Original subtitles

*

* Santa, Santa won't you bring me love *

* Santa, only what I'm dreaming of *

* Santa, candy-cane and mistletoe *

* Santa won't you bring me love *

*

-Ooh! What do we think of him?

-Of NoelLover12?

-Yeah.

-I think his choice of profile name

suggests questionable decision-making skills.

-Maybe he just really loves Christmas?

-My point exactly. Let's see.

-Ah.

-Mister Lover loves laughing. That's vague.

Going out and staying in, also vague.

Excessive use of emojis

and would like to settle down some day.

-How old is he?

-43.

Point taken.

What are you doing over there?

-Going over our talking points for the pitch tomorrow.

-Ooh! Okay. What have you got?

-Okay. We need money.

So give us money.

-Wow. Perfect.

-I know, I'm really putting my business minor to good use.

-Hey, Liz. Don't worry. Okay?

We've got this, just chill. Deep breaths.

Just relax.

Look! Oh, your favorite movie's on.

-You know what I never understood?

-What?

-Instead of asking to have never been born,

why didn't George Bailey just ask for a redo on life?

So he could live the life he always wanted.

-Because that's the whole point,

he had the life he wanted the entire time.

-I guess.

But it's still fun to think about.

If you could do it all over again,

what would you do differently?

-Ooh, tough one.

I don't know. What would you do?

-I don't know.

It's like, let me quickly catalogue all of my regrets.

Stop.

Well, I think if I could do it all over again,

I wouldn't change a thing.

-Aspirational.

Okay, I should go.

I have to pack for our trip tomorrow.

-Hey.

I will not feel bad for making you go home for the holidays.

I bet you'll enjoy it once you're there.

-The epitaph to my life.

-Text me when you get home.

-I love you. -Love you.

Best Pal is the premiere app for finding meaningful friendships,

but we're looking to pivot.

-We're looking to expand our brand.

-Expand our app to include events, meet-ups,

affinity groups.

-Even dating.

Because shouldn't your partner be your best friend?

-Cute.

-So, we are looking for Series B funding

and we would love to partner with your firm.

-We love the Best Pal's origin story.

Two lifelong friends,

one working for the other, to help her find...

-That's a common misconception. Naomi and I are co-founders.

-Okay, anyways.

We love your story, love your mission, love your app...

but times are tough and this is a risky pivot.

Let's circle back in the new year.

-Great.

-For sure.

-Thank you.

-Well, that was a hard no.

-Maybe not.

Ooh, our car is three minutes away.

Hey, stay positive. Don't even think about it.

We're officially on vacation.

-Oh, do you consider going home for the holidays vacation?

Why can't we take your mom to Hawaii this Christmas

like we always do?

-Because she asked for Christmas in Weston this year.

-There's this crazy new concept called saying no.

-I know, but we both know I cannot say no to my mom.

I mean, ever since my dad passed it's just the two of us

and I want her to be happy.

-I know, and you have the biggest heart,

but your dad passed 17 years ago

and while grief isn't linear

I think it's time to set some boundaries.

-I know.

You're right! You're right.

Setting boundaries with my mom

is my number one new year's resolution.

-Well, why wait? Call her and say aloha.

-Okay, I think it's a little late for that.

But you're right.

If I don't start now,

I'll probably just keep skirting it.

So... this Christmas and forever more,

I will set boundaries with my mother.

-And I support you in doing them.

-Mm-hmm.

-What?

-You could set some boundaries of your own.

-Such as?

-Not fighting with your mom.

Every visit it's the same with you two.

I know.

I love her, I miss her.

I imagine our time as our long awaited Gilmore Girls moment

but every time it's just... pfft.

-Perfect.

So this Hanukkah you will not fight with your mother.

-Okay. I will not fight with my mother.

-Our car's here.

-We're home. Yay!

Yay.

-Alright, so we'll stop by my mom's. Yeah?

-I'm gonna need some serious caffeination before we do that.

-Mm-hmm.

So do you think we'll bump into anyone we know

while we're home?

-I don't know.

Anyone in particular you wanna bump into?

Chris Silver maybe?

-Chris Silver!

You know, I haven't thought about him in years.

-I'm sure.

Maybe this trip will have a silver lining.

-You know what though?

I heard he lives in Chicago now,

so chances of running into him are zero.

-Naomi Long. Liz Waitt.

Chris.

-From high school.

-I thought that was you. -Yeah.

Oh...

-Took me a second.

- That's alright. - Chris Silver.

It's good to see you guys. Wow.

-Mm-hmm. Yeah.

-That looks good. Did you get that here?

-Yeah. Last one, sorry.

Oh.

-Merry Christmas.

-Okay.

-Sorry.

-You got a little... do you mind?

There. I didn't think, uh...

big celebrities like yourself came home for the holidays.

I'll get the usual. Thank you.

-Celebrities? Us?

-Yeah, of course.

Come on, you guys are Weston's big success story.

-Local girls made good.

You guys just home for the holidays?

-Yeah. -Just... popping by.

-Oh. Well if you guys, uh, got some time,

maybe we can get together.

-Yeah, we should! -Oh, no.

-No, we're busy.

-No, but after we're busy, then we're not busy.

-Shall we exchange numbers?

-Yes, that would be great. -No, no, no.

-We'll just see you around town.

-Oh, okay.

-Yeah.

-Sure.

-Let's go.

-Alright.

-Yeah. Bye. -Bye.

-Bye.

-What? Why didn't you wanna get his number?

-What, and just hang out with Chris Silver?

-Yeah. Why not?

-Cheers.

-It is not fair that he didn't peak in high school.

-Definitely did not peak in high school.

-What's that?

-Nothing. -Nothing.

Go, go.

-Go, go, go, go.

-Maybe she got it out of her system

Hm.

-Who's ready for Christmas?

-Linda, this looks beautiful.

-Oh, it's a labor of love.

I haven't been home for six years for Christmas

and so I brought all the decorations out.

-Yeah, we can see that.

-And I have big plans for our week together.

Crafting, baking, caroling, Christmas movies.

I recorded 40 of them.

And I Google'd where we can buy all the scarves.

We can do that tonight!

-Actually, Naomi was gonna come to my mom's with me.

It's the first night of Hanukkah.

-You just got here and I made you a yule log.

And...

I've got a special surprise!

-Would you mind Hanukkah without me.

-What happened to boundaries?

-I know, but it's my first night home

she made me a yule log, it's my favorite.

Oh my...

-Look! Now we're twinsies.

-Oh...

-Liz, I got you one too. Woohoo.

-Yay! Triplets!

-Aww, triplets.

-Happy Hanukkah.

-Hi Mom.

-You finally made it.

Where's Naomi?

-She's at home with Linda but she wants to see you soon.

-Oh, how nice that Naomi stayed home with her mom.

I wish that you would stay home with your mom and family.

You should be sleeping here.

-I would've if you hadn't turned my room into your office.

-Hello, hello!

-Hey Travis.

-Hey kiddo, happy you're home.

And congrats on The Wall Street Journal write-up last week.

-Oh, it's not a write-up. It's barely a blurb.

We're just trying to stay relevant

as we lock down Series B funding.

-Whatever it was, we're very proud.

-Ah! There's my Jojo.

How are you, how's it going? Have you heard from Stanford?

-I heard from them on Monday and, and I, uh... I got in.

Congratulations!

That's amazing. Although I'm not surprised.

-Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you.

You taught me how to code, you helped me with my essay.

-Isn't this exciting?

Now you two will live close

and Travis and I will come visit all the time.

-That'll be great.

