted her.
“Relax, Emma,” Lara said, nudging her.
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“Once you’re outside, you’ll completely forget about it. Trust me.”
Emma nodded hesitantly. “I hope so.”
When they reached the top of the slope, Emma gasped.
The view was postcard-perfect. Snow-capped peaks stretched into infinity, glistening in the sunlight.
The air was crisp and clean, and for the first time since she had arrived, she felt a sense of peace.
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“It’s amazing,” she whispered, allowing herself a small smile.
“See? This is why we came!” Lisa exclaimed, pushing off to start hurtling down the slope. Lara followed close behind, laughing as the wind carried her voice away.
Emma hesitated for a moment, then rushed forward.
For the first time in weeks, she felt free, as if she was leaving all her sadness behind at every turn.
But as she rounded a bend, her joy faded. Her eyes had fallen on a familiar figure, Sam’s.
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He skied smoothly along the edge of the slope, his movements effortless. Emma’s heart raced, not from the speed, but from the knot of emotion tightening in her chest.
She panicked, trying to move away, but the icy slope prevented her from doing so. Her skis wobbled and she lost control, hurtling straight toward him.
“Watch out!” she shouted, but it was too late. She collided with him, and the impact sent them both flying off the track.
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The world began to spin in a blur of white as they tumbled down the slope, snow flying around them.
Instinctively, Emma clung to him, her arms wrapping tightly around him as they tumbled further into the trees.
When they finally stopped, everything was still except for the sound of his ragged breathing.
Emma lay on her back, staring at the branches above her.
“Oh no,” she whispered, closing her eyes. This wasn’t how she had hoped her day would turn out.
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Emma opened her eyes and groaned, wincing as she tried to sit up. She glanced at her skis—one had snapped in two. She felt her stomach twist again. “Great,” she mumbled.
“Emma?” Sam’s voice called her. He was shaking off the snow and walking towards her. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” she said shortly, pushing him away. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here? You ran into me!” Sam retorted, raising his voice.
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“Because you were in my way!” she retorted.
Their bickering escalated, as frustration and anger over their breakup bubbled to the surface.
“You always blame me for everything!” Emma yelled, struggling to stay upright but wincing in pain. Her leg hurt, and she realized she might have twisted it when she fell.
Sam noticed her discomfort. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his tone softening. “Let me help you.”
“I don’t need your help,” she said stubbornly, trying to walk, but her limp was obvious.
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Sam rolled his eyes. “You’re impossible, you know that?” Without waiting for her permission, he pulled her into his arms.
“Put me down!” she protested, but he ignored her, adjusting his grip as he began to walk.
As they made their way through the snow, the tension grew heavier. Emma finally broke the silence.
“You dumped me on my birthday, Sam. Do you know how much that hurt?”
“I didn’t dump you,” he replied defensively. “You blocked me before I could explain anything.”
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“Explain what?” she asked bitterly. “That you couldn’t handle a single argument?”
“I was frustrated, Emma! Every time we argued, you’d shut me out. I didn’t know how to fix it.”
Emma stared at him, her anger mixed with something else—regret. “You didn’t even try to talk to me.”
Sam sighed, his breath visible in the cold air.
“I wish I had. I didn’t want to break up, Emma. I just didn’t know what else to do.”
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For the first time, Emma’s walls began to crumble.
“I missed you,” she confessed softly.
Sam glanced at him, a gentle expression on his face. “I missed you too.”
When they finally arrived at the hotel, Emma’s friends were waiting at the entrance, their faces full of relief.
“Emma!” Lisa cried, rushing to her side. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
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Lara wasn’t far behind. “Are you okay? What happened?” she asked, her eyes narrowing when she spotted Sam.
“What’s he doing here?” Lisa asked, walking towards Sam. “If you think you’re going to hurt him again…”
“Stop,” Emma said firmly, cutting her off. “Sam saved me. And… we talked. Really talked. Something we should have done a long time ago.”
Lisa stared at her, surprised, but nodded. “If you’re sure…”
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After a local doctor examined Emma’s leg and confirmed it was only a minor sprain, Lisa and Lara invited her to the hotel’s Christmas party, complete with dancing and a festive dinner.
But Emma refused. “I think I’ll stay home tonight,” she said, glancing at Sam.
As the clock struck midnight, Emma and Sam sat by her bedroom window, watching the snow fall gently outside.
A small Christmas tree in the corner twinkled with lights, casting a warm glow. Sam handed him a mug of hot chocolate, and they sat in comfortable silence.
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“Merry Christmas,” he said softly.
Emma smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in months.
“Merry Christmas,” she replied, realizing that sometimes getting lost was the only way to truly find yourself.
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