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❛ ᴏᴄᴇᴀɴ ᴇʏᴇꜱ​​​​​​​​​​. ❜ ° . ༄
- ͙۪۪˚   ▎❛ 𝐓𝐄𝐍 ❜   ▎˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
»»————- ꒰ sᴀɴᴛᴀ's ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜᴇʟᴘᴇʀ ꒱


❝ HEY, WHEN I GOT
FRIENDS, I CAN GET
THROUGH ANYTHING ❞

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"'And it was always said of Scrooge that he knew how to keep Christmas well and if any man alive possessed the knowledge, may it truly be said of us, and all of us. And so as Tiny Tim observed: god bless us, every one,'" Mr. Feeny finished and he closed the book. "So ends Dickens' masterpiece A Christmas Carol."

Juliet smiled as she relaxed in her seat. Next to Fall, Christmas was her favorite time of year. She had so many good memories of the holiday and traditions to look forward to that it was no wonder that this was the case.

"Wait a minute, that's not the end," Shawn's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Where's the Grinch?"

"Yeah, isn't the Grinch supposed to show up and, like, take everything?" Cory asked.

The redhead sighed, tempted to smack her head against the desk.

"How come it's called A Christmas Carol anyway?" Shawn asked.

"Yeah, there was no one in the story named Carol," the curly-haired boy added.

"Miss Lawrence, would you please trade places with Mr. Matthews," Mr. Feeny asked.

"Alright," she said calmly as she closed her eyes. "I am a hyperactive, underachieving eleven-year-old boy."

"I meant physically."

"Oh, well that takes less of a psychic toll," Topanga said. She traded seats with the boy.

"Why do I have to move?" Cory whined as he sat down again.

"We're just giving our opinion of the book," Shawn agreed.

"Have you read the book to know what it's about?" Juliet asked pointedly.

"Yeah. I mean, you say 'literary masterpiece.' We say 'eh!'" Cory exclaimed as both he and Shawn gave the book a thumbs-down.

"Mr. Matthews, I'm far less interested in your review than I am that you understand the material. What, in your opinion, was Dickens trying to express in his Christmas story?"

"That if you're a real butthead, neat ghosts will take you to cool places."

Mr. Feeny made a similar sound to the one Cory had made moments earlier. Juliet gave in and smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand, exasperated by her friends' carelessness about school.

🌎🌎🌎

"Fish and sticks, two things nature would never have intended to put together. What did you get?"

"Peanut butter and jelly, two things nature couldn't keep apart," Shawn said as he reached into his bag. "Julie?"

The redhead pointed to her Oreos. "What do you think, genius?"

He grinned. "A renewal of our marriage vows, I see."

She sighed. "Y'know what, in the spirit of Christmas I'm not even going to fight it."

"Yes!" Shawn exclaimed. He excitedly pumped his fist in the air. "One step closer."

"And now you're two steps back."

"Dang it."

Cory rolled his eyes at their interaction. "Since when does your mom pack your lunch? I thought you liked fish sticks."

"I do," the boy acknowledged, "but I think it's cruel how the little fish scream when they rip their sticks off."

Juliet gave a little huff of amusement and smiled at her friend. "Sometimes I can admit that you're cute."

He gave her a broad smile, feeling pleased. "You're feeling quite generous today, aren't you?"

She nodded. "I think it's the Christmas spirit. It's my—"

"—favorite holiday. Yeah, I know," Shawn finished.

Minkus joined them. "May I sit down?"

"No," the boys said automatically.

"For a genius you should've known that answer," Juliet commented.

"I was giving them the benefit of the doubt, my sweet," he said with a smile sent the redhead's way. Shawn glared at the boy but surprisingly didn't say anything. He sighed. "Well, since you're so indifferent," and sat down anyway. "Ah, Christmas. The time of togetherness and brotherhood."

"Season of wool," Cory disagreed. "Nine out of ten Christmas gifts are wool. It doesn't matter if it's shaped like socks or a sweater. If it's wool, it's itchy."

Wasn't Cory allergic to wool? That would explain the aversion. Juliet couldn't remember exactly.

"The gift isn't as important as the thought behind it," Minkus said.

"What's the thought behind wool? 'This kid doesn't scratch enough?'" The redhead smiled in amusement at Cory's mocking tone.

"I agree with Stuart," Topanga said as she joined them.

"Oh no, it's a nerd swarm," Shawn said. "Turn off your geek magnet, Minkus."