What's this?

-Oh... it's our holiday card.

I decided to make it a new tradition.

-But I'm not in it.

-Oh honey, I wanted a photo of the four of us

but I don't have any recent ones because you never visit.

-Well, you could visit me like you will all the time

when Jojo's there.

-Hey! There's brisket!

-Yes, honey. You made it.

-Good try, Travis.

*

-Hi!

How's Hanukkah?

-Oh, you know.

An entire year of family dysfunction consolidated

into one fun-filled night.

-Eight fun-filled nights.

-Thank you for the reminder.

And you'll be happy to know that I held the line

and didn't fight with my mom.

-I am happy. Mazel tov.

-How about you?

How was the start of a lifetime of boundaries with Linda?

And because I know you so well and I'm the best friend ever...

You are the best friend ever!

Ooh, now I hope we don't run into anyone we know.

-Oh, because we're wearing these?

We absolutely will.

Merry Christmas!

-See? No one we know.

-Oh... hi.

-Hi. Twice in one day. That's a good day.

-What are the chances?

-It's the only bar in town, so... hi.

It's perfect timing. Everybody just got here.

Come say hi.

-No. That's okay.

-You sure?

-Mm-hmm.

-Everybody will be really excited to see you.

-See? Everyone will be excited to see us.

Come on, lets...

-No, they won't.

-Let's not be rude.

-Is that a yes? -Yeah.

-Okay, come on.

Okay. Stop being-

-That is not playing it cool.

-Come on.

-Hey, look everybody. Look who I found.

-Hey. -Hey.

Hey.

-You remember Karly?

Hey.

-Ryan.

Howdy!

-The lovely Mindy.

Hey.

-Party Marty.

Yo.

-Marty, you want a beer?

-In 18 minutes. Intermittent fasting.

-I'll have his.

-Oh, man.

-So, do you all still live in Weston?

-I never left.

-I just moved back a few years ago.

-I'm in Chicago.

-I'm a Florida man now.

-And I'm still here.

-Take a seat. Let me take your jackets.

No!

-Okay.

Keep 'em on. Can I get you a drink maybe?

-No, thank you. -Yes!

-We're actually heading out.

-Are we?

-Aren't we?

-Whatever you'd like to do, we'd love to have you.

-Yes, we are going to grab a drink

and we'll be right back. Right? Come on.

-Okay.

-Alright guys, we'll be here.

-Well that went well.

-Hi. Two eggnogs, please.

-Are we really staying?

We're gonna sit at the cool kids' table.

-Yeah, why not?

-Because we were invisible to them in high school.

-Yeah, but we're celebrities now.

-I don't feel like a celebrity.

I actually feel like I've been transported back

to my insecure 16-year-old self.

Like I can feel the blackheads brewing.

-Well then it's a great opportunity

to lay insecure Liz to rest

because we are the cool kids now.

-Make mine a double.

-We are at three points down. Ten seconds on the clock.

I absolutely send it. Wooooop! Skadoosh.

It is right in the arms of the Silver Bullet,

the golden god on the field, at the buzzer.

Touchdown! God! Beautiful!

Uh, and that brings us to the end of the first quarter.

-Ry, Ry, Ry, Ry, Ry, Ry...

thank you for the trip down memory lane.

Let's leave some room for our friends here, please.

-No. That was... that was interesting.

-Thank you.

-Riveting.

-But no, no, no. You tell us about you.

Um... what have you been up to since high school?

-Um... after high school I joined the Marines.

-Awe...

-My dad was a Marine so it was kind of expected of me.

But, um, I was deployed three times

and then I came back to the States.

Studied English at, uh... Loyola.

-Hm.

-Interesting. Why?

-I know, Liz. I really wasn't the brightest, was I?

-Do you guys remember Miss Jess?

-Yeah.

-10th grade Lit. -Mmhmm.

-Yeah, she really inspired me.

Bless a good teacher, you know.

And don't tell these guys but, um...

I've always had delusions of writing

the great American novel.

-I still have that delusion and I can barely write an email.

-Something tells me that's not true, Liz.

It's pretty hot in here,

you guys want to take your coats off?

No.

-So, um... what else? How did you end up back here?

-Well, I stayed in Chicago a few years and then I moved here

and now I teach, uh... English.

-Hmm.

-At Columbia.

-No way! You teach at our old high school?

That's amazing!

-I mean, I'm the head of the English department.

Wow.

-I finally got to see the inside of a teacher's lounge,

so that's... not very exciting.

No, it is.

-You guys are very exciting.

I mean, congratulations on all the success. Wow.

How'd it all get going?

-Well, we went to Iowa State.

-Where we roomed together.

-Mm-hmm.

I majored in marketing, minored in Spanish.

-I majored in computer science, minored in business

and existential angst.

And then, um, after we graduated we moved to the Bay.

Worked at a few tech start-ups, got our feet wet.

-Literally got our feet wet.

Literally! That place.

-What's the joke?

-Oh, it's a long story with a bad landlord and a bursted pipe.

-You had to be there.

Anyway, five years later we got some seed money

and started Best Pal.

-Mm-hmm.

-It's incredible that you guys have stayed working together

all these years.

-Yeah.

-You're better than me.

I can't imagine having my best friend as my boss.

-Um... I'm not her boss, we're co-founders.

-Oh!

We built it together.

-Sorry.

-Oh, it's... it's fine. It's a common misconception.

-Well why don't we, uh, celebrate your success

with a round of shots. On Chris, of course.

-Sure, why not. -I second that.

- Argh! - Ah, sorry. No, I gotta go.

Teething baby won't sleep, so... Babies have no boundaries.

-And I should call it too.

Another busy day at the store tomorrow.

-Uh, Chris. Are you still down to split that ride share?

-Oh yeah, sure. Okay.

Look, it was really good seeing you guys.

-Yeah. -Mm-hmm.

-We'll do it again.

-Yeah.

-Some, uh, of our class gets in tomorrow night

and I'm having a bit of a holiday party.

Wine, appetizers.

-All vegan so arrive having eaten.

-Chris is a very vocal vegan.

-Is there any other kind?

-Bye. -Bye.

-Vegan pride aside,

I would love to see you guys tomorrow.

-Yes, we will come by.

-Maybe we'll come by.

-Probably yes though.

-Probably yes to a maybe.

-Most likely yes.

-That's very confusing.

But I'm going to leave you guys my number.

I'll airdrop you.

-Yeah. Great.

-You guys can decide tomorrow.

-Got it. -Got it?

-Got it.

-I got the check. You guys get home safe.

-Thank you.

-What just happened?

-It's the season of miracles.

-Also, I'm sweating...

-Ah, same.

-In this jacket.

-Good morning.

-Sorry. Did I wake you?

-Yes.

-My bad. How'd you sleep?

-Always great, don't be jealous.

Hey, any word from the VC firm?

-No, of course not.

But dev ops sent me an email of concerning length.

-We're on vacation, remember?

-No, I keep forgetting this is a vacation.

Oh! I forgot to tell you. Jojo got into Stanford.

-Oh, that's incredible.

-Yeah, I know. I'm so proud of her.

-They should've accepted you.

-No, it was for the best.

If I'd have gone to Stanford we wouldn't have roomed together,

moved to the Bay together, started Best Pal.

I mean... who knows where we'd be.

-Well, chances are I'd still be at home living with my mom.

So thanks for the rejection, Stanford!

-Oh, you're up!

Grab some coffee and then come help me over here.

-Yum.

-So... how was girls' night out?

-Oh, it wasn't a thing. It was just a quick drink.

