Last Christmas As Miss Novels & Stories

"They were for my daughter. They were her Christmas and birthday present plus her biggest wish... I was going to make her Christmas wish finally come true. AND NOW IT'S ALL RUINED!" By the time she has finished talking, she has gone from sad to angry and it's a side that I like. I would much prefer her anger to her sadness and tears. "Well, there's still time until Christmas and when is her birthday?" she smiles, and for once, it's genuine and happy, and fuck she looks beautiful. "Her birthday is on Christmas day. She's a Christmas baby. A Christmas blessing." Now I can understand her smile because it makes me smile too.

Paunchy, clapped me on the back as I entered, his hand lingering a second too long on my waist. “Gentlemen, meet Selena, our very own Santa's Little Helper! She's here to make your Christmas merry.” Cheers erupted, glasses clinking. I scanned the room, heart picking up speed. These weren't office workers….they looked like execs, the kind who closed deals in backrooms and paid for extras.

When Noah Levine came back, Christmas had already passed. I'd thrown that reindeer lingerie into a street trash bin. "Babe, I left in such a rush last night that I forgot to give you your Christmas present." He pulled out a sapphire necklace and swept my hair aside to fasten it around my neck. Because he leaned in so close, I could clearly see the red marks on his neck and smell the sickly sweet perfume that obviously wasn't his. Knowing the scent belonged to my own sister made my stomach turn.

Nova’s POV Saturday night’s performance was supposed to kick off the Kissmas Extravaganza and it pretty much did. Most of the queens chose “Baby it’s cold Outside”, “Santa Baby” or “All I want for Christmas is You” for songs to dance to…I knew they would, so I went a different route. I went with Tori Kelly and Babyface’s version of “Let it Snow”. I do have other Kissmas Extravaganza numbers prepared as well.

Her big smile lit up her face as each syllable reverberated, and she and Cassandra sang along to the music : “You're my wish list Lookin' at you got me thinking Christmas Snowflakes in my stomach when we're kissin' And when you're comin' down the chimney, ooh, it feels so good I need that Charles Dickens You'll be Santa Claus and I'll be Mrs. I'll take you for a ride, I'll be your vixen I don't even know, I'm talkin' Christmas I'm talkin', I'm talkin' (ah) Caught up in the loveliness of the music, she lost herself to the dance, her movements completely in sync with the jubilant tempo of the song.

“What now?” She stopped beside me, breathless and beaming, cheeks pink from the cold. “Okay, so, finals are done! You passed everything, by the way, barely in accounting, but still a win! And…” She held up the papers like they were sacred scrolls. “I have our official Christmas list for the condo.” I blinked. “Christmas list?” “Yep.” She spread the pages open dramatically. “Decorations, lights, wreaths, gifts, cookie ingredients, and… most importantly, our holiday playlist.”

I curled up with Chris in his bed as we watched a movie. He’s been worried about me over the past week, which I feel bad about. I hate worrying everyone. Chris surprised me with a home-cooked dinner and a movie; A Journey Back to Christmas, my favorite Christmas movie ever. I sighed as we watched, “What’s wrong?” Chris asked; I shook my head, but Chris was not about to take that for an answer. He paused the movie and straightened up, waiting for me to talk to him.

"There's no way I would miss Christmas Eve dinner here while in town. It reminds me of old times. Of how much I've missed." "This isn't your home." Khloe's voice cut through the false pleasantries. "Will never be. So take your ugly face and get out." For once, her anger was directed at the right target. "Okay, everyone." Mrs. Hartley raised her hands, trying to smooth over what couldn't be smoothed. "Calm down. All this rage isn't good for the spirit of Christmas. And especially not for Gloria." She was right. But nobody was listening. Marcus's smile had frozen on his face. Cinnamon stared at Marcus. Khloe looked ready to leap across the table. Mrs. Wealth's face had gone blank, that careful

I stop to get hot chocolates at the coffee shop, then Hailey and I head to Redding to shop for Missy. It’s only a week until Christmas, and I still don’t have a good gift for Missy yet. Brittany hinted that Missy got me something really expensive this year, and all I got her so far were a set of bath bombs, and her favorite perfume. I’ve been agonizing over what to buy her, and I think I’ve finally come up with something good.

I flicked my wrist, checking the time before turning back to look at her. “They're rehearsing with the others,” my steps faltered at her words. “You need to hear them sing Ms Wilson, absolutely beautiful,” she gushed still oblivious to my rising anger directed at her. “I'm pretty sure I made it clear that my kids won't be a part of any of the school's Christmas celebrations,” I said in a deadly calm voice that had her shuffling on her feet before stuttering out the next words.