Silver Lining {Nihachu x OC}

𝖯𝖺𝗋𝗍 1: 𝖶𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗌

Warm sweetness filled the air as Brianna looked at the camera positioned in front of her. In her pale hands was a plate of delicately decorated cookies, covered in red, black, green, white, and gold icing. A smile cracking on her face, Brianna quickly glanced at her Twitch chat, saying, "Thank you guys so much for popping in today! Have a great rest of your Christmas Eve and an awesome Christmas Day. Or, just have an amazing holiday season! If you haven't followed me already, go ahead and click that button, and maybe subscribe to my YouTube channel, Bre3zy. See 'ya!"

Clicking a button on her laptop, Brianna watched with a faint smile as her stream faded to black. Hearts and "byes" slowly filtered themselves into the chat from her forty-six viewers. It was slightly less than Bree's average, but it did make sense considering how many of the crazy popular streamers were online. Besides, her channel barely had three thousand followers (it was a miracle Brianna had gotten to that number in the first place). The stream had been fun, though. Brianna had played some Valorant and Bedwars, sang some songs recommended by chat, and had ended it with (attempting to) bake and decorate Christmas cookies. Honestly, it went better than expected. Making them with her grandma back in middle school had come back to benefit her... eight years later. Win some, lose some.

"Phew," she breathed, wiping sweat off her forehead. Even in cold-ass Brighton, Brianna was still sweating. Guaranteed, she was wearing a "Ho-Ho-Homo" red and white Christmas sweater, black, baggy sweats, and green fuzzy socks, so Brianna wasn't necessarily trying to keep cool, but still!

Know what, maybe the best way to cool herself off wasn't to sit inside a steaming hot house, drinking hot cocoa, and dress like she was about to go to Antarctica. Exiting the kitchen (she would clean up the cookie mess later—probably), Brianna made her way across her apartment to her bedroom. She slid her sweatpants off, and exchanged them for some black yoga pants; much more practical, and much cooler as well.

And somewhere in Brianna's stupid brain, she thought that going outside on Christmas Eve in Brighton, England was a good idea, too. Originally being a native of Florida, Brianna wasn't used to chilly weather, so England was a whole different breed. Living near the sea meant that, when it was cold, all of Brighton got that delicious sea-affect weather. Double the cold, double the misery.

However, Brianna loved the beach. Even in the middle of winter, the sound of the ocean waves was cleansing, spiritually and mentally. After a mentally exhausting stream, heading to the beach was a great remedy. After slipping a fleece jacket on, above her sweater, and putting tennis shoes over her fuzzy socks, Brianna was ready to go. Tucking her phone into the pocket of her pants, Brianna opened the door to her apartment, and made her way outside.

Big shocker: it was cold.

Mentally, Brianna had accepted that it would be cold. Physically, however, was a different matter. A shiver made its way through her body at the sudden change in temperature, and Brianna quickly stuffed her hands into her pockets. Thank God for the little hand warmer things.

Exhaling and breath forming a frosty white cloud in the air, Brianna started on her way to the beach.

—

A fond, quiet, "Yes."

Brianna had arrived at the beach. Grinning and giggling, Brianna ran out into the rocky sand like she was a little kid. Even though she couldn't slip her shoes off and wade into the water, the soothing sound of the waves lulled Brianna into a beautiful, calming haze.

However, that calming energy didn't last for long. A few yards (or meters, whatever) away, was some person who Brianna hadn't noticed before. Had they just gotten there? Maybe so. Confused, Brianna blinked, deciding to investigate. Introverted or not, Brianna was a curious person, so she made her way over to the mysterious person. 'Just pray they aren't trying to stab you.'