A Christmas special!

A/N, Just to clarify this mini story has nothing to do with the regular chapter I've been writing, no Kai or anything bad. Just Red finding her Christmas spirit along with Chloe, of course Leah and Ruby.

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Red's POV

I woke up to see Chloe was not by my side, not unusual since it's holiday brake. What is concerning is all the decorative tinsel, stockings, and Christmas tree that was placed around the room nicely.

I sat up, looking around for Chloe and she came out the bathroom in a cute Santa dress, the ends of the dress were a fluffy white and the stop was an off the shoulder low cut shirt. Of course a buckle being around her waist. The dress fit every curve perfectly and I couldn't help but admire everything about her, she looked good in Red.

"Is it that bad?" She asked, turning to give me a full 360. I could barely find the words for how perfect she was.

"No, it's perfect. You look great princess." I said, my voice low and soothing since I'd just woken up. I watched her cheeks flush a dark pink as she happily skipped over to the bed side, giving me a closer view of her allure.

She held my hand and dragged me out of bed, I was unsure of what the excitement was all about and why she was so.. bubbly. "What's all this, and why are you so bubbly?" I asked with a concerned smile.

"It's Christmas Eve silly!! Don't you celebrate?" She asked me, I didn't really know how to answer that positively since I didn't never got a chance to celebrate.

My silence was cut short by Ruby bursting in the door, she looked panicked as if she were running away from Someone. "RED!! HELP, LEAH'S GONE MAD." She said rushing to hide behind me.

Not a moment later Leah came bursting in, holding one of the cutest festive dresses for Ruby. "Ruby! quit running! Get in the festive mood cmon!" She said taking a step closer, Ruby shook her head rapidly behind me. Her hands on my shoulders, her grip was firm.

"Why won't you girls get in the festive mood. What's going on? Red, you seem unaware of anything that's going on right now. Ruby you're just avoiding everything jolly." Chloe said as Leah stood by her side, nodding in agreement. I wasn't sure how to tell them that we don't really do Christmas without ruining their spirit. I knew Ruby wasn't going to talk about it so I had to.

"Well, back home we never really celebrated. It was full of beheadings and odd amount of paper meetings. We are familiar of the holiday but... yea." I informed, I watched as their faces kinda dropped.

"We don't mean to ruin your spirits of course, we just aren't used to the.." Ruby had a short pause as she looked around the room before speaking up again, "festive decorations, and traditions." I nodded my head.

"Well I guess we'll just have to show you two the true meaning of Christmas." Chloe said, I wasn't very fond of the idea, I could tell Ruby wasn't either but we just wanted to be there for them on this holiday.

"One moment." I said as I took Ruby out of the room, shutting the door behind us. "I don't want-" she started, I knew what she was going to say so I cut her short.

"I know I know. let's just do it for them okay? Maybe we'll actually have fun. Just put it aside for now." I said, I think I was reassuring both of us. "Red. I know how you get during Christmas times. Maybe you should let Chloe know-" "No. it's fine." I cut her off again, I didn't mean to I just, didn't want to deal with anything that's happened in the past.

The past is the past right?

We walked back in the room to see the girls with concerned looks on their faces, I guess they're assuming why we were gone for so long, or why we were gone in general.

"You guys okay?." Chloe asked, skeptical of the both of us. "Yep, we just aren't used to it, we are willing to give it a try though!" I said a little anxious which earned confused looks. They nodded their heads and Leah took Ruby back to their dorm.

"Red, are you sure you're alright with this? We can settle on a movie and have a chill night if that's what you're wanting." Chloe spoke softly as she held my hands at the fingers as her gaze full of concern.

"I'm sure. We can have as much holiday fun as you'd like" I said, I was uncertain but I didn't let that slip from my voice. She smiled and nodded her head, putting a Santa hat on my head.

Chloe's POV

I'm not sure if Red's hiding something or not, I know she has a very rough background so I'll try and take it easy on her today. Knowing stuff like this isn't her strong suit. She got ready and we walked into Ruby's dorm, Red of course was still wearing the Santa hat.