Juliet poked him in the side, causing the boy to flinch. "Be nice, it's Christmas."

"I just think we often lose sight of the meaning of Christmas in the frenzy of commercialism."

"What are you talking about?" Cory demanded. "How are we gonna know what to ask for if we don't watch commercials?"

"You could always say that you don't want wool. That might improve your averages," Juliet offered.

"Listen, Topanga," Shawn said. "I think I can hear them calling you back into your own dimension."

"Oh yeah," Cory laughed. "They're saying 'Topanga, get you and your aura back here!'"

"'And bring Minkus!'" Shawn added.

As the two of them walked away, Juliet poked Shawn's side again. "That wasn't nice!"

"Sorry."

"You're not."

"You know us too well," Cory said, nodding. "Okay, Christmas tree update. I think I got my real leather NBA regulation basketball."

"Major gift," Shawn said.

The redhead rolled her eyes. Boys.

"So major a gift that I'm saving to buy my gift a gift," her friend boasted.

"What do you get the basketball that has everything?"

"A five dollar top-of-the-line imitation nylon net," he announced proudly, showing them his allowance.

"You have five bucks?"

"I've been saving up for a month."

"Let's go buy it after school!"

"No," Cory said. "Then I tip my parents off that I know what I'm getting."

Wow, Juliet thought, the first time he's ever put in effort for something and it doesn't even matter. Figures.

"You are the Yuletide master."

"Christmas is very delicate," Cory agreed. "You screw up, wool. So, what's the update at your house?"

"Me? Hey, Bob Stubcheck's Sports World has to send over a truck with all the stuff my dad got me. He got me, like, everything," Shawn boasted.

"That great!" Cory said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, my dad really came through this year."

Juliet frowned at the off note in the boy's voice. After knowing him for years, she could tell when he was lying so that wasn't what confused her— it was why.

"What about you, Julie?"

The redhead shrugged. "I don't really care about getting gifts. I like giving them."

"Yeah, what's this year's book?" Shawn asked in reference to their tradition.

She grinned. "It won't be a surprise if I tell you!"

Every year since kindergarten, Juliet had gotten him a book. He never read them, of course, but he pretended like he had to make her happy. He didn't even mind getting a 'useless' present because he liked watching the anticipation and eagerness on her face as he unwrapped the book for that year, which was worth more than the gift itself. The very first one, of course, had been Romeo and Juliet.

"Speaking of gifts. . ." Minkus had returned to their table. "You haven't chipped in yet for your five dollars for the class present for Mr. Feeny."

"I thought I already gave you five bucks?" Juliet said, confused.

"Not you, my sweet," Minkus reassured her. "Him," he pointed to Shawn.

"Tomorrow."

"You said that yesterday," Minkus said.

"Technically tomorrow hasn't come," Juliet put in helpfully.

"Come on, Shawn," Cory said. "Don't think of it as five bucks for Feeny, think of it as five bucks to make Minkus go away."

"Look Minkus, I just spent my last money on lunch, okay?" Shawn snapped, standing. "I'll give it to you tomorrow."

Juliet watched in surprise as he stalked off.

"What? His mother charged him a packing fee?" They looked down at the remaining paper bag.

🌎🌎🌎

"Ta-da!" Cory exclaimed as Juliet and Shawn joined him in his back yard after school. He was holding a large, brightly wrapped present.

"What?" Shawn asked, with Juliet thinking along similar lines. They never gave each other gifts.

"For you!" Cory said happily.

"What is it?" the boy looked at it warily.

"Open it. From me to you."

"It's not gonna blow up, is it?"

"Open it, open it!" he pressed. "Here, let me open it."

The three of them sat down on the porch step as Cory tore open the paper. "A real leather NBA certified, dribbles-like-a-dream basketball. I'm giving it to you. Don't you love me?"

Juliet frowned at the boy's sudden self-centeredness. Something was definitely up— and not in a good way.

"Why'd you give this to me?"

"'Cause it's Christmas."

"But you guys never exchange gifts," the redhead pointed out.

"Yeah, but this year's different," Cory insisted.

"Why?"

"Well, because—"

"Because why?" Shawn asked again.

"Because you're my best friend."

"But I wasn't last year?" Shawn said.

At the same time Juliet commented, "ouch. Thanks, Cor."

"No, I meant both of you were— are," he tried to explain. "It's just—"

"Cory, best friends don't lie to each other."

"Okay, look," the boy sighed. "Shawn, I gave this to you because I didn't think you'd be getting that many gifts this year."

