Jessica's POV:

It's Christmas and LAD is still on my mind.

I can't help it. I still haven't told Ross yet and I know I should, but I don't want to.

Then don't.

For a conscience you are pretty useless.

And I care what you say..?

"Ready to go Jessie?" Ross peeped inside our bedroom with a big adorable smile spread across his face.

I gave a small smile in return and got up, "Let's go."

"Jess!" Rydel screamed, embracing me in a hug. "Hey, you do know you saw me yesterday right?"

Everyone else laughed and we went in the living room to open gifts and such.

Lea and Riker soon joined in the fun. Everyone got some great gifts and it was obvious that they had no idea what to get me because I got a bunch of clothes and a necklace.

I mean, I am grateful but I've gotten better gifts.

Ross got a new guitar from his parents which was probably his best gift because his siblings got him, you guessed it..clothes.

And Rocky straight up gave Ross money to get himself something because he didn't know what to get for him.

I wouldn't have minded if they all did that instead of buying a bunch of clothes.

I could've gotten some really cool sneakers or something but I can't do nothing about that now.

We've already had lunch and now everyone is just talking to each other. Well except me. I'm just on my phone playing Village Life.

"Hey."

I glanced up from my game to see Riker standing infront of me, hands shoved in his pockets.

"Hi."

He sat beside me on the couch,"You've been acting rather strange today. Is everything okay?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I'm okay, it's just school stuff."

"School stuff?" he raised an eyebrow. I bit my lip and looked down. I wanna tell him. I need to tell someone. I can't keep this bottled up inside me forever.

Then tell him.

But I haven't told Ross yet. What if Riker told him? Then he'd be upset that I told Riker before him and that's too much more drama for this story to handle.

Then don't tell him.

You conscience are literally no help.

I swear, I'm not gonna talk to you again. You make no sense!

"Jessica?" Riker brought me out of my daze. I looked up at him, "Hmm?" "Now I don't believe you. You looked like you were having an inner argument with yourself."

Maybe because she was.

I thought you weren't taking anymore.

Correction I'm not talking to you anymore from now.

"Okay okay. I'm just not in the mood for Christmas without Sofia. I've celebrated Christmas with her for 9 years to then just stop. I'm gonna be having a first of everything nowadays I guess but it doesn't make it any less hard to miss her."

I saw a glisten in Riker's eyes and he noticed and turned away, "Oh. Sorry I didn't think of that."

I shrugged, "It's okay if you didn't think of her Riker. You have Lea and your relationship is going great. I can tell that you love her."

He shook his head.

My eyes widened, "Oh, sorry. I didn't know you haven't reached the 'love' stage yet."

"No, no, it's not that. I do love her." he told me and I saw his cheeks turn a light shade of pink. "It's just that I should've thought of her today. I mean exactly a year ago, we had our first kiss." he had a small smile as he recalled the memory.

"Yeah, I remember. You were so freaked out when she kissed you." I began to laugh.

He rolled his eyes, "Whatever Jessica. I liked her and her kissing me took me aback. I just wish I didn't appreciate the time I had with her more."

I softly patted his back, "Don't regret anymore. It's in the past and we're in the present. We just have to be grateful for what we have now."

"Thanks Jess. I'm gonna go talk to Ross."

I glanced down at my phone and after a while I glanced up again at Ross and Riker. Riker leaned in close and whispered something in Ross' ear.

He's ratting you out.

How can he? He doesn't know anything.

Ross turned his attention towards me as Riker continued to whisper in his ear, worry covering his face. I panicked when our eyes met and looked away, probably making myself look even more suspicious.

He doesn't talk to me right after his conversation with Riker is over. He talks to his parents and Lea first.

"Jessie?" he finally comes to me. "Hey Ross, I was wondering what was taking you so long to come over here."

"How'd you know I'd come over here?"

I gave him a look and he sighed. "Riker told me that something was off about you and you wouldn't tell him what."

"I'm just tired, honestly."

He gave me a once over, examining my face specifically before he gave up. "Well let's go home then. We're not really doing much here anyway."

We said goodbye to everyone and went home where we just watched Christmas movies for the rest of the day.

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Ross' POV:

I opened my eyes to a bright light and it took a while for me to adjust. 

