"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" The kids cheer as Santa appears. It is Christmas Eve at Woodcrest mall, the booth for the mall santa is packed as ever and Jazmine had dragged Huey to the mall to go watch.
Jazmine had matured and doesn't really believe in mall santa anymore, however she still holds on to her childish belief that Santa exists somewhere out there but Santa definitely isn't the guy at the mall getting paid $12 an hour to dress up as Santa.
Nonetheless Jazmine convinced Huey to come to the mall, she still enjoyed watching the kids and the joy in their faces and how they would like act giddy waiting in line to meet Santa, it reminds her when she was happily naive and little. Jazmine loves children, which Huey credits to Jazmine's childish personality. And besides, after watching the mall santa they still have some last minute shopping to do.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! One at a time kids! Everyone will get your turn to sit on m-" The mall santa looks at the distance and notices a familiar figure. "Shit."
"Ey yo Santa! Remember me?! Where's ma money! Huh?! Where's ma rims!? You think I forgot?!"
Riley stood at the distance, looking menacing and ready to assault Santa. Behind him is Cindy and 10 other girls. They were all holding bats, golf clubs, 4x4 planks, all blunt weaponry.
The mall santa yells, trembling at the gang who's ready to beat the shit out of him. "Shit! Fuck! I gotta get out of here! Move you little shit!" He pushes one of the kids away, as he fears for his life.
Jazmine's eyes fill with dread, knowing what's gonna happen.
"Hey! We got a runner!" Cindy yells. "Out of the way kids! After him!" Riley, Cindy, and their crew dodge mall security as they chase the fleeing man in the Santa costume.
The kids start crying as Santa bolts and heads for the exit, One of the kids shouts. "Where did Santa go?! I want to see Santa!"
Jazmine's eyes tear up. "Riley that jerk! Why does he always have to ruin Christmas every year! Look at the kids Huey!"
The kids all began crying, they've been promised that Santa was gonna listen to their requests so that they can get their presents, now Santa is outside the block probably getting the life beat out of him.
Huey responds bluntly. "Well sucks to be them, come on Jazmine let's go."
Jazmine grabs his arm and tugs on it, she's crying, a waterfall of tears coming down her face. She whimpers. "P- Please c-can't you help the *sniff* kids? Can't you t-think of *sniff* a plan or s-something?" She's crying so much she begans to hiccup.
"No. And blow your nose Jazmine that's disgusting."
"Ugh Huey you j- jerk! Don't y- you have a heart Huey F-Freeman?! C-Can't you help the kids!?"
"No."
"Please." Jazmine insists.
"No."
"Please..."
He really can't say no, she's never going to let him. "...fine."
A little while later Huey walks up to the mall booth where the previous Santa had been. Huey is now wearing a Santa costume, with his afro tucked under a large Christmas hat. The kids stop crying and stare at Huey as he walks out the small stage.
"Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas." Huey groans. Why did I let Jazmine put me up to this.
"Hello kids. My name is Santa Claus, would you like to know the pagan holiday that exploits religion and manipulates your parents' spending habits by enforcing societal values of gift-giving?"
The kids are definitely not convinced.
"Booo!"
"You aren't the real Santa!"
"Santa is supposed to be joyful! And he's happy! And he smiles!"
Suddenly Jazmine walks up behind Huey and goes to the stage. "Hi kids! I'm Mrs. Claus! Pardon my husband's behavior! He hasn't had his milk and cookies yet!" Jazmine is wearing her own costume and she beams a big smile as she hugs tightly on Huey's arm.
Jazmine showing up made some of the kids smile, the kids have never met Mrs. Claus before, it was only Santa who showed up in the mall every year. She lightly elbows Huey to get him to continue.
"Ah yes. Hello Mrs. Claus. Now does anyone want to tell me what gifts you want for Christmas so I can give you all empty promises and be done he-." Before he can finish, Jazmine stomps on Huey's foot.
"Ow- I mean- so I know what to get you for Christmas?"
One of the kids in the crowd yells out. "Now kiss!"
The kids gasps but then they join in. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
Jazmine's eyes widen in surprise but then she gives Huey a wanting look. Her cheeks turn pink.
Huey pushes her away. "Nope. Nope. No chance. Anywhere but here, not in these stupid costumes."
Jazmine understands. "Okay..." Huey is already going out of his way to wear a Santa costume, so she also has to listen and respect his wishes. It's only fair.
Jazmine continues but this time whispering to his ear. "But what are we going to do with the kids?" The kids are still chanting for them to kiss.
