~A/N: To be utterly and certainly clear, this chapter does not correspond with the book, in fact, it is more like an AU rather than an actual chapter in the story. Meaning that in this chapter, Johnny and Ashley are not a couple and you see a Gary x Ashley kind of ordeal. Please do not be confused. I wrote this literally a year ago and decided to revamp it and share with all of you as a Christmas present for ya'll. And to make this also clear, just because I posted this does not mean I am going to post again, at least until I have my shit together and some more chapters finished so that I at least have some stuff to give to you. I am still on my little personal break. Thank you and Happy Holidays!!! Stay safe, have fun, and take care!!!!!!!!~

It was that time of the year again. Where Ashley spent it alone, her father too busy with work, as usual, to be with her. He would substitute himself with gifts as if it was an adequate replacement. As for Matthew, it was his first year spending Christmas away from his dear niece. He had called Christmas Eve and Christmas morning to wish her a happy holiday, with promises of a sea of gifts. At least she had Charlie and some of the help stayed behind, so the little company she had made the house warm and lively.

This year, however, was different. This time she had friends to ease the pain of celebrating the holidays by herself.

Charlie and Ashley were invited to join the Harringtons for their Christmas party. The entire thing was a complete and utter bore. Many of the older folk discussed politics, their expensive gifts, and their money. The men at the party were nowhere near Ashley's age range attempted to speak with her, they obviously tried to get more out of the conversation. Thankfully their wives were not only close by, but territorial and jealous so they were cut off before she had to get physical. Surprisingly, Ashley hadn't seen any of the preps around, they were probably too busy at the bar or out in the night for some naughty activities that involved tormenting the poor.

'Where is Charlie?' Ashley thought hotly. They agreed to stick together for the whole event, neither of them wanted to be there in the first place, but Blake Harrington really does not take no for an answer. Unfortunately, half an hour into the party, Charlie had to use the john and she hadn't seen him since.

Once the clock struck midnight, Ashley decided she had enough of the insufferable night and left her secluded corner to look for Charlie. She found him at the bar surrounded by women and by the looks of it, he was forced to sit with them.

She slowly took her time to reach him, the look of misery and discomfort oozed out of every pore on his body brought great joy and entertainment for the sadistic raven-haired girl. He was so relieved when he spotted her, he didn't hesitate to snake his arm around her waist. "I'm sorry ladies, but my date and I must be on our way. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," he bid his goodbyes a little too hastily.

A pretty small blonde stood up, a pout on her overly plump red lips reminded the both of them of a character from Bratz. "Oh Charles, are you coming to the New Year's party? You just have to come! It won't be the same if you're not there." The courses of agreement were almost deafening.

Charlie glanced at Ashley, a silent beg for her to be the one to reject their offer when they clearly had any intentions of her coming along. 'He is going to owe me.' She rolled her eyes, Tell these women no, I want to leave now.

"Sorry ladies, that party depends on the Missus here. We really have to get going. It's late and we're tired," Charlie apologized with a charming smile. Ashley wanted to slap it off his face.

They all frowned and started to protest. "Aw Charles, it just won't be the same without you. If she can't be there, then that's on her. Surely, you don't need to listen to little girl all the time. You are your own man, right?"

I tried. You fend them off.

"Ladies, ladies, we'll try to make it." His charm never faded.

The captain of the little group cheered, "That's great! Can't wait to see you there! I look forward to seeing you again," she smiled seductively.

Charlie didn't waste another minute longer. He pulled her away quickly, speed walking to the door. Should we excuse ourselves to the Harringtons?

No. Mr. Harrington is busy talking to a woman who isn't his wife. And Mrs. Harrington is flocked around men who could be her son's friends. They wouldn't mind us leaving without saying goodbye.

Charlie opened the door to the car after the valet came. "I am just so glad to be away from those women."

It's your fault. I told you not to leave my side.

"I went to the bathroom!" he exclaimed.

I also told you to go before we left.

He rolled his eyes. Leave it up to his Liebling to be right about everything. "Yes, mother knows best."

Don't you sass your mother boy.

