Josh's Amazingly Festive Simping Adventure: A Christmas Story

Part 15: Season of Truth

My life flashed before my eyes. Literally.

Every moment of my life was presented before me like a movie. I knew who I was. I remembered my life in Canada, My friends and family. My art. My everything. I also remembered how I got here.

It all started back in May of this year. Sophia, who I now realized was a good friend of mine, had just shared this magical laptop she found. Said that whatever she wrote in it became true. She had used to to create a fanfiction that brought Sky, another close friend, into a world where he got to interact with some of his favorite fictional characters. He even brought his favorite, Luke Pearce, back with him to the real world. I was skeptical at first but Luke assured me himself that he had chosen that life for himself, that he was aware of the choice he was making and the world that he'd be leaving behind. I had been so infatuated with this idea of finding my true love that I had even considered asking Sophia to write an experience for me too. But I never did. Why was I here?

"Hey."

A voice called from behind me. I opened my eyes and turned around to find Sophia. Not Smiley face in a santa hat Sophia but the real Sophia. We were in some kind of cave of white crystals with the most beautiful blue pond next to us.

I ran to hug her.

"Sophia, what is this?"

"A Christmas present. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Sky thought I should."

I thought about everything.

"Yeah, you should've but its ok, I know where you were coming from."

"Listen," she said, "I want you to know that you were never in any danger over here. Even during the trial with Jinx, you and everyone else had magic protection."

I nodded, still trying to digest everything.

"There's something else but I think Thoma will tell you that himself." She grabbed my hands.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry. Really, but you're going to have to trust me."

"Ok," I said reluctantly, "I trust you."

She gave me a hug.

I felt strange. This wasn't what I imagined when I pictured meeting Thoma. He was brought here against his will. I didn't want that.

"Hey Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"I have to go but I'll see you again very soon."

I began to feel faint and woke up in Thoma's arms.

"Josh! answer me please!"

I opened my eyes to see Thoma tearing up.

"I'm ok.."

"Thank goodness!" he hugged me tight, "I was so worried."

We weren't in the kitchen anymore, rather in the hallway again. Everyone was surrounding us. Jinx, Vi, Aomine, Mommy Claus, Daddy Claus, and even the wooden elves were all there.

"I.. I remember everything," I said.

Thoma's eyes widened. Vi brushed her arm.

"So do we," she said.

I started to tear up.

"There's something I have to tell you guys." I choked on the words.

Thoma helped me up.

"I... I know why we were all sent here."

"We know." Jinx said plainly.

My eyes widened as I scanned everyone's face. They were serious.

"We've known since this morning." Aomine spoke up, somehow able to add his arrogant tone to such a complex sentence. 

I turned to face Thoma. He nodded.

"I swear theres a good reason for all of this!"

Thoma pulled me into a hug. Suddenly, I felt so secure.

"We know." he said, so softly, "we know."

We all hugged. I couldn't believe it. They weren't mad at me.

When we stopped hugging, Vi spoke up.

"We actually are glad this happened. If it didn't, Jinx and I would still be separated." Jinx nodded.

"I had nothing better to do anyways," Aomine mumbled.

"And I... I enjoyed our time here more than you could know." Thoma added.

I smiled and thanked them over and over before DC stepped in and handed them all gifts.

"These will take yall home."

"What if we want to come back?" Jinx asked.

"Hohoho!" DC laughed, "If thats the case, I'll send you all special invites every Christmas."

"That sounds perfect!" Vi said.

We said our goodbyes and everyone opened their presents. They all faded away like a projection being turned off. All but Thoma.

"I guess this means goodbye." I said, the words stabbed at my heart.

Thoma looked down at me and held my hands.

"Actually..."

He looked over at Daddy Claus.

"Could I... go to Josh's world?"

I ghasped.

"Thoma?"

He met my gaze again.

"Josh. I wasn't kidding when I said I enjoyed my team here. You've got this light about you- I can't explain it but I'm infatuated by it- by you. And to be honest..."

He paused for a moment.

"I think I'm in love with you."

My eyes widened although my face didnt turn red this time. It just felt so right.

I reached up and kissed him, feeling like fireworks exploding.

"I think I do to." I said. And not because I had been a fan of his before coming here. No, I didnt know who he was when we actually met. I learned to love him over the past few days and knowing he loved me back made everything in the world seem ok.

I heard DC chuckle.

We turned to look at him.

"To be honest, Mommy Claus and I were going with you to your world anyways. We're gonna make Mr. and Mrs. Claus real. What's one more guest?"

Thoma smiled, "Thank you so so much!"

"That's awesome!"

"Go ahead and open your gift!" Mommy Claus spoke up.

As Thoma unraveled his present, he held onto my hand and kissed me again.