Chapter 3: Ghost of Christmas Present

Holly covered her chest, her arms shaking from the cold, her skin prickling with goosebumps. She looked around, panic rising in her chest.

“Okay, this is fine,” she said, taking a deep breath. “You’re alone, but it’s fine. You’re just in a dark, empty space. All alone. Great.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

Holly turned quickly at the new voice, her eyes wide with surprise. A figure materialized from the darkness, a girl around her age with platinum blonde hair, wearing a red, crop top Christmas sweater that said “Santa’s Favorite”, paired with a red mini skirt and high boots that, although festive, would be more fitting for a night out than an interdimensional journey.

The girl crossed her arms under her breasts, pushing them up to look bigger than the small handful they were, and looked Holly up and down, her blue eyes shining with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

“Seriously, girl, you’re gonna act like a total drama queen when you’re literally in the Space Between Moments? Get it together,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “Like, it’s just a little cold and empty. Chill.”

Holly blinked, still trying to process the sudden appearance of this new ghost.

“Who ... Who are you?”

“Me?” The girl flicked her hair over her shoulder with a dramatic flourish. “I’m Madison, but you can call me Maddy. I’m your next ghostly guide, duh. I mean, seriously, who else would show up to handle your Christmas crisis with a vibe like this?” She gestured to herself with a playful wink. “No one. That’s who.”

Holly wasn’t sure whether to be freaked out or just confused. She shook her head, still unsure how to even react to this new, sparkly presence.

“What are you doing here? Where’s the other ghost?”

“That frat boy?” Madison rolled her eyes in a so-over-it way. “Puh-lease. He’s probably off flexing somewhere or jerking off after seeing your naked bod. Let me guess, he told you he had no time and had to bring you here naked, didn’t he? God, he’s such a dick.”

Holly blushed, not wanting to admit that it was true and that he had manipulated her.

“Anyway, you’re stuck with me now,” Madison continued, shrugging. “Trust me, I’m the one you need to help you out.” She pouted dramatically as she took a step toward Holly, flipping her hair back as she did. “You know, most people would just love to be in this kind of situation—between worlds, space, time, whatever. It’s, like, the ultimate chill zone. You’re lucky.”

Holly’s confusion deepened, but she had to admit this ghost had a strange energy.

“I ... don’t feel lucky. I feel cold and lost.”

“Ugh, you’re such a downer,” Madison said, waving her hand dismissively. “Look, it’s like this. Christmas is supposed to be lit, okay? But you’re just letting it be all sad and dreary. Not cute.” She made a sad face. “You need to, like, snap out of it and find your Christmas cheer, babe. I’m talking lights, glitter, fabulous presents, all the perfect Instagram pics. That’s what I’m here for.”

“Wait...” Holly frowned, trying to make sense of what she was hearing. “You’re going to help me ... make Christmas ... Instagrammable?”

“Or OnlyFans, whatever you’re into, “ Madison said, looking at Holly’s exposed body. “You think Christmas is about, like, family or tradition? That’s so old-school. No, honey, it’s about giving the world your best angle. And I’m gonna help you slay this holiday season. Ready to, like, totally transform your vibe? ‘Cause if you’re not, I can go right back to whatever dimension I came from. No big deal.”

Holly stared at Madison, struggling to process the absurdity of it all. She couldn’t quite figure out if this girl was serious or if she was just messing with her.

“Wait, so ... You’re the ghost of Christmas present, and your big plan is to help me get my ‘vibe’ right? Like ... for Instagram?” Holly’s voice dripped with disbelief, her arms still hugging her chest for warmth.

Madison snapped her fingers dramatically as if everything was suddenly clear.”

Yes! Exactly, babe. You’re finally getting it. Christmas is about finding your sparkle.” She said, once again looking at Holly’s bare body. “And honey, you got the sparkle, you’re just not using it the right way. I mean, come on. Drop your arms, babe. Show off that bod.”

