Local punk: thanks for the R&R! I'm soooo sorry that it took me a long time to update the fic. My classes just started and I'm really busy. Sorry, but I'll try to update sooner next time.

marvlix: Hehe! "Egnog dumped on their heads" that's a funny idea! Thanks for the R&R!

jacx: thanks for the review! More "sweetness" to come!

reddfire: I'm delighted that you find my fic nice! Anyways, hopeyou'll also like this chapter.

Telepathic Angel: thanks for the appreciation! Here's the next chap!

Helen: thanks for the R&R! sorry if it took me too long before updating it…

Diaz F: Thanks for the R&R! And about your question, I'm from the Philiippines. I'm a Filipino-chinese…

Wen1: thanks for the review! JOTT FOREVER!

jott luuuuuuuuuver: I'll keep updating! Thanks for the R&R!

Chapter 12 – on a day before christmas

"The votes are already in. We will tally it this week and the winner will be announce when the class resumes on January," the head of the student affairs explained. "Good luck! You can enjoy the rest of your vacation," he dismissed them. Jean hurriedly went outside where Scott is waiting for her.

"What took you so long?"

"We just had a short meeting. Let's go!" Jean hopped in Scott's car.

"You're in a hurry?" Scott started the engine and drove away.

"Yeah, I would pack my things."

"Where are you going?"

"To spend Christmas with your family! You forgot?"

"Christmas is still next week! You'll pack now? That's too early!"

"I don't want to forget something," Jean replied plainly.

"Jean! Faster! We'll be late for our flight," Scott's voice could

Barely be heard through the boisterous and jam-packed airport. It was the day before Christmas and people were eager to return to their folks to celebrate this wonderful season. "No wonder you walked so slowly! What did you put in here?" Scott took Jean's heavy baggage.

After they went through the heavy queue, they finally got in the plane.

The flight went on smoothly. Jean and Scott sat beside each other. Not minding one another. Scott put on the headphones and listened to the music. Jean, on the other hand, read a book. "Hey, we should talk about what to answer to our parents," Scott ambiguously stated as he removed the headphones.

"Answer what?"

"Questions about us, I'm sure they would ask us. When, where, how did we meet, stuffs like that," he explained. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed. For the rest of the trip, Jean and Scott prepared fallacious stories to tell to their parents.

"Hi auntie!" Jean greeted Katherine Summers with her widest grin. "Hello. Wow, you've really grown to a beautiful lady. I can see why Scott had fallen for you," she replied while looking at Jean from head to toe. "Mom!" Scott half whispered with wide meaningful eyes staring at his mother. "Where are your parents?" Mrs. Summers asked. "Mom and dad will arrive this late afternoon. They still have to finish their work," Jean explained. "On the day before Christmas? They really have a lot of work!" she replied and gestured them to get inside the house. "Scott, help Jean with her luggage," she ordered. "She will be staying in your room," his mother said with a tone that has no room for any disagreements. Scott took the baggage and led Jean to his room. Jean ran and lay on Scott's bed. "I like it here!" she stretched her arms. "Just don't touch my things, or else…" Scott warned. "Ooh… Scott is kinda secretive…" Jean mocked. "Or else what?" she challenged. They both stared; first one to flinch loses. "Fine. Just don't break anything!" Scott gave up. "Be nice to me or I'll tell your parents that we were just pretending so they'll set you up with that other girl," she aggravated Scott. "Don't black mail me Jean! We made a deal. I did my part, do yours!" Scott was obviously mad. "Scott, I'm just kidding. I'm sorry," she sat quietly, feeling a little reprehensible. "Haha! I can't believe you fell for that! You are so pathetic, Jean!" Scott exited the room. "You! I hate you!" Jean stood up and ran after him. She went downstairs and saw Scott's dad. "Hi uncle!" she waved and grinned. "Hey! How are you doing? I didn't know that you already arrived," Christopher Summers returned her a convivial smile. "I'm fine. Umm… have you seen Scott?" she asked. "No. Maybe he went outside," he suggested. "Okay, thank you." Jean saw Scott's mother preparing dishes for supper. She decided to help her instead to look for Scott.

"Oh, thank you Jean. You're so nice! I'm really glad that Scott has finally asked you out."

"Finally?" Jean asked, perplexed.

"Yeah. Since you were kids, Scott already has a crush on you. He was too shy to admit it though," Mrs. Summers explained.

"So, how are you two doing?" Mr. Summers asked his son. "Fine," Scott plainly answered while he and his father were watching the basketball game in ESPN. "What special gift did you buy her?" Scott's eyes widened. "Don't tell me you didn't buy her anything!" his father got worried. "Of course I did! What do you think I am? Umm… excuse me," Scott tersely stood up and left.

"Mom, can I excuse Jean?" Scott already held Jean's wrist. "Oh… okay. I was just telling her about you having a crush on her," his mother continued chopping some vegetables. "What? Never mind! We'll just be going out," he pulled Jean's arms and she reluctantly followed.

"What!"

"We forgot to buy gifts for each other!"

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" she pulled Scott by the arms.

Jean and Scott stayed silent in the car. "Umm… that 'me having a crush on you' was just made up by mom," Scott vacillated to open that topic. "Huh?" Jean stared at his eyes. "What mom told you, she just made it up. I'm just telling you, incase you believed her," he said uncomfortably. "Oh! I know that," she smiled, "your mother was just being nice. I felt bad though, she really thought that we are together." Scott felt relieved that Jean was so naïve but he also wished that she had believed his mother. At least, he would not have the problem of expressing his real feelings towards her.

It was a 15-minute drive to the nearest mall. They rushed inside along with the crowd who were doing a last minute shopping. "Let's just choose what we want and buy it," Scott stated as they both walked in a fast pace. Jean suddenly stopped and leaned on the glass window. "Jean, what are you doing?" Scott said, aggravated. "Wow! This necklace is so beautiful," she stared at the silver necklace with a heart pendant. "You want that? Let's buy it," Scott offered. Jean's smile suddenly vanished as she saw the price. "It's too expensive," she said in a glum voice. They both left and continued searching for their 'gifts'. Jean bought some CDs that Scott has chosen. Scott, on the other hand, bought a pair of shoes that Jean liked. They were about to leave when Jean saw someone very familiar. Her heart pounded fast. "Warren?" a smile slowly crept into her lips as the guy turned and looked at her.

Hope you like it! i'll update sooner.