Christmas

"Hoowah!" Shawn jumped on the table in the middle of the living room. He held his baguette above his head taking the form of a Japanese samurai. His voice was lower, hoarse. "You shall never beat me young apprentice. I have taught you almost everything."

I laughed deeply and held the two bananas in my hands swing them like nunchucks. I used the same tone, making it sound like I was some animated cartoon from Dragon Ball Z. "But you still know nothing of me, Shawn-ator."

He grinned, "I know far more about you than you'd like to think, Tor-bo."

My knees were bent down as I held the bannanas in front of me. Shawn kept making noises like, Heeya! "You may have never taught me some secret moves of Kung-Fu, but I learned from a different master." I smirked.

He shot me a confused look, "And what master is this?"

"The Tube of You." I made it sound dramatic before I stood straight with my hands crossed on my chest like a mummy in a sarcophagus. "Haaai."

Shawn cursed under this breath. His stance went limp for a moment before he was up and ready again, holding the baguette in front of him. "I shall win Tor-bo!" We both dramatically glanced at the table where the Frappuccino was at. Then we looked back at each other, "The magical Frap from Buck of Stars shall be mine!" He raised the bread over his head and did a war cry.

"Over my unconscious body!" I brought the bananas in front of me and we both did a high pitched cry.

This is what happens when your TV breaks and there's nothing to do.

I was having fun though. About an hour ago our TV had broken for unknown reasons while Shawn and I were watching SpongeBob. Dad had gone down to the basement to see if he could fix it, and while he was working there Blake had gone to Starbucks and gotten us a frap. Sadly, he only got one. So Shawn and I resorted into fighting like ninjas over the frap. He got the large baguette while I held the bananas ready to stab him in the eye.

"What is going on here?" Cole nearly shouted as he walked into the living room. Shawn had stopped the baguette from hitting me, but he held it over my head, frozen in place. As for myself, I was about implant the banana into Shawn's stomach.

Shawn jumped off the table doing a kick in the air before landing in front of Cole. "Hoowah! This is none of your business Cole of the Fireplace." He said with the same tone.

Cole raised his eyebrow and looked at me. "I expect this behavior from him, but you Tori?"

"I have not been called Tori in a thousand millennia." I took a stance, "It's Tor-bo, Cole of the Fireplace."

Cole shook his head, "Your craziness is contagious." He said to Shawn.

Now I could understand why Shawn loved being the way he is. It's fun to act goofy, and act like a kid again. This roleplaying thing over the Frap from Buck of Stars is so stupid. But it's so much fun. It takes every ounce in me not to laugh.

"What are you fighting over anyways?" Cole asked.

"The magical drink." Shawn said. Cole looked clueless so Shawn rolled his eyes and answered, "The Frap from Buck of Stars."

Cole made an O shape with his mouth. "Right...well...I'll leave you two to it." He walked away muttering things under his breath on how weird and crazy we are.

"Now where were we Tor-bo." Shawn asked turning to me.

"Right here. Hiya!" I threw the banana at his face making his stumble back.

By the end of our episode, there was a broken lamp that Shawn had kicked when he tried doing his crane trick. I told him I had the monkey trick and ended up with a giant bruise on my shin. The baguette was demolished all over the floor, and all left from my banana was a peel.

There were two straws in the frap while we both drank if happily while watching SpongeBob. "What happened here?" Dad hollered as he walked into the living room. Thank god he fixed the TV.

Shawn grinned, "It. Was. Awesome!"

******************************

I was so glad it was Christmas break. Two weeks away from school would be helpful. Exams had been painful the last week before break. I had locked myself in my room and didn't leave no matter what. My phone kept buzzing with texts so I had to turn it off to concentrate. Shawn and I had worked downstairs studying for math together. Cole joined in later, though I realized he had seemed bored.

Stupid Harvard mind.

On the last day of exams everyone was wished to have a Merry Christmas before we all left. Cole had given me a ride so I wouldn't have to bike home in the cold. That bike was really starting to annoy me. Luckily, Mark didn't ask any questions this time. But he did invite me to complete our traditional gingerbread houses. Every year we'd go to his house and make a gingerbread house. We'd also bring Christmas presents and open them early. Usually on Christmas day we were with our families, so we had come up with a tradition where we'd go to each others house and have an early Christmas.

"Wait wait wait." I was stopped in the living room as I tried heading to the garage. Shawn had his arms crossed over his chest as he stood in front of me. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"Suzie and I are headed to Mark's." I fiddled with the wrapped gift in my hands. I had simply gotten Mark the videogame he had constantly been groaning and moaning about. It was a two player game, so I remembered to pack my controller in my backpack along with my pajamas and toothbrush.

Cole chimed in, "But wouldn't you rather hang out with us?"

I laughed. Sure they were cool and all, but I live with them. I need to get out of the house. After the ninja incident Shawn and I had, we were grounded and weren't allowed to do any more role play in the house. It was worth it though. Point is, I've been hanging out with the guys a lot, sometimes even acting like them, I need to get out of here before I become a Parris. "Tori I'm ready." Suzie called as she bounced down the stairs.

"Dad's waiting for us in the car." I said to her.

She nodded and started heading in the direction of the garage. Before she had time to escape, Cole swept her up and held her upside down. Suzie screamed and laughed. "Where do you think you're going missy?" Cole said. "I need your lunch money."

She giggled, "I don't have any money!"

Cole exaggerated a gasp. "What? I don't believe you." He started shaking her and a quarter fell from her pocket. "I knew you were lying!"

"I didn't know!" She started screaming again when Cole put her on the ground and started tickling her sides.

It took forever, but we finally managed to get Suzie in the car. "Have fun ok?" Cole told me before hugging me. "Not too much fun though."

I laughed in his chest. "Don't worry." When he pulled back Shawn came over and hugged me too. His hug though, involved squeezing the life out of me and taking my feet off the ground. "Shawn I can't breathe."

He placed me down and smiled, "If you go by the store, get a baguette for me ok?"

I rolled my eyes, "Ok."

I slid into shot gun while dad spoke with mom. They smiled and gave each other a peck on the lips before dad took his seat behind the wheel. "Ready?" He asked us.

"Yup," Suzie and I said.

"Got the presents?"

"Yup."

He started the car, "Good."

I was slightly disappointed that Blake hadn't come out. He knew I was leaving for the day and wouldn't be back till tomorrow. Then again, he had completely locked himself in his room the last two days. Only coming out when he was hungry or wanted something to drink. Whenever I'd walk past his room, I"d hear the music blasting but nothing more.

"So what'd you get Conlan?" Dad asked Suzie.

"He wanted a new pair of gloves for hockey. So I got him those." She smiled.

"I got him a Nerf gun." I shrugged.

Dad chuckled. "What about Mark?"

"I didn't know what to get him," Suzie answered first, "So I got him a gift card."

"New videogame he's been asking for." The rest of the ride to Mark's house was like that. We made small talk and exchanged ideas on what to get the boys for Christmas. I wasn't sure what they would want. Maybe I could figure something out for Shawn, he was simple. Cole I had to put more thought into. As for Blake...my mind goes completely blank there.

My thoughts came to a stop when dad pulled into Mark's driveway. My lips automatically curled into a smile as I saw the Christmas lights circling the bushes and roof of the house. Even though they weren't turned on, I knew they'd look awesome at night. I rushed out of the car, Suzie catching up to me and we raced to the door. She rang the door bell and we waited.

It was mid-day and it was freezing outside. "Ho ho ho!" Mr. Bennett opened the door. "Merry Christmas!" He spread his arms out. Suzie and I rushed to give him a bear hug. He looked so happy. I couldn't even remember the last time he got to spend Christmas with his family.

"Hey Mr. Bennett." I smiled.

"Hi Mr. B." Suzie added.

"Hey Mike." Dad said from behind us. Suzie and I let go from our hug and let dad shake Mr. Bennett's hand. "What's been going on?"

Mike let us pass by and we went ahead while dad walked at his side. "Not a lot." He said turning his wheelchair. "It's been hard not being able to move around. But I've been going to the therapy and we'll have the prosthetics done by spring."

Dad and Mr. Bennett kept on talking while Suzie and I ran upstairs after saying a short hi to Mrs. Bennett. She only smiled and shook her head at us while we placed the presents under their Christmas tree. Then we ran upstairs where Suzie went to Conlan's room and I headed to Mark. I knocked on his door. "Who is it?"

"The most awesomest person you will ever know." I said using a deeper tone in my voice.

"Pee Wee Sherman?" Mark opened the door and grinned at me. "Hey Tori. Where's Pee Wee Sherman?"

I smacked his arm and walked in. "Hurtful."

"You're the one that hit me." He chuckled and I took a seat on his rolly chair as I threw my backpack into the corner of his room. I spun around and around while Mark finished wrapping a present. "Done." He laid back on his bed and groaned, "Do you know how hard it is to wrap up a gun?"

I stopped moving, "What?"

He held up the nicely wrapped item. Sure enough it looked like a rifle. "Dad wants to take me hunting. He wanted a new gun. So ta-da!"

I laughed and kept spinning. "Just don't kill a bunny ok?"

"No promises." He smirked and placed the rifle under his bed. Then he got up and grabbed the back of my chair pulling me to him. He spun me around so I was facing him and smiled. "Merry Christmas Tori."

I smiled back, "Merry Christmas."

He grinned picking me up and setting me on his lap while he laid back on his bed. His knees were up so I rested my back on his legs while I fiddled with his hand. "So what'd you get me?" He asked.

I laughed, "I can't tell you."

"Yes you can." He gave me a playful smile, "I'll act surprised."

"I'll tell you, if you tell me." That was lie. Even if he told me, I'd never tell him.

Mark laughed, "I know you Tori. You always say that but never mean it."

"Darn." I pouted, "You know me too well."

He smirked and traced his thumb across my pouting lips. "Don't be sad baby. It's not my fault I know everything about you."

I flinched involuntary. There's just three little things he doesn't know about me. Well, three major things. I moved his hand away from my lips and entwined his fingers with mine. "Yup," I said softly, "Everything. Including my tricks."

He didn't say anything. For a moment I thought he caught onto my lie. But when I looked up, he was staring at my finger. The one that had Blake's ring on it. "Who's is that?" He asked confused.

