A/N: This was written for “Who's My IGOT7 Santa?” which is a Christmas event that I participated in last year (2015). I’ve linked the event “page” if you’re interested because there are a lot of wonderful stories posted there. I haven’t even finished reading everything but I can guarantee you that you’d enjoy reading every story written by fellow IGOT7s :) So here’s mine and I hope you’d like it too~

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Title: The Gift

Pairing: Jackson x OC

Word Count: ~4,160

Rating: G

Warning/s: None. (Warning for wild and y Jackson being fluffy? XD)

Note to my giftee: Hi Lexi! I don’t usually write oneshots this long so I’m a little nervous about how this turned out ^^” I hope reading this doesn’t bore you and the story’s not too ‘fluffy’ for your taste. I’m sorry for not making this a “you” story since I was already done writing when I remembered it should’ve been Jackson x Reader instead T^T Nevertheless, I hope you will have a wonderful time reading not only my story but others’ as well :)

To everyone else reading this oneshot, please enjoy! Cheers! ^^

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Lexi's POV

One. Two. Three...

"Oww!" Jackson yelps when I step on his foot again.

"Oh my gosh! I'm really sorry!"

Jackson smiles and pats my head. "It's okay. I think we should take a break though."

I nod my head but not without muttering another apology.

We sit side by side on the floor, leaning our backs against the wall.

I sighed as I massaged my shoulders and my legs. Jackson and I have been practicing for three hours now and I still can't quite figure out this new step he taught me. I'm usually one of the quick learners when it comes to new choreographies but I totally right now.

"Is something bothering you?" Jackson's question snaps me out of my thoughts. Seeing my confused look, he adds, "Don't get me wrong, Lexi, but I don't understand why you're having a hard time mastering the steps."

I bowed my head in embarrassment and played with the towel with my fingers. "I'm sorry."

He scoots closer and puts an arm around my shoulders, "Are you pressured? I mean, we're performing this dance routine at the freshmen's orientation to attract aspiring dancers so maybe you're just nervous. Don't worry; you have me so there's nothing to be afraid off."

He rocks my body back and forth with his strong arm and I pretend to push him away and say with a grimace, "Eew, you're sweaty and sticky!"

He snickers, "Yeah, and you’re not."

"Whatever. Let's do the routine again." I stood up and offered my hand to him.

He takes it and bumps noses with me when he got up. "If you don't get it in five tries, you're treating me to dinner."

"And if I do?"

"That just proves I teach well."

"That's unfair!"

He tousles my already messy hair and pats my shoulder, "I’m kidding. I'm taking you on a date. I know you're dying to get an invitation from me."

"Whatever, Jackson Wang." I rolled my eyes at him and made my way towards the computer to play the song we'll be dancing to. As I scrolled through the list of songs saved on his flash drive, I bit my lip to keep myself from smiling but failed miserably.

Bumping noses and a date invitation. You don't even know how much these things mean to me, Jackson. You don't even know...

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I entered the house as quietly as I could without even turning the lights on. From the looks of it, my parents are probably resting now.

I inched my way towards the stairs only to be surprised when the lights and my parents appeared beside me.

"You scared me!" I say, clutching my chest.

"Where were you? It's eleven in the evening already. A proper woman doesn't stay out this late," Mom lectures me.

"Mom, I was at school practicing with Jackson for the upcoming freshmen orientation. I wasn't partying or anything."

"See? You were with a guy and you went home late. Did you think we'd tolerate that?" Dad scolds me.

I bowed my head and apologized as I listened to their scolding that I've somehow come to memorize.

The thing is, my parents are too protective that even as a college student, I still have a curfew and I am not yet allowed to enter into a relationship.

I do sneak out at times and be this 'bad girl' by not listening but most of the time, I follow them and it makes me sad that with one small mistake, they think I'm being a horrible daughter.

"Mom, Dad, nothing's going on between me and Jackson. Still, I'm sorry for going home late. I hope we can all take a rest now."

As I ascended the stairs, I heard my parents comment on how disrespectful I am and my father says something about teaching me a lesson. I ignored them and went straight to my room then let my exhausted body fall on my bed.

Nothing's going on between us though I hope there is...

