You normally loved Christmas, it was one of your favorite days of the year. You loved the weather, spending time with extended family, the music, the decorations — well, the presents too, of course.

But, this year, it was definitely not.

You’ve been exhausted lately. Between taking care of your five younger siblings due to your mother being out of town, living in a literal haunted house, doing all the house work, taking care of everyone both mentally and physically, working two minimum wage jobs, having nightmares almost every night, and going to school. It was extremely stressful and tiring.

And Christmas was not nearly as fun this year, the season or the day.

— — —

December 25 2024 9:46 PM

You had bought all of your siblings presents — well, only one present per person because you had more important stuff to pay for. You, of course, didn’t get anything — except a drawing from one of your little sisters. — You tried focusing on the benefit of the doubt, trying to think that maybe your mother hadn’t gotten you anything because she was on a work trip.

However, you figured out that your mother wasn’t even on a work trip anymore, she was with some of your other family in Illinois for Christmas. You were obviously upset because she hadn’t even told you that she wasn’t on a work trip, and that she could’ve taken you and your siblings. And when you tried texting her, she ignored every single one of the texts.

Kai knew damn well that you wouldn’t be getting anything, or anyone spending time with you. So, he ditched the annoying, Christian homophobes called his family that were at his house for Christmas. About a week ago, he went to the store and bought you a present — it wasn’t anything big, but that didn’t matter.

When he got to your house, he let himself inside and walked to the kitchen. Where you were sitting at the island, scrolling through your phone. Your eyes were slightly bloodshot and your cheeks tear-stained. It was obvious you had been crying, but Kai didn’t want to say anything.