My Christmas Story that was supposed to be out during Christmas, but it's ok, I'll still present it to you. :) Thanks for reading, guys. :)

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"’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

I wasn't sure how many times I've read this poem since I started working at Cubby the bear's bookstore. I've read it so many times I can seriously recite it with my eyes closed. Reading in front of little kids had always been a passion of mine. Especially when it came to Christmas stories.

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads."

I love Christmas. It's actually the only Holiday that makes people happy and bubbly all through the month of December. Christmas trees, twinkling lights, the smell of sweet cinnamon and delicious homemade eggnog, the cool scent of pine, snowmen, Santa Claus, reindeers... Wish it was Christmas all year round.

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

The kids along with their mothers that were seated all around me started to clap their hands as I slowly closed the book on my lap. My Supervisor, Joey, who was standing next to the counter, gave me a quick salute for a job well done. As soon as the room cleared out, I quickly peeled my vest off and sprang towards the door with a huge smile on my face.

"Erica, get back here!" Joey shouted from the inside but I knew he wasn't going to come after me. My shift's not over yet since I still have about an hour and a half left before I can actually clock out. By the time I get back, he'll probably forget about the whole thing.

Joey's like my big brother, you know. He lets me get away with everything I want. So disappearing for the next thirty minutes won't mean anything to him. This is not the first time I've done it so it's not really surprising at all. Besides, both our moms are best friends, so I don't really think he can fire me that easily.

"Gosh, just hurry up already." I muttered under my breath, slipping both my hands inside my sweatshirt pockets. My ass was already freezing like a Popsicle as I stood behind thirty other kids waiting in line to sit on Santa's lap. There is a coffee kiosk right on the second floor but I don't really want to miss my turn with Santa. Plus, I don't think people will hold my place in line, for obvious reasons. Someone tugged on the hem of my shirt and I knew it was someone incredibly small. I looked down and saw a little ginger haired boy with thick framed glasses standing behind me.

"Aren't you a little old to sit on Santa's lap?" He said in his most squeaky voice.

"Me? A little old?" I laughed. Of course I was too old. Who am I kidding? I'm the only teenager standing in line!

A pair of hands suddenly landed on the boy's shoulders. The red headed woman smiled warmly at me, her eyes glazed with tears of happiness. "I'm sorry, my son's been waiting for this moment and he just can't wait to talk to Santa."

Trust me, lady, I've been waiting for this day as well. I wanted to tell her but I chose to keep my mouth shut. It's better to just smile and nod, that way you don't get into complications. Mom said I had the habit of getting into arguments wherever we go, and since it's Christmas, all I need to do is smile and move on.

When it was finally my turn, the midget who was dressed up as an elf, had already closed the candy cane gate. "Hey, it's not even four yet." I complained, looking at my watch.

"Sorry to disappoint you, miss," He pointed up at the clock on the gingerbread house. "But we go by that clock. I suggest you come back tomorrow."

Slapping my forehead with my hand, I groaned. "What? Are you freakin' kidding me? I've spent the whole week lining up just so I can talk to Santa. I really need to see him, it's really important."

The elf just waved his hand and disappeared inside the gingerbread house.

Joey was cleaning the glass windows by the time I got back. He must have noticed my gloomy expression as I walked past him.

"Let me guess?" He chuckled, adjusting the frame of his glasses. "You didn't get a chance to talk to Santa, huh?"

"Nope." Joey followed me inside the shop, shutting the door quietly behind him. He turned the sign around to 'close' and pulled the shade down over the glass windows.

"Why is it so important for you to talk to Santa anyway? I mean, he's a mall Santa, for crying out loud. He's not real."

My eyes felt like they suddenly whipped out their daggers, directing them towards Joey. He cleared his throat and looked away. "Sorry."

"A boy," I whispered, my fingers playing at the knotted tassels of my red scarf. "That's all I'm asking. I wish Santa could bring me a boy that's sweet, loving and caring. A boy that will love everything about me. A boy that will accept me for who I really am and not care about any of my imperfections."

"Here, have some tea," Joey handed me a small ceramic cup that had tiny black cats painted around it. The warm liquid somehow washed away the fear that was building up inside me as soon as I swallowed the first sip. And right at that moment, I felt a little better.

"So," Joey sat next to me, a playful grin on his face. "That's your Christmas wish? A boy?"

Once again, my eyes had whipped out their daggers. He probably thinks I'm kidding that I seriously want a boy for Christmas. Sad to say, I'm not.

