Everyone wants them to be together and keep trying to write the story for me. WAIT! I got this. Just enjoy the ride! Everything's about to happen.... probably.  I fixed some of the story line of last chapter.

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"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something."-Neil Gaiman

 December’s Pov.(Not edited)

“Soooo what did you guys get me? I mean I’m the special one right?” Reylor shouted excitedly.

“Yeah you’re special alright,” Cj muttered but she heard him anyway and threw glass cup at him. Luckily it was empty but this group and their reflexes were crazy good, so he caught it and glared at her.

“Well special one I got you this,” Tristan shoved a small wrapped gift at her and she immediately tore at the wrapping paper.

“Are you serious?” She screeched.  “You got me an autographed phone case of The Weeknd?! Oh my gosh I love you!” She then proceeded to pounce on him giving him one of her signature bear hugs.

We each opened our gifts from each other and I was shocked that Tristan even got Anna something, but he amazed me.

“Whoa,” she gasped in awe staring down at her gift. “Who painted this?” It was a self portrait of some sort. Once I got closer I could see it was her sitting down at our school bench drinking a Sunkist.

“I did,” He replied looking her straight in the eyes. To me the moment seemed a little too intimate to be comfortable but before I could say anything Jeremy took the matter into his own hands.

“Well I’d hate to break the love-fest you got going, but we’re all here and we don’t want to see none of that. Soo we’re going to move on.”

“I’ll give you your gift tomorrow,” Hunter whispered into my ear, his lips brushing them with each word. I shivered before moving my head away and smiling at him.

“Then you can’t have yours either,” I snatched the box away from him and placed it back in my lap.

I had gotten Cj a new video game, Jeremy a pair of new shoes, Tristan a new set of paints, Reylor a gift card to her favorite stores, Anna the same as Reylor, and Peter a book—because just like Hunter he was a weird bad boy like that.

“So what are you guys doing for Christmas?” Peter asked lying on his back with a plate of cookies on chest and Reylor sitting on his legs criss-crossed.

“I’m going to visit some family in Santa Monica,” Jeremy replied, stealing one of Peter’s cookies to which he frowned at.

“We’re practically having a family reunion like every holiday, so that means good food. So Reylor and I will be eating good.” Cj grinned staring at the back of his video game.

I frowned not understand why Reylor wouldn’t be with her family. When Cj looked up he noticed my expression, “Oh we never told you? Reylor’s my adopted sister. My family adopted her when she was 7.” That explained why Reylor still knew her language and everything. It also explained one of her connections to this group she was in.

“Well, I’m going to have a simple Christmas with my dad and brother,” Peter chimed in eyes closed and still eating a cookie.

“I’m going to spend it with my family too.” Anna said still gazing at her gift from Tristan. When she saw Reylor’s expression she quickly added, “Guys there’s a small percentage of Christian Indian people. Gosh,” she laughed. “Mairī krisamasa (Hindi: Merry Christmas).”

 “Cool,” Peter voiced in awe staring at her as if she just did magic.

“I’m going to be with Hunter and his family like always.” Tristan shrugged and I frowned like Anna.

“Aren’t your parents’ home too? Like mine are?” I questioned.

“Yeah, but why should I be at home with them? They’re never here any other time.” He grumbled back shrugging again and flipping his blond hair out of his face. That was true, although I didn’t agree, I did understand his reasoning.

We stayed together till it was about two in the morning and my parents were long sleep by then.

“Do you want to ride with Cj and me, Anna?” Reylor bounced out the door while asking the question.

“Uhm,” then she glanced at Tristan.

“No, I’ll take her home.” He interjected, and although it was low everyone heard him and it was like a record stopping.

“If you plan on killing my best friend I will kill you,” I sneered basically growling at him.

Hunter laughed and grabbed me by my waist effectively pulling me to him, “Calm down there tiger.”

***

“So where’s my gift?” I asked Hunter while we were alone in my room. I turned over in my bed to look him in the eyes, “You know you’re a hard person to shop for, so I kept it simple. And you can have one question to ask me.” I shoved the box into his hands and he sat up with a smile on his face.

He opened it to find a Ralph Lauren hoodie inside. “Thanks Cem, I needed a new one.” He beamed his pearly whites at me and I nearly melted like a fan girl.

“Okay, so my question is about that dream.”

I sighed and fell back onto my pillow, “You won’t let that go will you?” I took his silence as he probably shook his head.

