Preparations for the Snow

It was already several days into December, and the cold had firmly settled over Stanford. Although it didn't snow here, the icy air was enough to remind us that winter break was just around the corner. In my hometown, however, snow already blanketed the streets like a white quilt, transforming everything into a scene straight out of a Christmas story. I knew Olivia, who came from a place where the temperature rarely dropped below 20 degrees Celsius, wasn't prepared for what awaited her.

We were in our respective dorms, packing our bags for the trip. I quickly reviewed my things, but I didn't have much to pack. Most of my winter clothes were still at home, so I just threw a few light sweaters and personal items into my bag. Sack was probably in the same situation; after all, he also lived in the city and didn't need to bring heavy winter clothes to campus. But Olivia… well, I knew she'd have some trouble.

When I finished packing, I received a group message:

"Emergency! I need help. I don't have anything for the snow. What do I do?" – Olivia.

I smiled as I typed my response:

"Don't worry. We'll go shopping before heading to the airport."

Sack replied almost instantly:

"Seriously? We're running late, and now you want to make an extra stop. This is going to be chaotic."

Olivia didn't take long to counter:

"Relax, Sack. If we're going to spend Christmas in a place that looks like Narnia, I need to be prepared. Besides, it'll be quick. I promise not to take too long."

I knew that when Olivia said "quick," it meant anything but that, but I couldn't help feeling excited about spending a little more time with my friends before heading home.

We took a taxi from campus to the mall, dragging our suitcases and trying not to look too disorganized. Olivia headed straight to a store specializing in winter clothing, muttering something about "not freezing to death at Christmas."

"Well, here you go," she said, pointing to a section filled with puffy jackets and furry hats. "Find something you like for me. I need professional supervision."

Sack rolled his eyes, though he couldn't hide a small smile.

"Just make sure you don't pick something that looks like a polar bear costume."

While Olivia dove into the task of trying on scarves and coats, I took the opportunity to walk with Sack to another part of the store. I wanted to buy him something special, something he could use during our stay in my city. I had seen a navy-blue jacket with leather details that I thought would suit him perfectly.

"What do you think of this?" I asked, showing it to him.

Sack looked surprised.

"It's great, but you don't have to buy it. I already have enough cold-weather clothes at home."

"I know," I replied, smiling. "But I want you to have something new for these holidays. Plus, I'd love to see you in this jacket. Try it on."

After a few seconds of hesitation, he agreed. I followed him to the fitting rooms and waited outside while he changed. When he came out, I had to hold back a sigh. The jacket fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and giving him an even warmer, more protective vibe.

"How does it look?" he asked, turning slightly in front of the mirror.

"You look amazing," I said sincerely. "It's yours."

Sack looked at me with a mix of gratitude and shyness.

"Thanks, Lindsay. You didn't have to do it, but I really appreciate it."

Before I could respond, we heard Olivia's voice from the other side of the store.

"Guys! Come see this! I think I've found my ultimate snow look."

We ran over to where she was and found Olivia wearing a huge bright red coat, a faux-fur hat, and enormous boots. She looked like an Arctic explorer ready to conquer the North Pole.

"What do you think?" she asked, spinning dramatically.

"You definitely won't go unnoticed," Sack commented, trying not to laugh.

"Exactly," Olivia responded, adjusting her hat. "That's the idea. Now, let's pay and go. I'm excited to see your city, Lindsay."

After paying for our purchases, we realized we were running out of time. Our flight was leaving in less than two hours, and we still had to get to San Jose International Airport.

"Quickly!" Olivia shouted, running toward the mall exit with her bags full of new clothes. "We need a taxi now!"

We hurried to find one, but with the holiday season and typical December traffic, finding an available taxi was harder than expected. Finally, we managed to flag one down just as it started to get dark.

"To the airport, please!" Olivia told the driver, practically jumping into the car. "And if you can go fast, that'd be great."

The taxi driver looked at us through the rearview mirror with an amused smile.

"I'll do my best, but traffic isn't on our side today."

We sat in the taxi, exhausted but relieved to finally be on our way. Olivia clutched her new boots as if they were a treasure, while Sack checked the time on his phone every few minutes.

"If we're late, it'll be your fault," Sack told Olivia, though his tone was more playful than serious.

"My fault?" Olivia replied, pretending to be offended. "I just wanted to be prepared for the snow. No one forced you to come with me."

Despite the rush, I couldn't help but smile. This was our little team: imperfect, funny, and always full of unexpected moments.

Once at the airport, we made sure to complete all the necessary steps for our first-class flight. First, we checked our luggage at the counter, where they confirmed everything was in order. Then, we went through security, where Olivia joked about how the metal detectors would probably go off because of her new "high-tech" hat. Luckily, everything went smoothly, and we headed to the VIP lounge.

The VIP lounge was an oasis of calm amidst the holiday chaos. There were comfortable chairs, gourmet snacks, and hot drinks available. Olivia immediately headed to a table with chocolates and cookies, while Sack and I sat near a window to watch the planes take off.

Finally, they called us to board. We got on the plane, and thanks to our first-class reservation, we enjoyed spacious, comfortable seats. The flight attendants offered us champagne and soft blankets, but we decided to save our energy for what awaited us at home.

Once in the air, the atmosphere completely relaxed. Olivia, who was normally a whirlwind of energy, leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, mumbling something about "snow dreams." Sack, on the other hand, settled into his seat and began flipping through a travel magazine he found in the seat pocket.

I stayed looking out the window, watching the city lights fade beneath the clouds. It felt strange to think that soon we'd be in my city, surrounded by snow and celebrating Christmas with my family. I knew this trip would be special, not just because of the holidays, but because I'd be sharing it with my best friends.

"We should rest," Sack said, interrupting my thoughts.

I nodded, smiling.

"You're right. We should save our energy."

I settled into my seat and closed my eyes, letting the gentle hum of the plane's engine lull me to sleep.