Chapter 21
The Christmas Eve Strays
JAMES
Christmas and I have a longstanding mutual dislike. Foster homes tried, some more than others, but holiday cheer rings hollow when you're acutely aware of being a temporary addition to someone else's family portrait.
But this year is different. I'm wearing yet another Holiday T-shirt under my hoodie because Gavin insisted. It's only tolerable because Caleb left it for me, and it says 'This Shirt Is My Holiday Cheer'.
"You're doing it again," Gavin says, nudging my shoulder as we trudge through campus. The sky threatens rain, which is unusual for San Clemente at this time of year.
"Doing what?"
"That thing where you look happy but then try to hide it with a scowl." He grins down at me, his breath visible in the cool air. "It's cute, but you're not fooling anyone."
"I'm not scowling. This is my face."
"Sure, Grinch. Keep telling yourself that." He playfully bumps my shoulder again. "Remember last year when you threatened to dismantle the Christmas tree if Ian played 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' one more time?"
"It was the seventeenth time in three hours. That's psychological warfare."
"And now look at you, volunteering to help find Christmas strays." Gavin's expression softens. "Caleb's been good for you."
Just don't answer. My damn smile won't stay down, though. Gavin notices, of course, but mercifully changes the subject.
"Look," he says, pointing toward the student center. "That guy sitting alone over there doesn't look okay."
Through the large windows, I spot a young man perched on a bench with a suitcase at his feet. He's pretending to read a book, but his eyes keep flicking to his phone.
"Let's check it out," I say.
Inside, the warmth hits us like a wall. The guy looks up as we approach, his posture immediately straightening. Everything about him is precise, from his expertly cut hair to the expensive watch glinting on his wrist.
"Hey!" Gavin booms with his typical loud enthusiasm. "You got somewhere to go for Christmas?"
The guy blinks, composing himself quickly. "I am completely fine, thank you for your concern," he says in carefully enunciated English, even bowing slightly from his seat.
Gavin and I exchange a look. We've gotten good at this over the years.
"That's not what I asked," Gavin says gently.
The guy hesitates, his carefully constructed demeanour cracking slightly. "The dormitories have closed for the holiday period."
"I'm James. This is Gavin. What's your name?"
"Haruki Nakamura," he says formally. "My friends call me Haru. I am an exchange student from Kyoto, Japan."
After some delicate questioning, we learn his plans have fallen through. He was supposed to stay with a family friend in California, but the friend canceled at the last minute. He's too proud to call his parents in Japan for help.
"My father is a university professor," he explains, looking embarrassed. "He would not approve of my... miscalculation."
"You should come to our place. We've got plenty of room at the frat house."
Haru looks horrified at the suggestion. "I couldn't possibly impose on strangers for a holiday."
"Not strangers. Future friends," I say.
While he's mid-protest, Gavin stands and effortlessly hoists Haru's large suitcase up over his shoulder. Haru's eyes widen, impressed and alarmed by the casual display of strength.
"Dude, it's Christmas," Gavin states with finality. "No one should be alone."
Now I'm grinning at Haru's bewildered expression. "You might as well follow. He'll stand here holding your stuff until you do."
Haru hesitates, then nods once, decisively. "You are very kind. I will not forget this generosity."
As we walk back toward Greek Row with our newest addition, I mentally count our collection of holiday strays: the theater major whose play rehearsal runs through December 27th, the chemistry grad student who can't leave her time-sensitive lab experiments, the brother and sister whose flight to Minnesota got canceled due to weather, and now Haru. Not bad for a morning's work.
"You guys do this every year?" Haru asks as we walk, his formal English softening slightly.
"Yeah. But this year's special. Emily, that's our president's girlfriend; she's gone all out."
"Emily is Christmas personified," Gavin adds enthusiastically. "Like if Santa and Mrs. Claus had a really hot daughter who bakes cookies while organizing charity drives."
"That's... a very specific description," Haru replies.
"You'll see. Just prepare yourself."
The frat house looks like Christmas threw up on it, and then Christmas's drunk uncle came along and added in his own touches.
Emily's elegant garlands and tasteful white lights compete with what appear to be spray-painted beer cans, red and green, strung together. A beautifully decorated tree stands in the corner, topped not with a star or angel, but with what I’m fairly certain is a modified beer bong wrapped in tinsel.