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The next day, I woke around nine in the morning and I rushed to fix myself and prepared for another day's rehearsal. Thankfully, my parents are in a better mood now and they simply reminded me to be back before 9pm.

Too worried that Jackson will be mad at me for being late, I decided to buy food and ate it on my way to school.

When I finally arrived at school, I checked my phone again and found no new message or missed call from my partner.

That’s weird. He usually doesn't stop unless he sees me.

Thinking maybe Jackson is mad at me for being late, I ran as fast as I could to our rehearsal room only to find the door slightly ajar. I peeked inside and saw Jackson and Mina dancing together. I gawked at how effortlessly the latter executed the steps I was having trouble doing last night.

"Wow! You got it in two tries!" Jackson praises.

Mina shyly smiles at him and says, "You were a great teacher, that's why."

Seeing Jackson embarrassed and rubbing the back of his neck, I feel a tinge of jealousy – that in addition to losing confidence over my dancing skills.

"Shall we go for—"

The pair turns to my direction, hearing my phone ringing. Not letting panic get into me, I calmly take the call.

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Jackson's POV

"Me? Oh, I'm with Mina and Jackson. We're going to practice for our troupe's presentation."

Who is she talking to?

"You want to join us?"

I see her hesitate but ask us anyway, "Can Mark join us too?"

Of all people...

I want to decline and tell her I want to spend time with her, just the two of us, but Mina enthusiastically answers, "Yes, yes! That would be fun!"

Lexi didn't bother to ask me and proceeded to tell Mark that he could join and that she'll be waiting for him. She ends the call and enters the room to place her bag beside mine.

"Hey," she greets with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

"H-hey."

"Good thing we invited Mark," Mina cuts in then adds, chuckling, "I don't want to get stuck with lovebirds like you two."

Lexi just smiles and warms up for the dance like Mina's words didn't bother her. I find it weird that she didn't say anything about us not being a couple or anything. Did I do something wrong?

Mark finally arrives an hour later.

Instead of a nod, like how he greeted me and Mina, Mark pretends to high-five Lexi. When her palm touches his, he grabs her hand and pulls her into a hug.

"Watch it, Jackson will get jealous!" Mina teases, casting me a glance.

Lexi recomposes herself and punches Mark’s arm. "What the hell was that?"

Instead of giving a response, he pats her head then throws me a peace sign as he tells me, "It was just a joke; don't get mad, okay?"

I fake a smile and nod. Oh, I am not mad; I am furious.

"Anyway, I asked Jaebum and he said Mina and I will join you for the school presentation. He's worried you guys will be too giddy and nervous to perform together."

I'd rather want that than be irritated throughout the performance, to be honest.

Seeing my hardened expression, Mark continues in a teasing tone, "Since that's already decided by our group's President, there's no use trying to oppose his decision so we better get started."

Mark heads for the computer and scrolls through the playlist.

I glare at him and Mina notices. She jokes, "Chill guys, we're not here to ruin your relationship."

I smile and went in front to teach them the choreography. Ha. Like I'd let you get in the way.

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After three hours of practicing, everyone's already memorized the steps so we decided to take a break, except Lexi who insisted to keep dancing. She got the steps at the dance break but would occasionally get the last few ones wrong.

I watch her, musing at how attractive she looks when she focuses on something. I love this side of her too – the competitive and determined Lexi. I love how she keeps finding ways to improve herself.

I snapped out of my reverie when I heard someone yelp in pain. Seeing Lexi on the floor, her hand clutching her left foot, I stood quickly and rushed to her.

"Are you okay? Come, I'll take you to the infirmary," Mark tells her.

"No," I say. "I'll take her." Thankfully, Lexi didn't object and Mark didn't either.

Mina helped Lexi up and circled the latter’s arm around my shoulders for support. To their surprise, I picked Lexi up and carried her.

“Put me down, Jackson!” Lexi protested but I said nothing.

I'm not letting you walk just like that.

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"If it swells, just apply hot compress," Dr. Kim tells Lexi.

He turns to me and teases, "Don't worry, loverboy. She'll be fine. Oh, or should I say you should carry her home?"

I open my mouth to protest but Lexi does in my place. "Mr. Kimmm! Stop t