“I—you—you were dying. Or at least that’s how you felt. Someone was whispering that I couldn’t—couldn’t ‘what’, I don’t know. Maybe save you? And then I saw a bunny and snake and the bunny killed the snake. I know what you’re thinking, ‘She cried because of that?’ But I—I don’t know something seemed off about that dream.” When I finished I looked up at him to see him watching me with a serious expression.

“I don’t think that about you. Do you know who was whispering to you?” He asked placing his hand on my hip. “Was it your uncle?” Then he paused, “Or Ryan?”

“The thing is, is that I couldn’t tell,” I whispered, looking down at my bed’s comforter.

“And was the bunny you, and I was the snake?” Hunter asked and I couldn’t answer that question because I didn’t know. I knew he was asking because a little while ago he referenced himself as the snake that was coming to tempt innocence. If that was a metaphor then why was the rabbit killing the snake and not the other way around?

“I don’t know. But come on give me what you got me,” I beamed wanting to get off the subject. When he handed me the small box I was curious on what it could be.

I shook it a bit before opening up to find a small brown necklace. The charm hanging from it was a book and in honestly it was one of the most thoughtful given gifts I’ve ever received.

I pounced on him and gave him a bear hug like Reylor’s except we weren’t on solid ground so we landed in a heap on the floor.

Hunter groaned and I laughed hugging him tighter.

***

I spent Christmas day with my parents, my mom and dad being as attentive as they could before they got caught up in their planning of their next trip.

It was about a little after 2:00 pm when I had gotten bored and decided to pay a visit to obviously my favorite family.

“Mom, I’m going to visit a friend for Christmas, okay?”

“But sweetie, what about?” She gestured to all the decoration and my dad and Uncle Rob sitting on the couch watching football.

“I’ll be back at like 8, kay?” I didn’t wait for her response before I bound out the door, skipping towards Hunter’s house.

I hurried through the blocks, my neighborhood seeming creepier without Hunter.

I knocked on the door and I should’ve thought it through, this was Christmas, Ryan could be there. I regretted knocking but the door swung open before I could change my mind.

“Cember!” Muse squealed jumping into my arms causing Tristan to appear in the doorway.

“Muse what did I tell you about opening the door for—oh it’s just you. Come on,” He gestured his head inside and stepped back for me and Muse to get in. Tristan and I’s relationship changed since he called me his friend. It was then I could truly tell that he didn’t dislike me. I could tell that he just had a dry humor and that it was mainly teasing.

“Hunter!” Tristan yelled through the house walking into the kitchen. I followed after him slowly the little girl’s hands already in my hair.

I walked into the kitchen to see Hunter at the stove preparing food. When he looked up he was shocked to see me standing there. “Shouldn’t you be at home with your parents?” One of his eyebrows rose.

“I was bored, Tristan was right.” I sighed coming to sit at one of the island chairs.

“I’m always right,” Tristan stated matter-of-factly, with a look of pride on his face.

“Where’s your mom?” I asked Hunter; or Tristan because he would know too.

“She’s on duty at the hospital on Christmas, she’ll be here in a minute though; she’s almost off.” Hunter walked over to where Muse and I sat and leaned on the island.

Abruptly the little girl looked between Hunter and then back at me. She was sitting on top of the island braiding my hair. “Where do babies come from?” Muse asked her hazel eyes wide and gazing up at her brother.

“What?” Hunter coughed out, probably choking spit and I patted his back in concern and amusement.

Tristan was sitting next to us laughing not even bothering to help the situation.

“Well, Ryan said the stork but why does LaKiyah’s mom have a big stomach and she says her little brother is in it.” I’m guessing LaKiyah was one of her school friends.

“I—you—well—g” Hunter stumbled over his words, not being able to come up with a good reply.

“Is this gonna be like when you read to me that day again?” Muse asked with a small frown on her little face. This caused Tristan to burst into hysterical laughter once again at her mention of the drunken bedtime story she got from her brother. She climbed off the counter and stood up in front of us.

I pushed Hunter away and bent down to her height. “Babies come from parents who love each other want a baby very badly so they ask for one and it grows in the mommy till it’s ready.”

“Okay. So when are you and my brother gonna have a baby?” She smiled toothlessly at me and stuck her tongue out at her brother before calling Toto to come to her.

I opened my mouth to reply but Hunter beat me to it with a lewd comment. “Not soon but we’ll practice on it.” I smacked him in the chest and glared at him before quickly rephrasing.

“Your brother and I—we aren’t parents. We—it—he’s—” Luckily I was cut off by her mom calling her name.

I stood up straight when she ran off and I glared at Hunter, “You’re an idiot.” I rolled my eyes and left the kitchen to greet his mom.

