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cloveroctobers · 1 year

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DECEMBER DRABBLES — 6. Jessie Raymond Jr. + Tammy Ocampo 🌨️

A/N: I can’t believe we have to wait deep into January to get another season but if we don’t think about it…it’ll arrive faster than we think! ☝🏾 Anyways i have a crush on Sylvester & Gigi that’s that bi panic 🤭 and since the all american universe and bridge & tunnel series are non-existent on this site—mainly bridge and tunnel, I thought I’d take one for the team and do the writing. GIF BELONGS to: @katelliot

SN | | I’m planning to do 12 prompts of Xmas which means I have 6 more left to do but honestly—no promises! 😬

PROMPTS: #25. “My car was not made for this weather!” + #16. “Don’t slip!” + #31. Scenario: told parents about SO and now you have to rope someone into it for the holidays.

Synopsis: OC involves her ex-lover, JR into being her fake boyfriend for the holidays, along with her bestie and main-driver, Tammy uncovering the reasons why there shouldn’t be secrets.

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“My car was not made for this weather!” Tammy Ocampo, Linnea’s best friend, complained as she kept a tight-grip on her fuzzy steering wheel.

She wanted to leave on time, much earlier when the sun was still out along with less traffic, to get to Linnea’s family’s house up in the mountains, which was also considered a village town. Ultimately this did not make sense to Tammy really, since she didn’t picture Linnea’s parents living in a secluded area such as Helen, Georgia but to each their own of course!

“We’re going up this mountain to save my marriage,” JR joked from the backseat, snacking on something that made Tammy roll her eyes.

She was unaware that she was taking Linnea’s old fling along for the ride as well. And she also wished her friend would have communicated this so that she could tell her that this was a bad idea.

Tammy rolled her eyes again, which JR caught in the rear view this time. He decided to close up his snack to shove back into the book bag he had beside him in the backseat. As previously stated, JR and Tammy tried to be on their best behavior towards each other since they cared about Linnea and he figured that the Latina was just pressed he was here. He was a gentleman, knew shit wasn’t for free, and knew Tammy would probably feel a way about him being here but Linnea asked him to do a favor for her so he was here. Simple as that. He offered to pay for the gas as the bare minimum—which Tammy shot down, and even pumped the gas at this sketchy station when the snow started coming down again.

The only one that seemed to have an attitude here…was Tammy.

“So…Tammy,” JR started, “how do you get along with Linnea’s parents? Anything I should be warned about as a friend looking in on the outside?”

Tammy pulled her bottom lip into her mouth as she thought about that. Sure she could make up something but she knew Linnea wouldn’t let that slide. However JR was in a much different predicament than she was. Linnea and Tammy were friends since middle school living in Lula, Georgia—a railroad town up until Linnea’s parents decided to move to Helen months after Linnea started at the HBCU in Atlanta.

“Well you’re not bonding with them as Linnea’s friend right? so your process will be different compared to mine,” Tammy responded, noticing Linnea peek over at her choice of wording.

Linnea could feel the tension in the car since the moment JR climbed into the backseat. The girl could understand Tammy’s position to a certain extent, you can’t just invite someone else when you’re not the one providing the transportation. Honestly it was a spur of the moment kind of thing, from receiving a text message from her mom late at night two days ago reminding her of her “significant other,” mind you—that didn’t exist, to reaching out to her old lover and friend? Jessie Raymond jr. To be her fake boyfriend.

Then there was Tammy who’s been around Linnea’s parents for awhile now. Although her mother and Linnea’s mother were not on the best terms before Tammy’s mom’s passed, her father still sent a Christmas card to their home every year.

This would be JR’s first time ever meeting the girl he’s been intimate with parents and this isn’t something usually that he does. He often avoided this part of the relationship because they weren’t serious and he felt it wasn’t needed. He was starting off with a lie for the sake of Linnea’s sanity yet he wasn’t expecting this to bite him in the ass later.

The relationship between Linnea and JR was a monthly subscription. From spending late night studying sessions, to showing up to nearly everyone of JR’s games and Linnea’s skating competition in return, to Linnea throwing a cartwheel on his north pole for the first time, quickly changed things—as to be expected. It was the usual friends with benefits storyline but once it started to mean something, Linnea distanced herself and that made things very confusing to JR—however he was the main one proposing that they didn’t get attached.

He had to give the girl some shit when she called him, requesting that he be her man for the holiday season in front of her parents. Since she spent time alone and away from JR, he tried not to think too much about it and focused on himself as well. It felt weird but he didn’t want to discuss it and carried on like it was nothing although everyone in the group, including Tammy noticed the shift.

This also gave JR the time to give his baby bro, the opportunity to spend a few days with their mom alone. He didn’t mind giving Damon that but would definitely be back to spend the rest of the holiday season with his family too.

“It’s sounding like you ladies might be setting me up,” JR stated, “I just want to know what I’m walking into. I already know the basics of your folks names and what they do for a living. I’m making sure I’m not blindsided when I walk through the door, that’s all.”

Tammy laughed, “this isn’t a exam. Just be natural, anyone can see if you’re genuine or not.”