-But we actually ran into some people from high school.

-We actually ran into someone twice yesterday.

Do you remember Chris Silver?

-Remember? How could I forget?

You two had the biggest crush on him.

-What was that phrase you used to say?

-Oh, I forgot.

Never been Chris'd!

-Um, what did that mean again?

-It's what we used to call Chris's girlfriends, Chris'd.

-Because he'd date a girl

and then suddenly she'd be the most popular girl in school.

-Everyone would know who she is and wanna be her best friend,

so we'd say she'd been Chris'd.

-And that we had never been Chris'd.

-Yeah.

-Well, one of you should've been Chris'd.

No. No.

He was way out of our league.

-No, he wasn't.

And even if he was then, he sure isn't anymore.

-Hm.

-Anyways...

I have some exciting news I've been waiting to share.

The reason why I wanted to have Christmas here this year

is because this'll be our last Christmas in this house.

'Cause I'm selling it and moving...

-Wow Mom, that's so exciting!

-But, I haven't even told you...

-That's so exciting and I really wanna hear more about it.

But we actually have to go do that thing.

Remember that thing we have, that meeting?

-Oh no! Oh yeah, we are so late.

-It's a really important meeting.

-Hey! -So nice talking to you.

What was that?

You don't wanna hear where she's going?

-No. Whatever that woman has to say I don't wanna hear it.

-So you're just gonna run outta the room

every time she tries to tell you.

That's your game plan?

-Yes. Just kick the can indefinitely.

-Aren't you curious what's in the can?

-No, I'm not.

You know those jack in the box toys that you wind and you wind

and you try to prepare yourself for it

and it always terrifies you?!

This will be like that.

-Got it.

Speaking of terrifying...

are we really going to Chris's party tonight?

-Yeah. We'll make an appearance.

-Just popping by.

-We might as well be polite.

-Play it cool.

-Play it so cool, I feel like it'd be so rude not to come.

-Yeah, so chill.

-Just, like, chill in there. Just, like, cruise.

-Okay.

You know?

-But it's, like, not a big deal. -No, not a big deal at all.

-Like, it's not a big deal.

So what are you gonna wear?

* Christmas time is here again*

-Excuse me? No, come on.

* Full of winter cheer*

You're fine. Smile.

-I don't wanna smile.

* All the people are gathered round*

* as Christmas Day grows near.*

Are we overdressed?

-No, they're underdressed.

-What?

- I just realized this is our first high school party ever.

-First high school party over 35.

Doesn't that mean we're kind of lame?

-No, it means we're cooler than ever.

Okay, you hang the coats. I'll pour the wine.

-Don't leave me here.

* ... I want to dance with Father Christmas*

* I want to dance with Father Christmas*

* Shoo-we-do-wap, shoo-we-do-wap...*

* Shoo-we-do-wap, shoo-we-do-wap...*

* I want to dance with Father Christmas...*

* Shoo-we-do-wap, shoo-we-do-wap...*

-I wrote my master's thesis on that.

-On The Great Gatsby?

-Yeah.

I always wanted to say that out loud to somebody.

So thank you, Liz, for that opportunity.

Did I sound cool?

-Yes.

-Good. Good, good.

It really is one of my favorites.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Why?

-Just his theme that, uh... you can't repeat the past.

No matter how badly you want a redo.

-It's one of my favorites too.

-Is that right?

-Even though it is absolutely heartbreaking.

The idea of undeniable magnetism despite one's circumstances.

-Soulmates.

Yeah.

Columbia, class of 2006.

In honor of our unofficial class reunion,

how about a little immature high school fun?

-Yes please!

-Let's play "Never Have I Ever" Christmas cookie edition.

So, simple rules.

If you've done the thing, eat the cookie. Okay?

-This is a great idea.

-This sounds awful.

-Terrible.

-You have to come.

Join me.

Okay.

-So, living room, five minutes. Be there or be square.

-How I got the nickname Party Marty

was I woke up in this cornfield...

-Here we go, here we go.

-I'll tell you later.

-Oh, you're gonna... -Ah!

-You're gonna, you're gonna...

Hey! Isn't this Christmas cozy, huh?

Alright! Let me get this party started.

-Alright.

-Okay. Uh... never have I ever...

gone to the principal's office.

-Okay, that's a little...

-Marty, that's for you!

-Alright. Okay. Fine, fine, fine.

You too, Chris.

-Yeah, yeah.

Never have I ever... toilet papered someone's house.

-That was my house!

-I know.

-My parents are still teed-off about that.

-More like TP'd off!

Oh!

Huh! Huh!

Woo-woo-woo!

-It was Ryan's idea.

-I hate you. So annoying.

That was fun.

-My turn. Never have I ever...

cheated to win Jingle Bell Queen.

You're outing me?

-Yeah. Karly.

-I knew it! -You called it.

-Okay, I admit it.

I might've voted for myself more than once.

Eleven times.

-Pathetic!

-Okay fine, it's my turn. Never have I ever...

had a high school crush on a friend.

Wait, no, let me be more specific.

Never have I ever had a high school crush...

on Chris Silver.

There's a cookie waiting.

-I hate all of you.

-Take the cookie, Liz. Take the cookie.

It's a game.

-I'm not taking a cookie.

I'll eat to that, alright?

Mm-hmm.

That is a very empty tray.

Uh-huh.

-So, you had a crush on me.

Cookie?

-Don't pretend to be surprised.

Clearly everyone had a crush on you.

You didn't even know who I was.

-No, that's not true.

I knew.

-Oh. Hmm.

-I remember a lot about you.

-Oh really?

-Yeah.

-Like what?

-Like how you were always blushing.

It seems like every time I saw you...

you were flushed.

Crimson.

-No.

No. I wasn't.

It was just when I saw you.

But you know, silly high school crushes, you know?

-Yeah.

-What are you guys talking about?

-High school reminiscing.

I should get back to hosting.

How long are you guys in town for?

-Through the holidays.

-Great. Can we do this again?

-Mm-hmm.

-Like, hang out.

Somewhere where we could actually hear each other speak.

-Totally. -Yeah.

-There's a bakery on Main that's doing a, um...

cocktail gingerbread decorating thing tomorrow night.

You guys free?

-Yes. -That could work.

-Okay.

Good.

I'll text you.

-So...

-So... he's cute.

-He's definitely cute. And so sweet and vulnerable.

-You should go for him.

-No, you should go for him.

-Well, if he's gonna like either one of us, it's gonna be you.

Everybody likes you.

-That is not true.

Everyone just sees me as your employee and your sidekick.

-Wait. Do you really think that?

-No!

I don't know. Sometimes.

But this Chris thing, it's romantic. Right?

I mean, falling for your high school crush again.

It's like star-crossed lovers together at last.

-Yeah, it's a little too romantic for me.

But I like the logic of it. Shared past, shared community.

-Anyway, let's curb the Chris talk.

We are failing the Bechtel test.

-Yeah. We don't need to be Chris'd.

-Yeah, and neither of us live here

so it's not like we can date him anyway.

-Yeah, right.

-Cool.

I'm home!

-Wanna quickly run out of the room?

-Do you think I have time? -Mm.

I did the Christmas dinner shop.

-Ooh.

-I feel like I've barely seen you since yesterday.

It's like every time I enter a room, you disappear.

-I know. I'm sorry, Mom. It's just been kinda crazy.

-Well, now that we're all together...

I can finish telling you my big news.

-Ah...

-I'm selling the house... and moving to...

drum roll please!

-O-kay...

Yeah, I'm moving to Palo Alto to be close to you.