But before I could get too far he pulled me back to his chest and placed his head in my neck. I smiled in amusement before pushing him a little, “Move, I need to say hello to your mom.”

But if I was being honest with at least myself, it made me melt quicker than an ice cream cone in Timbuktu.

***

When Hunter walked me home, I felt better already and although I didn’t want to go home I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to.

We were walking down the street to my house and I was laughing at something amorous that Hunter had said like usual.

It was a nice December day yet something seemed subfuscous about it; like something bad was about to happen.

I didn’t tell Hunter about this feeling because I wanted him to just enjoy the day without my constant worry. It was unneeded; I probably was just being paranoid. He was walking backwards like he usually did.

“What do you like to do Hunter? Like your interests?” I asked just trying to keep conversation going; just light and playful like our moods.

“I’m interested in food, sleep, and you.” He smiled winking at me.

“You’re annoying stop being so cheesy.” I rolled my eyes pushing his face away. I was going to play a trick on him, since I wasn’t raunchy then I would have to make up something that I know would throw him off.

“Hunter, have sex with me.” I asked abruptly just to see his response.

“Whoa, what?” My words caused him to lose balance and trip backwards over an uneven piece of concrete and into the bushes. “What the fuck is up with me and bushes.” I heard him groan. He finally got up and looked at me while dusting himself off. “Come again?”

“I was just kidding Hunter. I just wanted to see your reaction.” I laughed to my heart’s content, after a minute or two of his silent brooding and my laughter he got fed up.

“Oh come here you,” He grabbed my waist and tickled me causing me to laugh till my stomach hurt, tears were rolling down my eyes, and I was gasping for air. “Say you’re sorry,” he commanded but I couldn’t get a word out.

I didn’t even notice the car pull up and Mr. Smith popped out of it.

“Oh it’s just you two again. Come on now? In public? Not very smart you two. You’re uncle just told me to come see if you were on your way back home from wherever you were.” Mr. Smith leaned back onto his police car and shrugged.

I made Hunter let go of me, “I—what do you want me to say?” I asked not even bothering with an excuse.

“That before you get too deep into whatever,” he gestured to Hunter and I waving wildly, “this is, that you leave it before your wind up in a boarding school like your Uncle keeps talking about. Ya know he has a suspicion about you two? How? I have no idea maybe just Jacob’s (Hunter’s last name) proximity. All I know is that this needs to stop.” He shook his head made his way back to his car, “Before you get into more trouble than he’s worth.” And with those parting words he drove off in the opposite direction of my house.

Well that told me he wasn’t going to snitch on me. But we had bigger fish to fry.

***

"Hunter are you up?" I asked later that night looking at his body that lay next to me but facing the opposite direction.

“No Cember I’m trying to sleep and you not letting me accomplish that goal.” He mumbled into the pillow switching his position.

“Oh okay” I whispered. Hunter fully turned his body towards me and draped his hand over my hip, his hazel eyes staring into my brown ones.

“Something’s up? What wrong?” He asked with sincerity. These were the moments you’d forget about all the bad that is. This made him crush worthy.

“Do you really think my parents will let my uncle send me to boarding school?”

He blinked at me for a second. “Do you want the truth or sappy?” He asked in that sexy sleepy voice boys had. How they did it was unknown to me.

“The truth,” I replied although I knew the answer.

“Maybe, I mean probably after he tells them the things I’ve done. Of course he’d have to catch me first, he only suspects. Besides I wouldn’t let them.”

I smiled through the dark. “I don’t know the big deal though. It’s not like I’m doing any worse in school and I’m not doing the worse like dating you.” He looked offended by my last words.

“What do you mean the worst? You know how many girls would kill to be in your shoes?” He sneered truly offended.

“That’s not what I mean—” I tried to reason. I just meant that I wasn’t doing what my Uncle thought was the worst. I didn’t look at the idea of being relationship with Hunter in a bad light anymore. But he made me mad by jumping to conclusions.

“Then what’d you mean then?”

I narrowed my eyes in anger. “You act like I asked for this. I told you from the beginning to stay away from me. I wouldn’t even be in this mess if it weren’t for you.” We both grumbled and turned away from each other.

“Aren’t you gonna leave?” I asked harshly.

“Just because I’m mad at you doesn’t mean I’m going to lose a place to stay.” He declared moving around to get comfortable.
***

Hunter and I got over our little anger with each other when the morning came and it was all forgotten. The next couple of days passed rapidly till it was New Year’s Eve and the gang were going to an ice skating rink pantry. I was pretty excited because I haven’t been ice skating in a long period of time and I wondered if Hunter could skate.