JR tilted his head to the side, looking at Linnea who could feel his stare. She slightly turned to meet his eyes, sent a smile his way, followed by a thumbs up.

“What she said. You’ll be fine.”

“…are your folks expecting you to bring anyone home this holiday, Tammy?” JR asked.

Tammy inhaled as she sat up straighter in the driver’s seat, “last person I brought home to my dad, cousins, and aunties it became a mixture of threats of kidnapping him and bringing him to Colombia; to never be heard from again if he broke my heart and my aunties begging him to marry me. So I’d rather not do that or lie about my love life.”

That was a jab.

Linnea had to check if her hearing aid was turned on at that. She even peeked over at JR to make sure he heard that last bit too and he held his hands up basically telling her to check that herself, despite it being his question to Tammy.

“I’ll tell them it’s all a prank at the end of the trip so they don’t kill me while also hinting that I want them to butt out of my business.” Linnea explained, beginning to play around with the case of her phone.

Tammy shook her head, “Is it really worth lying though? I mean how long have you been telling your mom about him? Just tell them that you’re focused on school, it always works for me.”

“That’ll only get you so far.”

“We’re only nineteen!” Tammy exasperated, “it’s so frustrating between my family wanting to marry me off and yours expecting you to be in a relationship.”

Linnea folded her fluffy covered arms, “I’ve been single so long in their eyes that they’re starting to question my sexuality.”

“Wait, forreal?” JR questioned, “why?”

“Oh you know the ignorant saying: If you never talk about your interests in the opposite sex in front of them or gush about your crushes or bring anybody around, you’re immediately gay.” Linnea informed.

The car was met with silence at that until Tammy snickered.

“Well…they’re not 100% wrong.”

JR found himself tilting his head at that, “what do you mean by that?”

Tammy laughed, looking over at Linnea who gave her a playful side eye.

“You’ve never told him?”

“Told me what?” It felt like JR was watching a match right now and usually he caught on pretty quick but it didn’t feel like it when it came to Linnea Griggs.

Linnea twisted her body around, setting her back against the car door so that she could face both Tammy and JR.

“Tams and I used to date,” Linnea revealed making JR raise his brows, “from Christmas break during our junior year in high school up until the summer going into senior year. Then as soon as Mikey Diaz wanted to take her to prom instead of Stacey—whatever her last name is, Tammy dropped my ass even as her friend. We had beef for awhile.”

Tammy gasped, “that’s not true!”

“Yes it is.”

JR bursted out laughing at the two’s bickering, making Linnea question with her eyes what he found so funny. It was when Tammy’s eyes peered back at him through the rear view, he pointed in her direction, still chuckling.

“The hell are you laughing about?”

“It all makes sense,” JR said, “I finally know what Tammy’s problem with me is.”

“Problem? Oh no, we don’t have a problem.” Tammy tried to persuade.

JR gave her a look of pure disbelief which made her clear her throat and turn her attention back to the road.

“You must know about Linnea and I,” he spoke so matter of factly that it made Tammy want to slam on the breaks, so maybe the seat belt would yank on his neck a bit but decided against that—she was safe driver, “you two have history too so it’s obvious that you feel a way about me even if it isn’t intentional.”

It was Tammy’s turn to laugh as she shook her head, “you say you’re this nice guy but you really radiate cocky energy majority of the time you know that, huh?”

“No, don’t get that misconstrued baby, I’m confident.” JR flashed his white teeth at her while Tammy scoffed.

“Oh, are you? How confident are you in Linnea’s feelings about Gabby?” Tammy fired off which made Linnea reach over and whack her arm.

JR’s eyes flicked to the bundled girl. He wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean or how Linnea even knew what was going on with him and Gabby. There wasn’t much besides flirting…yet.

“What’s wrong with gabby?” JR quizzed, sliding forward to rest his elbows against the back of the seats, “Cam told me y’all were cool…”

Linnea couldn’t help but to suck her teeth at that, making more confusion appear on the brown skinned boy’s face. Why was JR asking her god-brother about her opinion on gabby? They sat next to each other in class, borrowed pens off each other, and cackled once or twice at the professor getting on each of their nerves but there wasn’t a issue.

JR was not Linnea’s man, he made that clear.

So why did it matter what she thought about him getting involved with someone else?

Tammy bit down on her bottom lip, realizing that she probably should have kept her mouth shut but it needed to be out in the open.

Especially if they were going to play along with this little scheme Linnea came up with to get her parents to chill on her relationship status.

“It doesn’t matter,” Linnea muttered, ready to turn back around but JR reached out for her fur covered wrist.

Her round eyes met his full-length lash framed ones, “it does to me.”

Sure Linnea distanced herself from JR once she realized she was falling for him. She swore she wouldn’t let this happen but the more time she spent with the guy, made that incredibly hard. Which is why she put up the distance, although she wanted more but it was dangerous not allowing yourself to love.

Yet it seemed like JR was a pro at it.

“It’s too late,” Linnea whispered, making his brows furrow for what felt like the thousandth time tonight, just as Tammy pulled into the driveway of Linnea’s parents’ cabin.

