just jenny [Complete]

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 40]

I’ve been to enough Jonas events now to know that before making my presence known I must first make sure to plant my feet. Sounds simple in retrospect, but when my feet are encased in five inch leopard print pumps…things don’t always go as planned, which is why when I heard the tell tale sign that I had been spotted instead of standing my ground…I dodged.

“JENNY!!!!” Joe yelled incredulously from the ground beside my feet as his brothers snickered in the sidelines.

“Joey!” I chirped trying to look innocent…not working.

“You moved! You let me fall.” He pouted.

“I was going to go down with you! That’s not good right? Remember last time, with the crushing and the people and the chasing…not a pretty picture.”

“But…”

“I’m wearing white!”

“Under a black jacket.”

“The falling, remember the falling, and the blisters from the running?” I’m grasping at straws and I know it, but the last thing we need is a Joe and Jenny tantrum.

“Joe you barreled into her that is a pretty scary sight.” Nick defended obviously the first to regain his composure.

“Fine.” He sighed dusting himself off, and giving me a normal hug. “So, what’d you get me?” he grinned the previous spill forgotten.

“Who says I got you anything?”

“Mean! First you drop me now this?” he gasped swatting at my ponytail, which obviously led to me flicking his ear, which escalated to his tweaking my nose…and just as we were about to make the Three Stooges proud…our conscience stepped in?

“Okay, you two, let’s get going, mom said she wanted us over to help with the decorations for tomorrow. In the car.” Kevin ordered. Needles to say Joe and I just stood there staring at him, head cocked to one side, perplexed looks on our faces.

“Now.” Nick commanded, and wouldn’t you know it, all three of us hopped to attention…guess he’s Jiminy Cricket.

“Okay so how did we get stuck stringing cranberries and popcorn?” Joe pouted as we watched Nick and Kevin do the cool ladder jobs.

“Something about predetermined clumsiness.” I pouted eating the popcorn I accidentally broke.

“But cranberries and popcorn? Everything else is all expensive looking, why have this handmade stuff on the tree too?” he grumbled.

“To add dimension, we need some traditionally homey feeling stuff as well as the more lavish decorations, so it has a nice balance.” I shrugged.

“You’re such a girl.”

“At least I don’t spend hours on my hair.”

“Hey! That was uncalled for you are a girl.”

“But you meant it as an insult.”

“Fine, truce?” he asked holding out his hand.

“Truce.”

“So…”

“So?”

“Weekend alone with Kevin…”

“Yep.”

“You have fun?” he asked…suggestively? Weirdo.

“Yes…”

“I bet there was lots of sleeping…”

“Mhmm.”

“Together?” he smirked wiggling his eyebrows trying to make me uncomfortable.

“You really want to know?” I asked biting my lip suggestively, trying to get the twinkly eyed chick flick look.

“Oh ew! Gross.” He gagged as I tried not to die laughing.

“That’s what you get for being a perve.” I scolded throwing popcorn in his hair.

“I was just trying to tease you…”

“How’s that working out for you?”

“Mean.” He grumbled reluctantly getting back to work. “So, did you get that dress we talked about?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Shh!” I admonished looking around to make sure Kevin wasn’t listening. “Yes.”

“Jumpy, can I see it!?” he asked excitedly his decorating task forgotten.

“I don’t have it with me.” Duh!

“But you took a picture because you knew I could ask.”

“Fine, here.” I sighed looking through my cell phone for the picture I took of the dress for shoe shopping purposes.

“I said sexy.” He reprimanded.

“It is!”

“It’s long.”

“Hardly, it’s above my knee.”

“By a millimeter, and it’s black, come on how are you going to get a guy dressed like a nun!”

“It’s strapless, fitted, has red, and a shiny thing going on in the back…it’s hardly nunnery garb.” I laughed, causing Nick and Kevin to eye us quizzically.

“All I’m saying is if this doesn’t work, you can’t blame me.” He warned going back to his threading.

