Christmas was Bethany's favorite time of year, but the fact that she wouldn't be spending Christmas with her parents made her sad. And in LA there was no snow. She had talked with her parents almost daily since December began and had sent them each a gift. But it just wasn't the same.
She tried to keep her mind of it by shopping for presents and filming Christmas songs played on the ukulele.
She'd been invited by Andy and Juliet to join them for Christmas with Juliet's family. She agreed if only so she wouldn't be alone on Christmas, because that would be worse than just being away from her parents. They had Christmas dinner at lunch with Juliet's family on Christmas Eve. They were very welcoming even though none of them had seen her since Andy and Juliet's wedding. Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. But Bethany still felt off. She missed her parents and all their family traditions. She felt out of place. She surrounded by people who had traditions she wasn't a part of. It had been years since she'd been depressed, but now she didn't even know what to with herself. She wanted to cry, but she didn't want to at the same time. She was just tired and didn't want to do anything.
"I gonna go for a walk." She told Andy.
"Are you okay, Peanut?" Concern covered his face. She shrugged.
"I'll be back in a little bit." Andy watched she'd leave, remembering how many times he'd let her leave and found out later she'd been struggling and he'd ignored it. It had happened too many times. He told Juliet he was going to find Bethany and then left.
Bethany made her way down the street. She had no plans and didn't know where she was going. She just didn't feel like staying at the house. She didn't even really know any of those people. Eventually she sat down on the curb and pulled out her phone to call her parents.
"Hi, Bean! Merry Christmas." Her dad answered.
"Hi, Daddy. Merry Christmas."
"How's your day been?"
"It's okay. It's weird celebrating Christmas when it's so warm." He laughed.
"I bet. How's Andy?"
"Good. I think. Did you get the presents I sent?"
"Yes. Thank you. They're wonderful."
"You liked the tie?" She giggled.
"It was amazing. I'm wearing it to the office on Thursday."
"Do it! I dare you! You have to send me a picture from the office as proof that you actually wore it though."
"Sure thing." She sighed. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know anymore." She sighed again. "I miss you guys. I'm sorry I couldn't come home."
"It's okay, kiddo. These things happen." She had wanted to go home, but she really couldn't afford plane tickets or the time off. She had just started at the law office. They told her if she wanted that much time off then she shouldn't come back. They were nice about it, said it was company policy and Bethany understood that, but that didn't make it any less annoying.
"Oh, here's your mom."
"Hi, sweetie!"
"Hi, Mom."
"Are you having fun?"
"Sort of. Juliet's family are all really nice, but I don't really know any of them and I feel like I'm intruding on their Christmas. What about you guys?"
"It's been very quiet. We got invited to dinner though so that's exciting."
"Oh really? By who?"
"The Butchers."
"Don't sound too excited Mom." Bethany laughed.
"Erica Butcher is the most boring person I've ever met I don't mind saying so."
"Well, maybe don't say it to her face."
"I'm insulted that you think I would." They both laughed. "Oh goodness, is that the time? I should go."
"Okay. I'll talk to you later?"
"Sure, sweetie. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." She ended the call and stared down at her phone screen while trying to cry. She felt stupid. Being so upset just because she couldn't spend Christmas with her parents.
"What's wrong, Peanut?" Andy asked, sitting down beside her. She leaned against him and sighed.
"It's stupid." She wiped at her eyes.
"I doubt that. C'mon tell me." She shook her head. "I'll get the tickle monster." He threatened. She sat up and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not five. That doesn't work anymore."
"Are you sure?" He grinned and reached to tickle her. She scooched away from him and sighed again. "Seriously, what's wrong?"
"I just miss Mom and Dad."
"Aha."
"It's stupid I know."
"No it's not. I miss them too."
"Yeah, but you're used to Christmas without them. You're used to life without them. This is still a pretty new thing for me. The summer was so busy I didn't really have time to think about, but now." She closed her eyes. "It's just harder than I thought."
"I know it is, Peanut, but it gets easier." She nodded and played with her necklace. The one her dad had given her for her birthday.
"Do you ever regret moving away?"
"Nope. At first I thought I wanted to go back, but I knew if I wanted to pursue music I had to stay. Do regret moving away?"
"I don't think so. I miss Mom and Dad, but I've always wanted this. Besides now I get to see you more and I get to see friends I hardly saw before."
"We should have a New Year's Eve party." Andy said.
"You think so?"
"I do. It would be fun. You could invite whoever you want to and I might even let you pick the music. As long as you promise to play more than just the Beatles."
"There's other artists besides the Beatles?" She asked. He rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into his side.
"Shocking, I know." He rested his on top of hers. "You'll be okay, Peanut."
"I know. I just need reminders sometimes."
"And that's what I'm here for."
"Thank you, Panda."
"You're welcome." They day there in silence for a few minutes before Andy said, "We should probably get back before they have lunch without us."
"Good point." He stood and offered her his hand. She let him pull her to her feet. "Gimme a ride?" She smiled up at him and he rolled his eyes.
"Fine. But only because it's Christmas." She jumped on his back and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck.
"Lies. We both you'll give me a ride any time I ask."
"I hate that you're right."
"Merry Christmas, Panda." She said, giving him a hug while still on his back.
"Merry Christmas, Peanut."