A thick silence filled the Honda even with the heat still flowing through the vents. Tammy clapped her hands together trying to break it as they all stared out at the snow-covered cocoa powdered home, “I guess we should head in, I don’t think I’ll stay since…my dad is probably waiting for me.”

Linnea couldn’t believe Tammy and she knew it with the way she cut her brown eyes at her. Normally Tammy didn’t mean any harm and still probably didn’t but Linnea was highly annoyed with her. This break wasn’t meant to be drama filled, it was about spending time with loved ones but now Linnea just felt like going right to bed.

“You know my mom’s not going to allow you to travel out to Lula by yourself at this hour,” Linnea grumbled, shoving her hands into her gloves, “so let’s just get this over with, okay?”

She didn’t wait for a answer from either of the two, unlocking her side of the door, tossing the door open to engulf herself into the frozen air and wet snow. A slam of the door made Tammy wince, she tried to perk up and say something else to JR but he also smoothed a beanie over his ears, lifting his book bag with him before he exited into the cold too.

Carefully JR walked down the rest of the driveway, his eyes in slits as the snow whipped past his face, slightly quickening his steps to Linnea who was stepping downwards to the house.

“Don’t slip!” JR called out, his hands going around her coat covered waist as she did.

He steadied her as Linnea’s breath puffed out into the air, attempting to catch her breath as she leaned back into JR for a bit before straightening up. Rolling her shoulders Linnea whispered out a, “thanks,” before carrying on around the front patio towards the front door.

He couldn’t help but to let out a sigh as he heard the steps of Tammy stomping behind him. He stepped to the side, holding his hand out for her to walk in front of him before he followed the girls to the main entrance.

Linnea was quick unlocking the door, holding it open and waving her two guests in after her, before closing and locking the wind out behind them.

“LINNEA!” The squeakiness of mother’s voice called out from the living room on the left of the entry way.

The girl took a deep breath, tossing her hood back as the small woman entered the entry way, hands on her hips, eyes only set on her daughter.

“You’re late!”

“Sorry, mommy. We got caught out there once the wind and snow started to pick back up.” Linnea tried to explain but the woman just shushed her, placing a bright smile on her lips as she turned to Tammy; holding her arms out for the dark haired girl.

“Tammy, baby! You just missed your dad and Tia about two hours ago.” The woman pulled the girl into her arms, swaying her from side to side, “come on, get out of them jackets, get you all something to eat, and get comfortable.”

“Oh, I just came in to say hi.”

“Did you hear what I said,” The woman was stern, as she glanced over her shoulder at the long haired girl, who quickly dipped her head and swallowed, not saying anything more.

Linnea’s mother smiled some more as she turned to JR who quickly yanked his hat off and held his hand out to the woman, “Mrs. Griggs, it’s good to meet you—I’m—

“Mhm. You’re Jessie! My sweet pea’s boyfriend! Finally! Bring it on in, darling!” Mrs. Griggs yanked the taller boy into her grip, providing the same treatment to him as she did Tammy, as if she knew him for a long time.

Linnea took this time to get out of her outerwear, while he mother hugged on everybody.

“You’re so handsome,” Mrs. Griggs analyzed, making JR laugh and smile, “you did well, sweet pea. Y’all make a cute couple, you match.”

“Why thank you ma’am,” JR continued smiling as he looked over at Linnea who stared up at the ceiling, “you hear that, Linny? Your ma says we fit. I say we should believe her.”

“As you should, I’m a woman of my word!” Mrs. Griggs patted JR’s shoulders as she then turned to her daughter.

She gripped her hands, “let me get a good look at you, make sure my sweet pea is staying well-fed before your grandmomma does it tomorrow.”

Linnea knew that was coming as she did a full-spin for the woman who just hummed before cupping her face. Then she cradled Linnea into her chest for awhile, which Tammy found awfully sweet.

“I love you and I’m glad you made it home.”

“I love you too, mom.” Linnea kept her head on her mother’s chest for awhile before the woman patted her butt and pulled away.

Mrs. Griggs waved her fingers, “Come on and let’s head into the kitchen, I know y’all are hungry. And you can tell me all about the drive.”

“Demetrius! They’re here!” Mrs. Griggs called out as she entered the living room.

Tammy followed after the family friend while JR held Linnea back for a few seconds.

“Are we going to talk about us at some point?”

“It’s late. We’re all exhausted…let’s just give it a rest…lucky for you, my parents don’t care much for the PDA so this should be easy considering…” Linnea trailed off, beginning to walk by JR.

He grabbed her hand.

“Just say the words and it doesn’t have to be too late,” JR whispered, “we can—

“NEA?! Where you at baby girl?!” The booming voice of Mr. Griggs caught the pair off guard.

Right after that, a buzzing sound escaped from JR’s pocket was enough to end whatever this was. He reached into his pocket and glanced at the screen, and with the look on his face was enough for Linnea to send him a small smile because she already knew who was on the other line.

“You better get that and tell Gabby we made it.”

And with that she pulled her hand from his fingertips, learning her lesson for the night.

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Continue along with my December anthology prompts here.