“Noted.” I giggled, not taking offence at Joe’s lack of approval it’s not like I’m trying to snag him after all. “But trust me, on me…it’s sexy.” I smirked as he pricked himself momentarily losing focus while trying to thread a cranberry.

“Ouch!”

“Joe! Come on you have the easiest job!” Nick reprimanded from atop his ladder skillfully hanging oversized Christmas ornaments from the ceiling to accentuate the garlands.

“Yeah Joe.” I mocked

“Kevin! She’s bugging me!” He called out, sticking his tongue out at me.

“Fine, Joe you can start putting the lights on the trees, but make sure you check they work first, if not there’s more lights in the kitchen.” Kevin instructed.

“Light duty?” he grumbled.

“Yep, mom put me in charge, and you already hurt yourself with a needle, so I’m guessing ladder’s out. “ He grinned.

The rest of the afternoon went in pretty much the same fashion with Kevin and Nick doing most of the dangerous tasks as Joe and I did the tree decorating, throw pillow arranging, and pretty much anything that had little chance of killing either of us…I even had to take off my shoes before I was allowed to stand on a chair.

Mrs. Jonas meanwhile baked cookies with Frankie for the party, one of the few non catered foods for tomorrow’s event, and consequently another thing to keep me and Joe far away from. Joe for his massive sweet tooth, and me…well let’s just say last time I made cookies, someone broke a tooth.

Yeah, Jenny baking equals bad.

“Whoa! What happened to you two?” Nick snickered joining an exhausted Joe and me on the couch.

“Christmas happened, what of it?” I mock glared.

“Hey Kev. Look out, she’s an angry elf.” Nick laughed, watching Kevin take the vacant seat to my left.

“You try winning a fight with a vicious box of Christmas ornaments, and come out not covered in glitter.” I pouted, as Joe merely nodded his support.

“Fair enough, but how do you explain this?” Kevin asked plucking some kind of ornamental twig from my once immaculate ponytail.

“Joe.”

“You started it!” Joe defended, at Nick and Kevin’s understanding nods.

“How?”

“You put the star on the tree without me!”

“But that’s because it was my tree, you put the star on the other tree.”

“But your tree was bigger, I should have done it, I’m taller.”

“You claimed the short tree, so you could be done faster.”

“But that was before…”

“Before?”

“Yep.”

“Real mature guys.” Nick deadpanned.

“See what you did!” Joe whispered in my ear, “Nick’s mad at us again!”

“We can take him.”

“No…we can’t” Kevin interjected from my left.

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 41]

“Why are we doing this again?” I asked Kevin as surveyed the stack of horror films on the kitchen counter.

“Because everyone watches Christmas movies this time of year, so we’re mixing it up.” He recited with a grin as he pulled the chips out of the pantry.

“Well whose stupid idea was that?” I sighed waving the coffee pot like a mad woman….good thing I’ve yet to start the coffee making, so it’s empty.

“Yours.”

“Okay, but I didn’t mean bloody, things jumping out at me, fingers getting chewed off gross stuff! I meant Halloween Town, Dracula, psychological thriller type stuff.” To his raised eye brow I continued, “You know like it’s cute, or vampire…y?”

“But that’s not scary.”

“Okay what about the last option? Your brain gets scared…but your eyes, not so much! I like that option don’t you?” I grinned enthusiastically turning on the coffee.

“Are you scared?” he smirked pinning me to the counter. YES!

“Psh! No, come one Kev. Every girl now at days loves scary movies, I just figured all this blood and guts stuff was to cliché for you guys.” I shrugged ducking under his arm. “I’m gonna go change.”

So I lied, a little. It’s not so much that I’m scared, than I’m a girl. And by girl I don’t mean this new awesome cool girl that loves scary movies, can throw a baseball and do a back flip while knocking out a bad guy with a chainsaw….nope. I’m an uncoordinated, scream when things jump out at me; I don’t want to see the gore kind of girl, my feminism can only take me so far.

