𝐑 𝐎 𝐒 𝐀 𝐋 𝐈 𝐄 ' 𝐒   𝐏 𝐎 𝐕

"Do you think I should get Isaiah this?"

Octavia holds up a Christmas jumper that says, 'Mrs. Clause' and points to the left with an arrow. Cara and I laugh before I point to the one next to it. "Are you going to get one too?"

"Hell no, I draw the line at couple-outfits. I'll make him wear this coming out of the locker room after a game where all the puck bunnies are. I'll be standing at the left of the door ready," Octavia explains, and I shake my head at her behavior.

While Cara convinces her to get it, I walk around the section of Boston covered by the Christmas markets.

A layer of snow covers the streets of Boston, as wooden stalls are lined up side by side in a small portion of the city with a large Christmas tree sitting dead center of them.

The lights from the tree, the stalls and even the surrounding buildings give the place a cozy feel as people happily walk around. Bundled up in winter coats, scarfs and hats, people make their way around the stalls buying knick knacks or stocking stuffers for loved ones.

My eyes run over all the possible Christmas presents, figuring out what they would like and what I will be able to put in my case and get past security. My boots crunch against the snow as I walk and my eyes land on a stall selling hot chocolate in cute gingerbread man shaped mugs.

Heading over, I pay for three before weaving my way back through the people towards where Cara and Tavia are waiting for the stall owner to wrap the jumper up in wrapping paper.

"You are an angel," Cara states as soon as she sees me, and they both take a mug. Tavia takes the bag with the wrapped present, thanking the stall owner before we continue to walk around.

"I can't believe you bought that," I tell Tavia and she shrugs.

"He'll think I'm adorable," Tavia says, and I raise my eyebrow out of disbelief. "What are you thinking of getting for your family, Lia?"

My eyes flicker around the stalls before I bring the hot chocolate to my lips. "I'll probably get some little bits for Millie and Lucas. I do not need to have to take stuff out of my case again."

"I remember that call. She told me she had to pay for an extra case just to get the presents back," Cara laughs as she explains my freshman year embarrassing airport moment to Tavia.

"I've learned my lesson to buy presents back in LA," I grumble before picking up a few Christmas themed knick knacks from a stall. Grabbing a few for Millie and Lucas as stocking stuffers, I pay the stall lady before she wraps them up.

"Hey, look over there," Cara pats my shoulder before I turn my head and follow where she is pointing to, as does Tavia. "Doesn't that seem odd to you?"

"The woman with the chihuahua in her bag? Yeah, does she think she's in a movie or something?" Tavia shakes her head.

Cara slaps Tavia's arm. "No. Not her. The three people in trench coats, who all look like they're at an audition for the hunchback of Notre Dame."

"What about them?" I ask, as I take the bag off the stall owner and thank her.

"They've been following us since we got here," Cara mentions, yet I don't remember paying that much attention and seeing them. Now watching them, one of them turns their head a little in our direction and immediately when they see us watching, turn back around.

"You don't think—" Tavia begins.

Cara nods. "Oh, yes."

"What are they doing here?" I ask, and the girls shake their heads in disbelief. "I got this."

Tavia and Cara watch in amusement as I stroll over to the stall that they're at. Sliding up next to one of them, I focus on the stall and pick up a few items. The three people shuffle sideways a little and keep their heads angled away from me. Turning to face the one closest to me, I smile. "Excuse me, could you hold this for me while I take a look? It's hard to pick multiple things up with one hand. Great."

Not giving him a chance to reply, I shove the bag and hot chocolate mug into him, and he grabs them. I pick up a few things and tilt my head. "What do you think of these? Would you buy these if you had two younger twin siblings?"

The guy shrugs and mumbles in response as the other two snicker. Deciding I've messed with them enough, I let them know we're onto them. "You know you're just as tall as this guy I know. Roman. He's a pain in my ass and he calls himself a hockey player but really he's like a figure skater."

"Ok, how did you know it was us?" Roman voices as he takes off the hat, glasses and straightens up his posture. Miles and Isaiah do the same, confirming Cara's suspicions.

"I didn't. Cara did when she realized three creepy people were following us around," I scoff as the girls walk over.

"Are you three spying on us?" Octavia raises her eyebrow and crosses her arms.

"Technically, he was." Miles points to Isaiah, who throws his arms into the air and slaps Miles on the arm.

"Dude! Way to out me," Isaiah sighs before turning to Tavia. "I was just wanting to see what you looked at to get some idea about what to get you for Christmas."

Octavia awes before going over to kiss Isaiah's cheek. "You know I'll love whatever."

We scrunch our noses up at their display of affection, and Cara questions the other two. "So, why are you two here? You thought three creepy people in trench coats were less suspicious than one?"

"It was not well thought out," Miles admits and Roman nods.

"Figure skater, really?" Roman questions and I smirk, shrugging my shoulders before taking my bag and gingerbread mug back off him.

"Are you guys staying, then?" Tavia asks and the guy's nod. Octavia and Isaiah head off together and I make my way to some stalls to find some more presents for the rest of my family. Roman comes up beside me and looks at the things on the stall.

"Do you think Naomi would kill me if I got her this?" Roman asks as he holds up one of those fake license plates that says, 'world's most annoying sister'.

"I'll help her dig your grave." I pat his chest before picking up some more bits. "What are you getting your mom and sister?"

"Naomi and I always get each other joke presents, so this would be perfect. My mom, though, Naomi and I go half and half on all her presents and try to get her things she really needs," Roman explains as he leans against the stall while the owner wraps it up. "What about you?"

"I'll buy mine once I'm back in LA. I'm just getting some stocking stuffers. The twins are easy. They love anything so long as they get to unwrap it, but I'll get Lucas something to do with football because he just started playing. Millie a new doll. Aaron, I usually get sports tickets for. My dad, we get a joke gift and my mom, we get her some perfume or something," I explain and Roman takes the bag before we carry on walking.

"How are you not broke after having to buy for all of them?" He mutters, and I chuckle before my eyes flicker to a stall with food.

"Hungry?" I point over there, and he nods his head before we walk over. "Mmm churros."

Roman chuckles as I ask for some churros with chocolate dipping sauce, and he opts for a hotdog. Once we have our food, we carry on walking around. "Don't tell me you have an obsession for churros like you do iced tea."

"Maybe," I admit as I eat my churros and he shakes his head. "Who goes for a hotdog when there are churros?"

"Someone who hasn't eaten dinner because they were too busy stalking," Roman states, and I chuckle.

"Well, that's on you," I tell him before I eye something on a stall and smirk before picking up a toy figure skating doll. "Hey, look, I found a replica of you."

"You'll pay for that, Hollywood. Just you wait."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝐀 𝐔 𝐓 𝐇 𝐎 𝐑   𝐍 𝐎 𝐓 𝐄

「 A small cute Christmassy chapter of them all. Next update is the one you're all waiting for if you've read CH, the original characters will be making an appearance in the next few chapters.

Q: thoughts on the story so far? 

Don't forget to vote & comment and I'll see you on Monday for another update. 」