Jerome felt like utter shit. He always did around this time of year. Classes had ended for the term and everyone in Anubis's house packed up to go home for the holiday break. To go and spend Christmas with their families. But Not Jerome. His mother was going off on some cruise with her new boy toy. His sister heading off to some little Christmas camp meant for little kids. And he was stuck here. The school let him stay in Anubis house for the two-week break meaning he'd be alone in the creepy place until everyone got back. He slowly bid everyone goodbye as they got picked up by family and taken home. So he sat in the living room with his book staring at the small tree Trudy had put up during December along with other decor around the house to yet them all feel merry for the holidays, of course below the tree was empty of anything other than fallen needles.
Y/n made her way downstairs with her suitcase sitting it by the front door and checking her phone. She spotted Jerome and immediately felt so guilty about leaving, and she knew she needed to see him before she goes anyway, so she softly smiled heading over, "Hey,"
"Hey, Y/n," Jerome replied lazily, not bothering to look up from the book he was pretending to read. "Just waiting for the isolation to kick in." He glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the pages.
Y/n half smiled and sat herself on the sofa arm, "You sure you'll be okay here on our own?"
"I'm fine, Y/n," Jerome said dryly, not looking up from his book. "I've survived worse things than a couple of weeks alone in this dump." He paused, flipping the page with a careless flick of his wrist. "Besides, I have my trusty company the ghosts of Anubis House."
Y/n laughed "Watch out for the headless lady she'll get ya." she joked
"Ha ha, real original, Y/n," Jerome deadpanned, "The headless lady's been trying to kill me since freshman year. I'm surprised she hasn't gotten bored yet."
Y/n nodded, "You know if you want I'm happy to stay with you-"
"No, no, don't be ridiculous," Jerome interrupted, waving his hand dismissively, "You need to get home and celebrate Christmas with your family. Besides, I can handle myself against the headless lady." He flashed Y/n a charming smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of loneliness beneath the surface.
Y/n didn't believe his tough guy act so she softly brushed her hand against his arm, "I know you're uhh... way too cool for this kinda thing, but I know my parents love you. They wouldn't mind you coming to stay with us over the holidays. we can decorate, go for Christmas light walks, make cookies, I know they wouldn't mind."
Jerome's mask slipped for a moment, and he looked away, his expression softening slightly as Y/n's touch sent a flutter through his chest. "...thanks. That's really sweet of you." He cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure. "But I'm not exactly the cookie-baking type." For a moment, Jerome let himself imagine what it would be like to spend Christmas with Y/n's family, surrounded by warmth and laughter instead of the eerie silence of Anubis House. To snuggle up with Y/n under a blanket while the snow falls, to walk around her home town and see all the beautiful lights, to bake ugly messy Christmas cookies with her, have dinner with her family up a long table with delicious home-cooked food. But then his pride kicked in, and he shook off the sentimentality. "No no, it's okay. I don't want to impose. You go and have fun though" Jerome told her even if he did want to just say screw it and go with her,
"Okay... if you're sure" Y/n nodded knowing she couldn't force him,
"Positive," Jerome lied, forcing a smile onto his face, "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." He stood up, walking with Y/n to the door, "It's not every day you get to spend Christmas alone in a haunted mansion," he quipped, trying to lighten the mood. "So, I'll just... enjoy the peace and quiet."
Y/n turned to him, concern etched on her face,
but Jerome quickly masked it with a wink. "Seriously, go. Have fun."
she nodded and pulled him into a tight hug "You know you're welcome Jerome, even if you change your mind and need us to come to pick you up on Christmas day its no trouble."
Jerome's cheeks flushed slightly as he awkwardly returned the hug, his arms wrapping around Y/n in a half-hearted squeeze.
she smiled as she pulled back "And make sure you text me. So I know the ghosts haven't gotten you,"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll text you," he mumbled, "And don't worry about me, I've survived worse than a few ghosts." He flashed a cocky grin, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as Y/n's words lingered in his mind.
Y/n nodded "Ooh!" she gasped "Before I forget, Here. So you have something other than cash envelopes to open on Christmas day," she smiled pulling a present sweetly wrapped with red and white striped paper and a big green bow,
Jerome's eyes widened in surprise as Y/n pressed the gift into his hands, his fingers brushing against hers in the process. "I- Uhh- you uhh- you...thank you," he stuttered, feeling a warmth spread through his chest at the thoughtful gesture. "You shouldn't have done this, Y/n," he said finally, trying to sound casual despite the excitement building inside him. "I mean, thank you of course but I - I mean you didn't have to do this, not that I uhh- I appreciate the thought and all..." His eyes met Y/n's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity.
"It's okay, but you have to promise not to open it till Christmas" she smiled
Jerome's face lit up with a mischievous grin as he held up the gift, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I promise nothing," he teased, winking at Y/n. "But I'll try to keep my curiosity in check... until Christmas morning, at least."
just then the familiar horn from her parent's car echoed from outside
"Oooh that's me" she chuckled gathering her suitcase and bag, but she blushed a little spotting the mistletoe hung above the door, and she smiled moving to her tip toes and kissing Jerome on the cheek "Merry Christmas Jerome,"
Jerome's face turned bright red as Y/n kissed him on the cheek, his heart skipping a beat at the unexpected touch. He stood frozen for a moment, unsure of how to react, "Merry Christmas Y/n," he muttered, trying to play it cool despite the flutter in his chest.
As he watched Y/n hurry out the door, he felt a pang of disappointment wash over him.
He hadn't expected things to end so quickly. But then he heard the sound of Y/n's laughter echoing from outside, followed by the rumble of her parents' car driving away. He sighed, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He slowly walked back to the living room and put the sweet present under the tree.