“JENNY IT’S STARTING!!!” I heard Joe yell from downstairs…great, I’m never going to live this down!

I’m never sitting next to Joe again. Every time something jumps out he starts bugging me, luckily I’ve yet to scream, but I keep jumping, much to his amusement.

About half way through the second movie Joe stood up to fetch something which luckily left me alone on the couch and I foolishly let my guard down. Now I know what you’re thinking, but I figured Joe would know better than to attack me from behind after one and a half films worth of torture…which is why I blame him entirely for what happened next.

Just as the creepy music intensified and evil villain guy jumped out, so did Joe sneaking up on me from behind and yelling in my ear. Now normally, my reflexes leave something to be desired, so imagine my astonishment when my backhanded fist actually makes contact with his face!

“Ouch my nose!” came Joe’s muffled cry, as Kevin quickly switched on the lights to see what the commotion was about.

“I’m sorry!” I gasped, even though he deserved it!

“Are you okay?”

“Is it broken?” Nick and Kevin asked at the same time.

“No, just hurts.” Joe pouted taking Kevin’s now vacant spot on the other couch, “That’s the last time I sneak up on you.” He mumbled eyeing me warily.

“Well if you hadn’t been bugging me all night, I wouldn’t have been so wound up that I lashed out at my attacker!” I laughed.

“Is that why you called her as your couch buddy?” Nick laughed.

“Well, it was funny.” Joe defended.

“Yeah, I can see that worked out well for you" Kevin chuckled, taking Joe’s old place next to me and restarting the movie.

Did I mention I watch the majority of a scary movie trying to block both my vision an my ears form the actual film? Because there’s no point in closing my eyes when I can still hear someone yelling “OH MY GOD MY FINGER MY FINER OH MY GOD NO NOT THE OTHER ONE AAAHHHHH!!!” It just doesn’t do anything for my already fragile sanity, which is why I was curled up into a ball, head turned, shoulders up ready to block when I felt Kevin’s arm pull me into his chest about a second before the screaming started.

“I’ll let you know when it’s safe to look.” He whispered into my ear once the worst of the screaming had subsided. The rest of movie night went in pretty much the same fashion until Nick and Joe passed out and Kevin and I watched The Lost Boys, because it’s the reason we have all this teen vampire craze now, and it’s funny.

“So, not scared huh?” Kevin asked once we made our way onto his bedroom balcony.

“Shut up.” I laughed, “So, I’m not a cool girl, I never pretended to be.” I defended.

“You’re plenty cool, just ask Joe’s nose.” He laughed.

“I can’t believe I hit him!”

“Well, he was asking for it.” He shrugged.

“Yeah, but still I got Joe a bruise for Christmas.”

“At least I know you can take care of yourself if anyone jumps out at you.” He chuckled.

“True, so what’s the plan for tomorrow?” I asked taking a sip of my peppermint coffee.

“Wake up, feed the animals…I mean my brothers, then they go home to get ready and do us the added favor of dropping off our gifts. Then we get ready and head on over to the party.”

“Cool.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just nervous,” I sighed looking out into his backyard.

“About?” You! Boys are stupid.

“The party? I don’t know, I won’t really know anyone but you guys and it’s not like I’m going to follow you all night.”

“True, but I’ll introduce you to people and it’s not like they don’t know who you are.”

“What?”

“Well, we are on the tabloids a lot, and I’m sure between Joe and Frankie alone most of them are pretty familiar with your work.” He laughed.

“Thanks.” I smiled into my coffee cup.

“For?”

“This, all of it? In case I don’t say it later or by some horrible turn of events my clocking Joe is the highlight of this trip…I just want you to know it’s been an amazing Christmas.” I nodded determinedly before kissing him on the cheek.

“Nothing’s ever normal in that brain of yours, but thank you for an amazing Christmas as well.” He grinned wrapping an arm around me and kissing my forehead.