I panicked for a moment. "It's mine."

"There's a P on it." He turned my hand around so I he could see it a bit more clearly. "That's a guy's ring Tori."

I rolled my eyes trying to play it cool. "Cali got it for me when she went to Europe in the summer. She got it in Paris. That's what the P stands for." It wasn't as if Mark would go ask Cali. She'd completely blocked herself from us, occasionally talking to us, but never for a long amount of time. Then there was the day at the ice rink where I wondered what she and Mark talked about.

"Oh..." He said sounding a bit embarrassed. "I've just never seen it on you."

I tried another lie. "I lost it but recently found it."

He nodded and started playing around with my hand again. I was glad he hadn't taken it off. Inside the ring the name Jacob Parris was inscribed across the gold. It made me proud knowing that Blake trusted me with the ring. It obviously meant a lot to him. "So when are we making the gingerbread house?" I asked.

Mark smiled, "Whenever you want."

"Let's go now then." I got up and tugged at his hand. He laughed and followed after me down the steps. All the adults were huddled in the living room, lounging and talking. They had coffee in their hands as they laughed about unknown things dad was talking about. My lungs felt tighter and I prayed he wasn't talking about the Trips.

Mark took my hand and quickly led me to the kitchen. "We're going to make the house now mom." He said before walking through his swinging doors that led to the kitchen.

"Ok try not to make a mess!" We heard Mrs. Bennett shout. Even though we all knew that was going to be impossible. Gingerbread houses with Mark meant a huge mess in the kitchen. Luckily, Mrs. Bennett had already set everything up. The house was on the island in the kitchen, surrounded by frosting bags and different bowls of candies.

I grabbed the icing bag and started squeezing the white frosting onto the roof of the house. "What do you think you're doing?" Mark asked me lifting his eyebrow.

"Putting shingles on the roof." I stopped the frosting and looked up at Mark.

"We did shingles last year. I want bricks." He took the frosting from my hands. I stared at him my mouth open. Mark looked up at me and smirked before putting a glob of frosting in my mouth. "Shut your mouth or cobwebs will start appearing."

A glare formed in my gaze while I closed my mouth and savored the icing. "You're no fair. I want shingles. They're cooler."

"Bricks are the way to go." Mark stated matter of factly as he squeezed some frosting on the roof. He slowly made a few bricks before setting the bag of icing down. "I mean the three little pigies liked bricks."

I rolled my eyes. "Because the mean wolf kept blowing everything down."

"Well," Mark picked up the gumdrop, "There won't be any blowing down in this house." He grinned and placed the gumdrop on the corner of the roof. He took up the red frosting and started squeezing it inside the bricks of the house.

I sighed and went around the island so I was on the other side. The blue icing was the only color left other than green for the trees. So I took up the blue, climbed onto the counter laying down on my stomach and started tracing windows on the side. When I did the basic outline, I took one of the pretzel sticks and placed it on the bottom line as if it were a railing. "Look!" I said enthusiastically. "My window is so beautiful!"

Mark turned the house around so he could see the window I had made. "It's plain."  I mocked a hurt expression and pretended to sniffle. "I mean I would have done a white outlining and fit the inside with blue. Then the pretzel like you did."

"Well sorry," I exaggerated the word, "Mr. Gingerbread-perfectionist-house-man! If your so keen on doing this then do it yourself." I threw the frosting bag on the counter and placed my head in my hands while my elbows held me up. My legs were crossed and i was swinging them up and down in the air.

Mark lifted his eyebrow and stared at me in wonder. "Is it that time of the month Tori?"

I groaned and covered my face up with my hands. It wasn't awkward talking about this with Mark. Most people would think so, but in honesty it wasn't. He was the first person I told, on top of that he understands it's natural and knows no girl can help it. If we could, I think we'd all curse men to have periods to understand the pain and suffering we go through.

"No but it's getting around there." I muttered. He chuckled and I felt something stick to my face. When I opened my eyes I had to cross them to see what was stuck to my nose. A marshmallow with frosting at one end. "What a waste of a perfectly good marshmallow." I stated before popping it into my mouth.

"Doesn't seem like a waste now." Mark smirked, "It's probably like, 'No! Tori how could you eat me! After that perfect moment we share. I liked your nose!'"

I rolled my eyes and threw a few candies at Mark, "Shut up. Before I make you stay quiet."

Mark threw his head back and laughed. "What could you possibly do to shut me up?"

I glared at him before grabbing the bag of blue icing it and directed the nozzle at his face. "I could do this," I gave the plastic bag a hard squeeze. Mark had just enough time to close his eyes before blue frosting hung on his nose and stuck to his face.

I rolled on my back and laughed hysterically. Every time my laughing calmed down I'd look at him again and my laughing would start up. He opened his eyes and smiled. It didn't look friendly. More like a I'm going to kill you smile. "That was just so funny." He said with that same smile.

"Yeah it was!" I laughed again at realized I got some blue in his hair. "Now you just need lipstick." I set the gingerbread house to the side and sat at the edge of the counter. Mark sighed and closed his eyes again when I started spreading blue icing on his lips.

I should probably take a picture of this.

When I finished putting the 'lipstick' on his lips I gave him a moustache and extra freckles on his cheeks. He grinned when I stopped using the frosting. "My turn."

I sighed but closed my eyes. It was only fair for him to decorate my face after I decorated his. There was small sound of the frosting leaving the nozzle before I felt the cool substance on my lips. It took every ounce in me not to lick my licks. After my lips, the frosting moved to my cheeks and forehead. "Done." Mark said before I heard the familiar click of a camera.

He laughed and I quickly opened my eyes to look at the picture. It was me with red frosting on my lips, two red circles on my cheeks, and the word clown written across my forehead. "Hey!" I exclaimed before taking my phone out. I quickly snapped a picture of him and he glanced at it.

"I look ugly!" Was the first thing he said. Then he smirked and turned to look at me, "This is why guys don't wear lipstick."

I laughed, "It could work. Maybe if the color went with your tone of skin."

He smirked again, "Well you look like Miley Cyrus with those red lips."

"You look like a smurf." I countered lamely.

He laughed, "Red and blue lips. Wanna make purple?" He winked and I threw a Fun Size chocolate at him. Mark laughed again before we started having more frosting and candy wars.

By the end of the war there were a couple marshmallows stuck on the wall. I had a frosting necklace and M&M earrings. Mark had sprinkles all in his hair, while mine had a glob of taffy. Our clothes were stained with the icing and any other candy like smushed gumdrops. We were both lying on the ground around the large mess of sprinkles, candy, frosting, chocolate, and gingerbread. The house we had originally made was left alone with no changes whatsoever.

Our shoulders were touching due to the small walking space. Two people could barely fit walking through, so lying down was a tight fit. "How did that even get up there?" Mark asked pointing to the ceiling.

I followed his finger as he pointed at the licorice that was stuck. "I have no idea..."

We went silent for a moment before bursting into laughter. How did a piece of licorice get stuck to the ceiling? Mark and I must have been on a sugar high, almost like we were drunk since we can't recollect half the things that happened. "What happened here?" Mrs. Bennett stood at the door as she spoke slowly. She stared at the mess in front of her.

Mark and I rushed onto our feet but neither of us could speak. Instead we both dumbly stuttered. "Uhh..."

Mrs. Bennett placed her hand on her face and sighed. "You were suppose to decorate the gingerbread house. Not yourselves."

"We both got carried away." Mark fidgeted. "Sorry mom."

"I started it," I chimed in. I wasn't going to let Mark take the fall for this. "I placed the frosting on him first."

Mark's hand slipped into mine as he looked directly at his mother. "We both started it. And we'll clean it up too."

"No it's ok." She pulled the broom from her pantry. "I expected a mess. You two just go shower ok? We'll open presents when your done."

"Sorry Mrs. Bennett." I said to her as Mark pulled me past her. She just gave me a smile and I already knew she forgave me. Either that or she thought I looked completely stupid with my red cheeks and Clown across my forehead.

"You go ahead first." Mark said to me when we reached his room. "It takes you longer to dry your hair."

I simply nodded and ruffled through my bag before pulling out some sweats heading to Mark's bathroom. There was a stack of neatly folded towels, so picked one and set it on the rack beside the shower before turning the hot water on. By the time I was done, it was already dark out, so I hurried getting into my pajamas which consisted of sweatpants and a t-shirt

While Mark took his shower, I dried my hair until there were only a couple streaks of water. Then went under Mark's bed to see if my present was there. Yeah I was snooping around but the curiosity was eating at me. I'll still act surprised if I did happen to find it.

"It's not there." Mark said from behind.

I lifted my head so quickly I hit the edge of the bed. "Ow," I muttered rubbing the back of my head. Mark was at the doorway with a towel in his hand as he dried his hair. His sweat pants hung low on his waist. "You've been working out." Mark's stomach was outlined with a six pack while his chest was toned. His biceps bulged whenever he'd felx his arms.

"Yeah," He walked towards his closet and picked a random shirt. "Dad's been taking me to the gym a lot more lately. He says military school is hard, that I should at least prepare myself. So I've been hitting the weights and doing some sets in the mornings."

Mark was never someone who had a lot of muscle. He was always fit, just never the one that went overboard like a lot of the boys at school. Freshman year he wasn't wimpy or a shrimp, he was just fit and was able to complete the excercises coaches made us do. Now though, with him set on the army he was trying to get in shape. I would be lying if I said it wasn't attractive.

"So where's my present?" I asked while he threw on one of his t-shirt.

He grinned. "Downstairs under the tree where everyone else is."

I groaned. "I just want my present."

Mark shook his head. "You sound like a five year old."

"Well how come your dads gift is under your bed?"

"Because I want to give it to him on Christmas day. I didn't want him to suddenly go at it like it's a piece of candy." He smirked, "You know how dad is with guns."

Before I could open my mouth. Mrs. Bennett's voice was heard shouting up the stiars. "Kids come down! We're opening presents."

Mark ran past me as he moved in front of me I jumped on his back. "Run like the wind Bulls-eye!" I shouted before lightly kicking my heel on Mark's waist. He laughed but carried me downstairs nevertheless.

