Hey Guys :) I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Here is the Christmas chapter and next up is the New Year chapter.
**MAKE SURE YOU READ YESTERDAY'S CHAPTER, UPLOADED ON CHRISTMAS**
Guest: Yes GLOVE ;) All the way from the start xD
ENJOY!
Chapter 22 "Merry Christmas Eve"
Annie's POV
Christmas has to be my favorite holiday. For me it's not about the gifts, the delicious food, or the two weeks off from school. As long as I'm surround by people I love it's a good Christmas. Sadly, I'm not going to see everyone I love this Christmas.
"What is that noise? It sounds like hyenas are dying over there." I giggle at Gloss' words.
Gloss and Cash's family went to a relative's house for Christmas. They left the district late last night. This morning, Gloss called me via webcam around eight, the same time my family started to show up at my house. It's Christmas Eve and as usual my parents host the party and dinner. It's almost two, so right now I know the family is preparing dinner right now.
"Those are my aunts, jerk face."
"Not my fault they laugh weird. You have to admit it, Annie."
"They're family, Gloss." I can see Cashmere hit Gloss' leg in the background. "She probably never noticed it before."
"No, I've noticed before. I just don't care," I answer honestly. "No matter how annoying, rude, selfish, boring, or just a pain they might be at times, they're still family. Family will always come first."
"You sound like some mom in a cheesy Christmas movie," Cash says and Gloss nods in a agreement.
"Screw you guys. I'm adorable."
"Never said you weren't," Gloss says.
"Alright, Gloss. Be downstairs in ten minutes cause we're going ice skating with the family. I'll talk to you later, Anns. Merry Christmas," Cash says with a smile.
"Merry Christmas, Cash."
Cash disappears from the screen and I hear a door close.
"When she says ten she really means fifteen," Gloss tells me.
I smile. "When are you coming back?"
"I'll be home on New Year's Eve."
"Any plans for that day?"
"Cash is probably throwing a party. No, scratch that. Cash is having a party."
Of course she is.
"Who are you going to be kissing at midnight?" I ask him. "Someone one special, right?"
"Unless I meet someone in the next week, um, no one."
Sometimes I don't understand Gloss. He's handsome, smart, rich, and funny. Literally everything any girl could want. I don't see how he isn't seeing anyone.
"Oh, come on!" I exclaim. "There's not one girl you have your eye on? Tell the truth, Gloss."
Gloss sighs. "Okay there is one girl—"
"I knew it!"
"But, it's not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not going to try and steal her away from her boyfriend."
Oh, she's seeing someone else. What a shame.
"You know, Gloss," I start off with. "Just because the girl you like isn't available doesn't mean there aren't a dozen other girls who'd love a chance to date you."
"I know, Annie. It's not like I don't date, I do, it's just that no girl has really been what I'm looking for."
"What are you looking for?"
"In short, what I really want is a girl that's as crazy as me. Maybe even a little crazier." Suddenly I can hear Cash screaming for her brother to hurry up. "I gotta go before she kills me. Merry Christmas, Annie."
"Back at you, Gloss."
The screen turns black and a frown finds it's way on my face. I shake it off because now is not the time for sadness. Now is the time for smiles, and who has that beautiful smile of sunshine that can make anyone smile?
Peeta Mellark.
Within thirty minutes I'm standing in front of the Mellark bakery knocking on the door. Peeta answers the door with a warm smile. I don't hesitate to jump him with a hug.
"Damn, Annie." Peeta hugs me back. "If you jumped on me any harder I would probably be on the floor right now."
"What are your plans for today?" I let him go.
"Well my parents won't be back with the family until nine. I've got time to kill."
"Great. Now go get a coat and meet me at Johanna's in twenty…and bring Delly with you."
I know Madge is out of town for the holidays. That means that Delly doesn't have her best friend with her and here I am stealing her cousin away on Christmas Eve. I don't know Delly that well, but I doubt she'd want to be alone for nine hours. Plus, this will be my chance to get to know Delly Cartwright, a girl who is probably just as sweet as her cousin.
I head over to Finnick's house. On the way there snow begins to fall lightly from the sky. I don't care for the cold, but snow sets a beautiful scenery.
I find Finnick sitting on his front steps. When he sees me he smiles.
"Merry Christmas Eve," he tells me as I sit next to him.
"Merry Christmas Eve." I kiss him and his lips taste like eggnog. "What are you doing outside?"
"My whole family is inside and it's not worth the headache to go inside to the warmth. I'd rather freeze out here."
"What's so bad about family?"
"Nothing. I'd just rather not answer a million questions about what I'm planning to do with my life. I'm only fifteen and I don't have any answers."
"Let me help you answer some questions." I clear my throat and smile. "Do you plan on finishing high school?"
"Of course."
"What about college?"
"I'm not going to high school for nothing."
"Major?"
"…Probably English."
"Have you thought about where you plan on going?"
"Currently…anywhere you go." I can't help but smile at that.
"Stay at home dad?"
"I wouldn't rule it out."