"What? Why?" Juliet asked.

"Hey," Shawn said quickly. "I told you, I'm getting a ton of stuff. I don't need a basketball. My dad already got me two," he bragged as he sat on Cory's fence.

The redhead frowned again as she remembered his off tone at lunch. Why was he lying? Not getting a lot of presents was nothing to be ashamed about.

"Best friends don't lie to each other," Cory repeated.

"What are you talking about?"

"I know about your dad being laid off," the boy said, finally coming clean.

What? Juliet felt a prickle of hurt. Why hadn't he told her this himself?

"Says who?" Shawn asked angrily as he jumped off Cory's fence.

"Says my dad."

"So what did you do, go tell everyone?" he demanded with a dark look on his face.

"No, I didn't tell anyone," the curly-haired boy protested. "Look, Shawn. I'm trying to give you a nice gift so you don't have a Tiny Tim Christmas and you're acting like you're mad at me!"

"Um, Cory?" Juliet said tentatively. "Maybe it's about the way you're presenting it?"

"Presenting? I wrapped it and everything! It's a gift!"

"That's not—" she started, then gave up and sighed.

"Oh, so I'm supposed to be all happy that you gave me some bogus gift?" Shawn shot back at his friend.

"That's not a bogus gift! That's a totally major gift. It was my best gift and I was nice enough to give it to you."

"I'd rather have nothing for Christmas than your lousy charity," Shawn snapped before he threw the basketball back at his friend and stormed off.

Cory watched him go with wide eyes. "What did I do?"

Juliet shook her head and raced after the dark-haired boy. "Shawn! Shawn, wait!"

He rounded on her. "What?"

She took a step back, surprised by his anger. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He scoffed. "Like you'd still want to be my friend after you found out."

"What's your name?" the redhead demanded.

"What?" he asked again, this time more confused.

"What's your name?"

"You—"

"Just answer the question, please."

"Shawn Hunter?" he said uncertainly.

Juliet smiled. "Well, isn't that funny. That happens to be the name of my best friend who should know he's gonna be my best friend no matter what. I've never held myself above him and I'm certainly not gonna start doing it now."

His expression softened. "I just didn't want you guys to think differently of me."

The redhead only hesitated a moment before she threw her arms around the boy and held him tightly. "You're always gonna be my best friend, Shawnie. Nothing will ever change that."

"Even when we get married?" he asked, wrapping his arms around the shorter girl in return.

"Even if we get married."

🌎🌎🌎

Despite her reassurance, Shawn still kept his distance from them the next day at school. When he entered the cafeteria, their eyes met briefly before he shook his head and sat down at an empty table, causing the girl to frown worriedly.

"He didn't forgive you?" Cory asked.

"I thought he did," she said. "He probably just needs some space."

"Shawn, it's tomorrow," Minkus' voice sounded at the next table.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the class present. You still haven't paid your five dollars."

"Fine, I'll give it to you. I just don't have it on me."

"I'm going to buy the present tonight so today is the last day you can give me the money," the boy insisted.

"I said I'll give it to you."

"If you don't give me five dollars right now I'm not going to put your name on the card and the entire sixth grade of Jefferson Elementary will know you're a deadbeat."

Juliet's eyes narrowed at the boy. She didn't mind his obsession with her or the way he tried to win her over, but no one spoke to her best friend like that. She half-stood out of her chair to give him a piece of her mind before a light grasp on her wrist stopped her. She turned to look at the curly-haired boy sitting next to her and he shook his head.

"You'd only make it worse, Jules."

The redhead sat down heavily and watched as the interaction finished.

"Fine. Then I am, okay?" Shawn snapped as he picked up his lunch and headed out of the cafeteria.

Cory stood then and walked over to Minkus. "Minkus, leave him alone. He doesn't have the money."

"He doesn't?"

"No."

"Oh, that puts me in an awkward position. I can't put his name on the card if he doesn't give me the money. Rules are rules."

Juliet stood then and joined them. "Does he have to be the one to give you the money or can someone give an extra five bucks?"

"As long as everyone's paid up I don't mind where it comes from, my sweet," Minkus said. "Did you want to pay for him?"

"Well—" then she slumped. "I don't have five bucks."

"I do," Cory said. "Shawn leant it to me a couple of weeks ago and I haven't paid him back."

Juliet's eyes widened as Cory produced the money.

"Oh, so you're the deadbeat," Minkus said.

"Minkus," the redhead warned him. "Don't call my friends deadbeats, at least not without calling me one, too. I didn't have an extra five bucks."

