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Sebastian sighed as the store lights dimmed. Another day closer to Winter Star, another day left behind, he thought to himself, settling into his decorative box, trying hard not to notice that his was the only one left on the shelf.
He'd been so hopeful when Zuzu City's official Winter Star store had opened five months ago, talking excitedly with the other bells and baubles that were on display nearby. There had been one jingle bell that he'd especially grown close to over the first couple of months on display — a golden bell named Samson (although he preferred to go by Sam). They spent every night talking, telling each other everything about their lives. Sebastian had learned that Sam's family was from the city, that his father was now decorating a tree on the front lines of a far off war, and that his mother and little brother were still tucked away in the storage facility Sam had been shipped from in a small town.
Sebastian, on the other hand, had told Sam about his life — how his father had rolled out of sight one evening when Sebastian was little, leaving him alone with his mother. How his mother had then found a new family, bringing Sebastian with her to this store. He'd watched as all the employees praised his stepsister, the clever tune she played far exceeding Sebastian's small jingle. Sam had listened attentively, offering him encouragement, telling him that he was perfect just the way he was. Sebastian had even started to believe him, finding himself looking forward to their evenings together.
Until it happened.
One day, Sam was there. The next, he was gone. Sebastian barely had time to notice his friend's farewell jingle as he was packaged up, heading towards his new home.
Then his sister was chosen. Then his mother and stepfather, leaving together as a set. One by one, all the bells and decorations slowly disappeared off the shelves, until only Sebastian was left behind.
The days passed quickly, moving closer and closer to Winter Star, and Sebastian began to think he'd never find a new home. He'd heard horror stories of what happened to jingle bells that were left behind. Some were put on the clearance rack or packed away until the next year. Some were smelted down to make new decorations. Sebastian couldn't decide which fate would be worse.
Finally, it was the day before Winter Star. Sebastian was moved from his empty shelf to table by the cash register, placed under a sign that said 'Clearance - 50 % off'. He knew he should probably feel ashamed of his new position, next to some half-broken toys and ornaments emblazoned with the current year, but he found that he no longer cared. He already knew that he'd still be sitting on the table when the store closed at the end of the day, no matter how busy things got.
He closed his eyes, settling deeper into his box to try to sleep the day away, desperately trying to drown out the noise of the shoppers, the jolts he felt as people bumped against the table, the warble of Winter Star carols over the store's intercom. Soon, he heard a familiar announcement over the intercom:
"Attention shoppers: The time now is 16:45 and our store will be closing in fifteen minutes for Winter Star Eve. Please bring your final items up to the register so that our associates can help you with your purchases. Thank you and Happy Winter Star."
Time seemed to slow. The closing minutes of the day were always the slowest in Sebastian's opinion as people rushed to pick up 'just one more thing' that they 'had to have' before the store closed. All of a sudden, he felt his box lifting from the table. Surprised, Sebastian opened his eyes to see a young girl staring at him with sparkling blue eyes.
"Mommy, Mommy, look at this bell! Isn't it pretty?"
Sebastian blinked. Surely the girl couldn't be referring to him.
A tired looking older woman with her hands full of items glanced at Sebastian. "It is," she agreed with a small smile.
"Can we get it, Mommy? We can put it on our tree." For a moment, Sebastian's heart filled with hope, and he had to stop himself from jingling in excitement.
The woman's face fell, and she knelt down to look her daughter in the eyes. Sebastian felt his heart sink, already knowing the answer. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," she said, her voice low. "You know that money's tight since your father lost his job last month. We can only get these few things that we need for Grandma and for your dad."
"I know, Mommy," the girl whispered. "It's just so shiny and pretty, and it's the only one on the shelf. It looks so lonely."
Sebastian sighed. He was lonely.
"Next!" One of the cashiers called out, and the woman moved forward with her items, her daughter right behind her still clutching Sebastian in her hand.
"Happy Winter Star," the cashier smiled at the little girl and her mom. "Did you find everything you were looking for?"
"Yes," the girl's mother replied. "Thank you."
"Let me just scan that bell and I can give it back to you," the cashier said, smiling gently at the girl.
"That's okay," the girl said, sadly. She handed Sebastian to the cashier. "We can't take it with us. But maybe you can put it back on the clearance table for me?" Her eyes never left Sebastian as she spoke.
The cashier smiled at her. "You know what?" she said. "Since your mommy is buying all those other items, I think you can have this one for free."
"Oh we couldn't," the older lady started to protest.
"I insist," the cashier said. "It would just get donated at the end of the day anyways, so this little guy may as well go to nice home instead."
"Yay!" the little girl cheered, taking Sebastian in her hands again and clutching him to her chest. "Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome," the cashier laughed, ringing up the rest of their order. "And happy Winter Star!"
