SONG PLAYED: IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK MORE LIKE CHRISTMAS — Micheal Buble.

~LAUREN'S POV~

I paced in my parent's living room, straightening the already perfectly arranged cushions for the fifth time.

My mother bustled around in the kitchen, humming happily as she prepared her famous lasagna—the special recipe she only made for important occasions.

"Lauren, honey, stop fidgeting," Mom called out. "You're going to wear a hole in my carpet."

"Sorry," I mumbled, forcing myself to sit down. "I just want everything to be perfect."

The doorbell rang, and I jumped up, smoothing down my burgundy sweater dress. It had to be Sophia—I'd asked her to come early for moral...