Christmas Eve

Days passed by and it was Christmas eve.

The house was fully decorated, presents have been set out, preparations had been made, my dad had gotten back from his trip, and it was time for the dinner party.

My mom decided to hold the party at the garden. Three long dinner tables with seats of ten were set out.

I decided to cut my hair shoulder length and I cut some into bangs.

I wanted to dye my hair black, but I changed my mind last minute.

Little by little, guests started to arrive.

My mom was hosting a small dinner party just for family and friends. She didn't want it to be too big neither too small.

I decided to wear a black off shoulder top, tucked into a green high waist pleated flair knee length skirt, and black open toe heels.

I put on minimal makeup and I was good to go.

By the time I got downstairs, Chelsea had already arrived. 

She was dressed in a red heartline chiffon top, tucked into a short white and black plaid skirt, and she wore knee high suede boots. 

"Hey bishhh." She comes to hug me.

"Hi. You look cute." I say when I pull away.

"Honey, the word is hot." 

I roll my eyes. "Sure."

"You look cute too. And those bangs look great on you." She flips her hair. "I told you they would look great."

"Yes you did and I'm grateful."

Chelsea had convinced me to get bangs. I didn't want to but she found a way to convince me. And truthfully, it does look good on me. 

"Austin?" I ask her and she shakes her head.

"He said he can't show up. His dad has a party but he would try to sneak away." 

"It's no problem then."

"I heard from your dad that uncle Charles is around."

"You have my dad's number?" I ask in shock.

"Why do you seem surprised? I've had it for like forever."

"What do you guys talk about?!"

"Just dirt about you." She walks past me to the garden.

Dirt?!

"Chelsea!" I follow her but she was already talking with Charles.

Some minutes later, Jaxon arrived. By then, a soft Christmas song was already playing.

"Hi." I wave at him. 

He gives me a brief glance before he looks away.

I pout a little, but then he whips his head fast to me and I thought his neck might snap.

"Summer?!" He looks at me in shock and I smile.

"Hey." 

He walks towards me. "Your hair?!" 

"I know!!" 

"Can I?" He asks as he points to the hair.

"Sure." 

He touches my hair.

"I almost did not recognize you."

"I noticed." 

"Yo Summer!" I see Taylor walking towards me.

"Oh hey Taylor!" I give her a hug.

"You have a nice house."

"But not as nice as yours." 

"You wish."

Taylor was dressed in a black and red flair gown, black heels, and her hair was put up in a neat bun.

"Taylor! Is that you?!" 

Chelsea comes from nowhere and stands in front of me.

"Ohmygod Taylor Prinston?!"

"Hi." Taylor smiles and Chelsea squeals.

"It's so nice to finally meet you! Your dumb brother didn't tell me he had a famous sister."

"At least we both agree he's dumb."

"Hey!" Jaxon shouts and turns to me. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

"They are not wrong you know"

"Summer!" 

I laugh. "What?" 

"See why I love your girlfriend?" Taylor asks and we all laugh.

"Ha ha ha. Very funny." 

"Why don't we go talk somewhere else?" Chelsea asks Taylor.

"If you lead me to where the edibles are, then no problem."

"We so speak the same language."

They both walk off leaving us alone.

"You look beautiful." Jaxon wraps his hand around me.

"Only for you." I smile.

"I am so lucky." He says.

"Yes you are."

"Hey lovebirds." Uncle Charles walks to our middle, putting some space between Jaxon and I.

He put one hand around Jaxon's shoulder, and the other, around my shoulder.

"Merry Christmas Charles."

"Merry Christmas to you too Jaxon. So what are you guys talking about?"

"How beautiful I look." 

"Do not let him lie to you okay?" 

"What?" I shout.

"I would never lie to her." Jaxon says but uncle Charles turns to me.

"It's a lie." 

"Hey!" I shout but he winks at me. 

He removes his hands. "I have to go look at your mother's friends. I got to see if I can get lucky tonight."

"Just get married already." 

He turns to me and winks. "Never! Have fun!" He walks away.

"Let's go join the party." I say to Jaxon and we walk towards to where everyone was.

Before dinner, we played some games like Christmas charades, white elephant, guess the Christmas song and so on.