Huey takes out a bag of candies out of his coat. "We poison them."
Jazmine giggles. "You're so silly."
Huey throws the candies at the crowd of kids, hoping to make a distraction, while the kids scream and pick the candy off the ground, Huey and Jazmine escapes, while ditching their costumes.
Later in the day the Dubois' and the Freemans have a Christmas Eve dinner at the Dubois house. Everyone is there including Cindy and some of her girls.
Cindy greets Jazmine. "Hi Jazzy!"
"Hiya Cin! Hi Charlotte! Amy! Sophie!" They all hug each other.
"Nice place Jazzy and I like your dad, he's so nice!" Amy says.
"Thank you! Enjoy the party!" Jazmine waves as the 4 of them move to find Riley.
Jazmine then spots Huey. "Huey! You came!"
"Yeah, Don't mention it."
Jazmine smiles. "Don't worry about the food and the party just focus on being here okay? And relax a little!" Jazmine knows that he hates loud parties and he hates the holidays, this party is both of those things combined, so it is a big deal that Huey is even attending.
"I will."
"Oh and daddy made sure to have a lot of healthy stuff for this year's dinner, so you don't have to worry about Mr. Freeman's food! The only meat here is the turkey!"
"Hmm thanks for looking out."
"You're welcome!" She blushes.
"Jazzy, Huey! Come here!" Cindy ushers the two in the living room. "We're playing truth or dare!"
"No. I'll pass, I'm too old for that." Huey responds back.
Jazmine ponders a little bit, she just wants to spend time with Huey. "Sorry Cin, I'll pass too."
"Okay whatever." Cindy gives the couple a smirk. "We'll leave you two alone!"
Huey and Jazmine prepare the dinner table while the grown-ups chat in the kitchen, In the living room they hear Charlotte shout. "I dare Cindy and Riley to spend 7 minutes in heaven!" They hear loud giggling as Riley spends no time pushing Cindy in the closet.
Later on they all sit in the table, Granddad, Tom, Sarah, and even Cindy's parents have joined in. After saying grace they start digging in. Sarah and Jazmine were in charge of the food and they had prepared a bunch of healthy and meat-free dishes. While there are porkchops and meatballs on the table they are actually made out of vegan meat, which thankfully no one noticed.
Granddad looks Huey dead in the eye as he hungrily eats the turkey, the only real meat on the table. Granddad did not take the news lightly that Huey got rid of all his expensive meats, so he is using this opportunity to eat turkey and bragging about it to Huey's face. He even makes sure to shower his plate in gravy to spite Huey more.
"mMmMMM This is some good turkey Mrs. Dubois!"
"Thanks Riley- I mean..." Sarah chuckles. "hehe... Yung Reezy."
Cindy's parents speak up. "Yes I really do have to compliment your meatloaf, you are an excellent cook Mrs. Dubois. Thank you for inviting us to dinner."
"Thanks and you're welcome Mrs. McPherson, but I can't take all the credit, my daughter is really helpful."
"Oh and great job Ms. Dubois!"
Jazmine smiles. "You're welcome."
As they finish dinner, Cindy, her girls, and her parents wave their goodbye. She and Riley embraced one more time but soon she had to leave. They now lounge at the living room while Tom and Sarah handle the dishes.
Riley lets out a huge burp. The burp that boys do that lasts for 10 seconds.
Jazmine covers her nose. "Riley! Ew!"
"What? It's only natural Mariah, we boys burppp all da time."
Jazmine puts on a grumpy face. "Riley don't be disgusting."
"Whatever Jazzy, geez you sound like my brother. By the way you got any games in yo living room? Ya'll got a playstation or somethin?"
"I don't play video games. Daddy says they melt your brain."
"M-melt your brain? Damn Tom out here spreading lies."
Huey remarks. "Maybe Tom is right, I mean you play video games everyday, look how you turned out."
Jazmine laughs at Huey's joke. Did Huey Freeman actually attempted humor?
Riley gets up from the couch and starts attacking at Huey. Granddad yells "Boys this ain't our house! Stop fighting! Be good dinner guests and stop wrecking Tom's living room!"
Granddad grabs Riley by the arm and urge him to a couch. "Sit down Riley damn, what does a old nigga have to do to get some peace and quiet."
Jazmine grabs Huey by the hand and gets him to stand up. "I'll help you Mr. Freeman, maybe we can seperate the boys so they stop fighting! I'll take Huey and show him my room."