Charlie chuckled, the driveway came into view then the large mansion. All the help flew home for the holidays except Nana, the head maid. "You think Nana made some of her delicious banana nut bread?" he asked hopefully as they entered.

"I don't know, why don't you ask Nana yourself?" The two swerved their heads to Nana, who had just come from the kitchen, her banana nut bread in hand.

They gasped, the smell of the bread so exhilarating. They floated towards Nana. "Now I know you ain't just saying hi for my bread. Y'all best be giving me some sugar," she demanded. Nana was a woman in her mid-60s, with salt and pepper hair. She was originally from New Orleans, an eccentric, sunny, wise woman who was incredibly sweet and motherly not to mention tough as nails and skin thicker than leather.

"Nana, you know we love you," Charlie gushed. He reached for a slice of bread, but Nana smacked his hand hard.

"I don't tolerate liars."

Nana began a bickering match with Charlie. While the two were occupied with each other, the doorbell rang. Ashley silently snickered, that was what he gets for leaving her alone at the party, while simultaneously thankful something got her out of the room, not wanting to face the elderly woman.

To her surprise, it was Petey, along with Jimmy and-

"Merry Christmas Sunshine!" Gary smirked.

Merry Christmas guys.

She opened the door wider to let the guys in. What are you guys doing here?

Petey answered, walking in with a big box wrapped in newspaper. "Well, my parents went to Florida to visit my grandparents and won't be back until after break so they decided to leave me here."

"My mom is still on her cruise so I'm here till whenever," Jimmy said, he glanced around the place impressed. Ashley stared at Gary.

"I wanted to see my sunshine for Christmas. Now I can rest easy," was his response.

My room or the kitchen?

There was sudden clamor emanated from the kitchen. The four friends ran to the kitchen, where they witnessed Nana strike Charlie on the head with her wooden spoon. He rubbed his head and Nana crossed her arms.

"Oh, look at my girl! Are these your friends?" Nana chartered excitedly. She

Nana, this is Petey, Jimmy, and Gary. Friends from school.

"Where else would you have met them? Come here boys give Nana hugs." She hugged and kissed each of them. The entire ordeal was priceless, Ashley giggled. She wished she could have had recorded them.

All three boys stared at Ash in awe. Jimmy spoke first, "That's the first sound that has ever come out of your mouth."

Petey shook his head in agreement, "You've never made any kind of noise."

Charlie came up from behind her after he had successfully snatched a piece of bread. "You guys haven't heard her giggle or laugh before? She may be mute, but she makes all kinds of noise."

'Did he have to say that while holding me from behind?'

Gary quickly understood the misinterpretation and smiled smugly. "I bet."

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Ashley brought her friends down to her basement, most of the games were down there. Nana made the teens a warm batch of cookies and hot chocolate then offered to make them a meal, especially for Petey. That boy was just too scrawny for her taste. Charlie went to bed, tired to stay up any longer. The women had taken a toll on him and he wanted to ignore the many texts and calls from them.

She shook her head from the memory and sat down on a beanbag. Jimmy and Gary played a game of pool, and Petey skimmed through the jukebox for a Christmas song to set the mood.

"Wow, you have a pretty nice pad here. It's like your very own house." Petey complimented, his attention still on the music.

I love basements.

The song 7/11 by Beyonce began to sound throughout the many speakers scattered around the room. Gary, Jimmy, and Ash gazed at Petey with questionable looks on their faces.

"It..it..it was an a-accident. I was trying to pick a d-different song. Promise," he stuttered.

"Don't need to lie, Petey," Gary teased, "Just surprised. Never pinned you as a Bey Hive fan, always thought you were more of a Belieber kind of fan." Gary scrutinized Petey the way he always does.

"Shut it, Gary."

Ashley decided to make matters slightly better and walked over to the smooth, waxy, wooden floor, with the mirror walls and danced. The song was over, Jimmy and Petey applauded while Gary merely stared, his face void of emotion. "I never knew you can dance," Petey awed.

There's a lot you don't know about me. Ashley responded with a wink.