"Thank you," the girl's mother whispered, and from where Sebastian was laying smushed between a small hand and a winter jacket, he could see tears in her eyes. Sebastian was pretty sure he was crying, too.
A couple minutes later, the girl climbed into an old car behind her mother's seat, still holding Sebastian in her hands. She held him as they drove under street lights, and he jingled a little whenever they went over speedbumps, making the girl smile. Before too long, the car stopped again, and the little girl left the car, slamming the door behind her. She ran to the house, barely pausing to take her boots off when she got inside.
"Daddy, Daddy!" she cried, running up to a tired looking man. "Look at what we got!"
"What's this?" a large man, clearly the girl's father, said, taking Sebastian from her hands. "Oh, how beautiful, sweetheart."
"The nice lady at the store gave it to us for free!" the girl said excitedly. "Do you think we can hang it up on our tree?"
"Sure," her father agreed. "Here." he handed Sebastian back to the girl, and then lifted her up with a big 'Oof'. "You pick the place."
Carefully, the girl scanned the tree, then she smiled. "Right here," she said, hanging Sebastian on a branch. He jingled in appreciation as she was lowered to the floor.
"It's perfect," she said, not noticing how her mother joined them in the room, leaning her head on her partner's shoulder with a weary smile.
"Alright, pet," the mother said. "We should get dinner ready and then get to bed so that Father Winter Star has time to get here. And remember, your Granny is coming in the morning."
"Okay Mommy," the girl agreed. "Goodnight jingle bell," she whispered, taking one last look at Sebastian. He jingled quietly, wishing her a lovely evening.
Sebastian yawned sleepily. He really wanted to stay awake to see Father Winter Star, but he knew he wasn't going to make it. With one last happy jingle, he let his eyes flutter closed, finally looking forward to the next day.
"Mommy, Daddy! Granny! Look! Father Winter Star came!"
Sebastian blinked, surprised to see daylight streaming in through the small window, wondering for a moment where he was before remembering. Home, he reminded himself. I'm home.
He watched with excitement from his spot on the tree bough as the girl opened presents. She didn't have a large pile, but she beamed happily as each package was unwrapped. There was a new t-shirt and pair of jeans from her grandmother, a picture book from her mother and father, and a large doll from Father Winter Star. Sebastian noticed that the parents only exchanged small items — a pair of slippers for the father and new winter gloves for the mother — while the grandmother received a new sweater and a journal, and a picture drawn by her granddaughter that seemed to be her favourite gift of all. It didn't take long for all the gifts to be opened.
Or so Sebastian thought.
"There's one more thing, sweetheart," the grandmother said, pulling a small box out of her pocket.
"What's this Granny?" the girl asked, taking the box in her hands, and turning it over carefully.
"I picked this up in early fall. I thought of you when I saw it, and knew I had to get it for you right away."
Sebastian and everyone in the room watched as the girl opened the package, her eyes going wide with excitement when she saw what was inside.
Sebastian couldn't believe his eyes either.
There, in the box, was a familiar looking jingle bell. Gold to Sebastian's silver. A blue ribbon instead of Sebastian's purple one. And a cheery smile that only Sebastian could see, but one he would recognize anywhere:
Sam.
Sebastian's jingle of excitement was drowned out by the appreciative 'ooh' the girl let out. Then a flurry of hugs were exchanged. "Can I put it on the tree?" the girl asked excitedly.
"Of course, sweetheart," the grandmother said, standing up from her chair to walk with her to the tree. "Anywhere you want it in particular?"
"Next to the one we got yesterday," the girl said, pointing up to Sebastian. "See? Isn't it pretty? Just like yours!"
"It is," the grandmother agreed, smiling up at Sebastian, who held his breath as Sam was placed on the branch next to him.
"Hey Seb!" Sam jingled, beaming at him. "I missed you!"
"Hey Sam!" Sebastian jingled back. "I missed you, too!"
They both watched as their new family left the room, heading towards the kitchen to start making their holiday dinner. "Happy Winter Star, Seb," Sam whispered, swaying lightly on his branch until he nudged Sebastian.
Sebastian nudged him back, already knowing that, no matter how long he lived, this would be the best Winter Star ever. He had a new home, a new family that appreciated him, and he was reunited with his best friend. "Happy Winter Star, Sam."
"Cute story, baby," Sam said, pulling Sebastian into his arms. "I'm glad we decided to exchange stories instead of gifts this year."
Sebastian blushed as Sam kissed him lightly. "You don't think it's stupid?" he asked, chewing on his lower lip.
"Nah," Sam said, brushing his thumb along his jawline. "I think it's sweet."
Sebastian let out a small sigh of happiness.
"Besides," Sam added, pulling Sebastian even closer. "You're my best friend, too."
"I love you, Sam," Sebastian said, resting his head against Sam's chest.
"I love you, too, Seb," Sam replied softly. "Hey, maybe we should get some jingle bell tattoos."
