"I want everyone back here by 5 o'clock and no later. You here me?" Ava sent us all looks that told us she meant business. Since it was Christmas Eve Alex, Harper and I were going to spend the night here at Noah's.

Once Ava learned that it would be just me on Christmas she literally demanded that I spend the night here and celebrate it with them. Alex and Harper were already going to. I didn't even try to argue knowing it was pointless plus I wanted to come here. Spending Christmas eve and day at an empty house did not sound fun.

So Noah, Alex and I were expected to be back in time for dinner as well as whatever Ava had planned. According to Noah they had a tradition of eating dinner, playing a board game and then watching a christmas movie before bed.

"Will do." We all echoed.

The three of us were meeting up with the others for our own little christmas lunch. We figured today was a good day to meet up since we won't see each other for a few days with everyone spending Christmas with their own families.

With another promise to be back on time, the three of us grabbed the presents for the others before leaving. I was beyond excited to give everyone their gifts because I knew hands down I had the best presents. Plus this was the first time I've actually bought presents for someone other than my brother.

I got Noah and Alex a couple of presents but left the others at home for tomorrow. They were all wrapped and ready to go, along with Harpers.

"100 bucks Derek gifts us jerky.' Noah snorted as we backed out of the driveway.

"Jerky? As in beef jerky?" I questioned, leaning forward over the armrest.

"Yeah. Over the last few years he thinks its funny to give us beef jerky for christmas." Alex shook his head but the corner of his mouth was tilted up.

"Do I even wanna know how he came up with that?"

"Probably not." Noah laughed.

"So who do you think gives the best gifts?" I asked after a few minutes.

"Hmm that's a hard one." Noah looked at me through the review mirror. "Liv always gives good ones cause that's just who she is. But surprisingly Lexi and Nico give good ones. They both don't seem like the type that wouldn't be thoughtful but they are."

It actually wasn't that surprising. When I first met Nico and Lexi they were beyond intimidating. They gave off the 'don't-fuck-with-me' vibes and it literally took me ages to look Nico in the eyes and have a conversation.

Hell Lexi and I didn't even start off on the right foot. She made it clear at first that she didn't like me, that she wasn't going to be my friend. But now I seriously considered her one of my closest friends. We've both been through something similar that made us have a bond that was different than the others.

The rest of the ride over to Liv's house we talked about what would happen tonight and knowing that Harper would be getting us all up at the butt crack of dawn tomorrow. There was no way she'd wait until a reasonable hour.

Pulling up to Liv's house I saw we were the last to arrive. Since it was Christmas Eve most places were closed so we decided to just hang out at Olivia's. Why we didn't choose Noah's I have no clue.

The second we walked through the door I was tackled in a hug. Liv's body clung to mine as she squeezed my tightly.

"Merry Christmas eve!" She practically yelled. I hugged her back before she moved onto the others.

"She's been like this since yesterday." Derek whispered as I came to stand beside him. "She goes a bit overboard on Christmas every year." Glancing around the place I figured as much. Every inch of the house seemed to be decorated.

A beautiful tree sat in the corner of the living room, wrapped presents underneath it. Stockings hung on her mantel. From here I could see she put one out for her mom. My heart clenched. I had a feeling I knew why she went all out on Christmas.

"I say we do presents first." Derek said after a moment.

"Works for me. The lasagna won't be done for another 45 minutes aways." My mouth watered at the mention of lasagna. According to everyone Liv makes the best lasagna and she always makes it for Christmas. It now made sense why we came here for our little christmas celebration.

We all claimed seats around the living room. Poor Noah was stuck sitting next to me being the odd man out. I always made it my mission to find him someone. He deserved to be happy even if he think he didn't deserve himself. Of course Alex wasn't entirely on board with my plan but I didn't care.

I wasn't going to take full credit of Derek and Liv but...okay I was gonna give myself a lot of credit for that. If it wasn't for my meddling they would both be miserable without each other. So it was my duty as Noah's friend to help him be happy.

After Liv declared herself 'Santas Helper' she went over to the tree and started pulling out presents and handing them out. Because everyone got here earlier than us she must have made them put the presents under the tree. The best part was seeing all the different wrapping jobs.

