Okay, so I've found that I do a lot of oneshots, so I decided to just make a multi-chap of oneshots to make things easier. Also, I'd like to thank my amazing friends Kingdom Kid and her just as amazing sister, Kingdom Keepers Forever for always being there for me and keeping me sane. Toni and Alyssia, I guess I owe y'all both big time. You guys always put up with me and I know that I can be pretty annoying sometimes, so...Thanks.
-It's That Time of Year Again-
Let's say they're about sixteen...No OTs...Just fun and family...
It was Christmas Eve in Orlando, Florida, and each of the Keepers were gathered in a huddle on Main Street USA drinking hot chocolate and enjoying the cold weather for once.
"You know," Jess said, "I don't think I've ever had as much fun on Christmas Eve before as I am now."
Amanda eyed her playfully. "What's that supposed to mean? We've had good Christmases in the past..."
"It's not you, Amanda. Trust me." Jess replied wrapping an arm around her sister. "It's just that this is the first Christmas we've had with a family."
"You're right, Jess!" Amanda said, struck with the realization that she and Jess had a family now. "I can't believe I just realized this!"
Jess pulled Amanda into a hug. "I bet you didn't realize because you were too busy buying my presents." She said.
"Uh, right...I was too busy buying the presents you don't deserve."
Jess pulled away abruptly. "Hey! I've been exceptionally good this year!"
"And by 'exceptionally good' you mean not getting detention one hundred times this year."
Jess stayed silent for a moment. "You know...Let's just shut up..."
"Good idea." Amanda laughed taking a sip of hot chocolate.
"Okay, are you guys ready to go?" Charlene's mom said walking up to the group. Everyone replied in agreement, and they all piled into the Turner's car.
Christmas was special to the Keepers, you see. Every one of them had their own reasons. Amanda and Jess liked Christmas because it meant more quality time with each other. Charlene like Christmas because it was the one season of the year where she could take leave from all sports and spend some quality mother daughter time with her mom; and it was the one time of the year when her brother and sister were actually normal.
Willa liked Christmas simply because she loved the giving more than the receiving. Finn liked Christmas because it was the time of year his dad got to be home for more than a couple of days as well as his sister didn't hate him.
Maybeck liked it because Christmas was the time of year when all the kids come to the Crazy Glaze and have fun (and not just the kids have the fun, if you catch my drift). Philby liked Christmas because, for once in his life, he didn't have to be 'Professor Philby'; he could just be himself. Dillard just simply loved being around everyone; it made him happy to see what a big effect the winter season had on people.
...
All eight were scattered about the room talking quietly to one another.
"So, are we crossing over tonight?" Amanda asked Finn.
"I don't think so." He said. "Philby never told me what he had decided." He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "But if we do, I know an easy way to get us alone." He could sense her confusion. "I can hack the system; send us to another park."
"Finn...Isn't that a little risky?" Amanda asked once he pulled his head back.
"Maybe, but what can they do? Get mad at us? It's Christmas; I don't care. I just want to be with you."
Amanda smiled at him; her face growing red. "Finn, I want to be with you too, but what if something bad happens and we're not there?"
"I guess you're right." Finn said a little disappointed.
Amanda noticed this and put a hand on his shoulder. "But," she paused to look around, making sure no one could hear her, "if you want, we can still mysteriously disappear at some point in the night..."
Finn grinned. "That's what I love about you. You're always the voice of reason, but you're always willing to do whatever."
"Well, I'm a teen, aren't I? I have to have fun at some time in my life."
...
"Philby," Willa said looking at him confused, "I thought we said no presents this year."
"We did." He replied.
"Well then, what's this?" She asked holing up a slightly heavy and long box.
"Something I just had to give you." Willa eyed him. "Well, are you going to open it?"
Willa turned her gaze to the box. "Something you had to give me, huh?" She said opening the box slowly. "Now what could-" She stopped short when the object, or in this case objects, was revealed. "Philby...Where did you get these?"
"My family has a close friend who worked on the set. He hooked us up with the actual props used. And then he threw in a couple of autographed pictures for you."
Willa pulled Philby into a hug. "You're the best." She whispered. "This is by far the best Christmas ever."
"So you like it?"
"I love it. Who wouldn't like a bow and some arrows used by Jennifer Lawrence? And then there are the pictures and-oh my gosh, Philby. You're the best."
Philby smiled. "You already said that."
"So? I can't say it again? Come on! You got me actual props from the Hunger Games! How does one repay you for something like this?"
"Consider it a reward for everything you've done for the group." Willa smiled, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "What?"
"Now I feel really bad."
"Why?"
"I got you something, but it's not as good as what you got me."