"Yes," I finally said, rolling my eyes. My face flushed as I prepared to explain myself further. "It's been three years, okay. I know it sounds incredibly stupid but for three years, all I asked for was a boyfriend. But apparently, Santa's not listening anymore."

"Erica," Joey chuckled, scratching his chin. "Don't you think you're taking this a little too, I don't know, overboard?"

Chewing on my bottom lip, I turned to him and nodded. "You know what, you're probably right. I'm starting to think that Santa isn't real after all."

Joey's smile faded. "No, no, that's not what I'm trying to say, Erica."

I stood up from the couch, grabbing my bag from the coffee table. "Well, you said I was taking this overboard, so maybe it is best if I don't believe in Santa anymore."

"See, that's the thing," Joey's eyes squinted as he followed me to the door. "Maybe you lack the Christmas spirit. I mean you say you believe in Santa, but deep down you really don't. Just sayin'."

"I do believe in him!" I squeaked.

"Okay, if you say so." Joey's hands shot up in the air in surrender.

My face suddenly drained out its color for I just snapped at my boss. Luckily he was a nice guy or else he could've sent my ass to Timbuktu.

"I'm—I’m sorry, I didn't mean that, I was just—oh, god, I really need to go."

I was heading towards the escalator when Joey shouted, "Take an extra day off!"

Not sure if he meant that in a good way. Either he wants me to relax or he probably doesn't want to see my face for snapping at him.

But an extra day off? Yeah, I probably needed that. Gosh, I'm only sixteen yet I'm stressing out so much just because I couldn't get myself a boyfriend. What is wrong with me?

Silent night, Holy night, all is calm; all is bright...Round yon virgin mother and child…

As the song ended, Mom handed over an envelope and waved the carolers goodbye. It was Christmas Eve and I was just hauled up in my room the whole day, completely isolating myself from the rest of my family. My heart leaped as my bedroom door swung open.

"What's up with you, squirt?" It was my big brother Leland.

I threw a small pillow at him but he quickly dodged it with his hand.  "What did I tell you about knocking? There's a sign on my freakin' door!"

He rolled his eyes. "Everybody's waiting for you downstairs, princess. It's almost midnight."

"Whatever," I muttered, leaning my head against the glass window as I watched the snow flurries go down. The bells started to jingle. It was my Dad's cue to have everyone by the dinner table at midnight.

"Stop being such a scrooge, Erica." My brother whispered before he closed the door behind him.

Scrooge.

The name was like a huge slap in the face because everyone knows how I truly love Christmas. No one loves Christmas more than I do. If it was possible, I could seriously apply for a job at the North Pole at Santa's work shop, if I only knew where to get an application.

I guess for this year, everything is about to change. I'm finally throwing in the towel.

No more Christmas for me.

* * *

A year later...

"Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, thank you all for coming. Have a wonderful Holiday." As soon as the last kid stepped out of the bookshop, I slammed the door as hard as I could. "Urgh, finally."

Joey was standing by the cash register with a frown. He sighed, shaking his head. "Okay, you know what, I’ve had enough of it."

"What do you mean?"

He took his glasses off and massaged the bridge of his nose. "You. Ever since December rolled by you've become a—”

"A grinch?" I finished for him. "Or you can also call me a Scrooge. That's what my whole family calls me anyway."

Joey placed his thick black rimmed glasses back to his eyes. "You've been one of my best employees here at this book store, Erica. But if you keep up with this attitude of yours, I may have to let you go."

Woah. Talk about a reality check.

I felt like someone just poked my bubble, my life flashing before my eyes. If my parents found out about this, I'll be a goner. Like, I would be completely grounded for life. No more going out friday nights, no more eating in my bedroom, no more sleepovers, my PS3 and phone would be locked up for sure, so basically, it's sayonara good life for me.

I sighed, plopping down on the couch. "I'm really sorry, Joey. Wish I could do something about myself, you know. I just can't help it—I totally hate Christmas!"

He snorted. "Well, you can't hate Christmas forever."

Crossing my arms against my chest, I leaned my head back on the wall and closed my eyes. Joey was about to give me a pep talk about Christmas, just like what my dad did this morning when he wanted me to help him untangle the icicle lights from the storage bins.

"Why don't you give him another Chance?"

My eyes flew open. "Wait, what? Who are you talking about?"

"Santa."

I rolled my eyes and got up. "I don't know him, sorry."

"Give him a chance, Erica. Give Christmas a chance."