Christmas time was a joyful time, around the globe. It was the holidays, whether it was Christmas, or Hanukkah, or whatever someone may be celebrating. It was time to be with family and be joyful and thankful for everything you have. It was also a time of religion for most people, but that wasn't really Jess's main focus during Christmas time. It wasn't anything but the good times. Jess loved everything about this time of year, except for one thing.
"So, looks like we've made it to another Christmas!" Jack smiled as everyone gathered in Rian's basement. Jess, Jack, Rian, Zack, Alex, Phil, and a couple of new people like Matt, Vinny, and Danny. It was an All Time Low Christmas. The whole band and crew was here. With an acceptation of Jess, who had been here every year too.
"Everyone except for Nick. But now we have Alex, Matt, Danny, and Vinny!" Rian yelled. Which resulted in a lot of woo's! and clapping. "So, it's time for our annual secret Santa. And, yes Jess. You have to do it. It's a tradition."
"If I get Jack's name again this year, I'm never playing again, I'm just warning everyone." She said.
"Oh, come on! What's so bad about having my name!" He pouted.
"I hate shopping for you, that's what." She rolled her eyes but gave him a playful smile.
"Well, I hate shopping for you more." He retorted.
"Because I'm a girl and you're sexist?" She raised her eyebrows at him.
"That's exactly it." He snorted. Rian went around one by one and gave everyone a name. "So, rules are the basic ones, no one can tell who they got to anyone- Which gets broken every year, might I add!- no more than thirty dollars spent, and lastly, the gift is to be given when we all meet up Christmas Eve."
"Sounds good to me." Alex nodded as he looked at his name.
"Oh, and by the way Alex, we put a Christmas tree up down here every year. Christmas is a very serious time to us. So, you have to help us build it. It's for all of us to put gifts under so we can open them Christmas night after every family festivity is over and we're drinking some really nice whiskey and hot cocoa!" Jack clapped his hands together and grinned.
"Well, let's get to it." He stood up and they began putting the tree up. They all listened to Christmas music and decorated the tree. It was a good time, and all of them were like brother and sister now. Except for Jess and Alex. It was all weird but they were just the happiest of buddies.
"So, who did you get?" Alex asked as he was driving her home that evening.
"Not allowed to tell." She gently punched his arm.
"Oh, come on." He gave her a pleading look.
"I just got Jack again. I seem to get him every year." She lied. In reality, her gift was being bought for Alex.
"I got Matt." He sighed. "I'm thinking something Mickey Mouse." And they both laughed.
"I guess I'll see you on Christmas Eve." She leaned over and kissed him.
"See you then."
Christmas with the Vaughn's wasn't anything exciting. Her father wasn't able to be home for Christmas this year either, but for some reason Thanksgiving was a priority. It was cool having Vic and Viv home, but seemingly they both had girlfriends and were too preoccupied to really hang out with Jess like they normally did. She was beginning to think this years Christmas wasn't going to be that good. She began to reflect back on the one the year before.
It was the same circumstances. The secret Santa. Except it was just the six of them. Jess, Nick, Jack, Zack, Rian, and Phil. Jess got Jack and Nick got Jess. Of course she shared Christmas Day with Nick and his family. Maybe this was the way Vic and Viv felt when Jess had Nick. Sad that their oh-so-close sibling wasn't home when they actually had a break from college. And during the holidays which was for family anyways. It was just another reason why Nick was such a terrible boyfriend. He always made Jess come to his get togethers. She should've realized he wasn't any good. He got her two gifts that Christmas, an actual twenty-four karat diamond necklace and for the secret Santa, a pair of drumsticks that weren't even her kind. Nor did he know she didn't like wearing necklaces. But she wore it for him anyways, everyday. But after he did what he did she took it off. She still had it, though. It was tangled up with the rest of her jewelry. Now she had an idea.