Someone, almost certainly Kai, has hung mistletoe in strategic doorways with a sign reading "CONSENT STILL REQUIRED" in glitter pen.
Haru stands in the doorway, looking fascinated and terrified by the Christmas chaos inside. He bows slightly to everyone he meets, using formal language that makes the guys exchange amused looks.
"Thank you for your hospitality," he says for perhaps the fifth time.
"I have brought something, if it is acceptable for the movie night.
" He carefully unzips one of his suitcases and produces a DVD.
"In Japan, my roommates and I would watch this film each Christmas.
It is... how to say... not a conventional Christmas film, but very special. "
He holds up a copy of Tokyo Godfathers.
"Heck yeah!" Ethan calls from the couch. "I've heard of that one. It's supposed to be amazing."
The stiffness in Haru's shoulders eases slightly. "You know of it?"
Tyler, arm around Ethan, smiles. "Ethan's a film buff. He drags me to the international film festival every year."
"It is an honour to share with you," Haru says, carefully handing the DVD to Ethan like he's passing along a sacred artifact.
The guys have transformed the common room while we were gone. All the furniture's been pushed against the walls, and the center's now a sea of blankets, pillows, and cushions.
It’s a makeshift theatre style. The massive TV dominates one wall, courtesy of some tech alumnus with deep pockets.
"James! Finally!" Emily materializes in front of me, clipboard in hand, because, of course, Emily has a clipboard for movie night. She's wearing a red sweater with actual jingle bells sewn onto it. "I need your help with the streaming setup. We're having issues with the HDMI splitter."
"On it." I’m ridiculously grateful for a technical problem I can solve. "This is Haru, by the way. He's joining us for the holidays."
Emily's face lights up. "Perfect! We have plenty of room. Have you eaten? Are you allergic to anything? Do you have dietary restrictions?"
Haru looks slightly overwhelmed by the rapid-fire questions. "I... eat most foods. No allergies."
"Great! You're in charge of this." She hands him a bowl of cranberries, popcorn, and a needle and thread. "Just string them together, it's for the tree."
Before he can respond, she's whisked away to the kitchen, leaving Haru staring at the bowl in bewilderment.
"She's like that with everyone," I assure him. "You'll get used to it."
I'm elbow-deep in HDMI cables when I hear something happening at the front door. Gavin is standing, looking uncharacteristically hesitant, as two nervous-looking freshmen shift their weight from foot to foot in the doorway.
I recognize their faces; they're from Epsilon Beta Mu next door, the frat that's been nothing but trouble since Tyler and Ethan came out.
The room temperature seems to drop several degrees as everyone stops talking. These guys are from EBM, the frat that vandalized our pride flag and whose members have "accidentally" bumped into our guys on campus more than once.
"Uh, hey," one of them says, his voice wavering slightly. "We were wondering if we could join your movie marathon? We heard about it from Gavin."
It takes a minute, but then I see what Gavin has already spotted: their hands are tightly clasped together, fingers intertwined so completely that their knuckles are white. They're holding onto each other like lifelines but making no move to hide it.
Gavin catches Drew's eye, subtly elbowing him and nodding toward their joined hands. Drew's expression shifts from cautious to understanding in an instant.
The two freshmen stand a little straighter, clearly bracing for rejection but determined to face it together.
"Everyone," Drew announces, stepping forward, "this is..."
"Miguel," offers one.
"And Danny," adds the other. "From next door."
"Miguel and Danny are joining us for the movies tonight," Drew continues, his tone making it clear this isn't open for discussion.
The room responds with a chorus of greetings, some enthusiastic, others still cautious. Slowly, both guys visibly relax, their grip on each other loosening slightly as tentative smiles replace their anxious expressions.
"There's space by the window," Drew tells them, pointing to an unclaimed blanket nest. "Help yourselves to food, we've got plenty."
"Thanks," Miguel says, his voice thick with what sounds suspiciously like relief. "We appreciate it."
As they enter the room, they move together rather than apart under the curious stares. I hear Danny whisper, "See? I told you they'd be cool."
Tyler is watching the guys with a particularly intense expression. More than most of us, he understands what it means to find yourself on the wrong side of assholes in EBM. When the couple walks by him, he gives them a small nod that says everything.
Across the room, Emily catches my eye and gives me a thumbs up, her smile wide and approving. The first refugees from the homophobic frat next door have found sanctuary, and on Christmas Eve no less. It's almost too on-the-nose to be real.