Author's Note:  Hello, anybody still there?  Here is a long overdue (sorry!) addition to this holiday series that is set in Roommate-verse.  I'm not sure if Jackson and his mom speak Cantonese or Mandarin, but I went with Cantonese.  Also, the chinese phrase spoken by Youngji is based solely off of Google translate, so please forgive any errors.  Thanks!

xx

Youngji uses the thirty-minute production break to slip away from the rest of the roommates and their families, to return to her room and quickly freshen up.  She takes slow inventory of her reflection in the bathroom mirror: eyes swollen and red from crying, and her pink splotchy face. 

The arrival of Jackson’s parents had been a surprise for not only Jackson, but for many of the roommates as well.  She was already teary leading up to Jackson’s message to his parents.  However, she did not expect to be as emotional as she was, watching the display of emotions on Jackson’s face the moment he sees his mom and dad.

After that, Youngji could no longer suppress the tears that were pouring down her face.  She, too, felt her own heart twisting, her own breath mirroring Jackson’s shaky exhale that seemed to release more than just air, but a burden that weighed heavy on his chest, as he rushed into his parents’ embrace. 

For all his playfulness and toughness, Jackson was still a little boy at heart who got homesick and missed his family.  He was just insanely good at putting up a false front.  She splashed cool water on her face, a little mad with herself for not noticing it sooner.

She saw through his bravado earlier in the morning as they decorated the tree when Jackson seemed lost in his thoughts, his smiles never reaching his eyes.  It made Youngji want to do anything she could to distract him and take away his sadness.

xx

Jackson is coming up the stairs with a glass of water just as Youngji is leaving her room, and so, they end up meeting at the top of the landing.  For the first time since the first time they met, Youngji feels nervous and unsure of what to say to someone she considers as her best friend.  Their eyes meet, but neither speaks for a long minute.

“How are you?” 

“Are you okay?” 

Youngji and Jackson both start to ask at the same time. It breaks the momentary awkwardness between them and they both crack a smile.  “Your ey