I woke up early in the morning. It's been a few days since the dance. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 6:30am. Why did I wake up so early..? Wait....today is. CHRISTMAS. I got up and raced downstairs.

Shockingly everyone was already awake. They were all in the main room, sitting around the tree. We decorated the house the day after the dance. Everything looked merry.

"Merry Christmas." Robby said, giving me a bear hug.

"Merry Christmas everyone."
We all gave each other hugs and sat around the tree. Even my parents and Levin and Lorain were there.

"Ok ok. I woke up really early for one thing. GIFTS!" Kameron said, looking like a 5 year old.

We all had a cup of hot chocolate and surrounded the tree. We started giving each other gifts.

I got a pink (of course) purse from Kate. My parents got me ear rings and a bracelet. Levin and Lorain got me a dress and a pair of jeans.

Kameron and Robby gave me an album with all the pictures of us when we were young and all the pictures of us when I found out about Charilot. There was one with me and Stark at the water park. And Kate and I laughing as we pranked the boys.

There was one where Kameron and Gomin were carrying me on their shoulder. In one of the pictures, Robby was holding his stomach in pain while I stood there with my hand covering my mouth, a shocked expression on my face. I remember that day. Robby said I couldn't kick a punching bag if my life depended on it and I accidentally hit him instead.

Gomin got me a locket. I opened it. On one side there was a family picture with all of us including Gomin and his parent. And on the other side there was a picture of Gomin and I when we were young. I was dressed as a princess and him as a knight.

"I'll always be your protector." Gomin said when he gave me the present.

"Thank you." I smiled.

I saw Kameron giving Kate a gift. It was his lucky necklace. He always wore it and told Kate that he would give it to the girl that meant most to him. I teased that maybe he would give it to Livy. I guess I was wrong.

Kate threw her arms around him and gave him a kiss. Her gift to him was a picture of herself and him on their 10th birthday. She was laughing at him while he had cake all over his face.

"Kate, you still have this picture?" Kameron said, with a goofy smile.

"Of course. It was the year I got accepted at Laris best school. But refused to go without my twin."

"Ya. I was kind of glad that you didn't accept." Kameron said.

"Of course. I'm me."

"On second thought, maybe not so much."

It was a truly touching Christmas and a few tears were shed when Rodger and Sinaya were mentioned. Robby was sitting by himself with a gift that hasn't been opened yet. I walked towards him and sat down.

"What you got there?" I asked.

"A gift."

"Aren't you gonna open it?"

"No. It's not for me."

"Then for who?"

"I got it....for Rodger."

"Oh."
We sat in silence.

"What is it?" I asked

"I- he always told me how he wanted a sword. I got him a gift card from a sword store since I didn't know which one he wanted."

"That's sweet."

"Ya. Well, it's also useless."

"Come on, Robby. Don't say that. I promise I'll try my best to find a way to break the curse. We'll get them back. I promise."

"I'm sorry Mickey. I didn't mean to make you think that your not doing your best."

Just then I made a promise to myself. I'm telling them about the letter and the bracelet. They are my family and I trust them.
*******
"But Santa didn't climb the ladder." Gomin complained.

"It doesn't matter." Kate replied.

"Yes it does. Robby is cheating. First Santa has to climb the ladder then maybe he can win." Gomin said.

I rolled my eyes. We were in my room playing a board game. Of course Gomin declared that he would win. And now the boys are arguing.

I got a text and looked at my phone. It was from my mom.

'I made the calculation. You need to come on the third day from now, on Charilot time. It will be Christmas here. Can't wait to see you'

I smiled. I haven't told Danny, Hilary, Jace or Janet that I would be coming for Christmas.

"Why are you smiling?" Kameron asked.

"No reason. I have to go back home three days from now. It will be Christmas back there." I announced.

"But your coming back, right?"

"Of course. The next day which will mean I will be gone for like two days."

"That's not that bad." Kate said.

"Well, I'm off." Robby said, kissing Kate and I on the forehead.

"What? No kiss for us guys?" Gomin asks.

"Well if you insist." Robby says reaching towards Kameron.

"Get away from me." Kameron yells.

We laugh and eventually everyone leaves. Except for me and Gomin.

"Ok Gomin. I think we should tell everyone about the letters and bracelet." I said.

"Why?" Gomin asked.