[bloodtypeespresso]

Just in case you were wondering, here's the link to Jenny's dress.

i43.photobucket.com/albums/e384/superchic_5000/xmas2.jpg

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[Chapter 42]

“Are you sure there’s nothing we’re supposed to do?” I asked for maybe the thousandth time in the past five minutes.

“Positive. We already helped decorate yesterday, the guys just took off with the presents which we won’t be opening until tomorrow morning, sorry you’ll just have to wait, and now all that’s left is to relax, and then get ready for the party tonight.” He repeated, also for the thousandth time in the past five minutes.

“Kevin….”

“I’m sure!” He sighed taking a bite out of his pop up waffle.

“Okay, I was just going to asked how long until we have to get dressed.” I pouted.

“A couple of hours at least, I mean I don’t know how long it takes you to get dressed up, and if you’re anything like Miley you should have started last night…” he laughed.

“Shut up! I already showered, so I just have to get dressed, do my makeup and hair, but that won’t take too long I’m not THAT unfortunate looking, and if I were, then I doubt a few extra hours of primping would do much…” I trailed off snatching his coffee cup and dipping my candy cane in it.

“Stop it…” he sighed rolling his eyes at my beauty comment, “and that’s gross you just dipped your slobbery candy in my coffee.” He feigned disgust.

“Nope, I dipped my candy cane in my coffee.”

“It was mine.”

“Exactly…it was yours.” I grinned taking a gulp and walking out of the room with my newly acquired coffee in hand.

Once settled in the upstairs office, I opened my trusty laptop and made quick work of sending Christmas greetings to everyone on my mailing list. Then I spent the next thirty minutes proofing a few documents, before forwarding them to Chief figuring I’d have one less thing to stress about tonight.

Now I’m listening to Wynonna Judd and doodling random faces that are starting to look suspiciously like stylized versions of Kevin and I. I hate love sick people, they annoy me…I annoy me. That’s probably why I’m avoiding going out to look for Kevin. If I stay in here I don’t have to be some frilly girl….plus I do have all night to swoon.

I can’t believe I listened to Joe, and got as sexy a dress as I’d wear to a family function. Who does that? But if anything is going to go down between Kevin and me…or not go down, it has to happen soon. I can’t have this stupid crush forever, if it’s out of the question I want to move on and go back to being friends instead of whatever weird limbo thing we are.

Before I noticed, it was time for food and then off to get dressed and primped and prepped.

This is it…the moment of truth.

I’ve been staring at my reflection in the mirrored closet door for about ten minutes trying to get the nerve up to step out of the room. Leave it to me to get stage fright when the only audience member is Kevin…my best friend! But I can’t help but think that once I go out there I won’t be cute, clumsy, comic relief, Jenny…I’ll be sexy I can’t believe I never noticed she was beautiful Jenny. At least that’s the idea, not that this is a chick flick, so I could very well find a way to mess this up, but still at least my mind will be that of the sexy girl, only I don’t really have sexy girl brain…Okay, I’m going to kill Joe. Why would anyone, let alone me listen to that over quaffed crazy?

Did I mention the rule of the feminist is blame the man, any man?

I must say, it’s hard to think about not falling, not making too much noise on the marble stairs, keeping your chin up, looking graceful, and then actually execute all these things while wearing heels and being watched by the sexiest guy on the planet. I didn’t say it People did…right? I know he was on some sexy list some where down the line, and for darn good reason!

All things considered, it’s not surprising I was feeling pretty proud of myself when I finally made it to the bottom, so in celebration of my success, I failed to keep the concentration on my coordination…and we all know where this is going. Instead of being on the stairs me eyes were on the guy, and I missed the last step propelling me in the most graceless way, right into Mr. Wonderful’s chest.

“Sorry.” I gasped mortified, why do I even bother? Sexy girl brain is so not in me.

“Don’t be,” He chuckled, “I’m actually relived.”

“You wanted me to fall?”