———

Dinner was nice, noisy, happy. Juliet's nephew was the cutest thing and he loved Andy. After lunch they sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts. Bethany hadn't brought any for Juliet's family and didn't expect any in return, but she received a few small gifts including a drawing from Juliet's nephew.
    That night as she lay in her bed, thinking about the fact that for the first time in her life she wasn't excited about Christmas her phone rang.
"Hey, Ratface. What's up?"
"Somebody told me you need cheering up and I delivered. And you told me you had presents for us. So the day after Christmas we want you to come over and we'll do a little gift exchange thingy."
"Sure. But we'll have to do it in the morning 'cos I have work in the afternoon"
"You have to work the day after Christmas?"
"Yes, because Janine decided to change the filing system, for the third time this year by the way, and since I'm the newbie I get to go in and refile everything. I think April might be coming in too, but I'm not sure. Either way I'm not looking forward to it."
"That sucks."
"Yeah."
"I should go before they start the movie without me, but I'll see you Wednesday."
"Wednesday. I'll by around eight thirty so we have plenty of time before I go to work. And to make up for the early time I'll bring breakfast."
"Sounds like a plan. Bye, B!"
"Bye, Ratface. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas!" He ended the call and Bethany smiled. Thinking about giving her gifts to them reminded her that she hadn't taken her gifts for Andy and Juliet downstairs. She hopped off her bed and knelt to pull the presents out. She left the rest stack at the foot of her bed instead of putting them back, then took her gifts for Andy and Juliet down and put them under the tree. The ceiling light and the lamps were off leaving only the lights on the tree on. It was beautiful. And it gave Bethany an idea.

———

bennyharris

bennyharris HAVE YOU EVER MET A PERSON
WHO AT FIRST GLANCE
YOU'RE NOT ATTRACTED TOO
BUT THEN YOU TALK
AND WITH EVERY WORD
EVERY SMILE
EVERY LAUGH
THEY BECOME MORE BEAUTIFUL
UNTIL YOU CAN'T BELIEVE
THERE WAS A MOMENT
YOU DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE
a poem by me.
(MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!)

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user1 MERRY CHRISTMAS BENNY!!!
user2 I feel that so much
user3 that's such a mood tbh
remingtonleith MERRY CHRISTMAS B! GO TO BED!
user4 merry Christmas 🎁🎄
user5 I'm really loving all these poems
bennyharris NO! remingtonleith

