The 12 Days of R.J: Holiday One Shots

8 Gifts, 8 Letters, and 8 Days with Him

Unedited A/N: Ricky and Nini are best friends and are 16 years old. E.J is 17 years old and Ashlyn is 16. This doesn't follow the hsmtmts drama or plot either.

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Ricky's POV:

Nini and I have spent every winter break together having sleep overs ever since we were 10 years old while our parents had their own plans. Three years ago when I was 13, we stopped having sleepovers because my mom started arguing. And it was also because Nini started to have sleepovers with her friends Kourtney, and Gina. The year after, when we turned 14 my parents tarted arguing about the stupidest things like what time we ate dinner so the winter break sleepover tradition faded away quickly. Then when I was 15, my parents announced their divorce and I found Nini's house to be my safe space since I couldn't stand Big Red's sleep apnea machine noises. That year I had lot of sleepovers at her house all year round, not just during winter break. And last year, when Nini and I turned 16 years old, she came out to me as a lesbian during our winter break sleepover tradition which we had resumed.

This year is different because my mom lives in Chicago with my Jewish step-dad Toad, I mean Todd. My dad is actually moving on with his life and is talking to my science teacher, Mr. Mazarra outside of school. It's pretty weird but I'm glad that he has someone to talk to besides moping to me about my mother. And thankfully, Nini and I are continuing our winter break sleepovers because her moms are out on a LGBTQ group ski trip and my dad is out with my science teacher probably pretending to flirt about science.

I'm just glad that I'm stuck with my female best friend instead of my male best friend, Big Red who would probably make a mess of my house.

I hope this year goes well with our sleepover because Nini's staying over for a week while my dad is out on a trip with a few of his friends.

I really hope she doesn't find out about my secret.

I'm bisexual and haven't told anyone besides my best friend, Big Red who came out to me as bi before I could.

"Neens, I don't want to watch A Cinderella Story: A Christmas Wish. I want to make Christmas cookies and eat them with you." I whine at my best friend who is in the living room putting an ornament on my christmas tree that we bought from Six Flags to commemorate when I threw up on her shoes.

"Ricky, you have to admit that Gregg Sulkin looks pretty hot in that Santa Suit and I have a crush on Lara Marano. Please come on watch it for me and then we can bake cookies." I hear my best friend call for me from the living room.

Ok, I gotta admit. Gregg Sulkin isn't my type and he's way too old for me. But this senior boy at East High, E.J is my type, and I haven't told anyone yet that I like boys and girls. It's Big Red and I's little secret that we're bisexual. Not even Ashlyn knows about my sexuality yet.

"Niniiiiiiiii, come bake cookies with me." I pout while holding onto the lantern my dad left on the kitchen counter in case the power goes out.

Utah gets bad snow storms during the winter and I'm used to surviving on my own since my mom left us.

"Ricky....I know that you are hungry. Just take the gingerbread cookies out of the pantry from Trader Joe's and eat some. I bought them for you because they are healthy and I know that you love them." I watch my best friend flip through shows on Netflix while waiting for me.

"But they are healthy Neens. I want the sugar cookies." I pout since it's been my mom and I's tradition to make the pre-cut cookies every year.

Ever since my mom left, my dad has forgotten all of our traditions. Sometimes during winter breaks Nini has time to do them with me and other times she has her own plans with her friends or moms which I understand.