Hi everyone! *Dodges rocks and rotten tomatoes* Okay, okay, I'm sorry for such a long wait! I've just been busy and I'm really getting into my other stories, I'm sorry! But listen, after this chapter it's going to get a lot nicer and hopefully easier for me to write, so please just hang in there!
Alright, like I warned you last time, this is a big time skip. So, a few things you should keep in mind. Jacklyn now has spend another two months with the host club. She's friends with all of them except Kyoya (who is still a stick in the mud) and she's really broken out of her shell. Sorry for such a long wait again!
Disclaimer: I only own Jacklyn. Just her.
"No, to the left! The left!"
Jacklyn stifled her laughter the best she could, but it was difficult. While Tamaki's request to make the music room more holiday themed for Christmas didn't seem like it would be too much trouble, his best friend was obviously having second thoughts about agreeing to it.
"No, not that far left!"
The brunette snorted but quickly covering it up as a cough and ducked her head behind her textbook. She peeked at the ravenet over the lip of it to catch the tail-end of his glare at her before he returned his attention to the men. She continued to watch as they did their best to shift and rotate an 18-foot tall Christmas tree that was to be center stage of the music room.
To say Jacklyn had been pleased to hear that she would still be able to celebrate her favorite holiday while overseas would've been a vast understatement. She had been upset when she'd first learned that her winter break didn't start until the 26th of December, meaning she was going to spend Christmas at school, but she'd come to accept it. Tomorrow, once she got out of school and host club activities were finished, she'd just stay home for the rest of the day. Maybe Skype with her family if they all had time. Her real Christmas, with her presents and what-not, would be waiting for her on December 30th, when she went home for break.
But it looks like Tamaki had other plans. As soon as their guests had left after today's hosting activities, he'd clapped his hands and a whole slew of maintenance men came through the doors, carting in Christmas trees and boxes upon boxes of holiday decorations. Now, with mountains of fake snow and evergreen trees and tinsel and holly and LED lights set up all around her, Jacklyn felt her usual Christmas spirit awakening.
"Alright, that should be it for the day. Thank you, gentlemen, for your hard work."
The six movers bowed to their 'contractor' before walking out of the room. As the doors shut behind them, the seven hosts took in their fill of the decorations. It truly looked like a Winter Wonderland, and Jacklyn couldn't keep the grin off of her face.
"Well? What do you think?"
The brunette nodded, "It looks perfect, Tamaki. The guests are going to love it."
"Well, that's good, I suppose, but what about you?"
"Hm?"
The blond shrugged, "The hosts and I couldn't help but realize you haven't been your happy, sweet self lately."
"So we figured-"
"-maybe it had to do with you not spending Christmas with your family."
"So we brought Christmas to you!"
Jacklyn's jaw dropped, "You did all of this... for me?"
"Well, the guests will enjoy this set us as well, so not entirely, but it would seem that your provided Tamaki with the original idea."
She ignored the ravenet, eyes shining up at her friends, "Thank you..."
The boy's purple eyes twinkled, "Don't thank me just yet. I have another surprise."
"Oh?"
"Ah, yes, might as well do that now. A-hem. Men, and lady, before we go our separate ways this winter break, I wish to extend an invitation to you all. As most of my servers will be spending tomorrow with their families, I wish to have you all at my home to help me decorate and celebrate the holiday with me."
Tamaki smiled widely, waiting for his words to sink in. Truthfully, he'd only just thought of spending Christmas with his club, but he knew it would be a brilliant celebration. They could eat cookies and decorate his house, and none of them would be alone for the holiday. It would be simple enough getting them all over there, they could just pile into his limousine after school was over with. It was perfect!
Jacklyn was the first one to speak up, "You want to… spend Christmas together?"
"Yes!"
"Uh… why?"
"I'm curious as to the differences between celebrating Christmas in France, Japan, and in America, and I wish to experience them with you."