What is it, you're not happy? You don't want me to live close?

-No, I'm happy! Yay!

Yay!

-It's just, Mom... Palo Alto, is... it's very expensive

and there's lots of dangerous things there.

I mean, like...

-Snakes.

-Like, like, snakes...

-Snakes.

-Poisonous snakes and it's really hot.

-So hot!

-Hot. Drought.

-Drought! The drought.

You love the snow. And mosquitoes!

-No.

-Big mosquitoes. And I just feel like...

we should probably discuss this further.

-Of course.

-Good.

-There's so much to discuss!

-Those boundaries are going really well.

-Shh!

-What'd you say?

Nothing.

-What am I supposed to do?

-Okay, hear me out. Crazy idea.

-Okay.

-Just tell her no.

-And say what, I don't wanna take care of her in her old age?

I do wanna take care of her.

-And that's very sweet of you

but she doesn't need taking care of.

She went rock climbing last week.

-Yeah, but she wants to be close to me.

I mean, I can't just say no.

-Then I guess living close will give you a great opportunity

to set boundaries.

-You don't get it That's the thing.

There will be no boundaries.

This will not end here. Okay?

This is like if you give a mouse a cookie situation

but the... the mouse is my mom and the cookie is, like,

an unraveling of co-dependent behavior.

-Don't mice eat cheese?

-That's not the... Chris is coming!

-Do you think he saw us? -No, I don't think that was him.

-That sounds like the door. -Could be somebody else.

-Yeah, there was a man walking behind him.

-Definitely somebody else.

-Sounds like maybe...

-Hey! -Hi.

-Just a little game we like to play.

-Okay.

-Peek-a-boo!

-That's good.

-What are you doing here?

-Well, I'm just helping out with some electrical stuff.

I do a bit of handy work on the side.

-Oh... -Sweet.

-Christmas shopping?

-Yeah.

-Yeah. Just trying to fix an entire year

of complex family dynamics with the perfect holiday gift.

-That sounds doable.

That's probably better than my gifts.

I do a bit of woodworking so I handmade everybody

tea boxes this year.

I love tea boxes.

-I also love tea boxes.

-Okay, maybe it's a good gift after all.

-Yeah. Definitely. -The best.

-Well, I'd better get to work. See you guys tonight?

-Yeah, absolutely. -Can't wait.

-He does a little woodworking.

-I know.

It's like AI algorithm of the perfect man.

-I wish I handmade my mom a tea box.

-Oh, I would love to watch you try that.

By the way, how is it going with your mom?

-It's okay. Two days, no fighting.

-Yay!

-Six to go, but I am trying to let go

of some of my old grievances, so...

-Good.

-Which one says I am totally not resentful of your new family?

-The houndstooth.

Naomi! I've missed you.

-Me too.

I am sorry it took me a minute to get over here.

-Did Liz tell you? Jojo got into Stanford.

-Oh yeah, she told me and I'm so proud of her.

And did Liz tell you

how she's helping us raise Series B funding?

-It's a huge accomplishment. -Mmhmm, yeah.

-Oh... but no bites yet, right?

-No, no bites. Anyway...

Happy third night of Hanukkah.

I actually got you a little something.

-Oh!

-Thank you.

Ah... a scarf.

-My mom always says you can never have too many scarves.

-I wanna see your mom.

You two should come for the sixth night of Hanukkah,

we're gonna have the whole mishpachah.

-Yeah, I'm sure she'd love to.

-So, are you, um... are you seeing anyone?

-No, not right now.

-What? Why not? You're such a catch.

-You can be single and still be a catch.

-Oh, hey Jojo! Congrats on your news.

-Oh, thank you.

Now I can hang out with you and Liz all the time.

-Ah... well it'll be you, me, Liz and my mom.

She's moving to Palo Alto.

-Linda's moving to be closer to Naomi.

Isn't that nice?

-Um...

Okay.

Here we are.

There he is.

-What are we doing? This isn't a date.

-No. Totally just a group hang.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Oops, sorry.

Fun fact, everything here is vegan.

Well, maybe that's not a fun fact.

-No, it's very fun.

I... wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

-You're lying but I appreciate that.

You guys ever do this in high school?

We had a mocktail night.

Oh, sadly we didn't.

-We didn't get out much. We played a lot of Everquest.

-No, Liz played a lot of Everquest, not me.

-Oh, I loved Everquest.

Oh!

-You okay?

Um... yup. I'm just gonna clean that up.

-No, no, no. I got it.

-And grab us some more... No, no, no. Sit down, sit down.

-It's fine, it's fine. -Please. I got it.

-You sure?

-Yup. Very sure. Yup.

-Okay.

-Sorry.

-You know, I keep meaning to tell you.

I actually downloaded, uh... Best Pals once.

-Best Pal. Singular.

-Best Pal.

-You did? How was it?

-It was intriguing.

You know, it's... kinda like online dating.

Meet a lot of people, most of them are terrifying.

-But you do hit it off with a few, it's nice.

-Yeah, if you're lucky. -Yeah.

-I don't know, online dating has never worked out for me.

I don't know. I just want that in-person zing,

that love at first sight across the room.

-Yeah, it does sound nice. You ever had it?

-Versions of it. My parents had it.

They were high school sweethearts.

-Wow, that's really rare.

-Yeah.

-They still together?

-They would've been but he passed,

senior year of high school.

-I'm so sorry. I don't know how I missed that.

-It's okay. Thanks.

-No, I just...

I wish I could've been there for you in high school.

-What are you talking about?

-Talking about being a romantic.

-Oh, Liz is not a romantic.

-And Naomi might be too much of one.

-I wouldn't say that.

I mean, do I have a tendency to fall for the fantasy

instead of who the person actually is?

-Sure. -Yup.

-But that's normal, right?

-Mmm.

-They got a name for it, it's called the honeymoon phase.

I'm very guilty of it, Naomi.

-Oh.

-Sorry. That's my mom I should get that.

Hi Mom.

-Quit hogging all the gummy bears. Okay?

Sorry.

-So, not a romantic, huh Liz?

-Not in the traditional sense.

I don't get why believing there's only one person

out there for you is considered romantic.

But I am no expert.

-What do you mean?

-Well, just that romantic love is not my most successful arena.

-Why do you think that is?

-Um... I don't know.

Because of me?

Because I have a hard time fitting in,

I'm a bit of a niche market.

Maybe I'm just hard to love.

-Liz, I know we don't know each other that well...

but I can assure you there's no way that's true.

-Hey!

-Okay. We're out of, uh... almond milk eggnog.

I'm gonna fill us back up.

Don't be too excited. It's almond milk.

-So, what is going on here?

There are obviously vibes between you two.

-There's obviously vibes between you two.

But that's weird, right?

Weird that he's vibing with both of us.

-Well maybe he's not vibing with either of us.

Maybe he's just friendly.

-What, he's just a genuinely nice guy.

-Exactly. So... this isn't weird.

-No, it's not weird.

-Did I miss anything?

-Nuh-uh.

-Here you go.

-Thanks.

-Cheers, Naomi. -Thank you.

-Cheers.

To us.

To us.

Hey, Chris!

-Frank! How's it going?

This is weird.

-What's all this?

-Well, my mom is starting to clear out the house for the move

and wants to know what I'm keeping.

But look at this.

-Aww. Time machine back to BFF BC.

Your dried flower crowns.

Our friendship bracelets.

-Our best friends forever photo book.

Oh... I think I have mine at my mom's.

Actually, I have a whole box of stuff.

-Get it immediately.

