~L I L Y~

THE NEXT DAY THE WHOLE GROUP IS BUNDLED UP IN THE MALL. Jack thought it would be amazing for us all to go shopping for our Christmas outfits and though it was a great idea, Jack kept getting all worried everytime I ran to check out cute heels or sandals. The way he worries for me warms my whole being in this cold weather.

"Damnit, Lily, stop running like that, you're worrying me!" Jack growls out, grasping my hand as we continue to window shop. I giggle when he wraps his arm around my shoulder. "Now you can stop running away from me and we can shop like normal couples do!"

Couples. . . I love that word.

And we still hadn't told anyone. Of course we didn't, it's been only a few hours since we started actually dating, why would we break the news already?

Jack drags me into a little store that has many cute girl items but for kids. Maybe I should get Rose something. We go through every little item but everything seems to be either too risky that it will hurt Rose or too mature that it will have her growing up too soon.

We leave the store and make our way around again. I only got myself a dress that I am so excited to wear for Jack. He never saw it yet and the only time he will, is on Christmas.

I just need to find myself some tights and cute boots. I like boots, especially the fluffy ones that go well with literally every outfit. Yeah, you always get those.

Jack stops at a little food court. "What are we doing here?"

Jack glances down at me and grins, "are you not hungry, because I'm starving!"

I giggle and we each order ourselves two green containers of tupperware filled with spicy and steamed tteok noodles and bulgogi.

"I haven't had Korean food before," I mutter, my mouth watering at the sight. "I wonder what it would be like to visit Korea. They seem to be really extraordinary!"

Jack smiles as we take a seat on one of the many open seats. The mall closes in a few days so people aren't really going to be eating out, instead, they would be in their own kitchens, cooking for Christmas.

"I visited Korea once or twice," Jack let's out, looking shy and embarrassed. Why would he be shy and embarrassed to visit that place? It sounds amazing! ". . .over Skype."

My eyes are wide as I stare at him and just like that, we burst out in laughter together. The little people in this food store glance our way, smiling insignificant smiles before returning their gazes back to their partners.

I wipe an imaginary tear from my eye and sigh as I lean back in my seat, "oh God, you're funny! Jack, my poor ribs!"

Jack winces, "shit sorry, I didn't mean to make you laugh. I forgot about your ribs for a second!"

"No no, it's okay. I feel whole and alive again, I'm glad I laughed even though it stung only a tiny bit!" I giggle at Jack's worried expression and start eating at my deliciousness! "Stop worrying, babe."

Jack digs in as well, a huge smirk on his features, "babe, huh?"

"Stop!" I manage to get out as the spiciness of the food has my tongue craving for more. And water. I badly need water. I take a huge gulp of my water and set it back down. "So spicy!"

"You did want it spicy and steamy!" Jack shrugs.

I press my lips out into a pout, "because I don't like savory food, Jack."

"You don't like savory?"

"No, I don't."

"Damn, you're my girlfriend and I didn't know you don't like savory." Jack's eyes are wide and I smile at the girlfriend part.

"I like it when you call me your girlfriend."

Jack grins, "did you not just hear what I said, other than girlfriend?"

Girlfriend. . .

I grin at that, "girlfriend, huh?"

Jack just laughs, "you aren't listening to me. My girlfriend is not listening to me!"

"Stop saying girlfriend, I can't focus!" I let out, my face a thousands shades of red and more.

"Girlfriend!"

I growl and lean my head back. After a little time, I burst out into a series of giggles. Jack is so frustrating now that we are dating. I sigh and cover my face.

"My girlfriend is shy!"

"That's it, I'm leaving!" I close the container and decide to keep the others for later but before I can leave, Jack grabs ahold of my jersey and pulls me onto his lap. His breath fans against my neck as he whispers into it;

"You're not going anywhere, girlfriend."

He starts trailing wet kisses down my neck which allows me shiver in pleasure. He seems to be slightly weak as his hold on me loosens. Before I get too much into this, I slip off of his lap and move away from him. Out of hands reach.

He looks slightly baffled for a second before he hurriedly closes his container, grabbing it and chasing me out of the food store and around the mall where very few people take notice of us.

"Lily, come on!" Jack let's out frustratedly and I cannot stop laughing as he chases me. Behind that frustrated look, I know he has a huge grin that he is so trying to hide. He is not doing a very good job at it though.

✎✎✎

I try to catch my breathe as Mia and Zach stare at us like we are the craziest people on earth whereas Rose grins at Jack. Something is going on between them. While Jack was chasing me, I accidentally bumped into Mia and she would have fallen if it wasn't for Zach being right behind her.

Austin and Alex are yet to be found.

I hope Austin makes a move or something that will have Alex thinking otherwise of him like I thought otherwise of Jack and look where it got me. Dating him.

I cover nose and a tiny sneeze escapes. I let out a little cough before wiping my nose with the napkin that came with my food.

"So, why were you chasing Lily?" Mia asks, staring at Jack with a raised brow. Zach starts tickling Rose and they run around the mall giggling and laughing.

Jack glances at me with a smirk, "we are finally-"

Before he can say anything, I cover his mouth but Mia's eyes are wide as she grins at me. Oh no! Mia starts squealing and screaming like a maniac as she adopts me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Finally!" She groans into my ears and plops a kiss onto my cheek. A trail of her saliva runs down my cheek and she wipes it off, plopping another wet kiss on the same spot. "I have been mentally cheering you guys on and only now, you decide to make a move."