“No…kind of? Just that for a second there I wasn’t sure it was you looking all graceful, beautiful, and put together.” He grinned.

I’m not sure whether to be offended or flattered, “Thanks.” I shrugged straightening out my dress, “You look great too.” That was an understatement, that boy can sure rock the formal wear.

“Okay so we’re all set right? To avoid a repeat of what happened on the stairs, if Joe looks like he might gain momentum, I’ll run interference.” Kevin clarified as he moved to open the door to the party hosting Jonas house.

“Got it.” I nodded taking a deep breath.

We needn’t have worried though, because it wasn’t Joe who barreled into me the second I got my coat off…it was the bonus Jonas, Frankie.

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 43]

“Frankie!” I laughed squatting down to his level…okay who am I kidding, kid’s just about my height. “Merry Christmas!”

“Jenny, right you draw all those comics online with the monkey hat and the coffee?” Frankie asked excitedly looking over at a little girl about his age. Ah, so that’s the crush he was telling me about!

“Yep, that’s right. Who’s this lovely girl Frank?” I asked him trying to hide my giggles.

“This is Maddie, she’s my best friend, and she loves Jenny!” He introduced excitedly draping his arm around her, trying to act all suave.

“Well it’s lovely to meet you Maddie, you know I have it on good authority that Frankie here has your Christmas gift upstairs on his dresser, wrapped in red paper.” I hinted…pretty badly, trying to let Frankie know that I’d delivered.

With matching grins both kids ran up the stairs leaving Kevin and I to laugh after them.

“What was that all about?” he asked laughing.

“Frankie’s got a crush, and he asked me to help him pick out a special gift. So a made a deal with him, he writes his own note, and tries not to break her heart, and I provide the goods. I gave Nick specific instructions on the gift placement.” I shrugged.

“Smooth, so what’d you get her?”

“Something she wanted, a signed copy of the book containing all the Jenny comics I put out this year. That and a kid friendly version of my charm bracelet with a little tank charm.” I giggled, “That part I stole from you.” I grinned.

“I can’t believe my baby brother will be the only one with a girlfriend at this party.” He laughed incredulously as we made our way to Nick and Joe who were surrounded by a gaggle of teenage girls.

“You sure about that?” I asked raising an eyebrow at all the short shiny silvery dresses, no wonder Joe thinks I’m not sexy enough…though to be fair I’m not known as a teen star, or star at all…and have more curves than most Disney girls, so something that small would look more overtly sexual on me.

“Jenny!” Joe greeted me wide eyed, Jenny one Joe zero! “Okay, not a nun.” He whispered into my ear as we hugged, before allowing me to hug Nicky.

“Nice dress.” He whispered, and I swear I heard him smirk!

“Jen, these are some of our friends, Demi, Selena, Emma, Hillary, Allison, David, Zac, and Dallas.”Kevin introduced, before he got accosted by Mrs. J asking him to help her in the Kitchen, after her warm welcome.



Great…just what I need to be thrown into the deep end of social awkwardness. I don’t do so well with mingling, I’m awkward, and they’re pretty perfect wholesome celebs, who actually seem really nice, but are way too pretty (even the boys) for their own good!

“You do that column on the Daily O-online right?” Hillary asked a second later, catching me off guard and pulling me out of my social leprosy as the rest of the group talked amongst themselves.

“Yes, did those two brief you on talking to me?” I asked motioning towards Nick and Joe who were obviously trying to eavesdrop.

“No,” she laughed giving me Lizzie McGuire flashbacks, “Actually the director of the movie I’m working on turned me on to it as research for my part.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool, and unexpected.” I laughed a little shocked by her confession.

“Yeah, I’m playing this up and coming magazine columnist, but there’s the whole romantic comedy twist obviously. It’s better than it sounds, but I got all this homework along with the script, you know movies to watch, stuff to read to kind of figure out how to play this character and give her a real shape you know?” she asked looking every bit intelligent and ditzy…jut my kind of girl.

