21 - happy holidays?

Amina

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Five days in already and I was sick of being at home. At this point, I had a countdown telling me when I was set to travel back to Los Angeles. Seeing my family at the beginning was nice and the first few days were somewhat peaceful. But after day three I spent the majority of my vacation being criticized by my mother and lectured by my father.

It was Christmas Eve and we had a lot to prepare for as my uncle and his family were coming over for Christmas Day dinner. My mom and I were doing some last-minute shopping for some items for dinner and gifts we forgot to get.

I pushed the shopping cart as my mom threw things into it. This was our third store of the day and Costco was extremely busy for Christmas Eve. You would think more people would be at home but everyone else was also last-minute shopping.

"There are so many options. I should've let your father come here to pick what he wants." My mother says as she debates what alcohol to get for tomorrow's festivities.

"Crown Royal is pretty good, peach though not apple."

She turns around raising a brow at me, "So you've been drinking over there at that college? When you're supposed to be focusing on your studies. Ms. Alcohol expert!" She exclaims making me sigh.

"I'm 21, I can legally drink."

"And at 18 you can legally have a baby without parent's permission, that doesn't mean you should go and do it." She picks up the Crown Royal, putting it in the basket with a huff. "You better not be disgracing me on that campus." I chuckle to myself, remembering the night I got too drunk and almost stripped on a table. "So it's funny?" She asks making me quickly shake my head no.

We finished shopping and made our way back home to finish setting up. After hours of cleaning and cooking from all of us in the house, everything was set up for tomorrow and we all gathered in the living room to rest.

"It doesn't feel like Christmas Eve. Why were we given the burden of hosting the party this year? Doesn't uncle usually do it?" David complains.

"I paid a lot of money for that tree. We will be showing it off." My father boasts proudly.

"We slaved all day on Christmas Eve so you could show off the Christmas tree? Couldn't we just send out a postcard?" David asks.

My father shakes his head, "No, it must be viewed in person. But don't worry your hard work wasn't in vain." My dad suggests with a wink.

David's eyes widen, "You got me the Nintendo Switch for Christmas didn't you?"

"I never said that."

"You don't have to!" He exclaims happily, running over to the Christmas tree to confirm his suspicions.

"What did you ask for Christmas?" Sean asks me as my mother sets down a plate of cookies on the coffee table.

I shrug, "I didn't ask for anything this year. I don't think I have any material items that I desire. What about you?"

"New AirPods."

I nod, "Wise choice."

"Okay guys it's midnight! Time to head to the foyer." My mother announces. We head to the larger living room and gather around the tree, passing around gifts, and opening them.

"I knew it! Thank you Dad!" David exclaims as he holds a brand-new Nintendo Switch in his hands.

My father smiles happily, "You're welcome son."

I go over to pick up the gift with my name on it. It was a small box, making me curious as to what it could be. I unwrap it and open it up to reveal a gold necklace with a cursive A as the pendant. I smile looking up at my parents, "Thank you guys, it's beautiful."

Everyone ended up being satisfied with their gifts. Sean got his AirPods, among other things. David got his Nintendo Switch and three games to go with it. My mom and dad both got Apple Watches that my brothers and I all chipped in for.

We all went to bed ready to engage in tomorrow's festivities.

-

My cousins and uncle were set to come over at 6, meaning they could be here any minute considering the clock currently read 7:30 pm. I took a shower and did my makeup lightly before styling my hair into a slick low ponytail with extensions. I wore a causal sweater and jeans to keep me warm throughout the cold December evening.

As I was adding the jewelry as the finishing touches to my look I heard a commotion from downstairs, meaning they had arrived.

I walked out into the hall and could see them from upstairs. "Merry Christmas!" My uncle cheered as he walked in with all his children. The twins had one older brother named Isaac who was 22, and a younger sister named Tyla who was 16. Both siblings looked like one of the twins in their own ways.

Isaac and Isaiah resembled each other but Isaac had the lightest complexion of them all. He stood at 6'5 and wore a head full of curly hair, much like Caleb's. Tyla was the spitting image of Caleb, with thick eyebrows and curly hair to match her petite frame. I had always said Caleb and Isaiah were paired with the wrong siblings to be twins with.

The guests arrived promptly and we welcomed our cousins with open arms. "It feels like I haven't seen you in forever." Isaac says embracing me in a hug.

I chuckle, "That's because you're hardly around anymore." Isaac played basketball for one of the bigger universities in Texas and often missed the holidays and skipped coming home because of games and training. So all of us being around for Christmas at the same time was a rare occasion.

"Wow look at this tree." My uncle comments as he enters the foyer.

"Yes, it's 10 feet tall." My father boasts proudly.

"Wow, it's almost as big as ours. The one we bought this year is 12 feet." His brother chuckles.

My father frowns, "Yes, but ours has color-changing features." He picks up the remote, changing the lights of the tree according to his dictation.

My uncle laughs again, "That's cute. We had that feature last year. This year ours has a speaker that plays songs from the tree. And spins."

My father's forehead creases, indicating he has given up. "Sounds lovely."

"You two stop bickering and please join us at the table. All of you." My mother urges. "Let's gather around the table and pray."