"I would never call you a deadbeat, my Juliet. I'm sorry," the boy apologized immediately.

The redhead rolled her eyes at the nickname but ignored it. "Just make sure it's his name on the card, okay?"

"Don't worry. His name will, however, have to be last since he's the last one to pay."

"Gee, Minkus, I wonder whose name is first," Cory said sarcastically. "Does it rhyme with Stinkus?"

Juliet fought her smile until the blond boy left them, then offered her friend a high-five.

🌎🌎🌎

On the day of Christmas Eve, Shawn stopped by her house before the two of them left for Cory's. Juliet was with her mom in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies when he knocked, causing the girl to quickly drop her oven mitts and sprint for the door.

She threw it open and immediately wrapped her friend in a tight hug despite having just seen him the other day. "Merry Christmas!"

Laughing, he hugged her back. "It smells great in here, Julie. Any cookies for me?"

The redhead pulled away and grinned. "'Course there are. C'mon, your present's in the kitchen, too."

She practically dragged him by the wrist to where the cookies were laid out on the counter.

"Merry Christmas, Miss Capelwood," the boy said to her mother, who smiled. 

"Merry Christmas, Shawn. Help yourself!"

"Mom! If you say that he'll eat them all!"

Shawn grinned. "What can I say? I'm a growing boy." He reached over for a sugar cookie and took a bite out of it. "Definitely the best year yet!"

"You say that every year," Juliet challenged him.

"I can't help it if you guys just keep improving them. Present?" he prompted.

Rolling her eyes slightly, she walked to the other end of the counter where a slim, neatly-wrapped book sat away from the danger zone.

"Merry Christmas," she said again as she handed him the gift.

"It's not that big this year," he said with surprise.

Juliet shrugged. "I came up with this one over the summer so I was feeling lighter."

The boy eagerly tore off the paper as he kept one eye on the redhead's enthusiastic anticipation.

"Tom Sawyer," he read. "Hey, this was a summer reading book! That's cheap."

(They both knew he was only joking.)

"I told you it was a summer book. I thought you might like it seeing as the main character is a boy and he goes on a bunch of adventures. The wording's a bit hard to read but the book is short so that's good." As usual, Juliet summed up her explanation for the gift.

"I love it, thanks Julie," Shawn said and he gave her another quick hug. He tucked the book into one of the pockets of his coat where it was forgotten about until later that night when he would add it to the slowly growing stack of novels in his room that had never been opened.

The girl beamed happily at him and while he felt the usual prickle of guilt at the lack of genuine enthusiasm from him, he couldn't help but feel proud that he was the one who made her smile like that.

"Ready to go to Cory's?"

"Yep!"

"Make sure you take enough cookies with you!" Daly called as her daughter ran to pick up her winter clothes. "Last year Eric ate all of the kisses off our sugar cookies."

Juliet giggled as she picked up the wrapped plate. "It's 'cause he thought that would help him get an actual kiss."

🌎🌎🌎

As the sky darkened, Juliet, Shawn and Cory entered the Matthews' house dribbling Cory's new basketball. More accurately, the two boys were passing it to each other while Juliet cheered them on.

"Not in the house!" Mrs. Matthews called above the redhead's encouragement.

"You guys are playing with it so much I'm afraid you'll wear a hole in it," Mr. Matthews observed.

"Who cares, it's his ball!"

"Close the door, please."

Juliet left the game to help out seeing as she wasn't directly involved.

"Thank you, Juliet. The only person who listens," Mr. Matthews said pointedly, causing the girl to smile.

"You guys ready for supper? Shawn, Juliet, we've got plenty if you want to stay."

"Thanks Mrs. Matthews but we're stringing up the lights tonight and I want to be with my dad," Shawn explained.

Juliet nodded in agreement. "We're gonna watch our home movies like we usually do and stay up 'til midnight. Thanks, though."

"Okay, well before you go, here's our annual cookie exchange," Mrs. Matthews said. She handed both kids a platter of cookies. "Take these to your moms."

"I helped make them," Morgan said proudly.

"Then I'm sure they'll be delicious," Juliet said to the girl, making her smile happily.

"Yeah, careful when you bite into them. One of Barbie's little plastic shoes are missing," Eric added.

"Are you guys gonna be alright?" Cory asked his friends as they walked to the door.

"Hey, when I got friends, I can get through anything," Shawn said, looking between the two of them and Juliet nodded in agreement. 

[edited may 2022]