"We need to trust them. And maybe they can help us."

Gomin frowned.

"I guess..."

"We'll tell them after I come back."

"Ok."

"Until then we have to go to the library and search for The Great Book. We need to find a way to break the curse."

Ever since I talked to Robby this morning, I realized I haven't been trying my best.

"Ugh. Come on, it's Christmas today."

"Uh fine." I said, getting up.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To find anything that can help."

"Ugh. Fine you can stop trying to make me feel guilty. I'll come."

I smiled. "I thought so."

"Curse my good looks and charming attitude. Everyone wants me." Gomin said.

I rolled my eyes. "Lets not forget modesty."

"Of course, I forgot. There are just too many good things about me."

I laughed.

An hour later we came up empty. I sighed.

"I give up. Lets leave." I said.

"I have an idea. Lets go talk to Jemin again."

"It's worth a try."

We both put on a coat because of the cold. We called a cab and a few minutes later we arrived at the Lari kingdom. We went to Jemins house.
He lived in a small cozy house by himself.

I knocked on the door and Jemin opened it.

"Merry Christmas." I said, giving him a hug.

"Oh what a pleasant surprise. Come in come in. I'm so glad you came to visit."

I insisted we buy some treats and we did. We gave it to Jemin who insisted we have tea with him. After a few minutes, we were sitting on the couch , drinking tea and eating treats.

"So how can I help you?" Jemin asked.

"It's about The Great Book." Gomin said.

"I already told you all I know." Jemin said, avoiding our eyes.

"I know and we are thankful but Jemin are you sure there isn't anything else. Please. I need help." I begged.

"Dear, I know it's hard but I don't know anything else."

Gomin leaned back in his chair. "I don't believe you."

"Gomin." I exclaimed. How can he be so rude.

"What? You know I train for this stuff. I know when a person is lying or feeling guilty."

It was true. I turned towards Jemin. "Jemin?"

"I don't know what your talking about." Jemin replied.

I know I might not be as good at detecting lies as Gomin, but I could tell by the way he is looking anywhere except at us that he is lying.

"Jemin. Please." I said "Why won't you help us?"

I just couldn't understand why he wouldn't tell us anything. Aren't the Laris on our side? Or is Jemin the one betraying us? Like maybe Tori? Ugh, this is so frustrating.

"Jemin. Why won't you tell us?" Gomin asked, looking lost.

Jemin sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you. But before I start, I want to make something clear. This is a secret no one knows except for me. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want war to start again and also because there was no use in getting the book if we couldn't find the bracelet."

"Ok. Continue." I said.

"Well as I told you the book is lost. What I didn't tell you was that.... I don't know exactly where it is but there was a riddle. That I was told. If I could solve it then I could find the book."

"Who told you the riddle?" Gomin asked.

"Sam."

There was absolute quite for a full two minutes.

"Sam? The one who betrayed us? Starks father?" I asked.

"Ya."

"Why would he help us? He was on their side." Gomin said.

"I don't know why but I'm guessing he felt guilty."

"Where is Sam now?" I asked.

"He died in the battle." Gomin told me.

"Oh."

"Anyways, what's the riddle?" Gomin asked.

Jemin took a deep breath and began.

'To cherish memory, you buy it. Maybe to remember forever. Depends on your heart to what it is. But evil or good, you can have it'

"What does that even mean?" Gomin asked.

"I don't know."

"When did he tell you all this?" I asked.

"Before the Malign made the curse. Sam told me and raced off towards the Malign who made the curse"

"You should have told us." Gomin yelled.

"Gomin calm down."I said, shocked.

"Don't tell me to calm down."

"No he's right. I should have." Jemin replied.

Gomin shook his head and got up to leave. I got up as well.

"One more thing. I-I didn't tell you this because....... well it's not good news."

"What?" I asked.

"There might be a spell to lift the curse but only a Lari could do it."

"Ya we know." Gomin replied.

"Ya. But to lift a curse when there is a prophecy.....the person from the prophecy is the only one that can break the spell." Jemin said, looking away.

"So..?"

"So only Mickey can break the spell but she can't do magic so....."

I gasped. Oh no.....
🔸🔸****🔸🔸
(A/N) .........Any thoughts? Please comment so I can see what you think. Please vote and share. Thank you! Until next time, take care❤