“Ready to be shown up and feeling inadequate?” Anna asked gloating about her ice skating skills, she was a figure skater for about a year or two before deciding that it was too cold for her. But she learned a lot in that time.

“More like ready to watch you fall,” Cj challenge determination in his eyes.

All of us were dressed pretty bulky seeing as most of us didn’t own super warm clothing, given where we live. But we tried to bundle up as best we could because this rink was freezing. Hunter was wearing the hoodie I gave him and I was wearing his necklace.

“Don’t hurt yourself Cj trying to be competitive; Mom would be angry at me if I let you sprain your ankle again.” Reylor reminded slightly shoving her brother.

“Ha! I remember that, all because an eight year old said he was better in 2k. Caused the idiot to play the little girl in the game, win, and trying to do a victory dance slip on a toy and fuck up his ankle.” Jeremy laughed his smile wide.

Cj took his time glaring at the whole bunch, “Whatever.”

I was still a little feeling downtrodden. My Uncle’s thoughts and his partner’s thoughts weighed heavily on my mind.

“What’s wrong?” Hunter was skating backwards and I was in front of me skating. Our arms were linked as we glided across the floor.

“Nothing, I guess over-thinking and worrying about doing wrong is just another flaw of mine.” I sighed looking at the crowd around us people doing the same thing were doing, falling, helping another, enjoying hot chocolate and each other’s company.

“I’ve done some stupid shit in my life. I’ve done stuff I wasn’t proud of but I learned from them. I accept them. You need to learn how to accept yours. The flaws you think are flaws aren’t really even big deals. And I like them. They make you beautiful, despite what you think.”

“Hunter, you don’t.” He didn’t understand because he was always so sure about everything, I was starting to think that boy didn’t have a worrying bone in his body.

“Understand? Maybe not. But what I do understand is that for such a confident girl, you’re really not all that confident. And my whole purpose is to make you realize what you are.”

I gave him a small smile and replied to him, “Someone once told me that I needed open my eyes. And that I shouldn’t judge people. But I judged you Hunter and I was right.” I started and it caused him to frown. “About why you went to jail. I told you that you were too stealthy. But I was wrong about who you were. You’re a good person despite how others see you. How I use to see you.” I smiled and he smiled back.

He looked to his right for a second and his eyes widened causing me to look too.

“Well that’s one way to end a year,” I mused about the two enemies who were under the mistletoe at the ice skating rink kissing.

“Can I end mine like theirs?” Hunter asked with a bright smile.

I rolled my eyes at him “Only because it’s the holiday.”

“Of course, Cem.” Hunter chuckled leaning in and kissing me on the mouth. We were in the middle of the rink, a giant mistletoe hanging above our heads.

The kiss lasted till the countdown clock went down to 1 and I ended the year kissing a boy I thought I’d never be around.

After it officially being the New Year the gang sat down in the restaurant part of the rink and grabbed a bite to eat.

Reylor was eating on her fries while staring deeply at the two enemies who were sitting pretty close to each other. “So what the hell is this?” She gestured between them pointing with her fry.

“Rey stop being so nosy, they’ll tell us on their own time.” I scolded before standing. “I have to use the restroom, I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t you girls travel in packs?” Tristan asked eating a fry, Anna nudged him with her shoulder and he smiled at her. Like an actual smile. I was still confused on that whole thing, it was going to take a little to get use to, but I liked it for them. We all knew it was hidden under their arguing.

“No,” I turned on my heel and headed in the direction of the bathrooms. When I came out I stopped for a drink at the water fountain when I felt a hand on my shoulder, “Hunter you can’t keep your hands off me for more than three minutes then—” My mouth shut and my blood ran cold when I looked up and it wasn’t Hunter. It was Ryan.

Before I could scream and shout in alarm, the lights went out and he spoke. “Grab her.”

Places, places, get in your places. Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces. Everyone thinks that we're perfect. Please don't let them look through the curtains-Melanie Martinez, Dollhouse

Round and round like horse on a carousel. We go, will I catch up to love I can never tell. I know, chasing after you is like a fairytale. But I, feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel-Melanie Martinez, Carousel

Where do babies come from, really? They come from boys who like to sit on their ass. They come from girls who like to grow up too fast. They come from screaming, fighting, and makeup sex-Melanie Martinez

Was Christmas how you expected? Did you like the gift Hunter gave December? How was the mistletoe moment? Are you guys happy Tristanna is a thing? Why did Ryan kidnap December? How will each member of the gang react?

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