"An apartment or a family house?"
"Definitely a family house."
"How many kids do you want?"
He's silent. It hadn't crossed my mind that Finnick might not want children. My heart speeds up a bit at the realization.
"One," he finally mumbles out. "That way I can give my child and my beautiful red head wife as much attention as they want."
I smile. "You seem to have it figured out. For the most part."
"What about you, Annie?"
I shrug. "I'm not sure what I want. I do know that I love you and hope one day maybe you'll be the guy I come home to everyday."
"I love you too." Finnick leans into me and presses his lips against mine. The kiss has more heat then I'm used to. Finnick's the one to break the kiss. "One day."
I take a deep breath as I stand. "I told Peeta I'd met him at Jo's in twenty minutes and that was like fifteen minutes ago."
When Finnick and I make it to Johanna's Peeta and Delly are already here. I was expecting Johanna's home to be quiet tonight, but boy was I wrong. Johanna leads us through a crowd of people, into her bedroom upstairs. Even upstairs I can still hear the music coming from downstairs.
"What up with the full house, Johanna?" he asks while getting comfortable on Johanna's bed.
"Well, I know you guys celebrate Christmas the 25th but we do it Christmas Eve. We party all night, sleep, then wake up and party some more," Johanna explains. "I have no idea who the people downstairs are, but they can party."
"That sounds fun," Peeta says.
"Not that I don't love seeing you guys, but what are you doing here?"
"I needed to get away from my family," Finnick says.
"Delly and I don't have to be home until nine," Peeta says.
"I just wanted to spend sometime with friends," I answer honestly.
"I would have invited you guys, but I assumed you'd all be busy like Gale. He's helping his mom prep for tomorrow," Johanna says with a frown. "Well, I assume you guys are starving, and there is plenty of food downstairs. You can eat here, but two of you need to come down with me to get us some food."
Delly and Finnick both offer to go help Johanna, leaving Peeta and me alone together. Thankfully we're the ones who do stay behind, because it's been killing me all day, I just have to ask Peeta.
"So is it official?" I ask Peeta. "Are you and Glimmer together?"
Peeta told me how he ran into Glimmer that night we went ice-skating. Instead of going home, he spent most of the night talking to Glimmer. Before Peeta knew it, Glimmer was telling him how much she liked him and how she'd like to see were things could go for them. Unfortunately Glimmer was leaving for the holidays the next day. Peeta's kept me updated on how things were going. They've talked on the phone about the possibility of there being a 'them'.
Peeta smiles at me then nods yes. "I was going to tell you when you stopped by my house. I was on the phone with her earlier talking about it."
"Oh, Peeta! I'm so happy for you."
It's not a lie. Not completely. I may not like Glimmer, but if Peeta's happy then so am I.
"Thanks, Annie."
"Who else knows?" I ask, overly excited about the news.
"Delly, you, and I assume Glimmer's friends know."
"So when are you going to tell everyone else?"
Peeta sighs. "Not until after New Year's."
He doesn't have to say why. I know he wants to avoid getting into it with Johanna, who will of course disapprove. Why ruin the holidays with a fight? I'll keep my mouth shut about it…at least until after the New Year.
"So what is making you so sad, Anne?"
I raise an eyebrow at Peeta and his question.
"I'm not sad. Why would I be?"
"Come on, Ann. Is it about Cash and Gloss?"
Damn Peeta Mellark for being able to read me like a book.
I sigh. "Yes. I miss them and I know it's only been a day since I saw them, but I can't help it. I wanna be with everyone I love today."
Peeta smiles. "That is so sweet of you, Annie. You know what? I miss them too. When they get back can we agree to tackle them to the floor until they beg for mercy?"
"I call Cash cause there is no way my tiny self can take on Gloss and all his muscles."
"Sounds like a plan."
Jo, Finn, and Delly come back with bucket loads of food. There's rice, pork, salad, pasta, soup—it's a freaking feast in here. As we enjoy our food Finn, Peeta, and Jo go on to discuss plans for New Year's while Delly and I talk amongst ourselves.
Delly is truly a sweet girl. She tells me about how well she's doing in all her classes and how she can't wait to try out for this year's school play. Delly doesn't want the lead role, she just wants to be part of the play in somehow. She's talked to Cinna about helping with wardrobe. She suggests I should try out for the lead role, Juliet.
"I could never pull that off," I tell her with a mouth full of rice.
"Sure you can!" Delly exclaims. "Just like her, you're well loved, loyal, grateful, and lovely."
"Also stubborn, lustful, panicky, and hormonal." I send a glare Johanna's way. She smiles. "I'm just saying. Ann, you'd be a wonderful Juliet."
"No. Not going to happen," I tell them.
I don't care for acting. Even if I was interested in the part, I know Cash would probably want the part and kill me if I stand in her way.
"I think I'd be a good Romeo," Finnick says, then clears his throat. "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow…that I shall say good night 'till it be morrow."
"Juliet says that to Romeo you dumbass," Johanna says with a roll of the eyes.
