"What are you doing here?"

"My mom preordered a bunch of things from the mall and sent me down to get them while she preoccupied my sisters," Nasir shrugged. He was bundled up in a winter jacket, gloves and toque with his glasses on, and was rocking back and forth slightly. "I asked Jacob for the address."

"That shithead." Taylor turned to look back in the house. Jacob had appeared at the end of the hallway. He waved at Nasir, who waved back, before giving Taylor a massive assholish grin, and vanished back into the kitchen.

Taylor turned to back to Nasir, and crossed her arms, shoving her hands in between her arms and her body to ward off the bone-numbing cold that was pushing in with the darkness. "I still don't understand why you are here."

Nasir let out a small chuckle and his breath turned into a condensation, heading upwards. "I wanted to give you this," He pulled out a small little box. It was wrapped neatly in an emerald green paper with a silver bow on top. "I've had it for a little bit now and I wasn't really sure how to give it to you, but here," He handed it to her.

Taylor took it, thumbing the paper. She hesitated for a moment, looking down at the small package. "It isn't going to spray me in the face or something, right?"

"No, it's not a prank. Don't open it until I leave," He smiled at her, half-heartedly. "Just save me the embarrassment."

Taylor looked back at him. She was standing in the door frame, which was raised a bit above the porch, and from this angle, they were eye to eye. Taylor blinked twice. "Thank you," She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. "Sorry, I didn't get you anything."

Nasir huffed with amusement, his eyes crinkling slightly behind the tortoiseshell frames. "I know, I won't hold it against you. Consider this an olive branch of sorts."

Taylor squirmed slightly, embarrassment and guilt rising in her stomach, like a small shadow creeping its' way up her spine. Or maybe it was just the cold messing with her. "I really am sorry about calling you an awful human being. I was being horrible and irrational, and of all people, you really didn't deserve it."

Nasir shrugged, his smile dropping, but his eyes remained twinkling with humour. "I'm going to let it slide because it's the holiday, and you were obviously angry about something. I just had the bad fortune of being the scapegoat."

Taylor laughed slightly. "Yeah," Even though she knew he was the one who had caused her random outburst, she didn't want to tell him that, now that they were back on good terms. She glanced down at her hands, which were fiddling with the glittery silver bow, proceeding to get sparkles all over the snow and her socks.

Nasir let out a heavy sigh, glancing down at the ground before looking back up at her. "It's too bad you are quitting as the first aider, you were pretty good," His gaze had a mischievous gleam in it as if he were up to something. Taylor narrowed her eyes at him, trying to read his expression. "You know, if you wanted the position back, I'm sure Coach would let you take seniority over anyone else he hires."

Taylor scowled at him. "Did Coach tell you to say that?"

Nasir shrugged noncommittally. "He said to try to convince you to come back," His face calmed slightly, and he almost looked as if he were mourning. "The team really liked you though, and I really did too. You got on well with everyone."

Taylor blinked and shifted her hair to hide her pink ears. "If you are trying to flatter me to convince me to come back, it's not going to work. I've made up my mind."

He smiled, though somewhat sadly. "I figured it was worth a shot. I'll quit bothering you about it now, if you're one hundred percent sure."

She wasn't one hundred percent sure, not in the slightest. She wasn't even sure she wanted to quit anymore, but if anything, the smiling boy in front of her had only made her realize that she liked him a lot more than she initially thought, and she wasn't going to sit around waiting for someone who wasn't going to come.

"No. I'm sure."

Nasir nodded and tugged his toque down. "I'll stop bugging you about it then."

A sudden thought crossed Taylor's mind. "You were in the mall this morning?"

He raised an eyebrow and nodded, shoving his hands into his pocket.

"I thought I saw you," She shook her head in disbelief. "And here I thought I was going crazy."

"You're too smart to go crazy."

Taylor's gaze snapped up and Nasir's face blanched slightly, his eyes widening. "What?"

He shook his head rapidly and mumbled. "Sorry, I keep walking into these situations lately," He glanced back towards the still-running car, presumably to keep it warm. "I'm going to go before I do or say something else. My mom is expecting me around nineish."

Taylor nodded. "Okay, Merry Christmas, and text me when you arrive, just so I know you got home safe."

He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Merry Christmas."

Taylor stepped inside the house and flicked the light switch to turn on the Christmas lights on the house. Their rainbow glow covered the lawn and the porch. She watched Nasir walk quickly down the front walk to the car.

She clenched her jaw, before glancing upstairs to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"Hey, Nasir?"

Nasir turned, one hand resting on the car door handle. "Yeah?"

Taylor swallowed, and before she could lose her nerve, she asked. "That girl at the party, out on the deck? What was that?"

Nasir let out an embarrassed chuckle and made to run a hand through his hair, before remembering he was wearing a toque and stopping. "You saw that?"

Taylor nodded from her position on the door frame.

"I wasn't drinking ginger ale that night. All we did was make out, and that was probably one of the dumber things I've done. I'm sorry you had to see that."

Taylor hummed slightly and pressed her lips together to stop herself from grinning like a fool. "Okay. Well, Merry Christmas. Drive safe, and don't forget to text me!"

Nasir smiled at her, though his eyes gave away his humiliation at being seen. "Merry Christmas."

Taylor stepped inside and watched through the frosted window frame on the door until the car had left. Once he was gone, she let out a small excited squeak.

He had been drunk, and though he had been kissing another girl, he obviously regretted it. Taylor grinned to herself. Maybe she did still have a chance.

She turned her gaze to the small green package and glanced to the kitchen, where the rest of her family were waiting. Taylor paused, before walking down the hallway and into the kitchen. Her grandpa was sitting at the table, and the other three still on the floor.