-I don't know.

Every visit pushes us a little bit closer to fighting.

-Stay strong, you can do this.

-Says the one helping her mom pack for her move.

-Point taken.

-Oh. Hi.

This is a fun surprise.

Did you just come by to say hello?

-I actually came to just grab a box from the attic.

-Oh. Okay.

-But I can hang out for a bit.

-Well great.

You can help me address the holiday cards.

-Are you serious?

I'm not even in the holiday cards.

-Because I don't have a recent photo of the four of us.

-Well, you could've photoshopped me in.

Liz, who do you think I am?

Some kind of computer wizard?

-No. I just want you to apologize for leaving me out.

I don't leave you out. You leave yourself out.

You refuse to be a part of this family.

-I'm gonna grab that box.

-Oh.

-My half of the friendship bracelets.

All the letters my dad sent me.

-Hey, why did you save your Stanford rejection letter?

-Hmm, I don't know. Motivation?

-Our yearbook.

Aww.

Jingle Ball royalty.

-Except it turns out Karly cheated.

-She probably would've won anyway.

-I know.

She was Jingle Ball queen, Prom queen, Homecoming queen.

-Mm-hmm.

Oh.

-And Chris was hockey team captain

and student body president.

I mean, I think there's, like...

a single photo of us in this entire book.

Yeah.

-Should we have done high school differently?

-Differently how?

-I don't know.

Joined a club, played a sport, gone to a dance.

-I wanted to go to all the dances but you didn't wanna go.

-Well why didn't you go without me?

-I didn't want you to feel left out.

And it wouldn't have been fun without you anyway. So...

-Just loves a group hang.

-Sure does.

-Hey!

-You okay?

-Yup!

Why don't you guys, uh, go without me.

-No. We'll stick together.

-No, really.

I mean, skate a few laps 'cause I think these skates...

yeah, they're broken, and I'm just gonna tighten them.

So...

-Are you sure?

-Whoa!

-Okay, alright.

-All good! All good!

-You need a hand, let me help you up.

-You heard her, she's fine.

-I'm good. Okay.

-You're positive.

-Have fun!

-Okay, we'll be close by if you need us.

Liz, wait. You can skate.

-You can too. -I mean...

-Did that come from playing hockey?

I was looking at our senior yearbook today.

I was reminded that you were hockey team captain.

-And student body president. And Jingle Ball king.

-Yeah.

On the endless teenage quest for validation.

-Yeah, well you were Chris Silver.

-That was what I was.

But now I'm just Chris, living in Weston.

Teaching at our old high school.

-And that's not enough for you?

-Uh... yeah. I mean, it is.

I love teaching, I do. I just... sometimes feel like...

maybe I could've done more with my life.

-Why do you feel that?

-You wanna know? -Mm-hmm.

-My dad was a decorated Marine and a self-made man.

He always taught me to be the best.

He said... unless you're a lead dog,

the scenery never changes.

-I get that.

My parents divorced when I was younger,

my dad remarried, moved away.

-Oh, man.

-As a child I told myself that if I was good enough

or successful enough or... something enough...

he'd come back.

Luckily as an adult

I have absolutely no need for validation.

-Of course.

Me too.

-You okay?

-Yeah. Do you wanna go get a...

-Ow.

-Liz! No, no, no...

-You alright?

-Please, it's okay. I'm fine, really.

-Give me a second.

Ooh.

-It hurts, doesn't it? Okay.

Look, there is a bit of swelling.

It might be a light sprain.

-It's better than that time

you jumped into that cake. Remember?

-Jumped into a cake?

-Yeah, you had to be there.

-I feel like you guys have a lot of "you had to be there's".

Don't you?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

-Look, I'm gonna leave this here.

-Oh.

-This is gonna keep your foot warm.

-Thanks.

-I know you're okay... and I am gonna get you some ice.

Elevate your gloved foot, if you don't mind.

-Thank you.

-I'll be right back.

-You sure you're okay?

-Nothing bruised but my ego.

-Well, were you having fun with Chris before that?

-It was fine. Whatever.

Naomi, I'm not into him.

-Really?

-Yeah, really.

He's cute in a high school throwback kinda way,

but that's it.

-Hm. Okay.

-Alright, alright.

Let's get your gloved foot outta here.

Come on.

-You know what? You guys skate.

-No, no, no. Come on, let's get you home.

-Oh... -We're not gonna leave you.

-Go have fun.

-Okay. You sure?

-Yeah. -You heard her.

-Sure.

-We will only be a moment. Alright. Easy.

-Okay.

-Bye, love you! -Bye.

I gotcha.

It's been a while.

-Yeah, just don't look down. Look at me.

You gotta distract yourself. -Uh huh.

-You understand?

Don't think about your skates.

Think about that high school crush you had.

-You're still talking about that, it was nothing.

-Why are you blushing, cheek Pinocchio?

-Okay, okay. Alright, alright.

Just... let's get back to the crush.

That seemed to work. Keep yourself distracted.

-What's there to say?

I mean it was just teenage daydreams.

You'd pass me a note in the hallway, stop by my locker.

-We'd go for ice cream or to the movies.

It was more about you finally seeing me.

You know?

You picking me and me feeling special.

Because...

-'Cause I was Chris Silver.

-Yeah. We should get...

-You okay? -Mm-hmm.

-You've been Chris'd.

-I'm sorry.

-Why are you apologizing? I'm happy for you.

You're into him and I already told you that I'm not.

Plus it was obvious you two would have a thing.

-No, it wasn't a thing.

It was just a heat of the moment mistletoe kiss.

-Ooh! Mistletoe Chris.

-But really, you have my blessing.

So?

Was it everything we ever dreamed of?

-No. It was nothing.

-Oh. Okay.

Come on.

*

* Snow outside Christmas lights *

* Singing on the radio

* All the songs we know.

* I can't wait to be...

-Hey Liz.

-Hey!

Doing some last-minute shopping?

-Actually, this is my store. This and the gift shop on Elm.

-Oh, I love that place. Here too.

I mean, I want everything in here.

-Of course, it makes sense.

-What do you mean?

-Just that you've always had stellar style.

Even in 2004, you pulled off Juicy Velour tracksuits

and trucker hats.

-Well, uh, thank you.

But I am very, very glad those days are behind us.

-Me too.

-You know, I'm sorry. I'm understaffed today.

I should get back to the floor.

Oh! But the crew's doing Christmas karaoke tonight.

Brews Brothers around 7:00?

-Yeah, I'll see if Naomi's free.

-But even if she's not, come hang.

-Yeah. Totally.

-Good. It'll be fun.

I'll see you there.

-Sounds good.

-Wrapping my present?

-My mom's wrapping all the presents

so she can pack the wrapping paper.

-So Liz, how was shopping?

-Good. Main Street is poppin'.

Oh, and you know that boutique we love?

Karly owns it.

-Yes, that makes sense.

-So, what's the plan for today?

-This...

and then we're debating either a Christmas movie or baking,

and then... I actually have plans later.

-I actually have plans too.

-Oh! Cool.

-Yeah. Cool.

-Cool.

- It's a lot of chocolate. - So much chocolate.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-I know your first thought when you have chocolate is...

I would love some cheese.

I mean, I love anything with cheese.

But it's not vegan so should...

-Come here.

-What?

-It's vegan. Whole place is vegan.

Yeah, they just don't advertise it so that people don't hate it.

Secret vegans?

-Mm-hmm. That's right.

-That's amazing.

-I know.

-So, how long have you been vegan?

-Since leaving the forces.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Wow. What inspired that?