"Good idea Cutie-pie so we can get these 2 monkeys off of each other. Huey! Follow Cutie-pie and stay away from Riley! I'm trying to relax after eating a nice tasty Christmas dinner! Damn!"
Riley bats an eye. "Ey- Hey I see what's happening here, Jazzy you sly fuc-" Granddad smacks him in the head. "Shut the fuck up boy! Give your granddaddy some peace!"
Jazmine laughs and leads Huey upstairs to her room.
Huey interjects. "Jazmine I don't think this is a good idea."
"Oh come on Huey relax, I just want to show you my room."
Jazmine opens a door and they enter her bedroom. The walls were painted in light pink with posters and stickers put up everywhere, Jazmine's room looked obviously fairy princess-themed, with unicorns, fairies, and hearts everywhere.
"Didn't know a room can make my eyes hurt."
"You like it?"
",,,it's very? Girly?"
"Well I'm a girl so-" Jazmine says awkwardly as she sits on her bed. Huey meanwhile sees a chair and sits down.
Her cheeks turn red as she sees her clothes and a couple private things in her room that a boy really shouldn't see.
"Oh! I- Huey! Can you close your eyes?"
Huey complies without saying a word. Jazmine rushes to clean up her room. "I'm so sorry... I didn't tidy up my room. I- uhh wasn't expecting guests.." Jazmine laughs awkwardly.
"It's fine."
"You can open your eyes now."
After a little while Huey looks outside her window, pondering, he notices that he can see his house outside her bedroom.
"Soo..." Jazmine speaks up.
"So what?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know, you're the one who dragged me here."
"Yeah..."
"I like the Dorothy Counts poster you put up." Huey gestures to the poster of a black woman in her room.
"Thanks... I got really interested in her story." Dorothy Counts is a black woman and civil rights figure.
"Nice to see you taking some interest."
Jazmine looks straight down and avoid eye contact, she feels so awkward and nervous as Huey sits there in her room. She's never really invited boys in her room before, let alone she's never had her first kiss, this feeling of love and being in love is all so new to her and she feels as if she's going to crash and burn or either drown in Huey's maroon eyes.
In truth she feels so small and she feels like she's going to crack any second.
Huey speaks. "I'd like to apologize. For the Santa thing at the mall. And apologize for Riley."
"O-Oh... it's fine.. what you did was really sweet..." Jazmine recalls earlier today when Huey dressed up as Santa to cheer up the kids.
"Yeah. Sure."
"D- Don't apologize that was really nice. And-" Jazmine smiles, looking at his eyes. "We make a really good team... as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Y- you know what that's called? It's c-called synergy."
"Yeah... I'm sorry I didn't want to kiss. I'm not really interested in a relationship yet."
"Y- yeah..." Jazmine frowns. "W- w- why not?"
"I don't know Jazmine."
Jazmine didn't realize her legs had moved a few seconds ago, she finds herself standing in front of Huey as he sits on her chair.
Like a moth to a flame she sees herself floating towards his deep maroon eyes.
Jazmine softly murmurs. "Y- You don't know?"
"Yes... Can you please give me some space?"
Jazmine can't help but feel frustrated. "I- Huey... please... don't push me away..."
"I have to..."
"W- why?"
"I have to be strong. I can't show my emotions."
Jazmine whispers gently. "It's okay.,, it's okay... you're strong... being in love... it makes you stronger, not weaker..."
Huey sighs but whispers back. "Not true..."
She coos him and she finds her body sitting on his lap. She breathes down his neck "Huey... Do you love me?"
He whispers in her ear, making her skin crawl and her body tremble. "I do."
"T- then kiss me."
They stare at each others eyes, each others lips. She can't help but match his breathing as she sits on top of him, just sitting there staring at that face. The way her body wraps around him, that feeling of being in Huey's arms, that feeling of being so safe, so warm, so loved. She sits there looking, studying, examining his scowling face.
Huey isn't mad at the world, as she gets closer than ever before to his face, she finally realizes that Huey isn't scowling because he's angry, he's scowling because he's hurt, he's in pain, a pain he has never healed from to this day. She just wants to take Huey in her arms and stroke his hair, to be there for him, to give him the love that he deserves, and embrace him until the pain goes away.
She urges her head forward, to offer him her lips, her love, her embrace, but she sits there mesmerized, stunned, she can't move, she's drowning in those eyes.