When it was time, we all gathered for dinner. We had mincemeat and cranberry sauce, prawns, stuffed chicken, mashed potatoes and more.

Of course during dinner, questions were thrown around.

"So tell us about yourself Jaxon." Uncle Charles speaks up.

"There's nothing much to it. Well, I'm an high schooler. I love to read books, I'm great at drawing also. I play football-"

"He's the best striker." I chip in.

"I won't say best but-"

"It's an important role in his team." I say again.

"Thanks Summer." 

"Sure thing."

"You must like football a lot." Charles asks.

"More than anything in this world."

"More than my niece?"

Jaxon looks at me and smiles. He takes my hand that was on my laps and holds it.

"She's an exception." He doesn't stop smiling at me and I smile back.

"Gag!" Chelsea and Taylor say together and we all laugh.

After dinner, everyone broke into small groups until it was time dessert.

People were chattering everywhere and to say I was having a blast would be an understatement.

I couldn't seem to find Chelsea anywhere and Jaxon seemed to be talking with his dad.

Since I didn't have anything to do, I decided to go rest a little inside.

My phone rings in my skirt pocket and I bring it out.

I check the ID to see it's an unknown number and I answer it.

"Hello?" 

"Hi there." 

My eyes widen.

I don't know how, but I knew it was him. It had to be him.

"Did you see my message?" He asks.

I couldn't get his real voice. He changed it.

"Why are you doing this?" 

"Why else?" He asks. "Something that was mine was touched. And I hate that."

"I am not yours. I am nobody's." I say and he laughs.

"Sure. Whether you like it or not, you are mine."

"Who are you?" 

"Now that's a secret honey."

Shit.

"I'll make it easy for you." He begins. "Break up with that pretty boy, or else I'll have to forcefully break you up."

"You have no control over my relationship!"

"Darling, you're mine. Nobody except me gets to have you. Break up with him or I guess he'll be seeing Nathan very soon." 

What?

He hangs up and I stay there in the kitchen.

What the fuck am I going to do?!

I can't put Jaxon in danger. I can't!

I see Chelsea coming down from the stairs and I walk to her.

"He called."

I say and she immediately gets it. 

She takes my hand and pulls me to the living room.

Luckily, there weren't many people there.

"What did he say?"

"He said I should break up with Jaxon or he'd be meeting Nathan very soon."

"Ohmygod. I think you should tell Jaxon."

"What? Why?"

"There's no way around this." 

"I can't. He might be in danger if I do."

"Do you want another dead body to end up in our arms?" She asks and I shake my head.

"There has to be another way."

"There isn't. Summer this is a matter of life and death. Telling Jaxon might actually help you catch this guy faster." 

"But-" 

"Do it." She sternly says.

"Hey guys." Jaxon walks in. "I was looking for you." He says to me and I manage a smile.

"Here I am." 

Chelsea looks at me and nods. "I'll leave you guys alone." She says and walks out.

I hold out my hand and Jaxon walks to take it.

"Hey." He says when he holds my hand. "Is something wrong?" 

"I have to tell you something." I sit him down.

"Hope there isn't any problem."

I sigh. "How should I put this?" I mutter.

I'm been stalked by a deraged madman?

Someone keeps telling me I'm his and he killed Nathan?

Nathan's killer said he can kill you if I don't break up with you?

God how do I say this.

I take in a deep breath.

I hope I don't regret this 

"I'm being-"

"Yo lovebirds, it's time for dessert." Uncle Charles interrupts as he walks into the living room. "I've been looking for you guys everywhere."

"We'd be there in a sec." I say to him.

"Don't take too long!" He shouts and walks away.

Jaxon turns to me. "You were saying?" He asks and I stare at him. 

 I stare at his eyes. His green eyes were dancing. They were shining.

So I sighed.

"I'm being sugar starved."

He raises an eyebrow. "Sugar starved?"

I nod. "I can't seem to get enough sugar."

"Then let's go have dessert." He takes my hand and pulls me towards the garden.

I couldn't do it. 

I couldn't bear watching him fight for the battle that isn't his. 

It isn't his problem, so why should he get involved? 

I'd have to find another way to end this than breaking up with Jaxon.

Little did I know, that was the first of many mistakes I made.