The Christmas tree lit up the whole living room with the lights. Some of the ornaments would reflect the light giving the room a red glow. Mrs. Bennett had a done a wonderful job with putting out some hot cocoa on the coffee table in the middle of the room. Everyone took a cup and held it in their hands as we sat around the tree. Mark took a seat on the ground, opening his legs, so I sat between them resting my back against his stomach.

"Who's first?" Mrs. Bennett asked.

I took a sip of my cocoa and laid back against Mark. "Me me!" Suzie shouted with a huge smile.

Mr. Bennett grinned and handed her her presents. "We'll go youngest to oldest then."

Suzie had two gifts: A pink camo backpack from Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. And a new game for her Nintendo that Mark and Conlan had gotten. "You're obsessed with camouflage Mr. Bennett." She said with a large smile.

"It's cool!" He countered throwing his hands in the air. "I mean what better thing than to camouflage like a chameleon."

I laughed, "You got her a pink backpack. All she can camouflage in is a group of flamingos."

He pointed at me with a smile. "There you go. A pink animal."

I rolled my eyes and everyone turned to Conlan. He had a smile on his face and he rubbed his hands together. "My turn." He said a bit evilly. First he opened Suzie's present, where he jumped up when he saw the new gloves. He gave her a tight hug and kissed her cheek. Then came mine, he was glad he got another Nerf to add to his collection. I was glad he didn't try to kiss my cheek.

"Tori's turn." Mark said while I was sipping on my cocoa.

"Oh," I set the cup down and Mrs. Bennett handed me two gifts. "Alright."

The first gift was light and flexible, wrapped in green paper with the words Merry Christmas repeated over and over. The little paper folded up and read my name before Conlan. I looked up at Conlan and he smiled urging me to go on. So I sat up and tore the wrapping paper off. A smile formed on my lips as I held up the poster. "A poster of the England soccer team."

Conlan grinned, "My first eBay buy."

We laughed. "Thanks Conlan." I turned my attention to other present. It was a small box in red wrapping paper and a ribbon. "This one yours?" I held it up so Mark could see and he nodded. I laid back on him and undid the ribbon. I heard Mark gulp and realized he was nervous.

After undoing the ribbon and tearing all the paper off I stumbled across a black box. My gaze went to Mark for a second before I opened up the little box. It was a heart. Not any little heart but one that looked like it was formed out of the material of a dog tag. There was a little diamond on one side and the chain looped around one side so the heart was slanted. My name was written across the front in neat cursive and when I turned it around the back had the same cursive writing reading: Best Friends Forever. Love you forever, Mark.

I broke into a smile and turned around to hug Mark. "I love it." I told him while wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Really?" He sounded shocked. "Because I know you're not really a fan on jewelry but I just...I don't know."

"It's durable too." Mr. Bennett said. "Mark dragged us all over the mall till he found that."

"Dad." Mark said through gritted teeth. I laughed knowing he was embarrassed.

"It's true." Mrs. Bennett decided to chime in. "He saw it and said, 'That one. That's the one I want to get Tori.'"

Conlan snickered, "Then they asked if you were his girlf-"

"Ok it's my turn." Mark interrupted.

His mom smirked but came over with his presents. I was still looking down at the heart necklace when I realized how stupid my gift to him was. Mark had put in a lot of thought into my gift, I just got him a video game. That was hardly fair. While Suzie was talking to Mark I slid the present I got him under me and placed my leg over it so it wasn't noticed.

"I'm sorry Mark." Suzie said. "I just didn't know what to get you."

He chuckled as he opened the small slit that held the gift card. "It's ok Sue. I didn't know what I was suppose to get you, that why I just went off of Conlan."

"Yeah but I know everyone wants money," Suzie pointed at the card, "So there you go."

"Thanks anyways Sue." He looked at the ground where my present had been and frowned. "Where'd it go?"

"Where'd what go?" I asked innocently.

"Your present. I swear it was right here." He pointed at a spot on the ground.

"I don't know." My lying heart couldn't look at him in the eye so I took a sip of my cocoa and fiddled with the ribbon that had been on my present.

Mark gave me a look, almost like he knew I was lying. He probably did know, but for now he let it slide. "I'll look for it later. Mom it's your turn."

Dad handed her a small gift and she smiled as she unwrapped it. "Thank you Bill," She smiled holding up the small perfume bottle.

Dad shrugged, "I honestly didn't know which you'd like. So I had my wife help out."

"She has good taste." Mrs. Bennett said, "Next time invite her over."

"Of course." Dad smiled. "And I'm pretty sure Tori has spoken about her and her so-"

"Dad it's your turn!" Suzie grinned. I nearly had a heart attack after what dad just said. Part of me was still shaken up, when I glanced at Suzie she gave me a small smile like she understood that I panicking.

He was about to say sons. That would have sent everything down to the toilet and I wasn't sure I could handle the spotlight right now. I was surprised Suzie helped, one of the boys must have talked to her or she just didn't understand the situation fully. But I was glad I told her to keep it a secret until I told Mark. She was waiting for me to tell him, not knowing that this was all something the boys and I had come up with.

Mr. Bennett grinned. "Why don't you kids go upstairs, yeah?"

"Ok." Conlan chirped before taking Suzie's hand. He was satisfied since he had already gotten his presents.

Mark and I stood in place trying to figure out what they were up to. Mr. Bennett rolled his eyes, "Calm down. We're just going to talk about hunting."

Usually their conversations that involved hunting were boring to listen too. So Mark stood up but I sat in place not wanting to lift my leg where my present was at. Mr. Bennett and dad had already started their conversation about what kind of guns they wanted and what animals they were looking out for when hunting season arrived.

"Come on Tori." Mark gave me his hand. I took the wrapping paper and clutched the necklace in my hand. I used the wrapping paper to hide Mark's gift as I swiftly picked it up while he wasn't looking. When we reached his room I sprawled out on his bed and he shut the door. "Alright give it." He said crossing his arms.

"Give what?" I propped myself on my elbows.

"The present. I know you have it." He took a seat on his rolly chair.

I sighed. "No I'm not giving it to you."

"Why?"

"Because it sucks." I covered my eyes with my hands and fell back against the mattress. "Yours was so awesome and I got you a crappy gift."

I felt the bed dip down and two hands grabbed my wrists pulling them off my eyes. I looked up at Mark and he had a smile. "Tori it's fine. Just give me the present." I sighed and pointed at the mess of paper. He grinned and pulled out the gift. My hands went to my eyes again as I listened to the sound of ripping paper. "Tori..."

I groaned. "I told you you'd hate it." When I looked up at Mark I saw a giant smile across his face.

"Are you kidding?" He said before enveloping me in a hug. "It's awesome! Let's go play now!" Maybe I had nothing to worry about, after all he is a guy. Guys are weird when they want to be.

I put the necklace in my pocket and grabbed my controller that I had in my backpack. Mark grabbed my hand and raced us down to the basement. We came into his game room and placed the game inside his device before turning up the volume. He was grinning like a little kid. "This is going to be awesome!"

We played for three hours. Occasionally we stopped to get a snack upstairs or to use the bathroom, but we played for three hours. Now we were watching a movie, trying to relax our cramping thumbs. I sat on Mark's lap, my legs resting on the coach. Mark had his feet propped up agianst the foot rest.

My fingers were fiddling with the heart he had given me. "What am I going to do when you leave?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead he lowered the volume on the movie and looked down at me. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I asked," My eyes met his, "What will I do when you leave?"

He sighed. "I don't know. I've been asking the same thing."

"It's different in your position." I looked back down at my hands. "You'll be busy with training and working. Then you'll be shipped off." My voice got shaky so I pushed it aside willing myself not to sound weak. "What will I do when your gone?"

Mark put his arm around my waist and allowed his thumb to make circles on my back. "You'll have college to look at. Probably be out partying with friends." He smiled but it seemed forced. "You'll find a guy and I'll have to meet him when I get back. Make sure he's not a jerk, you know?"

I buried my face in his chest. My hand grabbed a fistful of his shirt as he hugged me tighter. "I'm going to miss you a lot though." I sighed. "What about you finding a girl?"

We sat in silence for a moment, the soft voices coming from the TV interrupting the quiet room. "I can't put someone through it Tori." He finally answered. "My mom loves my dad. I know she does, but when dad was gone she was always sad. No matter how much she smiled or how much she said she was ok, she was always sad. And worried. She worried so much, all the time actually. Sometimes when dad would call and tell her he won't be able to talk for a while because he had a mission or something, she woulndn't sleep at night." He sighed deeply. "I can't do that Tori. I can't put someone through that kind of pain."

"What if you love them?" I said quietly.  My fingers were playing around with his dog tag.

"That's the thing." I felt his chin on my head. "If I really really love them, I'll just want them to be happy. Even if it means leaving and letting them find someone else. I can't do it. I don't care if I'm the one in pain, I would want the person I love to be happy."

"But they'd be happy when you come home."

"And when I get shipped off again?" He asked. "What then? I could be gone for six months, maybe even a year. If I have a wife, or even kids, how would they feel? They'd miss their husband and dad. Just like I missed my dad..."

We went silent watching the movie. I wasn't processing what was happening on the screen. Instead I went over what Mark was telling me. There were so many times I remember Mark being sad because he wanted his dad. He wanted his father to be there at the moment, to help him pull through with whatever was going on, but he was never there. How Mrs. Bennett always did have a smile, yet it always hid some sorrow behind it.

Mark broke the silence, "It doesn't really matter anyways." He sighed. "I mean when I go, I'm going to think everything here is...the same. When really it changes a lot. Today, I'm your best friend Tori. I'll get shipped off still thinking I'm your best friend. But you'll be in college. You'll meet new people, you'll make new friends. So when I come back, everything I knew, will be different."

"Don't even think like that." I said sitting up to face him. "I'll always be your best friend. No matter what." I held up the necklace he gave me and handed it to him while I brought my hair back. "I can't throw away ten years of friendship." My eyes stayed on his while he placed the necklace on me.

When he finished he looked up at me and his eyes met mine. His hand settled on the back of my neck as he pulled me down and kissed the top of my head. "Thanks Tori..." He said gently, "You mean the world to me."