I take a spot between Caleb and Isaiah, holding their hands as we gather around the table. "Everyone must pray, I'll start." My father says.

The adults take their time with their prayers making them long. The sounds of growling stomachs could be heard throughout the room. The kids kept theirs short and simple, saying they were grateful for good health and blessed.

We don't have a traditional dinner where we sit around the table. All the food is displayed on the table and we get served buffet style and take seats in various areas of the house.

I fix myself a plate before taking a seat in the kitchen in front of the counter. Tyla follows behind, taking a seat beside me with her plate. "You have to give me all the details of college. I'm dying to know."

I laugh at her, "I can't tell you all the details. But just know I'm having a good time, making friends, and all that."

"Yeah that's boring, tell me about the boys!" My younger cousin urges.

"Don't tell her anything. We don't need her getting any crazy ideas from you." Caleb says taking a seat with us.

She frowns at him, "This was a private conversation Caleb, butt out."

"This is Christmas, there are no private conversations." Isaiah says also grabbing a seat, making his younger sister groan.

"But now I know that there's some serious gossip you guys are hiding."

I chuckle, "What happens in LA, stays in LA." I tell her with a shrug, making her pout.

We continue the night by giving leftover gifts, singing karaoke, and playing games with the whole family. As Isaiah butchers Let it Snow', I excused myself to freshen up in my bedroom.

A knock on the door attracts my attention, and the door opens revealing Isaac. "You left your phone in the kitchen." He says, sticking his head in the doorway.

"Oops, silly me. You can leave it on the dresser."

He nods, placing it down but he doesn't leave. "I may have accidentally seen something on your phone."

I turn around, raising a brow at him. "You were going through my phone?"

"Well not really, but you got an email notification." My eyes widen, before walking over and snatching the phone away from his grasp. "Who is Aaron and why do you need a restraining order against him?" He asks calmly.

My body freezes and I gulp. Isaac was not the sibling you wanted to be involved in this. If you thought Caleb was overprotective, it's because you haven't met Isaac.

"The situation is handled." I assure him.

"What situation?"

I take a deep breath, shaking my head. "Don't worry. Everything's fine."

He furrows his brows, "Caleb and Isaiah!" He calls out suddenly, making me groan. Both brothers come up the stairs quickly.

"What man? I'm next to do another solo." Isaiah whines.

"Who is Aaron?" He asks his brothers. Caleb and Isaiah's eyes both widen as they look to the ground. Isaac chuckles, "So nobody wants to tell me?"

"It's nothing that concerns you. What happens in LA, stays in LA." I repeat with a shrug.

He scoffs, "That's bullshit. If no one wants to tell me you know I'll figure it out on my own."

"Dude just drop it. It's already been handled." Caleb says.

"What was so bad that Ami needed to request a restraining order against a man and none of you will speak on it?" The three of us remain quiet, making him chuckle again. "I guess I'll have to pay a visit to campus one of these days."

My eyes widen, "No!" I knew what a campus visit from Isaac meant, and I did not want that. He was relentless and would question everyone until someone gave him an answer. He should definitely consider interrogating as a career path. I sigh, "Aaron was a guy I was dating. We got into a fight on Halloween and so I requested a restraining order."

"That's not enough to want to request a restraining order."

"Do you want me to say the words?"

"If you don't then I'll assume the worse." He says softly.

I sigh, "Fine. He put his hands on me, and then after I broke up with him he kept sending me threatening texts. That's why I requested a restraining order."

I could see the vein in his forehead pumping as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "How could you guys let this happen?" Isaac demands turning to his younger brothers. "And who the hell is this Aaron guy anyway? What he's bigger than y'all? There's two of you!"

"Isaac..." Isaiah starts.

"You two should've told me!" He exclaims.

"It's nobody else's business but mine so can we just drop it?" I ask.

"No, we cannot just drop it! Tell me you at least beat this guy up? Scared the living daylights out of him?" Isaac asks the twins.

"You know we have records to keep clean." Isaiah responds. Caleb remained silent, glaring out at the ground as his older brother scolded him.

Isaac groans, "I want his full name. I'll handle this myself."

"Isaac stop it!"

"No Ami! He needs to be taught a lesson!" He exclaims at me. He turns to Caleb, "I need a last name now."

"Baker." Caleb mumbles, causing Isaac's eyes to narrow in confusion.

"Baker? The same Aaron Baker on your basketball team? Your teammate Caleb? How could you let this happen? What the fuck were you paying attention to?"

"Don't try to act all high and mighty you would've handled it exactly how I did." Caleb rebuttals.

"Oh no, I wouldn't. I don't let boys beat on my little sisters!"

"You're suggesting I sat by and watched it happen?" Caleb asks in anger, getting in his brother's face.

"All I'm saying is that it wouldn't have happened if I was there."

"Guys chill out!" Isaiah exclaims putting himself between them. "The situation has passed now. Aaron isn't bothering her anymore. Right, Ami?"

I nod, "Exactly."

Isaac shakes his head, "Read the email, Ami. The subject said restraining order request was denied. So whoever this Aaron guy is, he's still free to roam the streets." He turns to his brothers, "Watch over her, and don't make me come down to that campus myself." He says before walking out of the room.

———

Yikes!

What do we think of Isaac?

- AuggiePooh_