Jacob grinned as she entered. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Taylor asked, keeping her gaze neutral.

"Well, did you make up? Or make out? Either is fine with me."

Taylor's mouth dropped open in surprise. "What on earth is wrong with you?"

Jacob descended into laughter, more so as their mom glared at him. "Did something at least happen?"

"No, nothing happened. We made up."

Jacob nodded approvingly. "I will accept that outcome."

"You don't have much of a choice," Taylor snapped back. "I can't believe you set this up."

Jacob smiled, a wicked grin across his face. "I enjoy seeing you happy, and plus Nasir is better happy too. I just wish you'd tell him. You'd make such a disgustingly cute couple."

"I wish you'd take your nose out of my business," Taylor responded.

"Come on, I'm the reason you two made up. You better mention that at your wedding."

"Mom!" Taylor whined. "Make him stop."

She stuck her tongue out at Jacob as their mom turned to him. "That's enough Jacob,"

Jacob grumbled but after another glance from their mom, he stopped.

"He seems nice dear," Their grandpa chimed from the table.

Taylor nodded and began pulling at the fabric bow, tugging the silver off. It came off rather smoothly, sliding to the counter. She dug her fingernail under the green wrapping paper and tugged it off. She placed it next to the bow and examined the plain pale blue fabric box. It was small and could fit in the palm of her hand. She grabbed the lid and tugged it off, only to widen her eyes at the small necklace inside.

It was simple, just a silver chain with a small silver star hanging on the end. She smiled, tilting her head to examine it. Pausing, she lifted up her hair and clasped it on.

"That's cute, did he get that for you?" Her grandma asked, admiring the necklace.

Taylor nodded and let it fall to her chest. "Yeah, he did."

"That jerk!" Jacob stared at her, aghast. "He got you a present and not me?"

~~~

Taylor thumbed the star, running her finger over the metal as she stared at the ceiling. The blankets were pulled up to rest just beneath her chest. Jacob was sitting up, typing on his phone.

Finally, he twisted to gaze at her, a skeptical look on his face.

"What?" Taylor mumbled, tilting her head slightly to look at him.

"Do you think they are awake yet?"

"Why don't you go check?" She suggested, turning her gaze back to the vent on the ceiling. "I'm sure Mom would love to be woken up right now."

Jacob sighed, melancholy on his features. He slumped slightly, leaning his hand on his pyjama-clad knee.

Taylor sat up, using her hands to prop herself up. "What's wrong?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. We've just never had a Christmas without Dad, I don't really know if I want to be sad because he is alone, or happy because it is Christmas."

Taylor blinked. She hadn't even thought of that. "I don't know," Her heart darkened slightly. "Here," She twisted, grabbing her phone off the nightstand, where it had been plugged in.

She ignored the late-night texts from Clara and Aubrey, arguing over something ridiculous, and paused momentarily at the short text from Nasir, saying that he had gotten home. Taylor then opened her dad's contact.

'Hey, Jacob and I were just thinking of you, and wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. Hope everything is well.'

Jacob sighed, and slumped against her, resting his head on her shoulder. She patted his head absentmindedly, watching the shadows on the wall.

Her phone lit up and they both glanced down.

'That's sweet of you both. I am spending today with some good friends from work. I hope you both have a great Christmas with your grandparents.'

"Well," Jacob murmured. "At least he isn't alone."

Taylor nodded, but before she could say anything, the sound of thumping feet came from upstairs. "That'll be Grandma."

Jacob nodded, and stood, stretching his arms high above his head. "Come on, let's go."

Taylor huffed in amusement, but grabbed her sweater and tugged it on, following him up the stairs.

~~~

"Thank you for the vase," Her mom tugged Taylor into a hug. "I really like it."

Jacob furrowed his eyebrows, the dumb yellow Christmas cracker crown on his head. "Is that the same one from the elevator?"

Taylor nodded. "Yeah. I bought that the day I got stuck in the elevator with Nasir."

Her mom laughed. "I forgot about that. I almost murdered your uncle when I found out he had left without you."

"Honestly, me too," Taylor responded, poking at the turkey meat with her fork. "But now, I understand that Clara comes by it honestly."

Her mother laughed and turned to admire the glass vase which was resting on the kitchen counter, ready to be packed up and taken home for the rest of the holidays. Taylor made a silent note to grab some flowers from the store when they arrived back home.

Her grandmother stretched, and only somewhat forcibly placed more food on Taylor's plate, despite Taylor's desperate pleas for her to stop. "Grandma, I'm going to gain five pounds."

Her grandma hummed in satisfaction. "You need to eat more."

Taylor looked over at Jacob for assistance, who shook his head and pointed down to his own plate. He had been a victim of the same crime less than two minutes ago.

"I think that's good Mom," Taylor blinked her thanks at her own mom for her help.

Her grandma pulled back, shaking her head in disappointment, but stopped, placing the food on the table. "I made so much food. You better take some as leftovers."

"I don't know if we'll have room," Taylor's mother started.

"Jacob can hold it!" Her grandma said. "That'll make lots of room."

Jacob scrunched his face up to stop from groaning at the thought of carrying ten pounds of turkey home, and Taylor snickered at his expression.

Taylor turned her gaze to the tree-covered tablecloth and found herself once again fiddling with the necklace around her neck. She wasn't sure why she kept touching it, but she knew it was important. A gesture of sorts. She just had to figure out what the gesture meant.

~~~

So sorry for that late update! I was working yesterday and honestly forgot until now, but I hope you all enjoyed!