I smiled and hugged him close. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."

******************************

Cole's POV

"If my brother were here you know what he'd be saying?" I said as the photographers made me take a different pose.

"Which brother are we talking about?" Jodee asked. She held a clipboard in her hand with pencil twirling between her fingers.

"Shawn." I answered just as the click of the camera went off.

"Oh," Jodee scribbled something on her clipboard just as her boss walked in. I remembered the man from when Jodee banged my head against the door. His name was Dalton, and by the way he was glaring at me he wasn't fond of me. It probably had to do with the fact that Blake threatened to sue. Dalton was gullible to think we'd actually sue him.

I gave him a smile and the camera man started saying things like, "Yes! That smile makes it look bad."  It took all my willpower not to laugh.

"How old is he?" Dalton asked sending me another glare.

Jodee reached her hand up and messed with her earring. My concentration went back to the camera while I posed some other clothing. "He's nineteen like me." She lied.

He gave me another look. "You sure?"

"Do you want to file all these papers and see?" She asked.

"No. I'm too lazy. I think you got the hang of this. Just make sure he's a good applicant, ok?" Jodee didn't reply but I heard his footsteps retreating.

"So what would Shawn say?" She asked me.

I laughed resulting the camera guy to give me a look of approval. The wardrobe they had selected wasn't anything too formal. It was all casual. The room was dark except for the lights from the flash that surrounded the white back drop. People kept running around but I was trying not to focus on them. "You know," I said putting my hands in my pocket like they said I should. "I never expected I'd be modeling."

Jodee rolled her eyes. "Don't get cocky. You're applying for a job, not moving to Paris."

"I feel violated." The camera man told me to place my arms over my head while putting my hands between my shoulder blades. He encouraged to give a 'sexy smirk' as he called it. I for one, was trying not to laugh.

"Don't worry that's your last outfit." Jodee wrote one more thing on her clipboard before walking to the kneeling camera man. "That should do."

He nodded and stood up going over to a computer. I stretched my arms and yawned picking up the clothing I walked in with. It was just a long sleeve shirt with jacket to help with the cold weather. I took off the assigned clothing and buttoned up my pants before walking out. "Are they good?" I asked walking towards the camera guy and Jodee.

"Yeah we'll send them to Dalton." Jodee glanced at me for a second while I pulled my shirt on.

"So when do I know if I got the job?" I huddled around the computer like the other two.

"Depends." Jodee shrugged while Camera Man scrolled down more pictures. They'd choose a few they thought were good and add it to a separate file. "You might find out today, or maybe in a week."

I groaned, "Just my luck." Jodee and Camera Man kept talking about which pictures they think should be sent. I just looked around the set. A few people were working, running around with clothes in their hands or models were being told what to wear. Managers were talking into their cellphones. The sort of thing I'd usually only see in a movie or TV show.

"Hey, high schooler?" Jodee snapped her fingers in front of me. "We're finished. Let's go."

I grabbed my jacket placing it over my shoulders as we walked out of the area. I caught up to Jodee, who was walking ahead, and paced myself beside her. "So where are you going?" I asked.

"I have a babysitting gig to go to." I opened the door for her. She gave me a curt nod before walking out into the cold.

"Who you babysitting?"

She gave me a look. "Stalking me already Cole?"

I grinned, "I wouldn't be much of a stalker if I was asking."

Jodee rolled her eyes, "Cousins of mine." She walked towards her car, an old model that was rusty on the bumper. "It's my brothers. He gave it to me when I asked for a car." Jodee said when she caught me eyeing her ride. "I was hoping for a Mustang but that obviously didn't happen."

She got into the front seat and put her key in the ignition. The car kept churning but never came to life. Jodee cursed under her breath and sunk down. "This is the third time!" She hit the steering wheel causing me to laugh. Her eyes turned to me and giving a cold stare. "Why are you still here?"

I pointed towards the clipboard she put in the passenger side. "That's my pen." Her face flushed as she realized she had forgotten I'd let her borrow my pen. "But if you need a ride I'd gladl-"

"No." She snapped, trying to start the car again.

"You sure?" I asked taking a step away from her dead vehicle.

"Yes." She handed me the pen before trying to start the car again. "Just go."

I put my hands up in surrender and started walking backwards. "This is me leaving Jodee."

"I can see that. I'm not blind." The car choked again. I turned around and placed my hands in my pockets. I took my time walking to my car, it was cold but it felt good outside. Though the sun was out, it didn't give as much heat as I'd like it too. There wasn't any wind so it was just air that I would have to worry about. Just as I opened the door to the drivers I heard a car door slam shut and hurried footsteps. "Wait!" Jodee reached me a couple seconds later and took in a few breaths. "Can I have a ride?"

I smirked. "I don't know. You were rude back there." She shot me a glare causing me to smile. "What's the magic word?"

"Are we seriously playing this?"

"That's not the magic word Jojo. In fact, that's a sentence." I leaned against my car door and repeated. "What's the magic word?"

"Are you two?"

"Are you seriously that rude you can't say one word?"

She crossed her arms and mumbled something under her breath.

"What?" I asked. "I can't hear you."

"I said please." She said louder. "Can I please have a ride home?"

I grinned, "Get in."

"Finally." She muttered walking around to the passengers seat.

When we were seated inside I turned the car on and started driving out of the area onto the street. "Technically the correct English usage would have been, 'May I...' Not 'Can I...'"

Jodee stared at me with a blank expression. "Do you want me to bite you again?"

I laughed, "No. That was quite painful." We fell silent for a minute. "So where to?"

"Just keep going down this street. I'll tell you when to turn." She placed her head on the window and watched the trees pass by.

It was hard making small talk with her. "So..." I said trying to break the silence that had fallen between us again. "Merry Christmas."

Jodee chuckled. "You're not very good with conversations are you?"

"You're the one that's being difficult."

"I am not I'm just--turn left." I did as she instructed while she kept talking. "I'm not comfortable being in a car with a stalker."

"You're never going to let that one down are you?"

She laughed. "No."

She has a great laugh now that I think about it.

"Well...what'd you get me for Christmas?" I asked with a smile.

Her eyebrows came together and she glanced at me with a smirk. "A job."

I nodded, "Fair enough."

There was that silence again. I turned on the radio to disrupt some of the tension in the car. "What about you?" Jodee asked turning to face me. "What'd you get me?" She smiled.

She has a great smile too.

"Um..." I dung my free hand into my pocket and pulled out a few items. "I have a quarter, gum wrapper, and fuzz ball."

She pursed her lips but it looked like she was trying to hold back a laugh. "You could just give me twenty bucks."

"How about I get you food instead?" I asked.

"Food is the answer to all problems." Jodee grinned. "I love food."

I rolled my eyes and pulled up at one of my favorite shops. "There's your present." I pointed at the name up on the front. Cookie Emporium. It's just a regular shop where you go in and order a few cookies and leave. The reason I liked the place was because they had some killer triple fudge cookies.

Jodee gasped, "Oh my god! I love cookies!"

"I know." I took the key out of ignition and faced her. "You bit me last time I tried taking your cookie."

She grinned, "Oh yeah...Now come on." She rushed out the car and into the shop while I calmly walked in after her. There was still no wind but it felt good outside, even if it was cold. By the time I entered she was already ordering a couple of chocolate chip cookies.

The shop had many different colors to it. Red and blue laced the corners of the ceiling, along with a few Christmas decorations. There was a mini-tree in the corner with cookie ornaments. There were two display cases near the cash register. One had the regular cookies, the other had nicely decorated cookies with frosting trees or snowflakes.

"Will that be all?" The girl at the register asked.

"No." Jodee said turning to look at me. "Are you ordering something or not Cole?"

I took a step beside her and leaned against the counter looking down at the display case. "I'll have the triple fudge, chocolate chip, sprinkles, and M&M." The cashier typed it all in and then gave me the price.

"That's pretty expensive for a couple cookies." Jodee said as we walked out. She had the red bag in her hand as she chewed on a chocolate chip.

"You did order a lot of them though." I said stepping into my car. I reached over towards Jodee to pick one of the cookies out of the bag. She slapped my hand away. "Hey I got cookies too!"

"You shouldn't have put them in the same bag as mine." She took another bite. I gave her a stern look placing my hand out for her to place a cookie. "You said this is my Christmas present." She countered.

"Yeah but I want cookies too."

She sighed deeply and handed me my cookies. "Only because I'm nice."

I drove towards the house Jodee was supposed to be dropped off at. She told me which turns and streets I had to take. It took about twenty minutes to finally reach the house. It was small but looked cozy. The door was a faded black, and windows were lit up, light streaming through the white curtains. Jodee took a step out of the car and I followed suit.

"What are you doing?" She asked when she heard the beep of the car locking.

"I can't help you with babysitting?"

"No." She put her hands on my shoulders and tried moving me back. "Get back in the car."

I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest. "No."

"Go." She said again while trying to push all her body weight against my shoulders. "Oh my god! Could you like, work with me here? I'm trying to push you back to your car but it doesn't help if you don't move. So can you please move your two feet and make it easier for me?"

"Just let me help you with babysitting. You won't even know I'm there." She gave me another look, causing me to roll my eyes. "You won't even have to pay me."

Jodee seemed to think about it for a second before she took a deep breath and sighed. "Fine." Her arms dropped to her sides. "The older cousin is ten and his name is Kaden. Then there's Ethan, he's three."

We walked up to the house and Jodee knocked the door. A couple seconds later a woman opened it up while she placed an earring in her ear. "Thanks Jodee for coming on the short notice," She took a look at me before pulling Jodee to the side. Although she tried whispering I could hear her perfectly. "So...that's your boyfriend? Please don't do anything, I just finished cleaning."

"He's not my boyfriend, Tia." Jodee muttered. I doubt her Tia heard her though, she was too busy going back inside to find her purse.

"I'm heading to Chicago for three days," She said grabbing her purse and swinging it on her arm. "If you need anything call my cell. Help yourself to the food, you know the drill and what to do. I'll be back before Christmas...hopefully. Pray we don't get snowed in." She gave me a quick smile before turning to Jodee and kissing her cheek. "Take care. Make sure the boys go to sleep at ten."