“That makes sense, you want to play believable, although if you don’t mind my saying so, I think you’d play her best a little light hearted…from the little I know of the plot.”

“What do you mean?” she asked interested.

“Well, kind of an intelligent ditz…if that makes any sense? You want the character to be credible and smart, but I find the best parts of my writing come from my, oh my gosh, I’m a dork and I can’t believe I just did that moments.”

“Yes! That’s what I love about your column, I mean the comic is cute, but I love reading all the normal stuff that happens, only in a totally crazy way!” She exclaimed.

“Thank you, I really can’t wait to see the movie, I’ve got to keep a look out now!” I laughed.

“Yeah for sure, though now that I officially know you I may just hit you up for more advice on how to do the nerdy girly girl, in a good way!” she added leaving no room for offence.

“That could work, my nerdiness is best shared with the world.”

“So, what’s the deal with you and Kevin?” she asked as we made our way to the drink table.

“As of now? We’re just best friends I guess, I don’t know how anyone would describe us.” I laughed, because if I don’t know then how can I honestly tell her?

“Really? Well I think you’d be totally cute together. How did you meet anyway?”

“What you don’t think I have a rolodex full of celebs phone numbers?” I gasped in mock shock.

“Well of course you do, I was just wondering how you got Kevin’s number in there.” She giggled.

“Email.”

“Email?”

“He sent me an email through my fan site.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope, though to be fair, it was after he replaced my coffee and gave me a clean tee shirt to change into at a local Starbucks.” I shrugged.

“He’s the guy!?” she whisper yelled excitedly.

"Shh! Yes.” I laughed giddily, wow I’m so girl talk depraved!

I spent most of the Christmas party being introduced to people I’ll probably never see again, hanging out with Hillary, who I think may turn out to be a great friend given the chance, and staring longingly at Kevin whenever he had to step away to talk business with people.

Gag, I can’t believe I just admitted to that! Shoot me now!

If there’s one thing you need to know about me, other than my coffee addiction that is…it’s that I’ve probably seen every Christmas movie ever made, a few times over actually.

I know ever quip, pun, song, and tear jerking moment…why then it never dawned on me that the nasty green thing hanging above my head was not some shriveled up piece of cilantro, but in fact mistletoe, the world may never know. Here I was minding my own business, taking a moment to simply breathe instead of having to mingle, and explain my relationship with the Jonas clan to various party people who probably won’t remember my name by tomorrow morning anyway when out of nowhere, I feel someone hug me from behind…before I could even think of repeating the Joe incident Kevin decided to speak up, obviously he likes his nose without the swelling too. “It’s just me.” He chuckled.

“Don’t scare me like that!” I giggled craning my neck to look at him.

“Sorry, I was just passing by on my way to help Frankie set up the video games in the other room when I spotted you standing here all alone.” He grinned resting his head on my shoulder.

“I see, it’s very nice of you to try and keep me company, but don’t you still have to help Frankie?” I asked turning around in his slackened grip.

“Yeah, I do.” He sighed apologetically before walking away…he didn’t make it more than three paces before I heard him calling me.

“Ye…?” the single syllable died in my throat, as Kevin tilted my chin up for a tender kiss. Unfortunately it was over almost as soon as it began, and before I could fully process what just happened Kevin pulled away spared a conspiring glance above my head, then just as he opened his mouth to speak…Frankie burst in demanding assistance.

That’s when I finally looked up, at the stupid freaking mistletoe, and did the only thing I could do when faced by Kevin’s retreating form as he sent me an apologetic glance…I just shook my head and laughed, like the crazy that I am.

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 44]

Once the initial shock of whatever just happened between Kevin and I wore off, I bravely commenced my mingling. Not point in dwelling now, while I’m still stuck in a house full of happy Christmas people. I might as well enjoy tonight, then grill Kevin in the morning because if that boy thinks he can just kiss me and walk away he’s crazier than I thought…speaking of which.