———

"Merry Christmas!" Bethany yelled as she walked into the house. Remington was sitting on the couch, shirtless, hair flat, cup of tea in his hand.
"Morning."
"It's too fucking early." Emerson muttered as he walked in followed by Shy. Both of them looked like they just crawled out of bed. Their hair was a mess, Emerson was in red silk Palaye pajamas and Shy was wearing an oversized t-shirt.
"Stop bitching, I brought donuts!" Bethany held up the box of donuts, a large gift bag hanging of her wrist.
"Ooh! Gimme!" Remington put his hand out for the box and she gave it to him.
"Good morning! Merry Christmas, Benny!" Monica said as she came down the stairs. She was dressed, her hair still wet and no make up on, but clearly more awake than any of the others.
"Is Sebster here yet?" Bethany asked taking a seat in the armchair and setting her large gift bags full of wrapped gifts on the floor beside her.
"Nope." Remington said around a mouthful of donut. Bethany nodded and yawned. An hour and half went by and he still wasn't there. Emerson and Shy both got showered and dressed and coffee was made and drink.
"Where the hell is he?" Bethany asked, setting her mug on the coffee table. Remington shrugged and picked up another donut. When two hours had passed Bethany stood up. "I'm going to go drag his sorry ass out of bed. Don't touch my bags."
"Have fun." Emerson said as she left.

———

She sighed and knocked again. Harder this time.
"What! What! What!" Sebastian demanded as he opened the door.
"It's ten thirty. Get showered." She pushed past him.
"Come in, I guess." He closed the door behind her, yawned and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Seriously. Shower. Now!" She pointed in the direction of his bedroom. He rolled his eyes, but headed that way.
"Bossy." He muttered. She followed him into his room, which was . . . messy to say the least. She started picking clothes up of the floor and chucking them in his direction. "You have twenty minutes to get ready. Go!" She pushed him into the bathroom.
"Merry Christmas to you too." He muttered.
"Yeah, Yeah. Merry Christmas. We don't have all day." She closed the door in his face. He opened it and looked at her, shaking his head and yawning again.
"Has anyone ever told you you're insane?"
"Frequently. Now get ready!" He smiled and shut the door. She heard the lock click and then shower came on so she went back into the living room. His place was nice. Very bachelor pad, but nice. A little cluttered, but not dirty. One of his Gretsch guitars was laying on the couch, open books lay on the coffee table and the dinner table. A few dishes sat in and beside the sink, but what really caught her attention was a collection of pictures on the wall. Three of them were from the very beginning of Palaye Royale, three were Palaye Royale with a bunch of people she didn't know and the last on was her and them. It was an older picture from the year before. Sebastian wasn't looking at the camera and neither was Emerson. Bethany was laughing at something and Remington was sticking his tongue out and giving the camera the finger. She smiled and started humming Penny Lane as she continued examining the various pictures, posters and other things that covered his walls.
"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes." She sang softly. Her eyes wandered over the bookshelf, head tilting to read titles and authors.
"Having fun?" Sebastian asked. Bethany jumped, not realizing he was there.
"Don't do that!" She slapped his chest lightly and he chuckled. "Are you ready yet?"
"You're very impatient this morning." He said as he tied his scarf. Bethany giggled. "What's so funny?"
"You have a funny way of tying your scarves. And yes I'm impatient. I have work in less than two hours which is why we're doing this this morning. Now let's go. I'm driving. I'll drop you back here on my way to work." She grabbed her bag off the floor and led the way out of the apartment. Sebastian followed, locking the door behind him. Bethany stopped so suddenly Sebastian almost walked into her. She turned and looked at him.
"I'm sorry I'm acting so crazy. And being bossy."
"It's okay, Bumblebee." He smiled at her and she momentarily lost her train of thought. "C'mon we're wasting time." He grabbed her hand and tugged her down the hall.

———

Once back at the house they started exchanging gifts. Monica and Remington were sitting on the couch, Emerson and Shy sat on the loveseat, Bethany went back to her seat in the armchair and Sebastian sat on the floor between the loveseat and the chair. The first gift Bethany gave was Emerson's. A leather bound notebook and a box of sharpies. She was then given a gift from Remington:

And a gift from Shy:

"Thanks guys! I love them." She handed Remington his gift next.
"A dundie! For best frontman! Thank you, B! I love it!" He lunged off the couch and pulled her into a hug. She laughed.
"You're welcome." He took his seat again and unwrapped the second part of his gift.
"Thank you." He said before hauling the Dunder-Mifflin shirt over his head. Bethany smiled at his excitement. There's nothing better than giving people presents. Especially when it's something you know they'll love. To see them smile and their eyes light up when see it. It was Bethany's favorite part of Christmas.
"Here. This is from me." Monica handed her a box. "Sorry about the wrap job. I can't wrap gifts to save my life."
"It's amazing." Bethany giggled and Monica rolled her eyes.