-It just, um...

it felt like the right thing to do.

Felt like who I wanted to be, you know?

I spent my whole life trying to be other people

and worrying about what other people thought of me.

And this just felt like something, um... just for me.

-I get that. I'm impressed.

I mean, it's hard to go against the tide

and it's even harder to know who you wanna be.

-Yeah. You're right.

Thank you, that means a lot actually.

Yeah.

-What about you?

Did you always wanna be a visionary entrepreneur?

-It's that what I am?

-Mm-hmm. -No.

-Mm-hmm.

-Um... no. Actually, I never knew what I wanted to be.

-Really?

-I don't know, all my dreams were kid dreams.

-Hmm.

-Open up the flower shop, own the bakery.

It's silly.

-No, these are great dreams. What are you talking about?

-Yeah?

-Yes.

How'd you get to, uh, Best Pal though?

-Liz.

She always has these great, big ideas and...

so I hitched my wagon to hers and...

let her drag me along.

-Something tells me nobody drags you along, Naomi.

I have no doubt that she needed you

just as much as you needed her.

-Thanks.

-Just my thought.

-So no senior trip?

-Nope.

-A football game?

-Nope.

-Prom?

-No, none of it. I didn't go to a single thing.

-Alright. Who's ready for some merry-a-oke?

-Yes please! I'm in.

-We're gonna start with Jingle Bells.

Ready? Here we go.

-So... why? Was it because you were too cool?

-Me? Too cool?

Those two words have never been uttered in sequence.

-Really? You always seemed too cool.

Honestly, I was jealous of you.

-You were jealous of me?

-Yeah.

You just always seemed to have such a clear sense

of who you were.

You seemed so self-assured.

-I must've faked it really well

because I was a flailing ball of insecurity.

I felt like I didn't belong anywhere.

-What?

-Honestly, I was jealous of you.

-Jealous of me?

I cheated to be Jingle Ball queen.

-It wasn't about being Jingle Ball queen.

I was jealous because you hosted Jingle Ball.

It was the social event of the year and you gave that

to everyone, helped by your friends,

and I... I wanted that.

I... wanted to be able to feel like

I had something to give back.

-Well... you have it now, so do it.

-Yeah, do it.

Do what?

-Throw us a Jingle Ball!

We always have an unofficial class reunion

the night before Christmas Eve.

You could host Jingle Ball!

-No. No, no, no, no, no.

-Yes.

-Why not?

-Yes.

-I'm sure Chris could get us the high school gym.

-He definitely can. -Oh, come on!

Jingle Ball! Jingle Ball!

Jingle Ball! Jingle Ball!

Jingle Ball! Jingle Ball!

-Hey. What's going on over here?

-I'm hosting Jingle Ball!

Yay!!!

Ensure your log is clean and dry.

If needed, brush off any dirt or debris with a towel.

-How are we failing at this so hard?

This looks nothing like a Menorah.

-It's because we haven't put on the shelf mushrooms yet.

-Maybe we should just quit this

and watch a DIY on throwing a dance.

-Yeah, you could definitely use some pointers.

No. I just...

I mean 'cause you've never been to a dance.

I mean, you've never even wanted to go to a dance.

-Actually, I wanted to go to all of them.

-What?

Well why didn't we?

-I don't know.

I knew that if we went,

you'd constantly be asked to dance

while I'd be left standing there alone.

-Why don't you invite him to Hanukkah?

-No. Really?

-The more the merrier.

-Okay.

-So? What's the deal with you two?

-I don't know.

He's... amazing.

He's so empathetic and kind and sweet and...

I kind of wonder if he's the one.

-The one?

-Yeah.

You've been on one date.

-Well, yeah.

But I've known him for, like, 20 years.

-From a distance.

In reality, you barely know this man.

-So, Jingle Ball. What's the deal?

What can I help with?

-Oh, it's fine. Karly's helping me.

-Great.

-Oh! I have so many memories here.

My first dance. My first kiss.

My first break up.

Oh, and I remember the Jingle Ball.

And Mr. Fray announcing I had won

and being so afraid people would know I cheated.

-Why did you cheat?

-I guess I felt like I had to be queen.

Like, who would I be without it?

-Yeah, I feel that.

I mean, I feel that way about my company.

My success.

Like... who am I without it?

Anyway. So... DJ on the stage.

-Mm-hmm.

-Bar over here next to a table of nibbles.

-Oh, and Ryan's wife's a caterer.

-Oh! Perfect. -Yeah.

Oh! We should do a photo-booth.

Dina Frank is a photographer so that's covered.

-Okay. -Yeah.

-I can see it all. What about a theme?

-Jingle Ball is always holiday-themed.

-How about early 2000's.

-Yes!

-Frosted lip gloss, lace-up jeans, bedazzled everything.

-Stop it. Oh, it's gonna be so good.

So how do you feel about a Jingle Ball queen and king?

-Yeah, I don't know.

I think that we're honestly really past that at this point.

But... you know what?

Actually now that I think about it, it's a really good idea.

-Oh, yay!

-It's so lovely to see you, thank you for coming.

-Hey. -One second.

-Hi. -Hi.

-Hi.

-Oh, I see your mom.

-I love your earrings.

-You like? Karly lent them to me.

-Oh. That was sweet of her.

-Yeah.

-Hi.

-Hey.

-Thank you for having me.

I don't know if that's a normal thing to do.

This is my very first Hanukkah.

-Yeah. Thank you.

It's my pleasure.

-Of course.

This is just a little something to say that I've been, uh...

thinking about you.

-Thank you. -It's my pleasure.

-I'm gonna go put these in water.

-Oh, can you take mine too?

-Sure. -Thank you.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Is it weird that I, uh... I missed you?

-Hmm... no. I kind of missed you too.

-Only kinda, huh?

-Just a little bit.

-Okay.

Latkes are ready!

-You got something here, let me get it.

-I do? What? -I got it.

-I'll get us some latkes. -Okay.

-I thought you were vegan.

-I am.

-Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news,

but lox isn't a vegetable. Maybe you're a pescatarian.

-No. I'm definitely a vegan.

Then why do you reek like fish?

-What?

-I saw Chris eating lox.

-So?

-So it means he's not a vegan.

-Maybe he's a vegan who eats fish occasionally.

-Yeah. A pescatarian.

But he says he's not so he's lying.

-Why would anyone lie about that?

-Exactly.

-Liz, you always do this.

-Do what? Out people as pescatarians?

-No. Have me not go to the dance

so that you don't have to stand there alone.

-Okay. All I'm saying is that you don't really know Chris-

-mas. Oh, Christmas tree.

-How... happy...

-No. -No?

-Is this normal for Hanukkah?

-Just being inclusive.

-So, uh, Karly asked me about using the Christmas decorations

for the Jingle Ball.

And I was thinking, if you'd like, I could, uh...

head up the decorating committee.

I did do our senior year.

-Oh, that's so sweet. -Yeah.

-I could help you if you want. -Okay.

-I mean, Liz already said she doesn't need my help.

-Sure.

-Cheers. -Mmm.

-Cheers. -To latkes.

-This looks good. -Yeah.

Oh. Thank you for...

whatever this is.

-It's a handmade birch Menorah

that took me several hours to make.

-I actually have a little Hanukkah gift for you.

-Oh.

-I fixed our holiday card.

-How?

-You're in it now.

-Yeah, in the corner like an afterthought.

And my eyes are closed.

-Believe me, it was the best one in the bunch.

You know, nothing I do is good enough for you. Is it?

-Why do you always say that?

