Hello and get ready for some more Conchell!(Mitchell and Connor) This ship is typically written by Ruth because I suck at writing it but today I figured I'd give it a try.

Written by Fae

Disclaimer: We are not Rick, we own nothing

Christmas Countdown: (ahhh I forgot to do it yesterday-oops) Yesterday was December 11, which meant 14 days until Christmas. Today is December 12, which means 13 days until Christmas.

Enjoy!

"I can't believe this." I grumble to myself as I walk through the mall. I'm in search of a clothes store that sells ugly Christmas sweaters. Because I now have to wear a different one every day until Christmas.

2 weeks ago

"Hey everybody! I've got an idea!" Quinn shouts, catching our attention. We're having a little Christmas party, and we've been bored for about an hour now. Any idea at all is welcomed.

"What's up?" Ace sits up for the first time in a few hours.

"Please, anything to do." Sky bounces up, grabbing Noah.

"Yeah, what is your idea?" I ask, turning off the TV.

"Well," Quinn starts, making a steeple with her fingers. "What if we all made Christmas bets?"

A soft "ooo" spreads around. Bets are a thing that we all take very seriously. We all love a good bet.

"I'm in," Atticus slams a 5 down on the table. "Who goes first?"

Gemma and Drew sit down across from him. Drew slides a 10 on the table. She smiles.

"Now dear, make it fair," Drew flicks the 5. Atticus grumbles but pulls out another 5 dollar bill. "Very good. Now, Gemma and I are going to bet that you'll ask out Ryder by Friday."

Atticus turns the color of cherry tomatoes. "You know what? Just take the money. I'll ask him out on my own time, without your meddling." He pushes the bills towards Drew. Gemma snatches them up, then skips off. Drew gets up slowly, giving Atticus a look before following her tiny clone.

"Alrighty then." Quinn says, looking around. "Who's next?"

"Ace, get over here." Ray pulls out a 20. "I'm betting 20 that when you turn around, you've got to give the person behind you a big ol' kiss. A good one too."

Ace smirks, probably thinking one of the girls is behind him. Quinn maybe. But she's not. I am. I quickly, sneakily, scoot away. Just in time too.

"Alright." Ace spins around and comes face to face with Sky. His confident smirk drops. "Wh-what? No. Dude you've got to be cheating me. You put her there. No! I won't kiss a 13 year old. I may do stupid stuff but that's just wrong. Here, take my money." Ace chucks a a bunch of ones at Ray's face.

As Ray collects his earning, Quinn frowns. "Aw c'mon guys! You all love bets! If none of you are going to be gutsy enough to do it, I'll bet."

She turns to me. "Mitchell Davis. I'm not betting money, so get over here."

I frown. "What is it, Quinn?"

"If you can do 60 jumping jacks, 50 push-ups, run around this room 40 times, do 30 sit ups, hug 20 people then find 10 people to kiss in 1 hour, then I'll wear a different ugly Christmas sweater until Christmas. If you can't do all that in 1 hour, then you have to wear a different ugly Christmas sweater until Christmas. Oh, and these 10 people you have to kiss? They have to be total strangers."

A collective gasp goes around the room. Even I'm taken aback. We may be a little crazy but this is just insane. But then again, I don't want to look like a pushover like everyone else. Plus, it's a bet! You don't turn down a bet.

"Deal." I say at last. Everyone cheers, but Quinn just stands there, arms crossed, smirking.

I walk into Macy's, thinking back about how I couldn't get 10 random people to kiss. The physical tests had been relatively easy, but working up the nerve to go and kiss a stranger? That had been hard.

I walk through a few isles, looking for sweaters. Maybe I can make a few of my own.

"Need some help?" A voice asks from behind me.

I turn around to see one of the store clerks. He looks about my age, with curly brown hair and blue eyes. He's smirking at me like he knows something I don't.

"Umm, yes, actually. I'm looking for ugly Christmas sweaters." I tell him.

"Well then, follow me." He turns, waving for me to come.

"Tada!" He presents a rack of sweaters. Some are definitely ugly, while others are more funny or decent. "Are you looking for something specific?" The clerk asks.

"First, can I get your name? I feel weird not knowing." I say.

"Connor. Yours? You look my age." His blue eyes are shining in a playful way.

"Mitchell. I'm 16."

"Hey same!" He smirks, but not in a mean way. He clears his throat. "Sorry, I should be working not fraternizing. Can I help you with finding an ugly Christmas sweater?"

I laugh, "Please, I'd love the help. I lost a bet and how I have to wear a different Christmas sweater everyday until Christmas."

Connor gasps softly. "Gosh, you got yourself into some trouble, huh." He starts going through the rack.

I scoff. "No kidding." I find one with a Rudolph the red nosed reindeer on it. "This one's cool." I show Connor.

He nods. "Very nice. What about this one?" He holds up and actually ugly Christmas sweater. It's chaos I can't even tell what's what.

"Perfect. I'll take it." I add both the sweaters to my basket.

We keep looking until we have 20 sweaters. It's already December 5th, so no need to worry about those days. Connor turns out to be a lot of fun. He's funny and I'm not going to lie-kind of cute.

He walks with me to the register. He trades places with the cashier. "Take my place, would you?" He says as he shoves the girl out.

"Welcome to Macy's, I hope you found everything easily." Connor says in a mock accent. "Just kidding. Here, I'll take those."

I laugh as I hand over the sweaters. "Thanks so much for your help. You're a fun person." 'And very cute' I say in my head.

"Aw, thank you." Connor puts a hand to his chest as he grabs the next sweater. "Beep! Beep!" He beeps along with the scanner. "I wish I was a cashier. Being a clerk isn't nearly as fun." He looks up at me. "I only get fun customers every so often. That includes you."

"Aw, thank you." I put a hand to my chest. Connor laughs and I do too.

"That will be..." Connor sucks in through his teeth. "Ouch, 250." He turns the screen to show me the total amount I owe.

"Of course I get the expensive bet. I'd rather loose and owe a twenty rather than having to buy twenty sweaters." I mutter as I pull out a wad of cash. "I think this is enough." I hand him the bills.

Connor counts the cash. "You're missing ten dollars, but," he looks around, checking to see if anybody is watching. No one is. He leans in towards me and I follow. "I'll cover for you." He whispers. He quickly pulls out his own wallet and adds a ten to the pile.

I stare at him. "Wow, thank you, that's so kind. You didn't have to do that."

Connor hands me the bags of sweaters. "But I wanted to! But shhh, don't tell."

"Got it. Thank you, again." I grab the bags.

"Goodbye! Have a good day!" Connor calls after me as I leave.

I wave, heading for the exit.

When I get home, I cut the tags and throw the sweaters in the wash. I pull out the receipt. I internally wince at the price. At the bottom, in messy handwriting is a phone number and the name Connor.

I smile. I grab for my phone and dial the number.

"Hey, Connor..."