"H- Huey... I-
But before she can finish, Huey leans forward and they kiss, their lips gently touch as 2 hearts combine into one. Jazmine moans, as he passionately accepts her love. She is dazed, her head in the clouds, then suddenly a warmth floods through her body, a burning fire, she returns the kiss with passion, with pure unfiltered desire, taking in his scent.
I want you
His rough and rugged hands explore her body, landing on her delicate smooth skin, His hands travel and explore Jazmine's body before finally finding her hips and gently hold it. The room goes silent except for the sound of moans and kissing, of hard breathing, of faces colliding.
She wraps her arms around his neck as she gives in to her desires. The 2 wrestle each other's lips, fighting for control, they dance, they push and parry but Jazmine feels herself weaken, she feels her body melting in his arms. She submits herself to Huey, letting him in, his touch too much for her and she can't help but let out a small moan. She feels his tongue inside, his kiss deepening, her body under his spell. She embraces him, her hips still on his lap as she offers her heart to him.
After what seemed like an eternity, they release each other's lips, a million emotions flying through their heads.
Jazmine exhales, still out of breath. "W-wow... I- that... was nice..."
Huey whispers. "Yeah..."
"I- it's my first kiss..."
"Mine too."
Jazmine couldn't help herself, she leans in and touch his lips again. She can't help but feel sparks tingle throughout her body, his lips, their kiss, it's electrifying, addicting, she wants more, she needs more.
She tries to speak between her kisses. "I love *kiss* you..."
Huey moans in response.
"Please *kiss* don't you ever push me away... *kiss* I love you... *kiss* I'm here for you Huey *kiss* You don't have to *kiss* be alone anymore *kiss*..."
"...Maybe... you're right..." Huey returns her love.
They stand there in her bathroom, looking at each other in the mirror. Huey insisted to clean up and wash their faces. Typical for Huey to mention germs and being sanitary.
Jazmine takes her turn to wash her face and hands with soap. Her face is bright red, still recoiling from the fact that she and Huey kissed.
She giggles. "We look so cute in the mirror."
"Yeah whatever, don't waste the water."
"So... this means we're official now right?"
"I guess so. No sense denying it anymore."
"Yay! Come on... get closer! Your girlfriend won't bite..."
Then Jazmine takes out her phone and switches to the camera. "Picture?" Jazmine smiles pointing the camera to the mirror. She laughs.
"Come on Jazmine..." Huey scowls.
She takes the picture as she cuddles him, her arm around him as Huey stands there stiffly.
After she takes the picture she kisses him in the cheek. Then she says. "I'm just being cute... hey... I love you."
"Sure."
She talks to him in a quiet gentle voice. "Sorry if I'm acting childish, I'm just really happy right now. With you. But... let's get cleaned up... and head back downstairs okay?"
"Alright. Yeah... you do look pretty cute."
Jazmine blushes. "Thanks."
They walk down the stairs. Tom asks. "Honey! Where have you been?"
"Sorry Daddy, Huey and I were upstairs."
"Oh... well." Tom turns to Huey. "Robert and Riley left to go home, but I'm wondering if you're going to stay for a little longer? The Dubois have a family tradition you know! We're going to spend some family time and play board games on Christmas Eve! Care to join us?"
Jazmine looks at him with those longing eyes, begging him to stay. Huey sighs. "Alright Mr. Dubois. I'll play anything except Monopoly."
Jazmine giggles and says. "Yeah he hates Monopoly, something to do with capitalism and corporate greed and stuff." She blushes.
Tom smiles. "Oh that's fine then, come on you 2, take a seat at the dinner table."
Jazmine speaks up. "Daddy I want to tell you something."
"What is it Sweetie?"
"Huey and I are... dating." Jazmine walks to Huey's side, holding his hand.
Tom pauses for a while, trying to make sense of her confession. Then he smiles. "Well.. as long as you're happy Sweetie, you're old enough to make your own decisions and I trust that Huey will treat you right..."
Tom walks up to Huey. "Welcome to the family, Huey." Tom gives Huey a handshake.
"...Thanks Mr. Dubois."
"Now take a seat! Let's start a game!" Tom grins, almost beaming with pride. "Oh Sarah! Guess what!"
Sarah responds from the other room. "What is it?"
"Jazmine and Huey are dating!"
Sarah's voice gets cheerful. "Wow! About time! Congrats you 2!"
They spend the rest of Christmas Eve together playing board games for the rest of the night. Jazmine almost wants to cry, she can wholeheartedly say that this is the happiest day of her life, surrounded by family, Huey by her side, everything was just... perfect.