-It's so nice to have an evening where everybody gets along.

Isn't it?

It's a party after all.

Maybe it's, uh, time to light the candles, don't you think?

Everybody, we're gonna light the candles now!

And then we're gonna have a dreidel contest for the ages.

So come on over to the table.

-Thank you so much for joining us tonight.

We are so happy to be together.

-Would you like to say something?

-Me? -Mm-hmm.

-Okay. Um...

I know a lot of you don't know what Hanukkah is about

but it's the festival of lights. The season of miracles.

It's a celebration of the spirit's ability

to find light in darkness.

It's a time of connection, dedication, rededication,

which is the meaning of Hanukkah.

* Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai

* E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech ha-olam

* A-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav *

* Ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik

* ner Cha-nu-kah.

-So close, one more. No, two more.

-Oh! -Oh.

-Hi. What's up?

-We have considered your offer and would like to counter...

-Okay. Sure. Thanks.

-What's wrong?

-That was the VC firm, they're not giving us funding.

-Huh.

-Instead they wanna buy Best Pal.

I don't wanna sell Best Pal.

It's not just my work, it's my life,

my entire sense of identity.

-Well then maybe our identities change.

-To what?

-I don't know.

I mean, you start a new company.

You're always thinking of new ideas,

you're jotting them down.

-I don't get it.

Since when are you so eager to leave Best Pal?

-I'm not!

I just think that maybe we could both benefit

from something new.

-But something new together?

-Hey Mom.

-Good morning.

You can help me with the stuffing.

I'm prepping Christmas dinner.

You told me I'd need the pans.

-Sometimes I'm right.

-So honey, I wanted to talk to you.

I gave our conversation more thought

and I realized your concerns are valid.

California is expensive, amongst other things.

-Yay!

So you're not moving then?

-No, of course I'm moving. But I had an even better idea.

I could move in with you.

Now I know it's not conventional but it makes so much sense.

Why pay for two places when we can split one?

So I'll sell the house, you sell your condo,

and we'll pool our resources to buy a house together.

-Both of us. One roof.

-What, you don't wanna live with me?

-I mean, did you wanna live with your mother?

-Yeah, but she's my mom, and I'm me.

It's totally different.

-What's different is you're the daughter in that situation

and I'm the daughter in this situation.

-So you don't wanna live with me?

Mom...

I love you but we are not moving in together.

-Hmm.

-How's the salmon?

-It's so good.

Sorry.

-Oh, no. No, no. This pasta is, uh... incredible.

-Good.

-Yeah, it's really good.

Look...

I wanna talk to you about something.

-Okay.

-I know you head home in a few days but, uh...

cards on the table, I don't want this to end.

-This feels like it could be something real.

-Yeah. No, I... I feel that too.

But I mean, hopeless romanticism aside,

how does this work?

-I think, um... we could do long distance.

-Yeah.

-For a while. -Yeah.

-And if, uh... that works...

one of us could move potentially, I suppose.

-Yeah. Okay.

Okay, so... in this potential situation...

-Mm-hmm.

-Would you think about moving to California?

-Yeah.

-Okay.

-Or...

in this potential, totally hypothetical situation

it would probably make more sense for you to move back here.

-Move back to Weston?

-Yeah.

Why not?

-Okay. Okay.

Well, what is the reality of that?

I mean, what would I... what would I do?

Where would I work?

-Well if you sell the company, you could take the, uh...

the seed money and start something new.

-Oh.

-You could open the bakery. Start the flower shop.

-Well, those are just my kid dreams. I mean, I...

-So?

-So... you know,

10-year-old Naomi didn't need health insurance.

-Neither does 35-year-old Naomi, I don't think.

But, uh... look, we don't have to do this, um...

we were just romantic fantasizing. Okay?

-Yes. Yeah, absolutely.

It's just all happening so fast. I mean, I didn't expect you.

And we've been on three dates and...

It's a little warm in here, um...

I'll be right back. Okay?

-Sure. Yeah.

-Pick up, pick up, pick up!

Hi it's Liz, leave a message if you have to.

Liz! Where are you?

Look, Chris just dropped a bomb on me

and I don't know what to do.

And I know that you're right

and I know that I don't know him all that well.

But also I've known him for 20 years

and he's kinda the man of my dreams.

And I just... I don't know.

What if this is it?

You know, what if he's the one?

And... and I lose it because I doubted it.

Just call me back.

-Yeah.

-Well, the letter of intent is solid.

Our employees get to keep their jobs, we cash out,

have enough runway to figure out what we wanna do next.

-Naomi, what else would I do?

-Maybe you go back to school, get your masters.

Go to Stanford.

I mean, you always wanted to go but you didn't get in. Right?

-I don't understand this.

All of a sudden

you're so interested in doing something else.

-It's not all of a sudden,

I've been feeling this way for a long time.

-Then why didn't you say anything?

-I did say something and you told me to pivot Best Pal,

to expand, and that brought us here.

So... maybe this is meant to be.

-Well whatever it is, we'll figure it out together. Right?

-Right.

-Oh, can we pop in for a second?

Our Jingle Ball dresses are here.

-You got us dresses? -Yeah!

-Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

-Hi!

-Ooh come on, the dresses are in the back.

-Ooh!

-Hey. -Hey.

-This feels weird.

-It is weird.

You know, I wanna be with you, you don't wanna be with me.

-That's not what I said.

-Eh, it's the short version of what you said.

-Can we just talk this through? I mean...

-No, I think we're good.

-Really? -Yeah, we're good.

Do you wanna try them on?

-Or maybe just... just try them on at home.

-No, stay. Have fun.

-So, what was up with you and Chris?

-Nothing's up with us,

we're just not really seeing each other anymore.

-Why?

-I guess I realize I don't know him as well as I thought I did.

-Oh. Something smell a little fishy?

-No.

It's just a realization I've been having a lot of lately.

-So you just broke it off? When was that?

-Last night.

-And you didn't tell me?

-I tried!

I left you a voicemail, you didn't call me back.

-What is this, 2012? Who uses their voicemail?

-You didn't think it was a good idea anyway, so...

-Oh, Liz! Come here.

Guess what my mom just found?

It's my Jingle Ball crown.

-Oh wow.

-And I was thinking, if Chris could find his...

we could be queen and king again.

-Yeah, whatever you want, I'm good.

-Or would it be childish? Or self-actualized?

-Is there a difference?

-Hey. -Hi.

I wanna apologize for earlier, I wasn't my best.

I, uh... I was acting like a teenager.

-No, it's okay.

-I do hope we can be friends though.

Stay in touch.

DM each other some random cat videos now and again.

-I'll take what I can get.

-Yeah, of course.

-Okay.

-Happy last night of Hanukkah. Do you need a hand?

-Nope. I've got it.

Jojo and Travis will be home soon

and we can light the candles.

I, um... I baked you chocolate crinkles for Jingle Ball.

-Oh.

-And, um, I was thinking I could be a parent chaperone.

I did it for Jojo's Jingle Ball.

-Except for most of the people coming are parents.

-I'm just trying to be supportive.

-And I appreciate that but you never baked cookies

or parent chaperoned my Jingle Ball.

-Because you didn't go to your Jingle Ball.

Why would I go if you didn't?

I know I made mistakes,

that I wasn't the mom you wanted or needed.

But I'm trying.

*

-Hi Mom.

-Oh good, you're home. Come sit.

-It's the one where the secret prince turns out to be

Santa's long lost son come back in time.

-I saw the sequel.

-Also, guess what?

-What?

-I found us a real estate agent in Palo Alto.

-What?

