Guys...I'm alive! I know that its been a while but some family shit went down, and I lost all inspo.
But I'm back and in light of the holidays this is a Christmas one.
So I want you to pretend that Devon lived at there apartment and moved out when they divorced,and their about 17. Freindship one shot.
Once again I am not affiliated nor know anyone affiliated with Raven's Home.
And so without further ado I present
Christmas Memories
Tess' pov
It was the most wonderful time of the year and I felt anything but joyous. In august I had applied to a prestigious basketball summer program for next year,and they told me they'd tell if I got in by December 7. It's December 6! And still nothing. I slumped down on my couch and threw my phone next to me. I was startled from my depressing reverie by a knock on my door.
"Who is it?" I called out.
"Christmas carolers" Book's deep voice rang out. Even though I didn't want to I couldn't help but smile. I jogged over to open the door.
"Hey muscleman" he had his arm against the doorpost and he was in a blue muscle shirt with some jeans and jordans.
"Hey hotshot" I know what your thinking but were just friends, we just happened to develop this weird flirty-banter talk. I motioned him in the door.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Well mom wants you to come over to help decorate," he replied, "she wants the whole family there cause she said she's doing something and I quote 'super duper special'." Complete with air quotes.
"Oh right, the super-duper-extra-special-christmas-decorating-extravaganza!" Jazz hands applied. He rolled his eyes.
"Exactly" he started as he sauntered over to me," and I really don't want to keep her waiting, so shall we m'lady?" He held his arm out me, bending a little cause I'm shorter than him. I rolled my eyes at him and smiled. He smirked.
"We shall your royal idiotness" I smirked back as I slipped my arm through his.
"Oh wow that was...not you best work, A for being original though."
"Whatever" I chuckled as we walked through the door. He laughed.
Booker's pov
Something's up with Tess, I mean yeah she's talking and stuff but every time she stops talking she looks really worried and keeps on checking her phone. Maybe Nia can tell me what's up, I mean they tell each other everything.
"Hey Nia?"
"Yeah"
"Do you know what's wrong with Tess?"We both looked over at her and she was looking at her phone again.
"Well she hasn't told me anything, you think somethings up?"she answered as she went back to untangling the ball of lights.
"Yeah, but its fine ill figure it out." I replied.
"Good, because Levi and I" Levi's head popped up from the back of the couch, "are going to go to the store and get some new lights cause these are giving me a headache."
"I don't kn-" Levi started.
"We can get some muffins on the way." She bribed him.
"What are we waiting for let's go!" He replied as he threw the stockings behind him. We all laughed.
"All right ill make the big announcement when y'all come back, your dads should be here by then!" Mom shouted as they walked through the door.
"K bye!"
Tess' pov
Its been an hour and everyone's here, but still no text. I sighed.
"Alright everyone, I wanted everyone to be here because before they died your grandparents," motioning to Booker and Nia,"used to make ornaments on christmas with pictures of special memories from that year and-" she broke off as she got a little emotional, and Miss.C and Nia tried to comfort her. After a minute she continued."and when they passed they wanted me to have it so were going to open the box today!" She ended with a smile.
"Sweet" Booker said.
"While we finish stuff out here why don't you and Tess go get them, Book, there in the second closet."
"You mean the dingy one we never go into?" She nodded her head.
"There was no more space in the first one so I had to put them there."
"I'm not to fond of old dark closets, Miss B." I said trying to make up an excuse, so I can just focus on my phone.
"What's the worst that can happen, I'll be there." Book said.
"Oh wow, that makes me feel so much better." I said sarcastically, " I really should stay and watch my-," I continued but was interupted by Booker.
"Nope, not happening you been staring at this phone all day and probably all night." He said as he slipped my phone in his pocket. Ugh why is he so considerate.
"I had a very good sleep last night. Thank you very much." I quipped but I could tell he saw straight through my lie.
"Oh yeah," I nodded, "tell that to the bags under your eyes."
"Fine, give me my phone and I'll go."
"Not stupid Tess." He smirked.
"Well you can't make me go without my phone." I replied matter of factly.
"You sure about that Tess?"
"Um...yeah?" It came out more like a question.
He shocked me by throwing me over his shoulder. I couldn't say it wasn't fun.
"Book!" I giggled, "this isn't funny put me down!"
"Then why are you laughing?"
As I tried to gain my composure I replied with a weak and unsure "I'm not laughing."
"Oh come on I can practically hear it in your voice!"
"Whatever" I said chuckling.
Another hour later...
We had looked at all the ornaments and hung them on the tree. We laughed we cried (mostly the moms) but one had really stuck out at me so I went to Book and Levi's room to ponder on the memory. It was a picture of me, Book,Nia,Miss B,Miss C,the twins grandparents and their dads. We were 7 it was my second basketball game but the first one that my team won. My parents couldn't be there cause they had to work or else we would've lost our home. But through it all the baxter-carter-grayson's were there, and it makes so happy that they'll always be their for me. Now I'm thinking is this what I really want my life to be? Wouldn't all that take me away from them? Is this even really my dream? We were so young. I remember only caring about celebrating with my best friends, I didn't have to worry that if I don't get something I wouldn't make it in life. I didn't have the weight of my life being ruined on my shoulders, I just had the joy of that moment and that was all I needed. Before I could do anything about it tears ran down my face and I threw my head in my hands cause I didn't know what else to do.
"Hey, Tess what's wrong?" Booker said concerned as he rushed over to me. I didn't even know he had walked in but I don't care I really just need someone right now. I wrapped my arms around his torso and cried into his shirt, he didn't seem to care. He wrapped his arms around me and held me there.
"Yeah, it's okay, let it out." He said softly and kissed the top of my head. I slowly stopped crying I sniffled a little but I had stopped crying. He lifted my chin with his finger so I could look up at him.
"You ready to talk about it?" I nodded my head slowly. He picked me up and set me on the desk in their room. He stood in front of me and waited for me to speak.
"The camp never called me back, I'm not even sure if I want to be a basketball player! What if I'm not good enough? What if no one wants me?" I sniffled.
"That's what making you doubt, cause some dumb school didn't realize how great you are and jump at the chance to accept you?! Tess your amazing at basketball your amazing at anything you put your mind too!" He grabbed my hands and held them in his. "You are good enough Tess don't let anyone tell you different. And if basketball isn't your dream then so be it. We'll still be here, I'll still be here, no matter how hard you try to get rid of me your stuck with me." I laughed. "Don't you see Tess WE WANT you, I WANT you, your the best friend I ever had and I'm not losing that for anything." I could tell he was serious and by this time I was crying again.
"Oh Book!" I cooed as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Hey now, don't get all sappy and tell everyone." I started to giggle as he smiled.
"But for real thank you, that was just what I needed." I said sincerely.
"I told you I was good at cheering people up."
"Shut up."
The next day
They didn't text so I guess it just wasn't meant to be but I wasn't sad or moping, I felt good about myself.
I walked into my the Baxter-Carter house with a smile on my face. Everyone was up and about which was surprising considering it was a Sunday.
"Tess!" Book called out excitedly.
"Hmm"
"You know about that whole camp not calling you thing?"
"Yeah?"
"Well apparently you were so stressed when you signed up that you gave them my number instead and they called me, you got in!"
"I-i got in?" I asked unsure trying to confirm what I heard was true.
"Yep!"
I jumped on him and hugged him so hard I'm sure he couldn't breath.
"I GOT IN!" Everyone started to congratulate me. Yep, I didn't need anybody else but them.
The End
Oh man, I'm kinda proud of this one.
Its definitely way longer than I expected but I hope you enjoyed it!
Love
-S