For a minute I thought I saw Sofia standing at the side of mine and Jessie's bed but I continuously blinked and she was gone.

I sat up and immediately screamed, falling off my bed at the sight of Sofia. 

She didn't move, just stared at me which was kind of weird and creepy but her simple smile was comforting. 

"Is this another dream?" I cautiously ask. 

"Yeah Ross, it's a dream." she giggled, "You looked so hilarious just now." I rolled my eyes, "Yeah whatever. So what are we gonna do today in this dream?"

"We're gonna talk about you and Jessica." she shrugged. 

I raised an eyebrow. 

She rolled her eyes, "You do realise I'm dead right Ross? These dreams, though sweet, are kinda creepy too."

I sighed, "Yeah I guess, but I can't help the fact that I miss you and love you." 

She shook her head, "Loved me Ross. You loved me. Now you love Jessica. You constantly dreaming about me is not right and is extremely unfair to Jess."

She folded her arms, "Which is why I'm here. Okay, you're moving way to slow with her. You never know when your last day with each other will be and I really don't want you to regret anything like you do with me." 

I looked down, then at her. 

"Please promise me this Ross. You've gotta stop having these dreams about me. Dream about her, about the amazing life you're having together. Promise me."

"I promise Sof." 

She took a breath and a smile was soon covering her beautiful face, "Oh and Ross?" 

"Yeah Sof?" She came closer to me and enveloped me in a tight hug, "Happy birthday. I love you."

I officially woke up from falling off my bed. I could still feel the tingling of her touch. 

Okay Ross, stop it. No more constant thought of Sofia. She's dead. She's gone. End of story. 

Sitting back on the bed I realised that Jessica wasn't there. My first thought was that she's doing something for me for my birthday. 

"Jessie!" I call as I roam around the house. 

No answer. "Jessie!" 

After another moment of silence I decide to call her phone but to my avail she doesn't pick up. Like what's the point of having a phone if you're not gonna use it for it's main purpose. 

I got ready and walked next door to my parents. Jessie and the rest of them have to be inside there with a birthday something for me. 

I walked around my parents' home and I saw no one. 

Did they forget my birthday my birthday or are they just doing this as some kind of joke?

I headed towards the door to see Jessica now entering. "Oh hey Ross." "'Hey Ross? You're not serious." 

"Am I suppose to say something else?" she folded her arms. 

I laugh, "Okay you can stop now Jess, it's not funny." She didn't really forget right?

She simply shrugs and walks back outside, heading home and I followed in shock, already planning my big rant. 

I walk inside our home to see the living room full decorated with balloons, a poster and cake, etc. Everybody was singing 'happy birthday' and I could help but give a sigh of relief. 

And by everybody I mean my co workers for Teen Beach Movie, Austin and Ally and My Friend Dahmer and of course my family and other friends. 

They were still singing and I pulled Jessica close to me and kissed her and everyone stopped their singing and cheered. 

"Thanks for this. I am so lucky to have you." She blushed, "Yup."

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Jess' POV:

The party was over and Rydel helped me clean while Ross talked to his brothers. 

Ross came from behind me, enveloping me in a hug. I smiled, "I take it you enjoyed the party." I felt him nod, "When did you get the time to plan all this and when did you decorate the living room? I was literally just home and it's magically full of birthday stuff." 

I chuckled, "I thought of it on Christmas and Rydel is amazing when it comes to decorating. She bossed everyone around and we were scattered all over the place decorating before you got back." 

He let go of me and scratched the back of his head, "I feel kind of guilty for not making your birthday so amazing." 

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not a big fan of my birthday anyway so it wouldn't have mattered and its  already gone." 

He gave a small smile, kissing my cheek, "I guess I'll have next year. You'll be in your third year of college and I'll be doing something with my life." 

I gave a nervous laugh and avoided eye contact. 

"You okay?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I shook my head, "I guess I'm just tired, today was rather eventful." 

He agreed, "I understand, I'll just down here for a while." 

I nodded and walked upstairs, mentally scolding myself for not telling Ross about London yet.

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A little author's note I promise. I just wanted to know how did you find this book? I've been wondering and I know my book isn't really famous so I just wanted to know. Thanks..

ILY, Maria✌❤