-I figured we should just look at houses,

see what's out there.

-But I... I said no.

-Yeah, but maybe you were just being rash.

-No Mom, you're being rash.

I'm sorry but you're being illogical and disrespectful.

I said no.

No, we're not moving in together

and we are not moving you to Palo Alto.

-Um... cookies?

-Hey. What's going on, are you okay?

-No, I'm not. I mean, I feel like a doormat.

My mom doesn't listen to me. You don't listen to me.

-When do I not listen to you?

-Maybe when you bought me a dress that I don't want?

-You don't want it?

-No, I don't want an ugly satin dress.

I don't wanna go to Jingle Ball.

I don't want a time machine to the past.

I don't need it. I don't need a redo on my life.

-I don't either.

-Then why are you always talking about it?

What if you had a redo.

Why do you want it?

I mean, is it because you regret not going to Stanford?

Yeah. I know you got in, so why didn't you go?

-Your dad had just passed. I didn't want you to be alone.

-So you... you stayed for me?

No, you didn't. You didn't do that for me.

-Why not? I did everything else for you.

-Like what?

-Like gave you a job, a direction in life,

a success story.

I mean, I gave you half of my company.

-Our company!

-But was it, really? I mean, I carried you.

-Well, if you carried me,

it's only because you couldn't walk alone.

Because I was your only friend.

-Ouch.

-What are you doing?

Where are you... where are you going?

-I don't know.

My mom's?

You know, I always thought that our friendship

was the greatest gift I'd ever received.

But... maybe we're just holding each other back.

-Yeah, maybe.

-So we should probably take some space from everything.

-Okay.

So buy me out.

-No. Let's sell.

I'm done with Best Pal.

Oh, hi.

-Hey Mom.

-Are you staying here tonight?

-Yeah.

-Do you want me to make up the bed in the office?

-No, that's okay. I'll sleep on the couch.

-Is this about Naomi?

-Yeah.

It's ironic because I've spent my whole life

trying to avoid heartbreak only to realize

that nobody can break your heart like a friend.

-Try being a mom.

Oh.

I have an early Hanukkah present for you.

-Well, you're late. Hanukkah's over.

-Early for next year.

-My eyes are closed.

-Oh, are they? Hmm.

-Mom. I'm sorry.

-No, I'm sorry.

You were right. I was being irrational and rash.

I was asking you to take care of me.

-And I do wanna take care of you.

You just don't need taking care of yet.

-I know. Help me unpack? -Yeah.

So, have you talked to Liz yet?

-No. And I don't know what we'd say.

I mean, you know I love her with all of me

but I don't wanna be her sidekick.

And I don't wanna be mistaken as her employee.

-Yeah, but... Liz never asked you to be that.

Maybe you were hiding behind her.

And just because you both need to grow,

doesn't mean you have to grow apart.

So what are you wearing to Jingle Ball?

-I'm not going.

-What? You have to go.

You've waited a lifetime to go to a dance.

Even if you go alone, go.

And despite what's going on between you and Liz,

this is important to her.

-It actually is kinda cute.

-Ryan got hung up with the baby

so he sent me here with the food.

-Thank you.

-This looks fantastic. -Thanks.

-Blast from the past.

It should come with a trigger warning.

-You okay?

-Yeah. No, I'm fine.

-What's going on?

-Naomi and I got into a fight.

-Oh.

-A big one.

-Well you guys have been friends forever, you know.

You don't achieve that

without being able to make it through anything.

-Yeah. It's not just a fight though.

Things have been changing for a while.

-Yeah.

I think sometimes things need to change.

Can't keep living our lives clinging to what we used to be.

-Yeah. That's true.

I worry though. What if Naomi doesn't need me?

I mean, she's my best friend but she's also the only person

who's ever made me feel seen, made me feel like I belong.

Made me feel like...

-Like what?

-Like I'd been Chris'd.

-What?

-Sorry, you had to be there.

-Sounds like I was there.

You're a good guy, Chris.

-Yeah.

Thank you.

To be honest... I sometimes am a pescatarian.

I knew it.

-I know you knew.

-Nice try though.

-Thank you.

We'll figure it out.

-Yeah. You're right.

*

* ...would know my Christmas list is *

* Someone who could give me hugs and kisses *

* Oh, oh, oh.*

* Santa, you know, oh, oh.*

-You want a shot with us? -Yeah.

-Say merry!

Merry!

*

*

-Hey. -You look amazing.

-Thank you. So do you.

-I couldn't have done it without you.

-Well I was happy to help.

Oh. So I talked to Chris

about the whole queen and king thing and...

we decided it'll be fun.

-Great!

Well, I'll make a little speech and then coronate you.

-Okay. Awesome!

* Outside the snow is falling down *

* ...I'm just wishing you were here now. *

* Dreaming that I could have true love this year *

* That's what I want for Christmas *

-Hey.

-Wow.

Hey.

Listen, I just wanted to say that...

that night at the restaurant, when you brought up our future

and long distance, it sounded terrifying and illogical.

And also like something I would do.

Something I would wanna do.

And I just got scared.

Because sometimes I can romanticize...

and I just didn't wanna get hurt.

-I'm glad you told me that 'cause honestly at the time

it felt like you were just straight rejecting me.

Which I think we've learned that I am deeply insecure

and that I'm not the best with rejection.

-Especially coming from you.

'Cause with you I felt like Chris Silver again.

-Chris, you've always been Chris Silver.

And you always will be. Especially to me.

So... do you think we can try to figure this out?

* ... my world like a snow globe *

* Suddenly everything is so cold*

* Got me head over heels while in love *

* can't even tell which way is up*

* So close

* Everything shimmers in your globe *

* Baby do it again and never let go *

* Keep shaking my world like a snow globe *

-Only if occasionally I can have a bit of fish.

-Okay?

-Deal.

Hi. Hello.

Can I get everybody's attention?

Merry Christmas!

-Oww!

-Thank you for letting me host this dance

and thank you so much to everybody who helped me out.

Believe it or not, in high school

I dreamt of hosting this dance and 17 years later... I did it.

Anyway, without further ado,

it is my great pleasure to announce

this year's Jingle Ball king...

-Come here, come here.

-Sorry, just give me one moment.

What is it?

-I've changed my mind.

I mean, I know it's not a big deal or anything,

but the truth is I don't care about any of it at all.

Because I realized... I don't need a redo.

-I don't either.

Sorry about that.

There has been a slight change of plans.

We're no longer doing Jingle Ball king and queen.

We're gonna reschedule it to next year.

Anyway, so... who wants to party?

*

-Whoo!

-Hey. -Hey.

-You wore the dress. -Of course.

-You wore yours. -Of course.

-Wow, for the first time I don't actually know

what to say to you.

I mean, I think you're right. We should sell Best Pal.

-You can buy me out.

-No. I need to do something different too.

Not crypto, I promise.

-Good.

Well I hope that even if we need space

we can somehow do it together.

-But can we?

I mean, I want you to have everything you want in life

and I don't wanna get in the way.

-No, that's just it, Liz.

Everything I want in life involves you being there

to share it with me.

Because when I think of my past, and my present, my future...

you had to be there. You have to be there.

-You know that I think the statistical probability

of soulmates is limiting.

-But... I think they come in many different forms.

Even if I had the chance to redo my life over a thousand times

I wouldn't because I wouldn't change anything

to be your friend.

-Wow, we are really good at this.

-I know, we should fight more often.

So... friends?

-Besties.

-I love you.

*

*

*

-Let's get a picture. Let's get a picture.

*

*

*

*