You instantly knew which ones were Derek's. The wrapping paper torn and ripped at the edges. Not a smooth edge in sight.

With a one present per person rule it only took a minute to pass them all out. Everyone having a small pile next to them. I was giddy and almost jumping in my seat wanting everyone to open my presents. A hand on my thigh made my leg stop bouncing.

I looked up at Alex who was already grinning down at me. It was like he knew exactly what I was thinking. I sent him a sheepish smile. Who knew I was such an impatient person.

Alex just shook his head at me but amusement was written clear on his face. Before I could jump in to go first Liv beat me to it.

"Me first! Lexi!" I thought I was bad but seeing Liv literally bouncing in her seat with the worlds biggest grin. For a second I thought she was going to leap across the table and open Lexi's present for her. If it wasn't for Derek practically holding her back she probably could have.

I sat there leaning into Alex's side as I watched everyone start to open their presents. Seeing the smiles on everyones faces when they opened them was something I always wanted to see.

With practically no friends, or friends that wanted to do stuff for Christmas, I never got to give gifts. The only person I gave them to was Trent and even then I was too young to really give him anything. I'd either make something stupid or he'd give me money and take me to the store to get something.

The few times my parents ever were here for Christmas they usually too distracted to care. So being here right now meant everything to me. I finally had my own money to buy things for people I cared about and I get to see them open them.

When it was my time to open Liv's present I could barely contain myself as I ripped the perfectly wrapped present. My hands shook slightly as I lifted the box lid. Seeing what was inside my head snapped up towards her with wide eyes.

"A polaroid camera!"

"Has multiple rolls of film too and tons of settings. Then you can take pictures of everything and put them on your wall." Liv explained. I felt my eyes tear up. I've always secretly wanted a polaroid camera but had no one to take pictures with or for.

"Thank you." I sent her a watery smile. "I love it!'

"We can take a few pictures when we are done and try it out." I nodded, already itching to try it out.

Even though I wanted everyone to open my presents next I let the others go first. I was perfectly content watching everyone else open their presents.

The next little bit was a flurry of wrapping paper. Wapping paper was literally everywhere as present after present was open. Noah had two bows placed on his chest like boobs. Derek stuck one in the middle of his forehead.

As Lexi opened her gift from Alex I glanced down at my own pile, smiling at the presents. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much but I didn't care. I loved every single one of my presents.

Aside from Liv's polaroid camera Nico and Lexi both gifted me a big seat of drawing/painting stuff. Every colored pencil under the sun along with multiple canva's and notebooks. I was pretty sure I'd be set for a year. Next to theirs was Derek's present.

Derek may be slightly immature at times but he was a total sweetheart. He got me a sweatshirt and on the back it said "Salvatore". It was absolutely perfect. And the best part is he got Liv the exact same sweatshirt so matched. We always joked that she was secretly married to Stefan and I Damon so the present was amazing.

Lastly my eyes landed on Noah's present. He already told me he got me something else for tomorrow but I couldn't imagine what else he could have gotten me since this one was amazing. He got me a yearly pass to go snowboarding. It was good for two years before it needed to be re-upped. The moment I figured out what it was I squealed so loud. He just laughed and told me he knew how much I loved it and now I can go whenever I want. Everything was taken care of.

I don't know what I did to get such amazing friends.

Next was my turn to open Alex's. When he handed me the small box my hands once again began to shake. Glancing back up at him he sent me the softest smile. The sight of it making my heart melt.

Slowly unwrapping the present I stilled at the sight of what was inside. I bit down on my bottom lip as I reached in to grab it. My fingers gently grabbed the gorgeous locket necklace and brought it up.

Once again tears gathered in my eyes as I looked over at Alex. He had been watching me the whole time I opened his gift.

"Open it." He nudged his head towards the locket. I didn't even hesitate on opening the little locket. It took everything I had no to start crying. Inside the locket was a picture of Alex and I that I took on our first date at the strawberry farm.

I was grinning so hard at the camera but Alex was staring down at me with a smile of his own.

I stared at the picture of us once again feeling like my heart was going to burst. With a shaky smile I looked back up at Alex.