“There, you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” Kevin smiled charmingly, as he excused us from the conversation I was having with Demi and Allison.

“Okay, so you’ve got me all to yourself now what?” I asked once we were out of the kitchen and on our way to the back yard which was also decorated, and intelligently equipped with outdoor heaters.

“Now, is where I apologize for running around all night, and ask you to dance with me?” he shrugged as New Year’s Eve quietly played over the outdoor speakers.

“I’m flattered, but no.” I giggled, to his crestfallen look I quickly amended, “I don’t dance…”

“You don’t dance?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Not around people or with people who are musically inclined.” I corrected.

“Oh, come on, Jen.”

“Kev, I’ve seen you dance, I can’t compare.” I giggled.

“Don’t, just dance with me? Please?” he pouted taking my hand and leading me to the makeshift dance floor set up in the garden, mostly populated by older couples.

To say we danced, might be an over statement considering we kept it pretty simple, until Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree that is, when we really started busting unfortunate moves, and twirling much to the amusement of the other couples. But still, it was enough to make me believe at least for a few minutes that this was my very own real life chick flick complete with my little happily ever after, at least until the made for TV sequel where they change the actors and add in a whole bunch of drama that isn’t even relevant to the original characters…little did I know then I’d be throwing a wrench in it soon enough.



“So, what did you think?” Kevin asked taking my coat as we entered his house.

“It was great, I was much less awkward than I thought I would be.” I laughed as he led me into the formal living room where the large Christmas tree was located.

“See, I told you. Now wait here, I’ll be right back.” He grinned running up the stairs.

Okay, so he kissed me. There was mistletoe though, and sure it’s not a tradition I’ve overly familiar with considering it’s an American thing, and most of my Christmas traditions are Mexican but I’m pretty sure it shouldn’t mean anything…only it did. At least to me, and I think to him…and why must I always pace when I get riled up mentally?

Okay, look normal, stand in front of tree, look at the pretty lights, pull painful pins out of my hair and let it loose…breathe, that’s important. So we like each other, but will it work? Trying to keep myself from hyperventilating obviously requires my full attention, which is why it comes as no surprise that I completely missed Kevin walking into the room, until I felt his chin on my shoulder and his arms around my waist.

“Merry Christmas.” He whispered kissing my cheek. And that’s when it happened, when I turned a perfectly sweet romantic moment into a…thing! I don’t know what came over me, I guess I’m just so used to talking to Kevin, and we’ve been not talking about this so much, that I just snapped!

“What are we doing?” I asked colder than I intended.

“What? Celebrating Christmas?” he asked straightening up, and loosening his grip a little.

“No, not now…well yes now, but at the party, in New York…heck even after your birthday party…before I fell off the bed. What is this Kevin?” I asked now facing him, arms crossed over my chest.

“Jenny…”

“Is this some fling, are we dating? Wait, I’m jumping the gun right? Do you even want to date? We act like we’re dating but you said it wasn’t a date. Why did you kiss me?” I managed in one breath.

“Jenny, I…”

“No, Kev if this isn’t what you want, then please don’t play with me here.”

“…I’m sorry.” He finished, and I swear I felt my heart not shatter, but at least crack inside my chest, “I shouldn’t have kissed you before I officially asked you out. But you were under the mistletoe, and I just couldn’t resist.” Wait what?

“What?” Don’t you love how eloquent I am even under extreme stress?

“Well I was going to wait until after tonight to really ask you out, but I guess you beat me to the punch.” He smirked.

“But, oh.”

“What’s wrong? If you don’t want to…I just thought…”

“No, I do but…Kevin I can’t secretly date you.” I sighed, flopping on the couch.

“I never asked you to.” He said coldly.

“You didn’t tell your brothers.”

“No I didn’t.”

