I just sorta wanted to write a Christmas story because I love Christmas so much! It's my favorite holiday. Next to my birthday.

I got the idea for this in Study Hall. I was in the library and working on a Nina/Mick story (weird, I know, just...just because I write them doesn't mean anything. Chill, you crazy fangirls), and it sort of transformed into this instead. It's amazing what listening to the conversation of a group of seniors can do for writing.

I do not, nor will I ever, own House of Anubis.

December 23rd, 2016

Nina Martin walked the snow clad streets of London, her mind on Christmas. It'd be somewhat of a lonely one this year; Gran would be staying in America, and Nina, only a college student, really couldn't afford to fly back for the holidays.

Almost all of her friends were miles and miles away, probably not even remembering she existed. They all went off to do great things, so why would they remember the boring scholarship student who always seemed to stir up spooky mysteries and plain old trouble?

Amber was in business school, surprisingly, for she had a master plan of opening a boutique in Paris.

Mara wound up going to medical school to be a surgeon. While in London, Mara often traveled to medical schools world wide (being the top of her class and all) to get a more wide spread practice.

Patricia and Joy went to school for photography together (no surprises there) in America which broke Nina's heart the slightest bit, but still, she loved England, so everything did turn out well.

Alfie was working on going to college for graphic design, video games to be specific.

Mick went to play for a soccer...well, football team in Manchester and was extremely proud of it, not afraid to brag at all.

Jerome, like Mara and Nina, was in the area of London. But, he often went with Mara on her trips. Jerome decided college really wasn't the place for him after his second year.

He'd come across quite the sum of money that'd been left to him by his (late) grandfather, so in turn, Jerome took over his grandfather's bookstore that Nina happened to be walking past at that very moment. She glanced in and saw Jerome and Mara cuddled up in a large arm chair reading by the fire place that sat in the back of the bookshop, truly one of the most amazing places to be in all of London.

A shivering Nina rapped her frozen knuckles on the door, only then realizing how cold it was outside. She nuzzled her chin deeper in her scarf, trying to nudge her red, chilled nose into a scarf layer as well. Mara looked up and rushed over to open the door marked with a "CLOSED" sign and let Nina in.

"Hey," Jerome smiled as he walked up to the girls, snaking his arm around Mara's waist.

"Hi," Nina said, a shiver lingering in her voice. Nina took a brief second to admire the couple. She found Jerome and Mara perfect...no, beyond perfect. They had genuine love. The way Jerome looked at Mara was heart melting and they were just adorable.

Mara and Jerome led Nina over to the sitting area customers could sit and read books during store hours, but what the two converted into a living room during closing hours. Nina sat on a love seat while Jerome and Mara went right back to their arm chair.

"Any plans for Christmas?" Nina asked once everyone had settled.

"Just spending it here," Mara sighed happily. "Mum and Dad are visiting my sister this year, so why not?"

"Sounds nice," Nina smiled.

"You?"

"Just another dorm Christmas," Nina sighed. "It's not bad, though...it's sort of nice not having everyone around."

"Well, you'll still be coming over Christmas Eve, right?" Jerome asked. A while ago, they had invited her for Christmas Eve if she wasn't busy. In years previous, all of the old Anubis inhabitants would meet up and spend it together, exchanging presents and such, but Jerome, Mara, and Nina didn't see this possible due to everyone's busy schedule.

"If I'm still welcome," Nina teased.

"Of course," Mara giggled a bit.

"I'll be here then," Nina smiled. The three talked, inquiring how Nina's student teaching was going.

As Mara told a story about one of the customers at the bookstore she'd encountered as she came home from college one weekend, Nina let her eyes wander the slightest bit around the quaint bookstore. Nina'd always loved coming here, especially since it meant she got to interact with people she knew and felt comfortable around. The dark brick walls were barely visible, as they were drowned in a sea of bookshelves. Then, there was the fireplace reading area. A loveseat and an armchair curving around on either side of it, the fire place completing the somewhat circle. Then there was the counter. And old cash register sat atop it along with scattered piles of books. Jerome also had a menu hanging up behind the counter. He served tea, water, assorted lattes, coffee, then, around the holidays, hot chocolate. The bookstore was just so inviting, and Nina felt so lucky to be able to come here after hours and sit in the comfort of the space.

"So, have you seen any of the others lately?" Jerome interrupted Mara's story, obviously able to tell Nina's mind was elsewhere.

"Oh...well, I've emailed Amber back and fourth frequently...but that's about it," Nina looked down, suddenly fascinated with her thumbs.

"What about F-" Jerome started before Mara sharply elbowed his gut, Nina not seeming to notice, though she did. Her cheeks got a bit warm.

"I haven't seen him since last Christmas," Nina said quietly. Mara gave Jerome a scolding glare.

"He's a git, anyways," Jerome tried to patch things up but only got another jab from Mara.

"I...I really should go now. I have to get somethings to the post office tonight before it closes to send to everyone else..." Nina stood up.

"I...wouldn't do that...just, bring them back around here in the morning, yeah?" Mara smiled a bit.

"Uhm...okay...but...the post...it'll be closed tomorrow..." Nina seemed nervous.

"It'll be fine, Nina," Jerome assured her.

With that and a 'good night' to the couple, Nina left the shop and back out into the freezing winter night. Going back to her dorm, she wrapped presents she was going to send the next day but instead going to bring to the bookshop.

She wondered what Jerome and Mara had in store for Christmas Eve...

A/N: Well, that's all for now, folks.

My wisdom teeth are starting to grow in and hurt like hell -_- I have to get them pulled out in a few months, and them hurting is just a reminder -_-

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-Maggie-