The Duo That Saved Christmas

Full disclosure

The next morning the boys got up and got ready quickly. They went into town and got some pastries and drinks from Café Christmas for themselves and the others for when they were working on the presentation and they headed into Misfit Town.
They walked straight through town and headed toward the old school. When they got there they went to the auditorium.
"Therefore I believe Christmas should be cancelled this year," Eben said as he stood on the stage in his usual attire along with a beat up Christmas hat.
"Boooooo," shouted Heather.
"Come on Eb be serious we need to pass," Greta shouted.
"You know he might be on to something," Nick said jokingly.
"Yeah sure Princy," Greta said laughing at his remark.
Heather gasped, "You brought pastries and drinks?"
"Yep and I made sure they made yours extra hot," Benny said.
"Aw you know me so well," Heather responded slightly blushing.
"Alright people let's get to work I don't feel like failing and having to take this course again," Greta said stealing a pastry and eating it.
"Yeah I'm so over this class," Eben agreed.
The group got to work. Going over the groups presentation and making sure the material and things they talked about were prefect. Thank goodness the boys helped. If they didn't let's just say things wouldn't be working in favor of the three misfits.

By the time they were done it was around 5 and they had spent the last hour or so messing around, telling jokes, and telling many stories about the pranks the misfits pulled on teachers and other people growing up.
"Hey remember when Eben froze your dads coffee maker? I swear if looks could kill Eben would have been dead in an instant," Greta said to Heather.
"Oh yeah I forgot about that. Yeah he still hates me for that," Eben said laughing.
"Can you blame him? He's nothing without his coffee," Heather said. They all laughed.

They continued to tell the boys random stories when Nick finally spoke up.
"Can I ask you guys something?"
"Depends, what is it?" Responded Eben.
"Why do you guys hate Christmas so much? Is there a real reason behind it?" He asked.
"Christmas has become a over commercialized image of perfection. 'Buy this perfect gift for your kid', 'Buy this perfect diamond necklace for your wife', 'get this thing it's perfect for your boss' why does it all need to be so perfect? Why can't it just be about being with family and friends? Why can't it just be about being happy? It's all just become too much," responded Greta.
"Not to mention the weather is horrible. I HATE the cold," Heather said.
"And the colors are so bright and why all the glitter? It gets everywhere," Eben said.
Benny could see right through their small reasons.
"There's more though isn't there? Something happened to all of you to really make you hate Christmas," Benny said.
The three looked at each other. They didn't know what to do. No ones ever asked them about something so personal before.
"Yeah somethings did happen," started Heather.
"Growing up I didn't have the perfect parents to show me what love was. My mom died in child birth and my father was a workaholic. He loved me but he was so married to his work that he rarely had time to really take care of me. Then when I was a young teen I fell in love. A villager named Spencer. He was handsome and sweet to me. He had blonde hair and green eyes. We had been dating for almost a year when I found him kissing another girl under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve. One of August's friends. I was completely heartbroken. When I confronted him about it he said it was because I was a misfit. He told me no one would ever love me because I was the daughter of the Heat Miser. I've always hated the holiday but ever since then I've wanted absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. I mean how could he do that to me especially during Christmas," Heather finished.
Benny felt horrible for her. He didn't know she went through that. He noticed the tear rolling down her cheek. He pulled out a tissue from his bag and passed it to her.
"Thanks Ben," she said.
"Of course," he replied.

"What about you Eben? Why do you hate Christmas so much," Nick asked.
He looked at the floor. He didn't know where to begin.
"I supposed I should come out and say something before I begin the story," he said.
"You don't need to say anything if you don't feel comfortable Eb," Greta said.
"No it's ok. I think it's time I get this off of my chest," he took a deep breath.
"I'm bisexual," he said.
Greta put a hand on Eben's shoulder. "I'm proud of you Eb," she said sincerely.
"Yeah we all support you," Nick said.
"Well not everyone does. You see growing up my parents loved Christmas. I mean yeah my dad had his doubts but he came around eventually. I decided one year during the holiday season I was gonna come out to them since I felt ready to do so. They were so happy for me and they were happy that I was embracing my true self. Since they were so happy and accepting, I decided to come out to some of my other family members. But they weren't accepting of me. They didn't like that I liked guys. They thought only liking girls was acceptable. But my parents loved me no matter what. Christmas Eve we always had the tradition of opening one gift and that year this was that gift," he gestured to his chain necklace he always wore. "I had been eyeing it for a while and they got it for me. To help cheer me up after the incident with my other family."
"That all sounds really wonderful," Benny said.
"Yeah until I woke up the next morning on Christmas Day and they didn't," he said quietly looking down.
Nick and Benny looked at each other in shock.
"I'm so sorry Eben," Benny said.
"What happened to them?" Nick asked.
"The doctors couldn't figure out what happened to them. They were healthy and still fairly young. They just didn't wake up. So ever since then I've hated this holiday. I couldn't wear this for the longest time cause it just reminded me of that night. That's why everyone thinks I stole it. I haven't really worn this until recently. No one else really knew at the time about my sexuality the only people I've told is the girls. The few others that i had told weren't accepting. I'm scared that everyone will be that way. It's hard enough being a misfit as it is but if people in the village heard about this I don't know what I'd do. It just sucks being so scared to be yourself. It sucks having feelings for someone and not being able to do anything about it."
"Who do you like?" Nick asked.
"Do you swear not to tell anyone?" Eben asked.
"Yeah we swear," Nick answered.
"Brody..."
"NO WAY," Nick said.
"Quiet down Princy the village will hear you," Greta said.
"Well I can promise you Eben whenever you decide to come out to everyone. You will have all of us there to support you," Benny said.
"Yeah man we got your back," Nick said.
Eben smiled, "Thank you guys. That means the world to me."