"We were thinking of going shopping for gifts later, then we can all share the tree in your dorm for Christmas Day tomorrow." Leah said, Ruby looked as if she were trying to keep up an act of enjoying the moment but it wasn't working well.

"Yea we can do that." I smiled at them. I looked around the room to see that the decorations were placed perfectly, the stockings were hung by the TV, lights were planted all over the room and festive treats were put on the table.

A/N, A bit of Red lore

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Ruby's POV

I know Red is despising every moment of this day, and she will the next. I'm not sure why she isn't telling Chloe about her past Christmas's but I can't say anything about it or it'll throw her off the edge she's currently standing on.

I'm fine with Christmas, I suppose. I never celebrated or got gifts but it's completely different for Red, on Christmas Eve every year Red was chaotic, not anything unusual though, she'd just make "trouble" around the castle, decorating the pillars in tinsel I and Christmas lights. She'd put bulbs on the trees and throw Santa hats all over the place, even on mother's portraits. How she had the time to do it all in one night? I have no clue.

Either way mom never accepted the decoration, knowing it was always her "irresponsible" daughter who'd cause the silly decoration. Red always got scoldings and branding on Christmas Day, she started decorating when she was 11 and once she hit 14 branding's had become a tradition. After all the pain she'd been through she just stopped decorating. Knowing that Christmas would never exist in her world.

After she stopped decorating I noticed every ounce of hope she had in her body wash away, she became distant and closed up, she locked herself in her room half the time to stay away from mom. We never really spoke unless I just needed her company, we needed each other but she just couldn't bring herself to open up to anyone. She was a closed book with damaged pages.

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"Hey Ruby do you know why Red's been acting a bit.. off? She's fidgeting and her hands are shaky. I don't want to ask her and risk sending her into an episode." Chloe pulled me aside in the Jellycat shop we were in. "I wish I could say. Maybe you should just, take it easy on her. All I can say is this holiday is the most traumatic for her." I spoke, watching Red as she looked at the cute bunny's.

I watched as Chloe walked  to another side of the plush store with Leah looking for the perfect gifts. I walked over to Red who had been looking at cat plushies for Chloe and noticed her hands were trembling some, but she still looked calm. "Do you think the  orange cat is good for Chloe, or the black one?" She asked holding them both up, she spoke a little fast which is never a good sign.

"Both. And I think you should open up Red, it's not good to stuff down your feelings. Every time you do you break." I spoke, she listened, not cutting me off. "I'm fine." She said as she looked at more plushies. "You're fidgeting. Which isn't something you typically do." By this point I wasn't really taking no for an answer.

I know my sister and I Know when something is going on, I know when she's on the edge of that dark abyss just avoiding everything that's pushed her to that point.

"Getting in my business isn't something you typically do so why the fuck are you starting now." She snapped, walking away to pay for the two cats. It didn't hurt me since I know she's just dealing with the weight of her painful tradition.

I let her words sit on my mind while I got Leah a green dragon and a frog with a crown, knowing it's something she would geek over. After paying I hid it in the bag and sat outside on a bench, waiting for the others to come out.

Red was leaning on the car on her phone, bag in hand not breathing a word to me. Still I wasn't mad at her, I knew she wasn't mad at me either.

Red's POV

I didn't mean to snap at Ruby like that, it wasn't my intention. I guess she's right and something in me just isn't letting me truly accept that.

It's just hard talking about this day to someone who loves this holiday, Chloe is super understanding and kind but I'd hate to ruin this day and tomorrow for her. So I'm not going to, there's no reason she should know about what went on in wonderland during this day and the next.

As we walked down the street that was full of shops and bakeries I saw a Jewelry store with the prettiest sliver necklace that had a sapphire heart pendant. I knew Chloe loved jewelry and I knew she liked blue so why not grab it for her. "Hey I'll be back okay? Y'all go ahead without me." I said to the group but looking at Chloe.  "You okay?" She asked, I nodded me head and she took my word for it.

"Can I have this one please?" I said the the jeweler, pointing through the class at the necklace. "It's a beaut isn't it!" The lady said grabbing two small boxes for me to pick which one it should go In. I pointed to the heart box that had a baby blue soft padding inside, she summed up my total and once I paid she gave me a cute mini bag.