“You asked me not to tell anyone that I was your date to the Christmas party. Kevin our whole lives are out there for people to look at, yours as a result of your music, but mine because it’s what I do. I tell people about my life for a living and...” I sighed finally catching my breath, “It’s public domain babe, if we can’t tell your family, some of my best friends might I add, then we can’t do this. I’m jumping the gun I know, thinking like twelve steps ahead when we haven’t even been on one date but I can’t lose my best friend because we suck at dating.” I groaned.

“Here.” He sighed handing me a small box.

“Kevin, I just dumped all that on you and you want me to open a Christmas present?” I demanded.

“Jenny, just do it. I’ll explain everything, address all your concerns, and even let you talk over me from time to time, if you’ll just open that box so I can explain my gift.” He chuckled in exasperation. Male ADD I tell you.

“A purity ring?” I asked taking the small silver hoop and slowly trying it on every finger, then repeating the process.

“Well, it’s mine…or it was when I was thirteen.” He chuckled at my confused expression.

“Jen, I don’t want to secretly date you. I want to for real, let the whole world know, date you…”

“But in the email you said…”

“The email, exactly. I didn’t want the first time I asked you out to be over an email, much less to a family party.” He laughed.

“Why not a family party?” I asked…okay pouted.

“Because, it would have been our first date and it should be personal, for one. And also because, you should have been at that party weather you were my date or not.”

“You still kept it from your family…that’s not letting the whole world know.”

“I did, because my family loves you. I didn’t want them to think that this is some kind of rebound thing, or that I was going into this lightly, but mostly I just wanted to hold on to this until I knew what you’d say.”

“Oh…so, you gave me your purity ring?” I asked still confused about the gift, and admittedly stalling for time as I processed the idea that Kevin was planning on asking me out and not on a secret date!

“Yes, but not because I’m trying to sleep with you or anything,” he rushed turning a slight shade of red, “I just meant what I said back in LA, about promising to respect women…to respect you. Jen I know it’s fast and we haven’t even gone out yet, and we may screw this up, but I just want you to know going into this how real this is to me.” He declared fingering the band nestled on my left index finger. “Now you’re speechless?” he asked quietly.

“It’s a lot to take in when we got home I wasn’t even sure you liked me…like that.” I laughed.

“Like you? Jenny,” he chuckled grabbing my shoulders and shaking me playfully, “I’m in love with you.” Oh!

“Really?” I giggled.

“Since the moment I met you.”

“Bull!” I laughed throwing the wrapping paper at him.

“That’s all you have to say?” he laughed throwing the crumpled wrapper back.

“What else is there? You’ve known I’m in love with you.” I sighed, trying to hide a smirk as his eyes lit up.

“I didn’t know.” He whispered unable to hide his grin.

“Yes you did.”

“I hoped.” He mumbled before finally kissing me. “That should have been our first kiss.” He smiled resting his forehead against mine.

“What’s wrong with our first kiss?” I gasped.

“It was under the mistletoe, and we weren’t even sure where we stood romantically!” he sighed.

“But it was on our first Christmas Eve together, and full of mystery and excitement before we danced under the stars…okay twinkle lights!”

“You can spin anything can’t you?” he chuckled.

“Pretty much.”

“So…”

“So…”

“You never answered my question.”

“You didn’t ask me anything!” I pointed out.

“Will you go out with me?”

“You know it’s not as effective when you know the answer.” I laughed.

“Jenny! Would you let me ask my girlfriend out?”

“Wait, so I’m your girlfriend now?” I grinned raising an accusatory eyebrow.

“That was my next question…” he sighed.

“I’m sorry?” I giggled…I suck at romantic moments.

“No you’re not.” He grinned.

“Yes. Yes, I’m sorry I’m a dork. Yes, I’ll go out with you, and if you still want to ask…I’ll even agree to be your girlfriend.” I grinned, like the cheesy moron that I am, snuggling into his side.

“You know, I resent the idea that we suck at dating…” he declared with a straight face, “we just suck at dating people who are less awesome than we are.” He amended before we both cracked up.


-Fin-