"Now you have me wherever you go." At his words a tear escaped. Alex brought his thumb up and brushed the tear away. "Don't cry."

I felt a little stupid crying in front of everyone but I couldn't help it. What did Alex expect when he got me the sweetest gift anyone has ever given me.

"I love it." I choked out.

"Good." I noticed his shoulders relax a bit, like he was afraid I wouldn't like it. "Put it on me?"

Turning around I showed him my back while extending out the necklace. Pulling my hair to the side I felt the tips of his fingers brush against the side of my neck. The feeling sending a shiver down my spine. I swore his fingers lingered once he clasped the necklace around my neck.

Turning back around I grabbed his hand and gave his a tight squeeze.

"Thank you." I loved all my other presents but this one definitely took the cake. Ignoring the looks from our friends I leaned forward and kissed him. It was a small kiss but I knew he felt how much I loved his gift.

*Wiping at my face and flushing with slight embarrassment, I cleared my throat. Finally it was my turn. I quickly stood up and started handing them out to everyone.

"Alex, Noah, Nico and Derek," I looked at all four of them. "You guys have to open yours at the same time." They all looked beyond confused but I knew in a matter of seconds they would be excited.

I made theirs a joint present but I had a feeling none of them are going to be disappointed by it. They looked at me in question but I just nodded my head. Sharing a look between the four they ripped into the boxes.

It only took a second for them to open it and when they did they went silent. I bit my lip to stop from laughing. Ever so slowly their heads came up and stared at me.

"Tickets to a Seattle Sounders game..." Alex trailed off.

"Are you be serious right now?" Noah asked, eyes wide.

"Yep. Four tickets to their season opener in two months." I had spent a good three hours on the computer at Sofia's to get those tickets. It took ages but I knew it would be worth it for this moment. And not to brag but they were pretty great seats too.

"How did you know?" Derek asked this time.

"You guys were talking about them about a month ago when we were playing soccer." I shrugged like it was no big deal.

It seemed to take another moment for it to sink in that they got soccer tickets because another minute passed before all four stood up cheering. I was suddenly jerked up and brought into a tight hug. I couldn't see who it was as I was passed from one person to the next.

After they stopped squeezing the air out of me they all stepped back from me and grinned.

"Thank you Riley." Nico smiled down at me.

"Of course."

"You really are the best girlfriend ever." Alex whispered as we took our seats again.

"I really am aren't I?" I grinned. He just shook his head and squeezed my thigh. Next it was Lexi and Liv's turn. Doing the same thing I turned to both.

"Open yours at the same time too."

Both of their eyes widened at my words, no doubt minds racing thinking about what I managed to get the two of them too. Without a word they tore theirs open. As soon as they did two really high pitch screams echoed around the room. I laughed at their expressions as the boys looked concerned.

"HARRY STYLES TICKETS!" Liv screamed.

"RILEY!" Lexi screamed as well. Both girls jumped up and ran towards me. I didn't even have time to stand up before they tackled me further into the couch. When they finally let me up I grinned at the both of them.

"Merry Christmas."

"Harry Styles tickets! Riley how did you manage to get these?" Liv's eyes were wide and her face flushed. Beside her Lexi looked no better.

"I have my ways. But its the same weekend as the boys game so I thought we could all drive to Seattle and spend the weekend. They go to the game and we go to the concert."

During one of our sleepovers all three of us had bonded over our love of Harry Styles. Yes even Lexi loved him, hard to believe I know. We had spent the entire night listening to his album, looking up pics of him and going on about us wanting to marry him. It just happened to be fate that he was coming to Seattle the exact same day as the soccer game.

"This is too much." Liv shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Yeah we can't accept this." Reaching out I grabbed their hands.

"You guys deserve it. We deserve it. Plus no refunds on the tickets." I said with a cheeky grin.

The three of us shared a look before breaking out into the biggest grins.

"Harry Styles here we come!"

While us grins sat there talking all about the concert the boys branched off to talk about their own present. Looking over Lexi's shoulder I found Alex staring at me. I sent him a smile which is quickly returned.

I looked around at all my friends, all giddy from their gifts, and felt something settle inside of me. My throat tightened as I realized.....

I had found my family.