Holly reluctantly did as she was told, dropping her arms to her sides, her fingers trembling from the cold.

“Much better,” Madison said, giving her a quick once-over. “Your tits look so perky and cute, and that pussy? So smooth, so sexy. Look at how perfect it is. Just a thin pink line. It’s amazing, girl.”

Holly shifted uncomfortably, not used to having someone talk so openly about her body.

“O.M.G. Look at the goosebumps on your boobies. So. Freaking. Adorable,” Madison squealed.

“You know, maybe you’re right,” Holly said, feeling a little embarrassed by the attention.

“Of course I’m right,” Madison said with a playful grin, glancing around the void. “I mean, look at me. I’m literally the Ghost of Christmas Present. And the thing is, babe, Christmas isn’t just about lights and presents. It’s about feeling good, about being in the moment, and really embracing the spirit of things. You know, the vibes.”

Holly looked at Madison, still unsure.

“So ... you’re saying that all I need is a little bit of Christmas sparkle and I’ll be able to ... what? Fix everything? Fix my whole life?”

Madison tilted her head, tapping her finger to her lips as if deep in thought.

“Well, not exactly. It’s more than just the sparkly stuff. You’ve got to get yourself into the right headspace. You’re letting all this past trauma, all the bad stuff, hold you back from seeing the magic around you. You’ve gotta let go of that weight, babe. Christmas isn’t about being weighed down by the bad stuff. It’s about enjoying the moment, finding joy in the little things.” She smiled, her blue eyes sparkling. “You’ve gotta see the world through a new lens, one that’s all about love, fun, and yeah, a little bit of sparkle. This holiday, it’s about letting go and living in the now, you know?”

“But what if the ‘now’ doesn’t feel right? What if I’m just ... stuck? How am I supposed to find joy in all this emptiness?” Holly asked, gesturing around the void.

“Okay, first, let’s stop using that word. It’s super negative, and we’re not about that,” Madison replied, making a face. “And second, Let’s get out of that super negative word, and into your Christmas present.”

Madison held out her hand to Holly, her perfectly manicured nails sparkling in the dim light.

“Take my hand, and let’s get started,” she said, wiggling her fingers playfully.

Holly looked at her hand, hesitating.

“Trust me, babe. I got you,” Madison said, her eyes full of warmth and reassurance.

Holly took a deep breath, and reached out, placing her hand in Madison’s. As soon as their hands touched, a warm, tingly sensation flooded Holly’s body and she was pulled into the darkness.

The world around Holly shifted suddenly like she was being pulled through time and space. The darkness swirled around her, and in an instant, everything stopped. She stood in a familiar room, a small bedroom, with a desk cluttered with papers and textbooks, a bed pushed against the wall, and a dresser in the corner.

Holly looked around, her heart pounding in her chest, and then her gaze fell on the bed. Her heart stopped as she saw herself lying on the bed, her body curled into a tight ball, her face streaked with tears. She remembered the moment clearly from over a year ago.

“Whoops, not far enough back. Let’s try again,” Madison said, grabbing Holly’s arm.

Suddenly, everything shifted again, and Holly reappeared in the same room, her room, but the mood was different now.

“Oh my god, this is...” Holly couldn’t even finish her sentence, her voice trailing off in shock.

Her younger self was on the bed, her legs spread open, a girl’s head buried between her thighs. Holly recognized her immediately as her best friend, Emma, her dark hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, her green eyes shining as she flicked her tongue over her younger self’s clit.

Holly’s younger self arched her back, her hands grabbing the bedsheets, her hips moving with Emma’s movements. She moaned softly, her thighs trembling, her skin flushed with pleasure.

“Now, that’s more like it,” Madison said, clapping her hands together with glee. “This is exactly the kind of vibe we’re looking for, Holly. You’ve always been the girl to avoid relationships and keep things casual, but this is a whole new level. I mean, look at you! Getting it on with your best friend. How hot is that?”