As I walked down the peaceful silent street I got a notification on my phone, surprisingly it was from my mother. Seeing the notification made my heart drop, all though she was nicer now and I'm hoping those days are over I couldn't bring myself to open the message.

I didn't realize I'd been walking to no where for a while and the group was definitely at the dorms now. I decided to make my way back to AP, seeing all the decorations and lights, signs and festive music made me ill. Reminding me of the decorating I did when I was younger and always getting punished for it.

Even the school was decorated once I made my way to the front lawn, tinsel covering some benches and lights circling the trees. I just wanted to get away from it all, trying to drown out the colors and kids dressed cutely with their loved ones and friends. Finally I made it back to the dorm and Chloe looked at me, her expression changing quickly to worry and concern.

"You look stressed." She said walking up to me, taking the bags out of my hand and placing them under the tree along with the others. "Thanks." I said plopping on the coach, trying to ignore the decorations around the room. "Red you've been stressed all day.. what's going on?" She asked sitting beside me, her hand placed on top of mine which rested on my leg. "Nothing. Just not used to all the festive shit." I said, not being able to make eye contact with her.

"Tell her Red." Ruby said from my bed, sitting with Leah. I didn't even realize she was here. "Tell me what?" I couldn't tell Chloe, it couldn't happen. "Nothing." I said quickly. "It's not nothing Red! You need to stop pushing this feeling away." She exclaimed, just pissing me off more. "I said it's nothing, why are you so pressed?" I asked, snapping at her some. "Because I know you, if you don't say something now you'll break later." Ruby spoke, not breaking eye contact with me. "You clearly don't, it's not that big of a fucking a deal and you're just turning it into something it doesn't have to be!" I said, Chloe tried grabbing my hand to calm me down but I shook her off.

"Red you're not 'fine' it's a pretty big deal, you've been shaking and fidgeting all day! You expect me to just watch you tremble, trying not to break at the sight of decorations, trying not to crack at the sound of festive music??"

"Yea, that's exactly what I expect of you, clearly you can't get that fucking message, can you? You wouldn't know shit about what's going on in my head because you didn't have to live it years ago."

I snapped, leaving her silent. I didn't second glance any of them before leave the dorm, slamming it behind me. I walked out through the main doors and out to front courtyard. Taking a seat on one of the benches. My leg bounced up and down and my hands trembled.

My phone buzzed once more and again it was another message from my mother. This time I decided to actually open it and read them both,  realizing that ignoring her is considered rude.

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Mom.: Hey Red, I hope you have a Christmas you've always wanted. I remember this day all the time and realize how horrible I treated you those years ago. I know Christmas will never be the same for you and Ruby but I hope you both can find the true meaning of it, I wish I could go back and change what I did but I know it could never happen.

Mom.: Don't let this day haunt you because of me please, enjoy yourself with your girlfriend and friends. I finally decided to put some decoration up in honor of my daughter, maybe if you're up to it you can swing by and see how much of a terrible job I did. Which made me realize you were always the better decorator in this family. Im not expect a response back, just hoping you read these. ❤️

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I dropped my phone beside me on the bench, my head falling into my hands as I started to sob. My face was drenched within seconds and my hands trembled at the message, like everything that was weighing on me today came crashing down all at once. The world around me went silent as I cried.

The thought of my mom decorating just for me was one of the main reasons I just couldn't stop crying, to think she took the time out of her day just to send me those messages broke me. I guess Ruby was right about me breaking. I wanted to apologize, but I couldn't bring myself to lift my head out of my palms.

Suddenly I felt a warm hand on my back, bringing me in for a close hug, by the smell I could tell it was Chloe.

Chloe's POV

Ruby told me what happens to Red during Christmas, that's the only reason it took me so long to come outside for Red. I won't tell Red Ruby told me since I don't want her to be upset. I let the girl cry as my arms were wrapped around her. Giving her a few more minutes to get her emotions out properly, knowing she'd probably been keeping it all in this whole month. Once she was finished she started to speak, wiping the remaining tears as her head  resting on my shoulder. "I'm sorry. I've been snapping at you guys all day." She said, it broke me that she was apologizing since nothing was her fault.