"What about you Ms. Grinch? What's your story?" Nick asked.
Greta was hesitant. The only people who knew the truth were Eben and Heather.
"You don't have to G," Heather said.
"Yeah you don't need to," Eben agreed.
"It's ok. You guys went now it's my turn. I just don't know where to begin," Greta said.
"Try the beginning," Nick said.
Greta took a deep breath.
"Martha May is my mother," Greta said.
"Wait what?! We were always told your dad cheated and had you. That's why she got back together with Augustus," Benny said.
"Yeah that's not true. My dad loved Martha May. He was so excited to have a baby with her. But she was selfish and wanted a better life. They didn't have much money back then. So right after she had me she started having an affair with Augustus. My dad caught them in the act on Christmas Day. Then nine months later August came along. That's why we're always at each others throats. She knows the truth. Her and my mother would lose it if anyone found out the truth. Ever since I was old enough to know the truth, Christmas was just ruined for me. How could she do such a thing? Dad loved her so much and she left him for the money. It makes me sick. I never had a mother figure growing up because she was too busy with her new family," she started to tear up. Something she doesn't do often but when she does it's for a good reason.
"Sorry I need a minute," Greta said. She got up and she walked out of the auditorium.
She stopped in the hall, sat against the wall, and took a deep breath trying to suppress the tears that so desperately wanted to escape.
"Hey," a voice said. She looked up and saw that the voice belonged to Nick.
"Hey sorry I just needed a minute," she got up and started walking toward the auditorium doors. Nick grabbed her wrist.
"Greta you don't need to be strong in front of me," he said softly.
She shook her head as the tears started pouring out.
Nick brought Greta into a hug and rubbed her back. Greta hugged back.

Finally the tears stopped and she pulled away.
"Thanks Nick. I needed that."
"Of course."
"You probably think I'm weak or something huh," she said looking down.
"I don't think you're weak at all," he said.
He gently lifted her chin up so she was looking in his eyes. They slowly started to lean in until their lips touched. They both instantly felt sparks. Their lips molded perfectly together. This moment was something they both had been waiting for and it couldn't have been more perfect.
After a few moments they finally pulled away.
"Wow," Greta said.
"Yeah wow," Nick said.
"Hey what's going on?" Heather said from behind Greta.
The two jumped. "Uh nothing we were just about to come back in," Greta said.
"Yeah we're coming," Nick agreed.
"Ok..." Heather said as she walked back into the room.
"We will talk about this later," Nick said. He kissed Greta's cheek and went back into the room.
Greta smiled and followed close behind.

After a few more minutes of hanging out the boys decided to head home. The boys said farewell and headed on their way. But the longing stares between Nick and Greta did not go unnoticed.

"What's going on with you two? I know something is going on," Heather said.
"When we were in the hall we kissed," Greta confessed.
"No way," Eben said. "You're falling for the Prince of Christmas."
"Yeah I am. I just hope that this doesn't get messed up just like everything else in my life has."
"If it's meant to be it will work out," Heather said.
"You're right. We better head home it's getting late," Greta said.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Eben said.
The three said their goodbyes and headed to their respective homes.

As the boys walked home Benny knew something was up.
"What's up with you? You've been all smiley and weird ever since you came back from checking on Greta," Benny said.
Nick blushed a bit, "Yeah we uh we kissed."
"No way dude you finally made your move."
"Yeah I guess. Nothing is official but I think it might be soon."
"I'm happy for you Nick."
"Thanks Ben."
The boys continued their walk home. They got to Benny's house first and they said their goodbyes as Benny went inside. Then Nick started the 5 minute walk to his house.
Right as he was walking up his driveway he received a text from Benny.
They know.
What? They know? Nick had no idea what he was talking about. As he was walking up the steps to his front door he was going to text Benny back when suddenly the door swung open.
He looked up to find his father and mother on the other side of the door with mean looks on their faces.
"Nicholas we need to talk," Santa said.