Jodee nodded and her aunt left the house. "Come on," Jodee said to me. "I'll introduce you to the boys." She led me deeper into the house until we reached a room that a TV and some sofas. I assumed it was the living room considering there were framed pictures everywhere.

Two boys were seated opposite of each other. It was easy to tell the difference between which was which. Kaden, as Jodee had explained, was the older one that sat on the couch crossed-legged while playing on an iPad. Ethan, the younger one, was shorter and hadn't noticed us yet.

"I'm back." Jodee said dramatically.

"Jodee!" Both boys shouted at the same time. They rushed towards her and hugged her. "We missed you."

"Where have you been?" They bombarded her with questions before the younger one turned to look at me. "Hi!" He said to me, "I'm Ethan. Are you Jo'Rose's boyfriend?"

I shook my head, "Just friend." I got eye level to him and shook his hand. "Cole. I've heard somethings about you Ethan."

He grinned, "Really?"

"Yup." I smiled back, "This little birdie told me you like cookies."

His face fell and he turned to Jodee. "I told you Jo'Rose! I told you! That bird is out to get me!"

She laughed and picked him up talking to him soothingly. He started tugging to on Jodee's hair, laughing hysterically while Jodee shrieked.

"I'm Kaden," The older boy said from the couch. He gave me a short wave before he went back to his game on his iPad.

"Cole." I said taking a seat beside him. "What'cha playing there?"

"Minecraft." He shrugged.

"Survival or Creative mode?"

"Creative." Kaden said.

"Aw cool." I looked over his shoulder. "I once made this huge football stadium."

Kaden grinned and looked up from the screen. "No way."

I nodded, "Yeah. I was so set on making the stadium that it took me three days to finish it."

"That's so cool!" He started press buttons on his iPad. "Wanna connect servers?"

"Heck yeah." I pulled my phone out and went to the Minecraft app. After we connected, we played around a bit and decided on building a roller coaster near the football stadium to start an amusement park.

"Dinners ready." Jodee called from a different room. I quickly texted mom to tell her I was at a friends house and to start dinner without me. I followed Kaden to the kitchen where Ethan was seated on the table. Jodee had a pot in her hands while she stirred the contents with a wooden spoon. "Cole could you please get the plates. They're in that cabinet." Her head flicked over in the direction.

I grabbed the plates, placing them around the table where Kaden and Ethan sat down. "What else did the birdie tell you?" Ethan asked.

"Uh..." I stuttered as I put the plate in front of him. I heard Jodee smirk behind me like she found the situation amusing. "He said that you were three years old."

"I am three!" Ethan shouted with a smile. "What else?"

"He said," Think Cole. Think. "He said you've been a good boy this year and that Santa will probably get you presents."

"Yes!" Ethan fist bumped the air. "Score!" Before Ethan could ask me another question, Jodee came around the table and served them mac n' cheese with bacon. After she gave it to the boys she placed a scoop on our plates and sat down to eat with us.

"This is really good Jojo." I said.

"Jodee's like a chef." Kaden grinned, "Her food is the best!" Jodee smiled at that, eating her food quietly.

"Her desserts are better." Ethan stuffed his mouth with more pasta. "But this is good too."

Ethan could really deceive the eye. At first I thought he was an innocent child, then when Jodee left me alone with him to take a call, I realized he's a ball of energy and torture. Kaden was laid back, very chilled out like he didn't have a care in the world. He was funny and energetic too, but he had his moments when he would just sit on the coach and flip through channels while hanging his head upside down.

After dinner we had dessert which consisted of chocolate lava cake that Jodee had prepared. She explained to me that she babysits them often, but not enough to an extent where she see's them regularly. So when her aunt goes off to work for a couple days and leaves her in charge, she always prepares the boys their favorite meal: Bacon mac n' cheese and chocolate lava cake.

I think it was the dessert that kicked off their sugar high. Jodee and I were upstairs in their play room while they ran around the house downstairs yelling and shouting. We turned on the radio to tune out the boys.

The play room was just a small room that had drawers around the walls labeled with what goes in what. There was Power Rangers, Dinosaurs, Animals, and many others. Basically any toy a boy would have, would be labeled with a drawer. In the corner of the room there was a large chest where Legos was labled. I made sure to look at the floor carefully, stepping on a Lego stung like bitch.

I was picking up some of the action figures when Jodee started humming to a song. "I'm so fancy," She said with the song just as she opened a drawer to place some toys. "You already know!" She was moving her hips to the song and threw up the toys from the drawer into the air.

I laughed when she looked around like she had no idea what just happened. "Well thanks a lot. You just made it even dirtier."

Her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at me. "It's your fault."

"What?" There was a smile on my face but I stared at her in disbelief. "You threw all the toys in the air."

"No I didn't." She went back to cleaning the room and picking up all the toys she had thrown. It took a while, but finally we were able to clear the floor in the play room. I could finally see the rug at the bottom. There wasn't a sheet of toys that was covering it up now.

"Ok guys, time for bed." Jodee said when the time got closer to ten o'clock. There were shouts and screams of disapproval as we walked downstairs to pick them up. "Seriously guys, it's time for bed." She said more sternly. They finally payed attention and headed upstairs to their rooms.

Jodee went to Kaden's room to tuck him into bed first, I veered out of the room when Jodee was whispering to him quietly and headed to Ethan's. He was laid on his bed, the covers at his feet as if waiting for someone to come and lift them over his body. "How'd you meet the birdie?" He asked me when I walked into his room and lifted the covers over him.

I smiled, "He just flew towards my house. Sat on the window seal and sang and sang."

"He has a big mouth." Ethan yawned.

"Nah," I grinned, "He just has a big beak is all."

Ethan smiled sitting up for a moment to give me hug. "Night Cole. I hope I see you again soon."

My body froze for a second before I patted Ethan's hair gently. "Hope so too kid. Now get some sleep. I'm sure you have something going on tomorrow."

He nodded before lying back in his pillow. There was a small beat of footsteps hitting the floor outside the doorway. Jodee came in and kissed Ethan's head before we both walked out. She closed the door to his room, "Thanks for helping out."

"It's nothing. They're cool kids."

We walked back downstairs and Jodee headed towards the fridge. "Want any ice cream?" She asked looking through the freezer.

"Sure. What kind?" I asked taking a seat at the table.

"I have vanilla, mint chocolate chip, and strawberry."

"Vanilla."

She pulled out two containers. A vanilla, and mint chocolate chip. She grabbed two bowls and spoons and started digging into the ice cream.

"Need any help?"

"I can do it by myself." She grunted trying to get the spoon to sink in. "It's just frozen."

I held my hands up, "I was just asking."

It took her a minute, but she finally got enough vanilla ice cream for me. She threw the bowl my way, letting it skid against the table. As I ate my vanilla ice cream I watched as Jodee placed a brownie at the bottom of the bowl before covering it in mint chocolate chip. "Is that good?" I asked.

"Yeah," She grinned placing the spoon in her mouth. "Brownie mint chocolate chip. Gotta love it."

I shrugged, "Never had it."

"That's just sad." She muttered stifling a yawn.

"So why does Ethan call you Jo'Rose?"

"Rose is my middle name." She shrugged, "Jodee Rose Bamba."

I chuckled, "Sounds cooler than mine. Cole Oscar Parris."

"It's alright." She ate a spoonful of her ice cream before standing up. "Come on let's watch a movie."

"Which one?" I asked following her into the living room.

She grinned and I took a seat on one of the sofa's. "It's a surprise." Jodee left the room for a second before coming back with a DVD in her hands, she slipped it into the player and took a seat beside me. "You're really good with kids."

I shrugged and took another spoonful of ice cream. "I guess. I mean I love little kids. It just depends on the kid." My ice cream bowl was empty now so I placed it on the ground and moved my arm over Jodee's shoulders.

"Making a move already?" Jodee smirked.

I grinned, "Your aunt said not to do anything though."

"How'd you know she's my aunt?" The trailers went by but I wasn't paying much attention to them.

"I'm taking Spanish. Been taking it since Freshman year." My leg started bouncing up and down. A trademark of mine when I'm nervous or anxious. It was a bad habit, but everyone has something when they're nervous. "You said tia that means aunt. I just figured."

"Laid back, attractive, sporty, and smart." Jodee laughed, "You're like the whole package. Bet you got the girls lining up."

I shook my head, "Nah. All they see is looks and sports. That's why your different."

"What do you mean?" She asked turning to face me. I stared into her green eyes. They were hard to see in the dark but I could still make out the color by the way they seemed to reflect the light from the TV. My hand instinctively went to her hair as I twirled a lock of hair between my fingers.

She was different. She didn't treat me like I was Cole Parris, she treats me like I'm Cole. She sticks up for herself and isn't afraid with giving me sassy remarks, or witty comebacks. It was different. A good different that didn't involve girls using me or wanting to brag. It was comfortable, as if the tables have changed. Over the last couple months I've gotten used to changing. Who I am, what I do, who I'm with, all that changed. This girl treated me differently. A change I was starting to like.

"You don't treat me like some king." I answered. "Like a god that roams the school and fields. You're different because you treat me for who I am, not for what everyone see's me as. You make me smile in a different way, and you're not scared to say the first thing that comes to mind. You're very confident with everyone and you can take care of yourself. It's just...different with you because you never feel intimidated by me, as cocky as that sounds, but for some reason a lot of people do. It's like," I sighed trying to find the right words, "It's like everyone steers away from my brothers and I because they feel like we possess some godly power that will make them crumble. But it's not true. We're just kids. Teenagers. Yet we get treated like gods. We're not. So you...you make me feel like teen again."

Jodee stared at me for what seemed an eternity. But I didn't care. I stared right back, letting her take the time to absorb my words while I twirled the lock of hair. "Um..." She finally said, "W-we should get back to the movie." Her attention turned back to the screen.

I smiled to myself and pulled her closer so she was leaning against me just as the main menu popped up. I groaned. "Why this movie?"

Jodee smirked, "Because you said bad things about Flounder. Now you pay." She hit Play and the Little Mermaid started.

"If I could be anyone in that movie, I'd be that dolphin." I pointed out. Jodee laughed and shook her head at my remark. It made me feel warm inside, to know I can make her laugh.