"What about your-" Jacklyn's question was cut off by Honey's furiously shaking head and cleared her throat, "I mean, Tamaki, while this offer is really generous, I'm sure everyone else would like to celebrate Christmas with their own families."
"Actually, our parents are in Hawaii at the moment."
"We were told we could join them once our holiday homework was taken care of."
"My family and Takashi's don't celebrate Christmas."
"Christmas and other holidays aren't especially important to my family either, especially since my sister went off to live with her husband."
Tamaki's eyes widened with hope, "Then you're all coming?"
"Hold up."
"We didn't say that either, Boss."
"Besides," the red heads leaned against each other, "Why should we bother staying in Japan for the holiday? Especially if we're just going to do boring stuff?"
"B-boring?"
"Well, what are we supposed to do? Bake cookies? Sing songs?"
"Why not go to someplace exotic?"
Tamaki looked like the twins had just kicked his puppy across an expressway, "B-but... we should celebrate-"
"No-"
"-thanks."
The blond shoved his lower lip outwards before turning to the other three boys, "Kyoya? Mon Ami?"
"I was planning on getting most of my homework completed in the first few days of break. I do not have the time to entertain you as well."
"Honey-senpai? Mori-senpai?"
"I think my father and uncle were going to host a few tournaments this week. Sorry, Tama-chan, but I don't think we can."
Now the poor boy looked like he was on the verge of tears as he turned to face the last person in the room. Jacklyn was waiting patiently, watching him with her brown eyes as he tried to find the right words to convince her.
"Jacklyn? I know you're going home for winter break, and that you probably miss your family a lot and want to get on your plane as soon as you planned to… but do you think you could spend one extra day in Japan? For me? I'll buy you another plane ticket if you do!"
The other boys were immediately in his face, "Tama-chan! If Jac-chan wants to go home then she should be allowed to go home!"
"Yeah, Boss! Stop trying to guilt trip her!"
"It's your fault for not planning this out sooner! Don't mess up her vacation!"
"Guys?" The boys stopped yelling and looked over at the smiling girl, "I'm not heading to America until the 29th… so I'd actually really like to celebrate Christmas with someone this year instead of being all by myself. Your party sounds like fun, Tamaki! I'm also curious about how people celebrate Christmas in France!" Tamaki grinned broadly, but was interrupted before he could speak.
"Actually, you know what, Kaoru?"
"What, Hikaru?"
"We've been to Hawaii so many times before, so we'd probably get really bored if we spent our whole vacation there."
"You know what? I agree. Boss, count us in for your party!"
"Really?"
Honey jumped up into Jacklyn's lap, leaning backwards to smile up at her, "And since I'm technically not allowed to fight in public any more, I'm sure I can convince my father to let me come! Takashi, too! We're coming to your house, Tama-chan! Should we bring anything?"
"Ah... well, maybe not you, but if you can have someone on standby should we need something delivered-"
"I'm sure I can handle that."
The room went quiet and everyone looked over at Kyoya, who was busy scribbling in his notebook. Realizing everyone's eyes were on him, he glanced up at them all. "Someone has to make sure that you idiots don't burn the place down. The club would crash and burn if you all died in a house fire."
"Mon Ami! I know you're only saying that to act cool! You want to spend time with us!"
"Tamaki! Be careful! We can't return those lights if you break them!"
The remaining four boys quickly joined in on the argument, either trying to break it up or dumping gasoline on it. Soon Tamaki was chasing the twins around the room with a wooden bat, Honey-senpai giggling at the scene, and Mori-senpai and Kyoya watching it all with a blank face. Jacklyn watched them all from her couch, her brain helpfully supplying, These are the boys you spend your free time with.
As Tamaki finally got close enough to take a swing at the twins, who ducked and tripped him instead, she could't help but grin.
Eh. It's short, but I needed this as a transition chapter. Next one, however, I plan to have it be super long. Just Christmas times with the Host Club!
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See you next chapter!