"Are you guys trying to replace my entire wardrobe or what?" Bethany asked as she looked at her pile of t-shirts. "I feel like you're hinting at something that I'm missing."
"Stop talking and open this one." Emerson said, giving Sebastian the gift to hand to Bethany.

(Let's all pretend Emerson drew that and it doesn't have anything written on it, okay?)
"Is that Our Lady Of Victories?" Bethany asked as she pulled the framed drawing out of the bag.
"Yeah. I thought you might like something that reminds you of home."
"Thank you so much." She pulled out the drum key. "It's beautiful."
"I'm glad you like them."
"I do. Here Shy!" She gently tossed Shy's gift to her. It was a t-shirt with a fox crawling over the shoulder and the words Don't Look At Me I'm Shy written on it. Shy laughed.
"Thank you. It's amazing." She turned it around and showed everyone else.
"Here Monica." Bethany stretched as far as she could to give Monica the box. It contained a mug that said I Want To Be A Nice Person But Everyone's So Stupid.
"I've never read anything so accurate in my life. Thanks, Benny."
"And the last one is yours." Bethany said and held out Sebastian's gift.
"You remembered!" He flipped the book over to read the back.
"Of course I did. I had to make sure I got you something you actually wanted." She said with a duh tone.
"What is it?" Remington asked. Sebastian held it up so Remington could read the title. It was a book on video editing. "Boring." Sebastian opened the book and a small plastic baggie fell out. He picked it up and examined the guitar picks inside. Some had little drawings of him without a face, some had his initials and the Palaye symbol and one had a bumblebee on it. He smiled and tucked the baggie back into the book.
"Thanks, Bumblebee." She smiled, "And technically the last one is yours." She took the giftbag from him and pulled the tissue paper out.

"Oh wow. This is really cool. Thank you. She opened the book and flipped through the pages.
Shortly after that Bethany and Sebastian left. She dropped him off at his place and went to work. She worked as receptionist at a law office. It was kind of boring, but it had good hours and decent pay. And it was while sitting at her desk that she found a small wrapped box in her purse. There was tag on the front that had Bethany written on it. She unwrapped and opened the box to find a bracelet and a folded piece of paper.

A constant gentle reminder from someone who cares.

And even though there was no name Bethany recognized the handwriting. Sebastian.
"You're going to be the death of me, Sebster." She said softly as she put the bracelet on.

She loved it. She rubbed it with her finger and smiled.
"What's got you so happy?" April asked. Bethany showed her the bracelet and the note. "From your boyfriend?"
"No. Just a friend."
"Is this the same guy you were telling me about a while ago?" Bethany nodded. April put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow, "Just a friend, my ass. Honey, that man has feelings for you."
"He does not." Bethany said, facing turning pink.
"Mmhm. Maybe you should read that note again. And if everything else you told me is true then you're more oblivious than I thought."
"He can't have feelings for me."
"And why not?"
"Because I'm just me. We're like brother and sister." April didn't look like she believed that at all.
"You're a sweet kid, but you're an idiot."
"Wow. Merry Christmas to you too, April."
"Shush. Let me finish. Stop running from your feelings just because your afraid of getting hurt. I respected your decision when you told not to help you get a date because your last relationship didn't end well, but you'd be crazy not to give this guy a try. He obviously cares about, Benny. And if you care about even half as much as I think you do, then you'll go for it." Bethany just shook her head.
"He's just a friend. He doesn't think about me like that."
"You're completely impossible!" April threw her hands in the air.
"Th-"
"If you wait to long he'll move on."
"I'll take that into consideration. Thank you, April."
"Mmhm." April walked back to her desk and Bethany got lost in thoughts of Sebastian. Wondering if April was right.

That was really long. The longest chapter so far. Also not edited so I'm sorry for any errors. And there's only two more chapters left! Ahhhhh! Anywho thanks for reading!

Avery L.