"By the way," Jodee said after Ariel got her voice taken away. "Dalton called. You got the job."

I grinned, "Seriously?"

"Yup," She looked directly at me, "Don't screw this up. And remember, no flirting with customers."

I pulled her close to my side. "Thanks Jodee."

"Don't mention it. Now let go so I can see the movie." Before I had time to let go of my tight embrace, I felt a pair of teeth sink down in my hand.

"Ow," I pulled my hand back. "Did you just bite me Jojo?"

She didn't look my way. Her eyes were trained on the screen but a smirk was plastered on her lips. "I hope your not blind, because I obviously just bit you Coley Woley."

******************************

Tori's POV

On Christmas Eve I spent my morning packing my small carry-on suit case. Everyone was in their rooms, packing up for the small trip to the lake house. It would be awesome going back there. We'd agreed to stop by the store before heading to the house, so we could buy everything we needed for a nice Christmas Eve dinner.

During the weekend, dad had already gone to the house to set up the Christmas tree. Now when we arrived, all we'd have to do was decorate it with the ornaments that were in a red box mom was bringing. We also decided on bringing a few of our favorite things, such as the hot cocoa mugs and expensive china plates for dinner.

Just like last time, we were grouped in different cars. Mom, dad, and Suzie were going in the van, and because they had all the baggage, gifts, and boxes, I was set to go with the boys. I wasn't complaining as much this time, now we were all...siblings almost. It was hard to believe that in only a matter of months they were able to become part of my life. Living without them now seemed impossible to think of. It was hard remembering my days without them. Usually if one was gone, I'd hang out with the other. There was always at least one of them I could be with.

I placed all my clothes on top of their presents. They were all simple gifts, I hoped they liked them because I wasn't sure what to get them. I just wasn't good with presents. It's so much easier when you're buying a present for a smaller child, usually they just want a doll or action figure that you could get for twenty dollars. But as you mature, you want items that cost more in the hundreds. So cash is always something nice to receive, even though it feels awful giving it away. Basically it's like saying, I don't know what to get you. So I go you this twenty dollar bill I found in my wallet.

Then again, it's what we want.

"Guys come on!" Dad yelled from downstairs. It was midday but none of us wanted to stay at the lake house all day. We all had to finish wrapping presents, so after our short breakfast we all headed to our rooms to finish our work. Everyone decided on a small sandwich for lunch so we could stuff ourselves with food at night.

Suzie, the Trips, and I headed downstairs and placed the luggage into the van. "You guys go ahead." Mom said, "We'll catch up with you at the house. We still need to go get some of the food."

"Ok."

"Alright."

The four of us got into Blake's car. He of course decided on driving while Shawn and I took the back and Cole sat up in shotgun. "Everyone buckled in?" Blake asked.

We all nodded or gave a short, "Yup."

"Alright." Blake fixed the rear view mirror as he started the car and drove away from the house. "Cole could you put the GPS. I have no idea where I'm going."

Cole nodded and handed Blake his phone after typing in the address. "In a quarter of a mile turn left." The mechanical voice directed.

"I always thought that was creepy." I shuddered and sat back in my seat.

Shawn grinned. "Me too." He gave me an evil smirk before his eyes went wide and he pretended to move like a robot. "In exactly three point two seconds turn left to fall to your death. Ha-ha. Ha. Ha."

I flicked his forehead, "Don't do that it's creepy."

"I'm sorry Miss Gorilla." He pouted before pulling his phone out. I rolled my eyes and laid back in the seat. "Hey Tori call my phone." Shawn said.

"Why, you have it right there." I said. Cole turned to look at us as if he expected something funny to happen.

"Just please." Shawn whined. "Please." He dragged on the word.

"Fine." I grumbled and took my phone out of my back pocket. I dialed Shawn's phone number and heard the familiar ring.

Shawn's phone came to life and started making monkey noises. He laughed hysterically while Cole chuckled and Blake grinned. "I set the ring tone-" Shawn laughed some more, "To a monkey! It's hilarious."

I stared at him like he was crazy. He probably was crazy. But his laughter soon became contagious and I found myself laughing with him. "You're so messed up Shawn." I finally said when the laughter subsided.

"I know." He moved around the seat and placed his feet on me. "But you love me anyways."

Cole turned the radio on while we continued driving off. Every so often the GPS would give directions on where to turn or what street to get onto. "Hey guys," Cole said looking down at his phone, "It might snow tomorrow."

"No way." I said shocked. In the area we live at, it rarely snows. Mostly it snows in January or February. Hardly has it snowed in December. But the lake house we own is about an hour north from where we live, closer to the mountains. So it could be a possibility that it snows at the lake house.

"If it snows tomorrow I will say it's the most cliche thing ever," Blake smiled. Although his words seemed hostile, the smile on his lips showed he wanted it to snow. "I mean really? Snow on Christmas day? We barely get snow."

"Yeah but last time we did remember what I tried to do?" Shawn had that crazy glint in his eyes.

Blake and Cole went silent. I felt kinda bad for Shawn, he seemed super enthusiastic to tell the story. I sighed knowing I'd regret asking, "What'd you do last time?"

"I'm glad you asked Tori," He turned his attention to me. "So you know how in movies if you roll down a hill fast enough the person is suddenly covered in snow?"

"Yeah..."

"Well we went searching for the steepest hill we could find. And when we did find it," The glint in his eyes sparked, "Boom! I went rolling down."

"Did it work?" I asked.

Shawn busted into a fit of laughter. Tears started sprouting from his eyes, "No but I went down so fast that when I got up I was stumbling around. Face planted into some yellow snow."

I tried to keep a serious face, but it was impossible. The whole car started laughing except Shawn. The kid has mood swings or something because a second ago he was laughing and now he's staring at us like we should know it's not funny. "Are you serious?"

Shawn nodded, "It was like two feet of snow and I impacted the ground so hard my head sunk down. I don't know what animal made the yellow snow, but I got soaked in urine."

"We made him sit in the trunk of the car." Blake added. "He smelled so bad."

"It was nasty." Cole said. "But he got us back."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well," Shawn went on, "I wasn't happy how they kept laughing at me. They kept saying I was attracted to yellow snow. So I got some lemonade and poured it on the snow outside in the backyard. When they came out, I started eating the snow. Let me tell you, I never heard my mom scream that loud."

"It was gross Shawn." Cole said, "I felt like throwing up."

Blake chuckled, "You and me both."

"Beware of Shawn and his pranks." Cole shuddered, "Some are just...brilliant."

I nodded remembering the stories of Shawn Parris and his pranks. Everyone that was friends with Shawn Parris had to be on top guard on April Fool's. There was a year where Shawn had placed real live bats in Cole's locker. The janitor had to cage them and set them lose. Shawn didn't even get suspended, after all he's a Parris. "Yeah I've heard Shawn's pranks can be brutal."

Shawn waved his hand like a princess. "Thank you thank you." He smirked. "It's the classics that are the best."

"Also the most annoying." Blake grumbled. "Like the itching powder in my underwear drawer. That day was so awkward."

"The flour shooting out of my locker when I opened it." Cole added.

"That stupid twenty dollar bill with a fishing rod."

"Gluing a dollar coin on the floor."

"Or when you took my all my clothes from my locker after I finished showering." Blake clenched his teeth.

Shawn laughed, "Oh come on! That prank got you laid at least five times that one day. Those girls couldn't pry their hands off you."

Blake sighed, "Hell even the principle was checking me out."

"Didn't the assistant principle give you extra clothing?" I asked remembering the story. Blake Parris had to walk around the school with only a towel on his hips because his brother decided on stealing his clothing. Then the assistant principle gave him a suit and Blake had to go around wearing a formal outfit. Course he added his own style, untying the tie and making sure the jacket he was suppose to wear was hanging over his shoulder.

Shawn sighed deeply. "Good times, good times."

Luckily, we didn't get lost. Thanks to the GPS we arrived the lake house before mom and dad. Blake parked the car on the driveway and we all entered the house thinking it was warm. It wasn't, it was freezing. Cole went to the thermostat and started pumping heat into the house. It was only about twenty minutes later that dad arrived with all the luggage and food.

"I'll get a fire started." Dad said going over to the fireplace while everyone brought the food and suit cases in. Five minutes later there was the small crackling of a fire that illuminated the living room. The tree was just beside fireplace, looking plain and simple.

"Guys lets do the tree first." I said tugging at Cole's jacket.

"Sure." He smiled and looked at his brothers. "Come on guys, we gotta do the tree."

By the time we had the red box in, Shawn was trying to untangle the lights that were suppose to wrap around the tree. Cole put Suzie on his shoulders, letting her put ornaments on the top branches. Blake handed me a ball or figure and I'd place it on branch. "Uhm..." Shawn said. "Help?" The lights were wrapped tightly around him, holding his arm over his head yet his elbow was bent so his hand rested on spine. His nose was crooked to one side because the cord was tightly wrapped around his face.

Whether he meant to doing that or not, we all laughed. Suzie giggled, "Someone take a picture!"

"Everyone get in beside Shawn," Mom said holding up a camera. She and dad stood side by side looking at the screen to see if it was a good picture. We put our hands on each other hips or shoulders. Shawn was in the middle with all the cords wrapped around him, Blake put a Santa hat on me and put a Rudolph nose on him, Cole held Suzie on his shoulders while she worn elf ears she found in one of the boxes. "Say, Shawn-ator." Mom said.

We all laughed and chorused together, "Shawn-ator." The click went off but we stood for another second making sure mom wouldn't have to take another picture. When she tilted the camera down we broke apart.

"Yeah this all like super nice and lovey-dovey and all." Shawn said with a small laugh. "But seriously. Get me out of here!" He started flaring side to side causing us to laugh more as his usable arm flared limply at his side.

It took us nearly and hour to get Shawn out of the trap. By then mom was in the kitchen with Suzie preparing dinner. It wasn't going to be something as huge as Thanksgiving. Dad was going out to the grill to make some steaks while mom was cooking some mashed potatoes and a salad.

"Duck," Shawn said, "Duck. Duck. Goose!" He tapped my head and ran away. Blake, Cole, and I stared at him weirdly. We were just lounging by the fireplace and Shawn goes and does something weird. "Oh come on guys!"