Holly watched as Emma crawled up her younger self’s body, kissing her hairless mound before working her way up her stomach and breasts, stopping to suck her nipples. Emma’s fingers slipped inside Holly’s younger self’s pussy, curling and twisting, her thumb rubbing her clit in slow, steady circles.

“It’s so weird watching yourself, isn’t it? Like, it’s you, but it’s not really you,” Madison said, tilting her head as she watched. “I’m totally here for it, though. You’ve got great tits, and Emma’s got a nice ass. I don’t swing that way, but I can definitely appreciate a hot girl on girl action.”

“I ... I don’t swing that way either...” Holly stammered, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene in front of her.

“Emma, please...” Her younger self whimpered, her hips rocking against Emma’s fingers.

“Not yet,” Emma teased, her lips brushing her younger self’s ear. “I want to taste your pussy again, first.”

She kissed her way down her younger self’s body, stopping to lick and suck her nipples before returning to her wet, glistening pussy. Emma spread her lips, and dove in, her tongue licking and sucking her clit.

“It looks like you do, though, babe,” Madison said, grinning mischievously. “I may be see through, but I can clearly see your younger self is about to cum. And that right there, is the sparkle we’re looking for.”

“You’re wrong,” Holly whispered, shaking her head.

Madison was about to speak again, but she was interrupted by the sound of Holly’s younger self moaning loudly, her back arching as she climaxed. Emma kept licking and sucking, her tongue flicking over her swollen clit, drawing out the pleasure until her younger self was a quivering mess.

“See?” Madison grinned, nudging Holly. “Total sparkle.”

Emma slowly moved up her younger self’s body, her tongue tracing a path along her stomach and breasts, until her tongue found her younger self’s mouth. They kissed passionately, their tongues swirling and exploring each other. Young Holly tasted her own juices off of Emma’s tongue, moaning softly as they embraced.

“God, this is so fucking hot,” Madison said, her eyes glued to the scene in front of them.

Young Holly broke the kiss, her hands stroking Emma’s face, her fingers tracing her cheekbones, her jawline.

“Do you have to go?” Her younger self asked, studying her best friend’s features.

“Yeah,” Emma replied, her voice soft. “We can still text all the time though, and call.”

“It’s not the same,” her younger self pouted, her eyes shimmering with sadness. “Why do you have to move across the ocean? It’s not fair.”

“Oh, fuck.” Madison sighed, turning to Holly.

“I know, but I’m glad you finally agreed to let me taste your pussy,” Emma smiled, kissing her softly. “I would have died if I didn’t get to before I left.”

“Me too,” her younger self admitted.

They embraced, their bodies pressed together, their legs entwined. They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other, their breathing soft and steady.

“This is the last time I spoke to her.” Holly said, her voice quiet. “That other scene of me crying was right after she left my aunts house. She came over to say goodbye, and we ended up having sex, and now, I don’t even have her as a friend anymore.”

“Yeah, taking you to that sad scene of you crying? Definitely not my best move,” Madison said, shaking her head. “But hey, now we’re here, and this moment? This is what matters. Let’s focus on what it taught you, not what you lost.”

“What could I possibly learn from this?” Holly asked, looking at her former best friend, her heart aching.

“Babe, you’ve been avoiding this shit for so long. You were always afraid of getting too close, of letting anyone in, because you knew how much it would hurt if they left.” Madison nodded towards the pair, their hands now exploring each other’s bodies. “But imagine if you let her in sooner, how different your life would be. You would have had something more than a quick, meaningless fuck, and it could have lasted. And that’s the lesson here. If you want to find that sparkle, you have to take chances, you have to open yourself up to the possibility of heartbreak.”

“You know what? Fuck this,” Holly said, shaking her head. “I don’t want to watch this. Let’s move on. Let’s see something else, something that will make me feel better.”