"There's no need to apologize princess. I know today is hard, as well as tomorrow. I'm here for you okay?" She nodded her head. "I think I want to give Christmas a try.. I don't want the a few years to hold me back." She sounded like she was talking to me and herself. "Okay, we can take it slow alright? Just talk to me whenever it's getting out of hand, or give me a signal." She nodded her head and sat up straight, finally making eye contact with me. She smiled faintly and took me by the hand, walking with me back up to the dorm. It was quiet but it was a comfortable silence.

Once we reached the room Red was about the apologize to Ruby, but was cut short by a simple hug. Leah and I looked each other stuck in awe at the two sibling's. After a while we all watched movies and ate snacks, Red looks happier and lighter, like she'd been relived from the weight of the past. Her and Ruby play fought some while Leah and I watched, thinking the same thing as they pillow fought.

We watched a movie but it wasn't long before I started to drift to sleep, falling asleep on Red's lap.

Red's POV

I placed Chloe in her bed as Leah carried Ruby into their dorm, giving me a smile before she left.

While everyone slept I went out into the cold breezy night, going to a few more shops for Chloe, Ruby and Leah. I texted my mom back a few minutes ago, letting her know I'd swing by and help her with decorations and even bring her a gift or two. Knowing that even though the last Christmas's with mom were tough this one would be the first different one. A better Christmas.

Finally once I got the all the presents and wrapped them secretly I headed back to the dorm, thankfully Chloe was still sound asleep in her bed. I placed the gifts quietly under the tree with the others and got into bed, finally falling asleep.

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I guess I slept in a bit, I woke up at 9 with everyone huddled around me with smug smiles and giggling. "Where'd all these gifts come from?"  Chloe asked, clearly knowing the answer. "Hmm I wonder?"  Ruby joked. "It was Santa, duh." I sat up out of bed.

Chloe and I decided to change into matching Christmas Pjs while Ruby and Leah did the same but just in different sets.

"Okay everyone huddle around the tree." I said as the girls did so, looking at the pile of gifts with smiles. "Ruby all your gifts are pink, Leah yours are purple, and Chloe yours are blue.. of course." I said pointing to the colored wrapping paper, Chloe clearly had most of the gifts. "Bias much?" Ruby joked.

After we opened all the presents and cleaned up the wrapping paper I got a message from mom, her asking when we'd be arriving since she had multiple gifts for Ruby and I and she'd already sent a driver. "Hey guys, mom once us to head down to wonderland, she said she has gifts for Ruby and I." I said stuffing my phone into my pocket. "You want to go?" Ruby asked a bit shocked. I nodded my head with a smile and they all looked back and forth from each other. "Okay then let's go" Chloe said taking my hand in hers and we started to walk out to the front doors, seeing the wonderland themed limo waiting for us.

Once we arrived we walked in the doors being greeted by mom, she had just pulled out some cookies and she was right, the decorations were terrible. "Don't laugh Red!" Mom said with a smile.

She lead us to the tree which had 6 gifts total, three for me and three for Ruby. The first one I opened was the best one, Ruby and I got matching necklaces. It was a ruby heart with a golden crown on the top, the chain being gold. It was perfect.

Once we finished opened presents everyone sat on the couch, talking and laughing while eating cookies and cupcakes. "Red, Chloe, can you both go into the kitchen and grab goodie bags I got for Chloe and Leah, thank you." She asked, to which we did. Once we got the bags we started to head back to the living room with the rest of the group, but mom stopped us midway, Ruby and Leah chuckled looking up above us as my mother tried to keep her composer.

I looked up above Chloe and I to see a pretty Mistletoe above Chloe and I, she laughed softly before pulling me in for a kiss, her arms over my shoulders and my arms around her waist. We heard Leah and Ruby snickering with my mother stuck in awe.

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A/N, I hope you all had the best year, if not I hope 2026 will treat you right.

I hope you enjoyed this holiday special as well!🎄🎄

Happy holidays!!

-xoxo, Jules 💜