"Why are you playing Duck Duck Goose?" I asked.

"Because I don't know what else to do." He groaned and randomly collapsed on the floor. He started doing crunches. "One Miss Iss I Pi."

"It's Mississippi." I corrected.

"No," Blake smirked, "To Shawn it's Miss Iss I Pi."

I stared at Blake then at Shawn. "Why?" I asked confused.

"Isn't that the question of the century." Cole laughed, "You don't question Shawn. You just go with it."

"Five Miss Iss I Pi." Shawn groaned and rolled onto his stomach. He lay there like a star, his legs and arms spread out. "I'm bored. But it's too cold to go outside." He seemed to be thinking, that was never a good sign. Like a light bulb he jumped up, "Lets play ninja!"

I groaned, "We got in trouble last time."

"Let's play ninja..." He took a dramatic pause, "Like ninjas. Let's be stealthy."

"How does this game go?" Blake asked even though he didn't seem interested.

Cole laughed, "You don't want to know."

"I have an idea!" Shawn grinned, "Blake can be the damsel in distress! We can tie him to a chair."

"What?" The three of us said at the same time. Blake looked creeped out, Cole looked amused, as for myself I just didn't know how to react.

"Yeah I mean Tori can't be the damsel in distress because she's the monkey king." Shawn pointed out in a duh tone. "And Cole needs to play peace keeper that has two sides. Then Cole will go crazy and start karate chopping everything. Like this," Shawn walked over to a small table that had a few magazines. "Heewah!" He slammed the side of his hand against the wood. "Ow!" He started jumping up and down. "Ow! Shit! That effing hurt!"

We busted out laughing as Shawn kept muttering curses while trying to make the pain go away. "Yeah I'm not doing that." Cole said between laughs.

A couple hours later we were all spread around the table eating dinner. The wind was howling outside, a few trees were rocking, and when I looked out the window it was so dark all I saw was my reflection in the glass. Dad would go out every few minutes to get more wood to keep the fire alive.

In the middle of our scrumptious dinner dad stood up with his glass of wine. He and mom had red wine while the rest of us had sparkling cider. "Cheers," He said, "To this beautiful, yet diverse, family."

Everyone smiled and chorused, "Cheers!" Before tapping it on each others glass.

"So Shawn," Dad said taking a bite from his steak. "I brought the Nerf guns for Russian Roulette."

Shawn's smile widened. "No way!"

Dad grinned, "You didn't think I was kidding when I said I'd win, did  you?"

"Oh my god," Mom said covering her eyes with her hands. "Bill you're not serious are you?"

"Of course I am!" Dad turned to Cole, "What was it? Losers jump in the lake?"

Cole grinned, "After dinner we're doing it."

"You're going to get hypothermia." Suzie said worried.

"No it's ok." Blake said. "We just jump in and jump out right?"

"You're going to do it too?" Mom asked before looking at me. "Please tell me you won't Tori."

I tried not to show it. But it was nearly impossible. It sounded like an awesome idea and I would love to play in it. "Well I mean..."

Mom threw her head back. "Suzie and I are the only two that have common sense."

"I just don't want to catch a cold." Suzie muttered.

"Well I'm not going to catch a cold." Cole grinned. "Because I will win."

Blake laughed, "More like come in second place like always. Heck, you were even born second."

"I shan't lose," Shawn said confidently, "Because I art de awesomesth."

"Well it's settled." Dad smiled. "After dinner we'll go see who the...awesomesth is."

We were all pretty exited about the game. Not only that but the gifts that would appear in the morning. Even though I'm seventeen, I can never sleep on Christmas night. I'm too excited on opening the presents and seeing what dad got me. Usually he gets me small things, and a large bomb of a present. So one year it could be a couple pairs of clothing and then a bike. Now I had the guys, and even though I got them presents, I was still nervous to see if they liked them.

After dinner, Mom and Sue decided they were going to make the cookies for Santa. Yeah Suzie is nine and still believes. In honesty, I think she doesn't, she just keeps up the act because it gives her a better allusion and childhood. Even though on the gifts if I write, 'From Tori' she believes Santa wrote that there to say that it was my idea to get her that present. It's odd though, because she goes out and buys gifts yet believes that he comes in and eats the cookies and drinks the milk. Part of what's awesome about being a child is how gullible you are. How you believe in the small things like the tooth fairy, Easter bunny, or even magic. It's those things that get you excited. When you get older you're more excited in going to a rock concert or going on dates with your boyfriend or girlfriend. It all changes. Yet sometimes I still wish I was a child.

Shawn is probably the only person I know that still acts like he's five years old.

It took us about five minutes for our stomachs to calm down. We had eaten so much it was physically impossible to get up. When we did, we went walking outside. It was dark and well over the negatives. Not a minute later I huddled my arms together because I was shivering.

I am not going to jump in that lake. I will freeze and turn into a Tori-sicle.

"Here you go." Dad handed everyone a Nerf gun and one foam bullet. "So how do we do this? Should we take turns or get in a large circle to cancel everyone out?"

"I think the large circle would be better." Cole said. Just as dad had told us, we all gathered in a large circle and slipped the Nerf bullet into the revolver. We spun it, and pointed the gun to the person to our right.

"On three we all shoot. Got it?" Dad asked. I had my Nerf pointed at my dad, Blake had his pointed at me. We all nodded in agreement and dad counted down. "One...two...three."

Everyone pulled the trigger.

Nothing happened. Dad grinned, "Round two. One...two...three."

Everyone pulled the trigger, but this time we heard a the small buzz of the foam flying through the air. Cole started cursing. "You gotta be kidding me!"

Shawn laughed, "Ha! Told you you'd lose."

Blake smirked, "Well what'd ya know? You're not second place after all."

Cole shot him a glare and stripped down to his boxers. His teeth started chattering. "It's freezing."

Dad laughed, "You gonna jump in or not?"

"Don't be a chicken." Shawn put his hands to his armpits and started flapping his arms. He moved like a chicken, making sure to stick his head out each time he took a step. "Bawk bawk bawk! Chicken!"

Cole took a deep breath before sprinting towards the dock. "Banzai!" He yelled before we heard a loud slash. There was a loud take in of breath before Cole yelled, "Holy mother of Jesus! It's cold!"

We all laughed and took our stances. This time we switched it around so we weren't pointing at the same people. I aimed at Blake, dad aimed at me. "On three," Dad repeated as we heard Cole getting out of the water. His teeth chattered loudly and even under the moonlight I could see the goosebumps on him, and the shivers that were trialing down his body. He put his dry clothes on quickly, probably hoping it'd keep him somewhat warm. "One...two...three."

Everyone pulled the trigger. The same buzz of the foam was heard again. "Dammit!" Dad cursed.

Shawn grinned again, "That was all my doing!"

Dad glared at Shawn as he stripped down to his boxers as well. It was weird seeing dad like that, luckily it was dark. I doubt it mattered a lot though, it just looked like he was wearing swim trunks. "Scale from one to ten, ten being the coldest. How cold?" Dad asked Cole.

Cole had taken a seat on the ground refusing to get up because he wanted to see the ending of the game. "Tw-twenty f-four p-point th-three." Cole stuttered.

"It'd be frozen then you dork." Shawn laughed.

Cole shuddered, "C-can't t-think. T-too c-c-cold."

Dad sighed and jogged to the dock. He reached the edge, turned to us, saluted, then pencil dived into the water. He came up gasping for air. "Twenty four p-point three is-is right!"

We laughed. Blake, Shawn and I pointed the Nerf guns to each other. "On three?" I asked. They nodded so I started the countdown. "One...two...three."

I pulled the trigger and I felt the foam bullet leave my gun. It hit Shawn in the arm and he turned to look at me with shock. "No!" He fell to the ground dramatically. "I'm wounded! Call 911! I've been shot!" He rolled on the grass making strange noises.

"Just get up and jump in the lake." Blake rolled his eyes.

Shawn sighed and took his clothes off leaving him in rainbow boxers. Everyone stared at them for a second before Shawn rolled his eyes, "They were on sale. Right next to the Sugar Plum Fairy boxers." He ran to the dock and did a back flip in the air before landing the water. We heard a clap! and figured Shawn landed on his back.

"Holy queso!" He swam to shore and picked up his clothing. "I don't know how polar bears do it. Swimming the North Pole is off my list." He shivered, teeth chattering like Cole and dad's. The three of them huddled together as they watched Blake and I.

"Looks like it's just you and me, Cake." I smirked and put my foam bullet back in the compartment. I gave it a good spin and placed my finger on the trigger.

Blake laughed, "My bullet hasn't even gone out yet. Your not in good odds Tobi."

"I swear this is like the wild west." I grinned and we pointed the guns at each other.

"C-could yo-you guys h-hurry up-up." Cole stuttered.

"Ye-yeah. I'm c-cold." Dad added.

"I'm n-not." Shawn said even though he had chills running through him. "I c-can t-ta-talk all da-day. Blah b-blah. B-blah. Ha-ha. F-for he's a-a j-jolly g-good fel-llow."

"S-shut up!" Cole shouted before looking back at Blake and I. "Go."

The both of us started counting down. "One..." I said.

"Two..." He pointed the Nerf at me.

"Three." We said at the same time.

We pulled the trigger. The sound of the foam bullet cut the air. We both looked at our feet where the bullet had landed, then back at each other. It hit both of us. It was a tie. "Well crap," I ran to the house not wanting to get wet.

"Get back here!" Blake shouted running after me. Two seconds later I was tackled to the ground. Blake swung me over his shoulder as I pounded on his back. "Looks like we're going for a swim Tobi."

"Put me down!" I shouted trying to get him to let go by wiggling around. "So help you Blake if you throw me in that lake we will have a serious problem. Now, put me down!"

"As the lady commands." He threw me about three feet away from him. Then the world seemed above me. I had just enough time to hold my breath as I came crashing into the water. It felt like icy needles were pricking my skin. Almost like a fell inside a tub of ice.

I surfaced taking a big gulp of air. Just when I thought the worst part was over. I saw Blake at the dock with a mischievous grin. "Don't. You. D-dare." I stuttered trying to stay a float. I didn't even have time to take my shirt and jeans off. And wet jeans weighed a lot.

