I had come in first place with an impressive score of 1,243. Winning altogether didn't get me anything but a date with Maxon. And that was all I needed. We had spent a romantic night out in the gardens having dinner while someone played music. We danced a little as well. It was just what we needed to mend our relationship. Kriss came close-ish behind with 772 points. I blew everyone out of the water, all be cause of my song. Elise barely made it by with 493 points and Celeste was sent home last night with a score of 442 points.

Killian walked into my room through the open door and said, "hey." "Hey. "Are you free right now?" "No, I'm having a really awesome date with my couch, the tv, and some chocolate. VIP only." I joked. "Actually, that's my couch, so I'm officially invited." He smirked. I lifted my feet up so he could sit down but I put them on top of his legs once he sat. "Whats that?" He asked at my charm bracelet.

"A charm bracelet?" I asked weirdly.

"No, the K. Why's that their?"

"Oh. Because your special to me."

He didn't say anything but smiled and then took a sip of the root beer in his hands and I asked, "Is it true that Scottish people drink a lot of beer. Like the Irish and German stereotype?"

"Well... it depends. You see, I refuse to drink that stuff because... never mind. Some people do drink it others don't." He looked at the t.v. but I didn't take my eyes off him. "Why don't you drink?"

"I'd rather not talk about it, Mer." He said with a stern voice.

"I'm here for you know. I came to you about a lot of stuff. And in want you to know you can tell me anything."

"ENOUGH!" He roared. My legs shot out of his lap and shrunk back chest on my side of the couch due to my reaction to his anger. "I can't talk about it!" He yelled. Tears welled up in my eyes and I didn't say anything.

He looked at me and whispered, "I'm sorry. It's kind of a touchy subject for me. Hey don't cry. I'm sorry," he leaned in to me and wiped my tear away.

"I was just... trying to help..." I murmured. "I know. I'm sorry. Please don't cry," he said in a pained voice. "I've never seen you this way except for when you woke up here that one day." My voice shook. He brushed some hair off my face and said, "I know I'm sorry. It all kind of has to do with... that topic. I don't want to drag you into this. I really don't."

"It's okay." I hugged him tightly and he squeezed back. I heard him inhale deeply and let it out seconds later. "Hey, What do you want for Christmas?" He finally said. "It's here in two days. Can you believe it?"

"Seriously? I have lost track of time due to all those challenges and other stuff. Umm. I don't know. Surprise me!" I said cheerfully.

"Kay." He smiled. I looked his muscular stomach and said "What do you want?"

"I don't know. Surprise me!" He immitated. I punched him playfully and said, "Really, What do you want?!"

"I don't care, as long as im spending the holidays with you." His brown eyes sparkled and all I could see on his face was adoration. I blushed and looked at my feet, something I constantly did around him.

LETS TIME TRAVEL! (Wooshing noise) TO CHRISTMAS MORNING

I woke up in my bed and shot up. I always woke up early on Christmas mornings. Usually I would run out in my pajamas to the living room and would celebrate Christmas with my family. But today I had to get ready and look presentable before going down. Well to hell to that! I put on a bra under my flannel long sleeved penguin pajamas, put my hair in a bun, and walked out of my room. I rushed over to Killian's room and knocked loudly. Minutes later I saw a sleepy Killian at the door rubbing his eyes. "What?" Aww. He was so adorable when he looked tired.

I yanked him out of his room and his eyes snapped open. "Merry Christmas!" I squealed and threw my arms around his neck. It took a minute for him to respond but he said, "Merry Christmas. Not to be rude but why are you up so early?"

"It's a family tradition of mine to open presents under the tree in pajamas. Early. In the morning. Let's go!" I tugged his arm and he said, "okay let me change real quick."

"Did you not listen to a thing I said? Tradition is pajamas! Let's go." He looked at me with sleepy eyes and sighed. "Fine." He started to walk but I ran through the halls to the great room. I heard quickened footsteps follow me and then we both sat under the tree. "Nice pajamas." He laughed. I looked down at my dancing penguin and said, "thanks!" His pajamas were cute too, red and black plaid pants and a fitted black t shirt that showed off his arms. I fished out our presents to each other and gave him mine. "Merry Christmas Killian." He lifted the lid off the box and I held my hands up like I was praying to my face. He lifted a little beagle out of the box and smiled. He held it up to his chest and looked at me questioningly. "For me?".He asked.

