Jessie with an i | Billy Andrews

Chapter sixteen

Christmas Eve day came quick and the day was full of cooking for me and my mother. Since we moved away from where our family was, we only where cooking for our family. At first. When my mother was taking to Mrs.Andrews when she invited them over for Christmas Eve dinner. I would have my best friend over but also the boy I was stupidly in love with. So me and my mother made sure to make Christmas eve dinner for nine. I was very excited though. All of my Christmas presents where done and wrapped. And of course under the tree. So the day consisted of me and my mother cooking a ham, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, homemade rolls and I made a chocolate cake for desert. I loved working in the kitchen. It was always a hobby of mine, next to sewing. The last step of the meal was to stack and frost the cake. I made it look pretty and neat, putting some holly and powdered sugar on the top of the cake. I step aside and inspect it.
"Looks good enough to eat" Samual said from the doorway. He had been outside shoveling after last nights snow.
" Gee thanks" I chuckled looking over at him.
"You are a mess" he said looking me up and down.
"Trust me I know" my hair was pulled back but a little messy. My apron was covered in flour and seasonings and chocolate. I was a messy cook. And I knew there would be stuff on my face and hands.
"Did you make it special for Billy?" He asked walking to the frosting bowl. He runs his finger on the inside of the bowl to get some of the chocolate frosting on the side.
"Yup" I giggle. "I put a love potion in it. Just for him"
"What happens if anyone else eats it?" He asked.
"It only works on blonde boys" I giggle again. "And he's the only one coming so it's perfect"
"But how will he fall in love with you?" Samual asked playing along.
"Well since I made the potion and made it for Billy, he will fall head over heals for me. Since I'm the one who created the potion"
"I see. Your plan is fool proof" he chuckled eating more of the frosting.
"Oh I know" I smirk and walk to the sink. Turning on the water to wash my hands.
"Good luck with that"
"Thanks I'll need it. For all I know it will make Billy more in love with Josie..."
"Let's hope not" he walks to me. "I don't want to see your heart broken for the first time" he kisses my temple and wraps an arm around me.
"Me either..." I sigh.
"If he does break your heart-"
"I know I know tell you so you can beat him" I say.
"Nope. Tell me so I can help you beat him" he chuckled.
"I will" I smile.
He hugs me. "Get washed up. Mom will probably want us to clean the house a bit"
"I'll probably just wash this apron and put on another one. I won't get really dressed until later today" I say.
"Alright"
I leave the kitchen and head to our Landry room that had a large sink with a washboard. I rolled up my dress sleeves and put on a freshly washed apron. Submerging the apron in hot water with soap, I begin to wash the apron. Using the washboard to scrub it clean. I hum gently as I do. To make the work go faster. It wasn't long before the apron was clean. I hang it up above the sink to let it dry. Once I wipe off my hands I head out of the laundry room. I knew I had to clean up the kitchen so I started on that first.

Throughout the day Samual and I clean the house and set the table for both families. Setting the table was the last task of the day and as the day went on I got more and more excited. We used our finest China for the dishes and mother had me shine our silverware. Everything looked as elegant as if we were royal.
"You're happy" Samual smiled at me.
"What gave it away?" I ask a bit sarcastically.
"The smiling, the giggling once and a while, the humming." He said smiling at me.
"Do you blame me Sam?" I ask looking up from where I was setting a place at the table. "It's my favorite time of year, my best friend and..." I look around the room not seeing mother nearby. "And the man I'm in love with is coming for dinner" I say in a hushed tone.
"When are you gonna tell Mom?" He asked.
"When I'm ready to" I say going back to the place, putting the silverware on each side of the plate.
"When will that be?" He asked as he continued.
"No idea. When I feel like it. I don't want mother to be fussing over it too soon when he might not even be in love with me"
"That's true."
"What about you?" I ask. "Is there a girl you fancy?"
"Nope..." he grumbled.
"No?" I ask. "There are plenty of girls at school"
"Not really. Most of the boys have claimed them."
"Claimed?!"
"Yeah! Claimed" he said "It's so dumb"
"Who does...Billy have 'claimed'"
"Don't ask me" he said. "He hasn't said. But I'm sure everyone thinks it's Josie..." he sighs.
"I'm sure it is"
"Jessie you know-"
"What are you two talking about?" Mother asked.
We both turn around quickly.
"Just school stuff" Samual said.
I nod in agreement. He wasn't lying.
"Alright" mother said believing him. She goes into the kitchen and Sam looks at me with a sly smile. We both finish the table. I fix up the centerpiece to make sure it's neat. The food would go around it.
"It looks perfect" Sam puts an arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder. I smile as he rubs my shoulder. The clock chimes on the wall. Half past five. Everyone would be here at half past six.
"I should go get ready" I pull away from Sam and we both walk upstairs. I go into my room and close my door. Rushing to my wardrobe to look for a perfect dress for the night. I found an emerald green dress with a white front and green ribbon laced up to the base of my neck. I put it on after I put on fresh undergarments. I take out my black lace up boots that have a heal and put those on over my white stockings. Once I was dressed I sit down at my vanity and take out my hair. I brush it once it was down and I decide to keep it down. I haven't had my hair just down in a while. Maybe today is a good day to keep my hair down. When my hair was done I was completely ready for dinner.