Oh, I almost forgot. She snapped her finger and rushed to the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. Okay, guys come here. They all sat on the couches.

Ashley hand each of them their presents that she had carefully wrapped and ribboned weeks prior.

For Petey, she bought a sketchbook kit, complete with all sorts of pencils, color pencils, and other utensils.

"Oh my god Ash how thoughtful. Thank you so much," Petey cooed. A few weeks ago, the two went into town, aimlessly strolled around Old Bullworth Vale. They passed by a shop and Petey stopped to stare at the kit through the window. It wasn't hard to tell what the small boy wanted for Christmas.

Jimmy unwrapped his present enthusiastically. He stood up in disbelief. "A 46-inch flat screen tv! Geez, Ash." He hugged her tightly. Jimmy returned his attention back to his new TV. The ginger had been meaning to get a tv or something to entertain him when he wasn't out and about doing favors for everybody. It was about time he got something back in return for his good deeds. Gary spoke up. "We don't even have cable in the dorms."

Jimmy didn't spare him a glance. "Don't worry about that. I have my ways."

As for Gary, Ashley went behind the tree to retrieve the hidden gift. It was wrapped in teal matte paper, the same color that matched his everyday school vest. The ribbon was silk gold, the same shade as the school's emblem. She thrust her arms out, eager for him to unwrap his gift, Gary cautiously ripped the paper. Once he opened the box, his face fell into an expression of astonishment. He pulled out a golden crown.

"Is it real gold?" Gary asked thickly. For some reason, her present infuriated him. Was she mocking him? Because if she was, he'd have no problem in throwing the crown at her face.

No, it's spray painted. Like hell would she have had gotten him a real golden crown. Her father would be on her ass for spending that kind of money.

Gary ultimately shoved the crown to her before he stormed out of the basement. Petey was going to go follow him.

Let me, you guys enjoy your gifts.

Ashley went after him. She found Gary lean against the railing at the top of the stairs. He sneered at her and moved to walk out the door. "I don't need Little-Miss-Richie buying me gifts. You and your crown can go-" Ashley roughly turned him to face her. The two glare at each other for a few minutes, neither of them ready to back down. What was his problem? She only meant the present to be sort of congratulations after he took over the school like he always planned. She looks down at the crown, so does he. In the inside of the crown, she scraped off some of the paint, to prove that it was indeed not gold, but golden paint. His face fell into an embarrassment look for a second before he swiftly changed it to a more Gary expression. "Tch."

"You do listen," Gary murmured quietly that Ashley almost missed it. She peered at him confused.

Gary chuckled lightly. "Put away those wide eyes. You look so tempting when you act all innocent."

Ashley scoffed, then tensed a little. Wait, did he say tempting?

"Hey, I never gave you your gift. Close your eyes."

She reluctantly did as she was told. There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes that she did not trust whatsoever. Seconds passed as she waited, but nothing happened.

"Open them," Gary demanded

When she did, Gary held a mistletoe above them. "You're smart, figure out what we're supposed to do now," he smirked.

'Just because it's that time of the year, and I'm feeling very merry.'

They leaned in. Before their lips were able to touch, sealing their Christmas kiss, the door rattled. Ashley was about to pull away when Gary snaked his hand at the back of her head and roughly pulled her in. She half expected the kiss to be harsh and rushed, not at all how a mistletoe kiss should be. Although, he surprised her. His lips were perfectly moist and soft. The way he held her, gentle as a china doll, made her melt in his embrace and she wouldn't have minded staying a little longer, but she didn't want to risk getting caught and then have Gary bring up the topic whenever he got the chance. She shoved Gary hard enough he slipped down a few steps.

"Ashley baby, the food is ready," Nana smiled. Oh holy hell.

We'll be right up.

"Alright, and Gary?"

"Yes, ma'am?" Gary politely answered, not at all bothered by the altercation.

"Nice lipstick stains you got there."

Ashley hid her face in her hands, embarrassed while Gary seemed to be as smug as ever. Nana left, the sound of her cackling disturbed the silence.

Gary leaned in for one more quick kiss. "Merry Christmas to me," he whispered huskily.