Smilin-Iris Xmas Theme

I’m best friends with the outcast of the school. Not out of pity, but he’s freakin’ awesome! He is really shy, I mean really shy, yet he’s so brave. You probably have seen him around: he’s got navy blue hair and such light lavender eyes, and oh yeah!, something about his face. Well, everyday he wears a Chelsea Smile, stitches on either side of his mouth. Sometimes he uses sharpie for the stitches, but usually eyeliner. We became friends because I asked why he did that, but he wouldn’t tell me. I would pester him for days, but he refused to say. I have a feeling he’ll tell me someday, though.
Anyways, he lives with me now since my parents let me have the vacation house. He told me he used to live with his grandma, but she died shortly before we were friends. So he has the room across from mine. Oh yeah, one more peculiar thing: I don’t know his name. I mean, no one does! He introduces himself as “I’m Smiling” to everyone who asks. It comes with the Chelsea Smile, I guess.
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“Hey, Iris, where are the lights?” Smiling asked.
“Um…they aren’t in the box?” I inquired as I rummaged through the open box before Smiling. No lights.
“I just looked twice. Didn’t you throw them away last year?” I pondered his question while I nibbled my thumbnail. I clearly remember tossing them out.
“Shoot…” I looked at him and shrugged. Smiling grabbed his car keys and started for the door.
“Menards, here we come~!” He sung over his shoulder. Even when he’s in good spirits, the only smile I’ve ever seen is Chelsea’s.

“Colored ones? Oo twinkling ones! Ahg, Smiling, I can’t choose!” I moaned.
He patted my shoulder and handed me two boxes of twinkling lights: colored and clear.
“This good?” he murmured. I said Smiling was really shy, right? He doesn’t speak above a whisper in public, yet he forgets the Smile. It always confuses me.
“Yeah, these are perfect,” I gave him a grateful smile, but he had already started walking to the checkout.
“You can’t pay without the product dude!” I yelled after him.
He was examining the various brands of gum when I dumped the lights onto the counter. Smiling handed me fifteen dollars without looking away or up from the gum.
After paying and as I was about to grab his sleeve to leave the woman behind the desk asked me, “Ma’am, is he alright?” She looked frightened, and kept glancing at Smiling as if he’d pull a gun any second. The usual reaction to seeing him.
“Ma’am,” I started mockingly, “I’d appreciate it if you stuck your nose in your shirt instead of our lives. Thank you,” I snapped at her. She drew back, clearly offended, with her hand on her chest.
“C’mon Smiling,” I said, grabbing our purchase and heading back to the car.
Smiling had me drive which is odd because he always does.
About halfway there, I noticed his arms constantly brushing his face. Next time I see her, I’m smacking her senseless, I vowed angrily. Still driving, I reached my right hand over to his left, and stopped an arm from rubbing his cheek. He held on to me like life depended on it.

At home, Smiling went straight to his room. I sighed, took out the lights, and began to wrap them around the tree. It would be Christmas tomorrow and the tree’s just going up now. (*cough cough* procrastinators *cough*)
I was putting on some ornaments when I heard Smiling’s door open.
“Oh hey, you’re just in time for the star…” My voice trailed off as I stared, open-mouthed at him.
“Smiling, where’s….” I gestured to my cheeks. He chuckled a little and held out his hand for me to shake. He had to physically put my limp hand in his because I was very confused.
“I’m Xavier Barret; nice to meet you, Iris Storm,” he stated. I was still shocked and puzzled. But he told me his name. He removed the Chelsea Smile. I didn’t know how to respond, so I hugged him. It surprised Smi—Xavier, but he returned the hug.
“Why did you—“ I began before  he cut me off.
“I finally figured out that I wasn’t on my own anymore. That I don’t need to hide,” he whispered into my hair.
“Good,” I sighed. I was relieved to hear that, but how am I supposed to remember not to call him Smiling? It’ll be difficult, I guess.
After the five minute hug fest, we unglued ourselves.
“Well, you were just in time to put the star on top,” I told him, the ornament dangling from my fingers. Xavier snatched it and started to assemble the decoration to the tree. I always let him do the star, well I have for the two years he’s been with me.
“Iris? Helloooo?” Xavier waved his hand in front of my face.
“Wha—what?” I blinked and shook my hair. I was daydreaming about my love for Christmas….again.
“Rise of the Guardians is on in a few minutes; do you want me to make popcorn?” I had completely forgotten!
“Yeah,” I facepalmed, “I’ll make the hot chocolate.” We both went into the kitchen to whip up our goodies.

“I won’t ever get over the epicness of that movie,” I concluded when the credits rolled down the TV screen.
“Yeah, I know. I love it,” Xavier agreed.
“Hey! Its past midnight! Ohmigosh, we should open presents!” I suggested excitedly, jumping on my toes.
“Alright! Alright, calm down,” he pushed down on my shoulders so I’d stop bouncing.
“Yours first,” I declared, handing him a slim rectangular container. He did the usual present-opening routine: examine box, shake box, and then open box.
“Oh wow…” Xavier chuckled as he lifted off the lid. I get him things grandparents get their grandchildren: clothes.
“These are just great: I’m gonna put them on now,” he said as he went to his room to change. And he never complains about them!
I ate a few more handfuls of popcorn before he entered the living room again.
 “Christmas looks good on you!” I giggled.
 “You’ve got good taste, I’ll admit.” Xavier returned to his seat next to me with a tiny box in his cupped hand.
 “Your turn,” he breathed as I cautiously took the box. I removed the small bow and opened the top—a ring. Not that kind of ring! A lip ring, a teal one in fact.
 “I knew you wanted a different one, and I saw this before and immediately thought of you, so yeah…” he explained.
 “I love it so much, thank you!” I exclaimed, leaping to my feet to go put it in, but gave him a kiss on the cheek before I did. I left him blushing crimson.
He knew teal was my favorite color, I pointed out as I looked at it from every angle. And he enjoys his Christmas tree pants, so we’re all set.
 “Hey, Iris.” I heard Xavier call from outside my room. I went back to the living area to find….
 “Xavier, what are you doing?” I laughed. He was making a scarf out of the spare garland and couldn’t get it off. He stopped wriggling and gave me Bambi eyes.
 “Help,” he begged. I laughed again as I attempted to untangle him; only getting myself caught in the mess too.
 “Ah crap, this stuff is dang—hey!” Xavier had stuck a bow on my forehead. I glared at him, but he couldn’t stop smiling. For once, I got to see his smile, a real smile.
 “Merry Christmas, Xavier,” I grinned.
 “Merry Christmas to you too, Iris,” he beamed.
 “Now, how do we get out?” I asked.
Silence.
 “Shit.”