Lia had always loved Christmas time. The cheerful atmosphere, the jolly music, the bright lights - everything about it lit up her heart. But this year, things were different. Lia's girlfriend, Sarah, had broken up with her several months prior, leaving her with a heavy heart and a lingering sense of loneliness. Lia found herself in Times Square, surrounded by the bright lights and cheerful crowd of New York City. But the Christmas cheer that filled the air felt distant and hollow to her. The past few months had been difficult, marked by a tough breakup that still weighed heavily on her heart. Lia couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and nostalgia wash over her. The crowds around her seemed to move about with purpose, their faces filled with joy and anticipation.

The holiday cheer around her felt hollow, a reminder of the love and companionship she had lost. The once bright happiness seems so dull. Lia stood alone in the bustling crowd, surrounded by couples, families, and the cheerful holiday commotion. The laughter and merriment only added to the empty feeling growing within her, reminding her of what she had lost. Lia walked around the bustling square, lost in her own thoughts. She watched families and couples enjoying the holiday with laughter and joy. The laughter and cheer echoed in her ears, reminding her of the loneliness she felt. It was as if the cheer of the city had abandoned her.

Amidst the bright, twinkling lights of the Christmas tree in New York City, Lia spotted a lone figure, a woman, sobbing quietly in front of the festive display. The sight struck a chord within her, bringing forth a wave of empathy mixed with her own loneliness. The cold December air nipped at her cheeks as she hesitated, the sounds of carolers in the distance creating an ironic soundtrack to the stranger's tears.

Nearly turning away, she hesitated when she recognized the signs of heartache that mirrored her own - the tense shoulders, the quick, shaky breaths, the desperate attempt to wipe away tears before anyone noticed. Against her better judgment, she approached the stranger, her boots crunching on the snow-covered ground as she spoke out softly.

"Hey, are you... okay?"

Lia asked the stranger who sat there with tears in her eyes. The stranger looked almost angelic with the Christmas lights reflecting in her wet eyelashes, creating a kaleidoscope of colors across her tear-streaked face.