"No, I'm pretty sure Romeo said that."
"It's a good thing you're pretty."
"Anyways," I interrupt their little argument. "There is no way I'd be her even if Finnick was Romeo."
"Which he won't be," Johanna mutters under her breath. Finnick throws a pillow at her for that.
"Well, I think Peeta would be the perfect Romeo," Delly says smiling at her cousin.
"I can see that," I say agreeing with Delly.
"Definitely," Johanna says elbowing Peeta with a smile.
"Oh I don't know," Peeta says with a shy smile. "If pretty face Finnick tries out I don't stand a chance."
"Damn right you don't." Finnick smirks and I hit him with a pillow. "I'm joking. If you want that role Peeta I won't stand in your way."
"Now that you guys are well fed and it's dark outside, it's time for the main event," Johanna says while collecting our plates. "I hope you brought your coats."
"We aren't going ice skating again, are we?" I ask nervously.
I'm a horrible ice skater and I never want to step on that ice again.
Johanna rolls her eyes at me.
"Just nothing too crazy, Johanna." I add on.
Johanna gets this wicked smile on her face. "Annie, go into my closet and bring out that black trash bag."
I do as I'm told. In her closet is a huge trash bag and I pull in out with some difficultly. When I look back for Johanna, she's sitting on her windowsill, legs hanging out, about to jump.
"What are you doing!" I exclaim rushing to her. "Get down."
"Annie, chill," Peeta says standing right beside me. "She's done this like a million times."
"Still," I say with worry in my voice. "Johanna, you can get hurt."
"Annie, I love you, but learn to live a little."
With that I watch Johanna climb onto the huge tree covered with snow and ice outside of her window. She climbs down the tree like a professional. When she reaches the ground, she encourages us to come down the way she did. Peeta does. Finnick does as well, but Delly and I take the stairs like normal people and we bring the huge trash bag with us.
"There better not be a dead body in here," I mutter when handing the bag to Jo.
"Well now you ruined Christmas," Johanna jokes taking the bag from me. "Finnick, you brought the lighter?" Finnick nods and tosses it to her. "I don't know how you guys do Christmas, but what's Christmas without sparks flying in the air?"
Johanna opens the trash bag and pours out dozens of fireworks on o the ground. I gasp and fall on my knees to explore all the fireworks. I adore fireworks. The colors in the air, that sparkle that they send to the gloomy sky.
For the next few hours we light up the night sky. Finnick and Peeta set the big ones,, Delly and I play with sparklers, and Johanna takes a dozen photos. There are a few snowballs thrown here and there. Delly may have pushed Peeta into a pile of snow. I may have laughed. Then Peeta might have tackled me into the snow. Finnick might have took me into the middle of the icy road for a slow dance. This might have been the best few hours I've had this year.
It's going to be nine soon. Peeta and Delly wish us a Merry Christmas, Finnick gives me a kiss goodbye, and I stay behind with Johanna.
We sit on her front steps. As we talk the music from inside her home plays in the background. Jingle Bell Rock starts to play and we start to sing along.
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock.
"Now I have the strange urge to ride a horse," Johanna tells me with a giggle.
"You're insane," I tell her.
"I prefer the word crazy, but you know whatever."
"Okay. You're crazy. Probably the craziest person I've meant."
"Don't forget about Gloss."
"Gloss."
Johanna is whom Gloss was talking about. She's the only one who's as crazy as him.
"That reminds me." Johanna is reaching into her pocket and pulling out a little envelope. "Merry Christmas, Annie dear."
"Johanna, I thought we all agreed no gifts...what is it?"
Johanna shoves the tiny envelope into my hand. Inside is a tiny charm; it's a golden tree.
"I love it, Jo. Thank you so much."
"When you look at it on your charm bracelet you can think of me."
"I don't have a charm bracelet."
"Didn't Finnick—oh crap." Finnick's giving me a charm bracelet for Christmas? That's so sweet of him. "Don't tell him I told you. Act surprised tomorrow."
"I will, Jo. Don't worry about it. I just wish I knew you were getting me something. I would have gotten you something."
"Don't worry about it, Ann."
"I should have known you'd get me a present. Peeta got you something, why didn't I?"
"Peeta bought me something?"
Goddamn it.
"Well...now we're even."
Johanna laughs.
"Good. Now he can't make me feel bad for getting him a present when he asked me not to."
"What you get him?"
"A beret he can wear while he paints."
I snort. "That is a hilarious gift. He'll love it.
"I know. Shouldn't you be heading home? It's almost ten."
I shake my head. "I got time."
"How about a quick dance inside?"
"I like the sound of that."
Johanna and I rush inside. We dance all night to Christmas songs, like Frosty the Snowman, Santa Baby, and Jingle Bell Rock.
Thank you to my beta reader who I always forget to thank, cindella204
GLIMMER AND PEETA ARE TOGETHER! :O I can already see the trouble on the way. ;)
BTW Gloss was NOT talking about Johanna.
Please Review! :) Happy Holidays :)