the Christmas crown

eight

heyy yall- soooo sorry it's a very short chapter today :( but just a psa, there won't be another chapter update until maybe...tuesday? im super sorry and i hope youll still continue to read when i come back. imma just be extremely busy for these next days with friends and family

I'm looking around for the wreaths, when I look up and notice a head of curls standing around the corner, slightly smiling...

I rest my hands on my waist, calling out, "Hey!"

He looks down at the floor, getting ready to walk away before I run out of the room, stopping him.

"R-Ricky- did you...need something?", I awkwardly ask.

He shakes his head.

"Did you uh- wanna help? I know Kourtney's been dying too...", I chuckle.

He shrugs, "I gotta g-"

"I think that's a wonderful idea!", the queen says, walking up behind Ricky.

He turns around and mouths something to her, but she just shushes him.

"You should help out Nini, Ricky!", she suggests.

"He doesn't have t-", I'm interrupted by the queen pushing us both into the ballroom.

I take a breath, resting my hands back on my waist, "Alrighty then..."

"Sorry...", he quietly says, barely audible.

"For what?", I ask, facing him.

"My aunt...", he replies.

I shrug, "It's all okay...you uh- don't have to help if you don't wanna. If she asks, I'll tell her you helped."

He stays quiet for a moment and so I begin to open more boxes and go through them. I take supplies out and lay it on the floor, so I can have a clear view of what we have so far. Finally, I finish unpacking two boxes of wreaths (yes, I found them) and stand up straight to see Ricky staring off into space at me.

"You okay?", I ask.

He snaps out of his trance, "Uh- yeah...d-do you want help?"

I shrug, "I'll always take a helping hand if you want to."

Ricky's pov

"You can just start opening boxes.", she speaks.

I nod my head and slowly make my way towards an unopened box. I slice the tape with scissors and open the flaps, revealing food platters. They were beautiful. All of them were glass that had simple, yet elegant, designs on them.

"Uh where should we put these?", I awkwardly ask, holding up the dish.

She thinks for a second, "Well...they'll be put on the snack table...but it hasn't arrived yet. For now, just keep them in that box, but you can carry it over there."

I pick up the box and make my way to a corner, placing it down. I assumed this was where the snack table would be. I walk over to another box and open it. Inside was garland with pieces of holly placed strategically throughout the strands and Christmas lights.

"Where are we hanging the garland and lights?", I ask.

She looks up at me, "Umm I was thinking we can hang the garland around the doorframe outside?"

I nod and pick up the box, taking the entire contents just outside the door. I look up and down at the door. Why do all our doors have to be like fifty feet tall? I look around for a ladder...not that I thought one was gonna be randomly placed in a castle hallway but-

"Oh, Eric!", I call out, seeing him walking downstairs.

"Yes?", he stops.

"Could you grab me a ladder?", I ask.

He smiles and nods, "Sure thing. Give me a moment."

I wait just outside the door when I hear footsteps from behind.

"Is Ricky helping put up decorations? You doing it so you can hang out with...her?", EJ chuckles.

I roll my eyes, muttering, "Shut up."

He covers his mouth to prevent his laughter from escaping, "That wasn't a no!"

I scoff and just then Eric comes around the corner, a ladder in hand.

"Thanks", I reply, taking the ladder.

I set it up and grab the garland, climbing up and gently attaching it to the top of the doorframe with the adhesive. I slowly take the strand and guide it down both sides of the doorframe, trying to make it as even as possible.

I step down and look at it from afar. I shrug and walk back inside the room.

"Hey- wanna check and see if the garland is fine?", I ask.

She nods and walks out with me. We stand back a couple feet and look at it.

"Looks pretty good.", she speaks, "Maybe you should decorate the place"

I chuckle a little, looking over at her. I meet her soft gaze. I've never stood this close to her, and I was fully able to take in her features. She has beautiful golden-brown eyes, with soft brunette waves of hair that frame her face well. She had a few freckles placed on her cheeks and nose that were...cute? She was pretty...but, we aren't even friends. And she's a stranger. And...Ricky doesn't date.

She clears her throat, "I should- uh I should get back to work..."

I nod, "Y-yeah..."

I watch her walk towards the doors, disappearing into the ballroom.