What Life Holds

Chapter 25

Jess's pov

I walked out of school along with my friends, a permanent smile plastered on my face. I got inside Jase's car and sighed in relief. "You look happy." Joy said as Jase stared the engine. "Winter break is starting." I said brightly earning a chuckle from both of them. 

"Are you excited for Christmas." Jase asked and I nodded eagerly. "When are we going to buy a tree." I asked. "'We don't buy a tree, we buy at least three." Jase answered. "The more the merrier." I chirped happily. I love decorating the house for Christmas, mom and I used have a certain way of doing things during this time of the year. 

Mom, it's my first Christmas without her. "She'll be with us." Joy reassured. "Did I say that aloud or can you read minds." I asked, creeped out. "I know the reason why your smile flattered." She replied. The atmosphere was completely different from what it was a few minutes ago. "Cheer up, you're about to experience a Giordano's Christmas." Jase lightened up my mood. 

"So tell me what a Giordano's Christmas is like." I asked leaning forward. "It is so much of fun. We go tree hunting." Joy started her face shinning with excitement. "Decorate the entire mansion, have a small campout, Jem and Jule clear their schedule a bit to spend time as a family." Jase continued for her. "Oh and then there is the New Year's Eve Party. It's absolutely delightful." Joy added.  

"What was Christmas like with mom." Jase asked, even if it was casual it did tense the air. "Well it was definitely not like this." I said looking back. "It was just the two of us. Nothing fancy, mom loved to decorate the house, it will be sparking in lights and the garlands." I said using my hands to express the memory I will always treasure. "We used to go to a shelter after church in Christmas morning and I used have so much of fun with the kids." I said leaning forward so I could see both of them. 

"We visit a children's shelter too, it's one run by the business." Joy said and I smiled. "Oh, Jazz and I something to tell you when we reach home, I'm so excited." She squeaked like a five year old. "You sound like a child." Jase snorted. "Shut up Jason." Joy whispered, her expression changing completely.

We reached home shortly, and I was surprised to see everyone rounded up in the living room. "Jule school got over." I exclaimed like a child and threw my arms around him while the others chuckled. "Why do you not like school." Sal asked amused. "Because its school." I replied, still holding Jule tightly.

"Okay you three, freshen up we have something to do." Jazz said. "But I feel lazy." I whined, I don't know why I'm acting so weird lately, probably the weather. "Jess" Jem warned in his stern voice. "Fine fine." I said lifting my hands in surrender as I dragged myself up the stairs followed by Jase and Joy.

Pulling my comfy sweats, I tied my hair in a messy bun and went downstairs. I took a seat beside Jule and got cozy. "What is this family meeting for." I asked in a diplomatic voice earning a few chuckles.

"Well since it's Christmas holidays and Jess is new to this, we are going to tell Jess what we do in this time of year." Jem said. "Jase and Joy already explained." I said looking at everyone in the room. "We have got this covered Jem." Joy said waving her hand. "Okay then we are dismissed. Jess, Joy let's go." Jazz said hurriedly.

"What about us." Sal asked. "It's girl time." Joy answered getting up. "So" Sal asked back in a confused face. "Do you know first rule of girl time." She asked her hands on her hip and Sal shook his no. "Kick the boys out." I said in sweet voice and got up. "Ya so stay out." Jazz said as she pulled joy and I out of the room.

"Let's go to my room." Jazz said as we reached the first floor. "Okay what did you what to tell me." I asked as Joy closed the door. "Okay so you know that Rose and Jem dated for a long time right." Joy asked as she sat on the bed beside me. "Yea, they like perfect for each other." I said, I really don't understand my brother.

"I know, look I know about both Rose and Jem, and they still love each other." Jazz said. "So usually for the New Year's ball, Jem and go together, but after they broke up, they don't." Joy continued. "Isn't that obvious." I said, not understanding the point of this 'girl time'. "We are planning to kind of convince Jem to ask her to go with him." Jazz said with a sly smirk and a similar one formed on my face.

"I get it." I nodded my head formulating a plan. "You are the only one who can convince Jem, so will you do it." Joy asked and I nodded eagerly, this is gonna be fun. "Okay go." Jazz rushed me out. "Good luck." They said together and we parted ways once we reach downstairs.

Jem was the only one in the hall, scrolling to his phone. "Hey Jem, I'm surprised to see you here." I said walking towards him. "I took a break from work. Come sit." He said patting the seat next to him, and I did as told.

"So who's life been." He asked. "Jem for the last time, you are really bad at small talks, get to the point." I said with a smile. "Okay, I don't know what to say." He said with a small smile. "Okay so who are you with to the New Year's Eve party." I asked getting to the point. "So this was your 'girl talk'." He said using air quotes. "Nope." I said.

"To answer your question, I'm not going with anyone." He answered. "Jem the host doesn't go alone." I said disappointed. "Who said that." He asked. "Everyone knows that James." I said. "I'm not looking for any relationships." He said.

"I kind of like Rose." I said slowly. "You do." He asked with a smile and I nodded with a smile. "Why did you break up with her." I asked bluntly and scooted more closer to him. "Jess you're too young to understand." He said. "Fascinating, she said the same thing when I asked her." I said tapping my foot. "So she told you about me. When?" He asked sitting up straight. "During therapy." I answered shortly.

"So you were taking about me during therapy." He asked lifting his eyebrow.

"No, I made a deal with her that I will only open up if she did. Although she got so much out of me than I intended to give away," I said slowly thinking back. "That's Rose. So what did she tell about me." He asked with a smile. I have never seen him smile so much, if he smiles just talking about her, then he will always be happy if she's with him.

"Well from what she said, you acted like an idiot to her." I said loving this time with my brother and he hummed in response. "Just ask her out Jem." I said. "What if she says no." He asked. "Out of everyone, I can't believe you are saying this." I said standing up. "What is life without taking risks." I said throwing my hands in air.

"I'll think about it." He said and I was satisfied for now. "Your going to the Christmas shop with Joy, Jase, Sal and Enzo today, go decide a theme." He said and stood up. "Can I have a hug." I asked opening my hands wide. He laughed lightly and wrapped his strong around me. "Just tell her, okay." I whispered as I pulled away, he nodded and made his way up the stairs.

"I can't understand your nods James." I called out after him. "Shut up." He causally replied and continued on his way. I'm may sound like one of those fake Barbie dolls in school, but, I really hope they end up together.

A/N: Hey guys, so this is a small chapter nothing exciting. There is like a week left for Christmas and I'm jumping up and down, I know that I'm 13 but, hey, everyone's a child during Christmas right. 

I have uploaded character aesthetics, do check them out and tell me if you like them. 

Question: Are you the Eldest in your family? 

I am, and being the eldest is not easy. It is a role which comes with a hell lot of responsibilities and no privileges!!!!