I giggle and decide to play with Jack, "well, he is kinda slow."

"I'm slow?" He scoffs, rolling his eyes before he sets into a playful pout, "at least I made a move."

Yeah, I was expecting another reaction because this one now has me guilty. I wrap my arms around Jack's torso and he immediately wraps his around my upper body.

"I was just kidding, you took your time which was good. We had to figure out our feelings anyway, remember?"

We had like two stages and I guess this dating thing is stage three. Jack nods and kisses my forehead, "I know."

"This has got to be the best Christmas shopping I have ever done. My little sister is finally in a relationship!"

"Ugh, Mia, stop!"

✎✎✎

The grocery store is packed later that evening as Jack and I stroll in. I stuff my card into my purse and grab my little hand lotion. Always carry it around. When my hands are finally moisturized, I grab onto Jack's and we start our shopping for snacks for the orphans.

After our little grocery shopping spree, a little argument on who is going to pay and having to play rock paper scissors in front of a crowd, we finally make it to the car where we pack all the groceries into the trunk. Unfortunately for me, Jack pays.

The car ride is filled with us singing our lungs out and my voice cracking everytime I try to hit a high note. Jack's voice is good, but will need a tiny bit of practice here and there.

When we get to Jack's house, Austin is there with Alex and Zeke.

Even though I really hoped it was, I called Alex to meet us there. Unfortunately, no move had been made and after Austin and I's argument in the kitchen while Alex, Zeke and Jack watched something on TV, he said he didn't like Alex the way I wanted him to and if he had to, he would have to spend more time with her.

We all, except Zeke (who is reading), are seated around the huge island in Jack's kitchen. We pack a few snacks into each of the small gift bags with a small toy.

"So, you guys are dating now?" Alex smirks towards me and I groan, covering my face and cursing Mia in my head. She should have kept her mouth shut! "It's okay, Lily, don't be shy!"

"What makes you think I'm shy, Alex?" I inqure, staring at her utterance.

She giggles softly and from the corner of my eye, I see Austin gawking at her cute giggle. Well, she does have an adorable little giggle that will have you in a bunch of awes. "That shy little groan! I know you, Lily, we have been best friends since pre-school!"

"I'm starting to regret saving you from that spider!" I deadpan, rolling my eyes.

"You're afraid of spiders?" Austin asks.

"No!"

Jack just chuckles at the commotion, "it looks like it though."

"She's aracnaphobiac."

I hear Alex groan and I glance up to see her glaring at me, "what? They have to know incase-"

"I can't believe I was ready to scare her with spiders!" Austin jokes, or I think he does. "I'm sorry, Alex, but don't move."

My eyes widen and I stand from my seat to look around for spiders or anything. Austin has his eyes glued to Alex behind or something on her behind.

"What is it?"

Austin stares at Alex's face, his eyes holding so much guilt. "There is a spider-"

"SPIDER?! Oh my God, Get it off me, please aah!" Alex jumps from her stool, running around the kitchen and into the living room. She violently starts hitting around her body, her eyes filling with tears.

"GET IT OFF OF ME, AUSTIN, OR I SWEAR TO GOD, YOU'RE DEAD!" Alex was full on sobbing as she tried to get the imaginary spider off of her.

Austin's laughter fills the room as he hurried over to Alex, trying to comfort her. Muttering that he just playing with her. Alex thrashes at his chest, crying.

After a while of laughter, Alex sits back down on her stool at the island. I try not to laugh at Austin's scared expression as he takes a seat on the stool next to Alex's. She probably had a talk with him.

"Remind me to never try to scare Alex again!" He mutters, staring deeply at Jack and I. I laugh, not containing it anymore.

Zeke strolls into the kitchen, a small smile on his face. "Aunty Lily, I smelled something good from that green container in your bag, can I have some?"

"Zeke, don't scratch in people's bags!" Alex scolds.

"No no, the bag was open. I remember leaving it open, yes Zeke, you can have it. It's Korean food!"

His eyes brighten as he thanks me a million times before running back into the living room. I look at Jack and grin, "looks like we will have to yours."

He smirks, "I don't mind sharing with my girlfriend."

"Grr, stop!"

They all start laughing at my flustered self and I can't help but laugh along with them. I can't beleive how far I've gone from living with Mia and Zach, having no job until I could apply at Jack's bookstore.

Who knew the quiet girl would be dating the bad boy? Except, Jack is no longer the bad boy, he is a good guy with manners and his sweet and amazing.

Mia and I never thought we would get this far in life, well, until Mia met Zach. I never thought I would make it this far, especially since I was still grieving over the fact that I don't have family except Mia and hers.

Linda, Jack's mom, Theodore who I haven't seen much of, Austin, Alex and Zeke, Mia and Zach, Rose and Amy. Well, even though Amy and I don't hang out, we got to know each other a little in the bookstore and she's sweet.

I have a whole family and I am proud with what I have now. I don't need my dad's company or his money. As I sit here, smiling at the people who turned my life upside down, I can't beleive how lucky I am. And, I am in love.

I love Jack and it's the best feeling I have felt since.

☃️☃️☃️

THE END!

im just kidding, do not sue me! anyways, there is like two more chapters left before i start planning Alex and Austin's chemistry! 🥺 but it won't be Christmas, it will be Valentine's!

please vote, comment and if this is so far enjoyable, share! <3