Philby was about to say something along the lines of 'it's okay, Willa; it doesn't matter, as long as it's from you', but decided against it. Instead, he tried to make her laugh. "So, you got me a present, huh? I thought we said we weren't doing presents." He said in his best girl voice.
"Was that an insult?"
"No. It was-"
"I'm kidding." She laughed. "Well, yeah we discussed no presents, but come on, it's Christmas. Here." She shoved a rectangular box in his lap.
When Philby opened the box, his eyes grew wide at its contents. "Willa, I...how?"
"I had some extra cash and decided to use it for someone other than me."
"You bought this with your own money?" He looked down at the brand new Mac Book Pro he had just received.
Willa nodded. "You deserve it, Philby."
"Willa...You just...You're amazing."
"I know..." She said jokingly. "I am..."
...
"Okay, guys." Charlene said to her friends. "Since we decided to have a no-gift-exchange-Christmas, I think we should at least do something fun."
"I agree." Jess said.
"I say we play a game." Dillard said.
"Yeah!" Maybeck said.
"Let's play charades!" Willa exclaimed. "It'd be fun!"
"Yeah." Finn said. "Besides, when's the last time any of us has played charades?"
"Like fourth grade." Amanda said getting a laugh out of everyone. "Maybe longer..."
...
"Harry Potter!" Willa shouted.
"Grease!" Charlene exclaimed.
"Catching Fire!" Amanda yelled.
Philby kept shaking his head frantically. He made some type of sword swing motion with his arms.
"Narnia!" Maybeck shouted. Philby shook his head again.
"Batman!" Finn yelled.
Philby kept shaking his head and continued to repeat the sword motion. He started to hold his hands out and move them up and down slowly.
Jess gasped. "Star Wars! It's Star Wars!"
"Thank you!" Philby laughed. "It too you long enough!"
"What the heck?!" Maybeck yelled. "How's this," he mimicked Philby's last movement, "Star Wars?"
"Uh, he was using the force. Duh." Willa said like a snotty school girl. Everyone looked at her weirdly. "What?" There was an awkward silence before they all started laughing.
"Where did that come from?" Finn asked laughing.
"I don't know." She replied in the same type of voice. "Like, it just came to me."
"Alright, alright," Jess said, "we don't need two Victoria's."
"Who's Victoria?" Amanda asked.
"She's this really stupid, really snobby 'popular' girl who thinks she can push everybody around." Willa said in her normal voice.
"Does she push you two around?" Charlene asked Willa and Jess.
"Yeah, but it's actually kind of funny why." Willa said.
"Why?" Finn asked.
"She only pushes us around because she has this mad crush...no...obsession over Philby, and she's all jealous of Willa." Jess said.
"What?" Philby asked surprised. "Why didn't I know about this?"
Willa and Jess both face palmed. "Dude, she flirts with you every morning at your locker." Jess said.
"And she always throws herself at you in PE." Willa said. "Take those two things and add about one-hundred-thousand more things, and there you go!"
"Wow..." Philby said. "I am so blind..."
"I think it's because you're British." Maybeck said jokingly.
"Is there a such thing as being racist to Brits?" Philby asked. "Because I think Maybeck might be up to that."
"Hm." Maybeck simply said.
"I think Brits are simply amazing." Willa said. "And not only because of their accents. I think they have a very good taste in presents."
Philby hugged his girlfriend from behind. "Good to know."
"Alright guys...sorry to break up the party, but it's ten thirty and we need to start heading home." Willa's mom said walking into the room.
Everyone said their goodbye's and slowly started to leave one by one. All who remained were Finn, Amanda and Jess, and, of course, Charlene.
"Okay, Finn, let's go."
"Aw, mom...Come on." Finn said. "We can't just stay here?"
"Sorry, kid," his mom replied, "but Dad's waiting for you at home."
"He's home?" Finn said standing up quickly. "Since when?"
"About five."
Finn turned to his friends. "Well, later guys." He said walking towards the door. "It's been real fun. Merry Christmas."
"Finn, get back over here."
He slowly walked backwards. "Ma'am?"
"Tell your friends bye."
He turned around. "Bye friends."
"What do you tell the turners?"
"Thank you, Turners."
"And what about Amanda?"
"What about Amanda?" Amanda stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Just kidding. Come here."
She walked up to him and he hugged her. "Bye..." She whispered in his ear.
"Bye..." He whispered. They pulled away slightly, and Finn gave his girlfriend a quick kiss before leaving.
...
Christmas Morning
All the Keepers were gathered, once again, on Main Street along with Mattie and Storey.
"So...Christmas..." Mattie said.
"No need to make this awkward, Mattie." Storey joked.
"Sorry..."
"Hey, let's go on some rides!" Maybeck said.
"Yeah, come on!" And they all went in different directions, enjoying their Christmas together.