"Yeah you! I thought you could use another friend. I'm not the best friend but hey, this guy could be."

"You are the best friend, Mer. Your turn."

I giggled and opened the tiny box, inside was a little ring. It had two stones on it. My birthstone and what guessed what would be Killian's. It was silver and had little vines holding them together. (N/A: don't hate me) "It's a friendship ring. When we part one day, it will keep us together. I got one too." He showed me his ring and then placed it on my right pointed finger. It was perfect. Tears started streaming down my face and he said, "You don't like it?"

"No silly, I love it. We will always be together, no matter what. Thank you Kil." I hugged him and he said, "I'm glad you like it. I thought about it being too sappy but I think it's nice."

"Nice? It's beautiful." I held out my hand and laughed. He kissed my hair and got up. We through away our trash and other people started coming down. The elite all showed up in fancy outfits and the Queen laughed at my appearance. Not in a mean way, but a happy one. Like she was overjoyed to see me looking like a kid. When Maxon came down he kissed my cheek first and laughed as well. "Only you. Now let's get you your present."

Killian went to his family and she'd off his puppy as his siblings opened more presents. Maxon delivered the elites gifts and then sat down with me. I handed him a box and he gave me one as well. The rest of the elite had been given jewelry but I opened up my box and found a gown. It was velvety and was a deep red color. It had a cream belt and it was absolutely gorgeous. "Maxon, this is, stunning."

"Wear it tonight. For the Christmas ball. All the others will be wearing jewelry. But you will be special."

"Thank you." I said sweetly. He pulled out another gift for me and said, "Like the convicting, yours didn't cost as much as the other's did so I got you one more thing." I tore at the paper gently and opened the lid of the box and it revealed a silver flute. "How did you know I played the flute?"

"Your family."

"I could never afford one back home but I played my friends flute several times. I learned on my own. Thank you. This is amazing."

"Play it." He dared. I smirked at him and rose the instrument to my lips. I played an old song I remembered and shut my eyes. I always sang and played better this way. With my eyes closed, I could escape into a fantasy. Away from everything. I played the last note and smiled. The room applauded and I blushed. "That was a wonderful present." He said.

I raised my eyebrows and then motioned for him to open his real present. His eyes lit up when he saw what was inside. He pulled out a new camera and I squealed as he stared in awe at it. "You didn't."

"I did!" He lifted it up and took.a picture of me. He then took pictures of the tree, his parents and family. He then joined his family for some presents. After we all finished I went to my room and changed into the a dress. My maids came in and I gave them each a box. "You didn't." "Miss!" "Oh my!" "You really shouldn't have," "Wow!" They all said at once. I hushed them and they opened up their boxes each revealing a necklace with a pearl on it. I had one on too and said, "Friends are forever. I wanted us to have something special. Just the four of us. It's now aboard of your uniform! Understood?" They all nodded, tearing up and hugged me. I hugged them tightly and they put it on underneath the color of their uniform, the pearl resting on the black dress.

"Thank you America!" They all gushed. I waved my hand as if it wasn't a big deal and told them they had the whole day off for me. They all giggled and thanked me before going away. As they left the room Killian walked in with his puppy.

"Have you named him yet?"

"Yeah, I think he looks like a Wolf."

"Wolf? You're naming a sweet baby beagle Wolf?"

"Yeah. It's ironic, you see."

"Hmm."

"What?"

"Nothing." He chuckled and I turned around and placed my gift boxes in the corner of my room. Someone knocked on the door and I said, "Could you grab that?"

"Sure." He hopped out of his seat and set his puppy down, walking to the door. He opened it up and I heard,

"Hello, Your Majesty. This is a gift specialty delivered to Lady America by Queen Amberly."

"Thank you." I heard Killian say. He walked over to me and handed me the little box after I finished putting gifts away. I lightly tore at the paper and opened the box. Inside was a pair of shoes and a note, "I thought these would go nicely with your dress tonight, Merry Christmas."