"Cannon ball!" Blake screamed before jumping in the air and curling his legs to his chest. The splash he caused was huge and since he landed right beside me, the wave went over my head. When he came up to the surface, his teeth were chattering. "It's c-cold." He said.

I laughed a bit but resulted in my teeth clamping down again. "I w-wonder if thi-this is h-how c-cold Ro-Rose and J-Jack felt when th-the Ti-Titanic san-k." I started making my way to shore, closely followed my Blake.

"I a-always th-thought th-that movi-e was we-weird." He sucked his lips into his mouth trying to stop the chattering. The sand from the shore stuck to the soles of my shoes, and every step I took involved a squish from my socks. "So-sorry I threw y-you in w-with c-c-clothes." He grinned and I knew he didn't mean his words. He had enough time to take his pants and shirt off leaving him in a tank top and boxers.

Dad, Cole, and Shawn were already inside. When we walked in I saw they had towels around them and were huddled around the fire. It felt good being inside, it was warm but whenever I'd move my clothes were touch my skin and a chill would run up my spine. "You're getting the floor all wet." Mom said from the sofa.

"So-sorry." I stuttered and hurried upstairs. I went to my room and grabbed a set of pj's. The long, dry, fuzzy pants felt warm against my ice cold skin. I pulled a tank top over my body, then a sweatshirt. When I went back downstairs I saw the boys all huddled together trying to get the warmth from the fire. I took a seat beside them, mom came over and placed a towel over my shoulders so I wouldn't get my clothes wet. Then she handed us all a cup of hot cocoa.

"Why did we do that again?" Cole's stuttering went down but he still had goosebumps on his neck. His hair was soaked he pulled his knees to his chest.

"Because it was stupid and fun." Shawn answered.

"I don't want to do anything else that involves stupidity and having fun." Cole muttered.

Dad laughed. "Good luck in college then."

I laid my head against Cole's shoulder, he did the same and soon I felt the pressure of his head on mine. "You should sing a Christmas carol." He said with a grin.

I laughed softly. There was only one Christmas carol that I really liked. My real mom would always sing it to me to sleep when it was December.

"Silent night," I sang, "Holy night.

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon virgin , mother and child.

Holy infant so, tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace."

"You have a great voice Tori." Shawn said with a yawn. He took a sip from his cocoa.

"Where'd you learn to sing?" Blake asked. He was at the very end, so I couldn't see him well.

"My mom taught me," I held the mug of cocoa close to my chest. "She was amazing. She always sang to me when I was scared. We'd sing together all the time, especially after Suzie was born. We'd have to sing to her so she'd fall asleep."

We all went silent as we watched the fire. I couldn't look in the heart of the fire, or my eyes would feel weird with the brightness it possessed. So I watched the small flames that came from the top. Dad would come in every couple of minutes to place another log or to poke the fire with the rod to make it come back to life. The warmth was slowly spreading from my toes to my face. We stopped shivering and enjoyed each other's company. Maybe we weren't speaking, words didn't have to be spoken at this moment. We were content, a family.

"Guys maybe you should go to bed." Mom said shaking our shoulders lightly. Suzie had passed out on the couch, not before leaving some freshly baked cookies under the tree with a glass of cold milk. "You're going to want to wake up early tomorrow."

We all nodded and stood up heading to our bedrooms. Cole carried Suzie to her bunk and placed her on the top. I ignored the guys as they discussed something in the hallway. I was too tired to climb under the covers of my bed. I checked the digital clock on the nightstand, 11:38 p.m. When my head hit the pillow, I was out.

There was scrambling outside my door. I opened my eyes, the clock read 1:27 a.m. My door opened and the three boys filed in. "Hey Tori," Shawn whispered before lightly shaking my shoulders. "We can't sleep."

"You guys woke me up." I groaned and sat up. Then I remembered I had to put all the presents under the tree. "Wait here, I need to go put the presents."

They all nodded in understanding and I left the room carrying my suit case downstairs as quietly as I could. There were already a few gifts underneath the tree, it made me smile. I willed myself not to look at the names as I carefully placed each gift underneath the tree. Part of the milk was already gone from the glass, and one of the five cookies was gone. Another just had a single bite. I finished up the bitten cookie and took a bite from another.

Mmmmm...that was a good cookie. I thought to myself as I rushed back upstairs. The guys were still in my room. "What are you guys doing here?" I yawned falling back on my bed.

"We can't sleep." Shawn muttered beside me.

"Hmm..." My eyes were closed and I was barely conscious to what was happening.

"He's the one that can't sleep." Blake yawned and laid on the end of the bed. His head was dangling from the right side while his legs dangled at the left. "I'm tired."

"Same." Cole muttered as he laid on my other side.

"You guys are no fun." Shawn pouted, "We're suppose to stay up and see the presents."

"Get some sleep Shawn." I dozed off and didn't open my eyes again. When I did open my eyes it was because Suzie was at my side tugging my arm. The clock read 4:57 a.m. "Yes Sue?" The guys were snoring on my bed but they stirred at my voice. The house was so quiet, my whispers disrupted the tranquility.

It was habit of Suzie and I for us to wake up in the middle of the night to go scope out the presents. "Let's go." Suzie grabbed my hand and I climbed over Cole. He woke up but smiled when he saw Suzie was dragging me to the tree. "Wow..." She said dreamily when she saw the presents.

I had to give credit. There were a lot. But this was a large family. Many were wrapped in red or green paper with designs on them. The size of the gifts was diverse. Some were larger than the others yet some where tiny or just small. "Come on," I told her lightly grabbing her arm. "We'll open them in the morning."

Suzie climbed into bed with me. We were squished together by Cole and Shawn while Blake snored at our feet. It was a small bed, the two boys were at the very edge, but they managed to hang on. For the third time, I closed my eyes and hoped for sunrise.

"Wake up!" Shawn shouted loudly. Cole stumbled and fell off the bed muttering a few curses. Blake shot up, a little bit of drool falling from his face. "It's Christmas!" Shawn yelled happily. He looked out the window just as the sun was rising. "And it's snowing!"

We all jumped off the bed and ran to window. Sure enough, a small coat of snow was starting to fall onto the grass. "Can we go out?" Suzie asked jumping up and down.

Cole picked her up and held her against his side. "First we gotta open presents." He grinned and we all rushed downstairs to the tree.

"Mom!" We all shouted. "Dad!"

They came out of their bedroom. Mom had the camera in her hands along with a giddy smile. Dad was rubbing his eyes trying to wake himself up as we looked at the gifts. "Oh wow," Mom said her smiling widening. "Get around the tree, let me take a picture."

We did as we were told, all of us straining a smile for her to hurry up. Shawn seemed like he was vibrating. "Can we open them now?" He said through his clenched smile.

The camera clicked. "Yes yes. Go."

"Me first!" Suzie shouted before looking around for her gifts.

"No fair!" Shawn crossed his arms. "I always got to go first."

"That's because you used to be the youngest." Cole said with a grin. Mom and dad took their seats on the couch watching as we opened our presents.

"It's cool Shawn," Suzie shrugged, "You can go first."

"Yes!" He fist bumped the air. "Let's see..." He picked up a gift I didn't recognize and read the card. "To Shawn, from Cole."

Cole shrugged a bit as Shawn ripped open the present. He gasped loudly, "Yes!" Shawn pulled out a large box of fireworks. "Yes yes yes!"

"Oh dear loud." Mom muttered.

"They go BOOM!"  Shawn shouted before hugging Cole, "Oh my god! You got me Boomies!"

"Boomies?" I asked Blake quietly.

He leaned over and whispered to me. "When we were little Shawn called them Boomies. The name stuck. But let me tell you, he loves fireworks. And sparklers. Stay away from him when he has sparklers."

I nodded and turned my attention back to Shawn. The saying, The child looked happier than on Christmas day. Came to mind. But Shawn looked way too happy. The saying would be different to me from now on because there was no way someone could be happier than Shawn.

"Ok who's this from..." He grabbed the present that was mine. I sat up hoping he'd like what I got him. "From Tori..." He grinned at me before taking all the tissue out of the bag. "No way..." He pulled out the books Em had told me he wanted.

"Em said you wanted those books...?" I wasn't sure if he liked them. Some people loved getting a set of books for Christmas, and I know Shawn wasn't much of a reader until he met Emily. Now every night he reads at least a chapter in a book he got from Em or the library.

"Yes I wanted this series!" He lent over and kissed my cheek. "Thank you!"

"What books are they?" Mom asked.

"The Maze Runner series." Shawn grinned and put it to the side with the fireworks. He had two gifts left. One was a small box and the other was about average size. He picked up the small box and stared at it.

"That's mine." Blake said leaning back on his arms.

Shawn smiled and undid the small ribbon. He opened the small box and pulled out a paper, "'Merry Christmas. Love and admiration, Blake.'" Shawn stared inside the box and tipped it upside down. "Is that it?"

Blake laughed, "Is my love and admiration not good enough?"

"No." Shawn glared.

Blake pointed at the box. "Open the secret compartment on the bottom."

"Oh." Shawn did as he was told and grinned. "Gold Starbucks Card. With a gift card of fifty bucks. All hail the magic Frap from Buck of Stars!"

We all laughed as he opened the last present. "That's from the three of us." Dad said pointing between mom, Suzie, and he. "Suzie helped chose it because we didn't know what to get you."

Shawn ripped all the paper off the box and grinned. Suzie spoke before Shawn could, "So you don't have to use the baguette anymore."

"Look Tori," He held it up, "A foam samurai sword!"

I laughed, "Now I just need some real nunchucks."

"Your turn Sue." Shawn directed his gaze to her and she smiled pulling the first gift that was hers.

"It's from Shawn," She said with a smile. After she opened it, she revealed a set that allows you to make goo. Something totally strange, but definitely something Shawn would get her. She took my present next, a new outfit she had been bugging about. It involved a sun dress for the spring and pair of boots.

Blake got her a nail polish set. He said he didn't know what else to get her, so he got her something I wouldn't like since she is the complete opposite of me. Mom and dad also got her clothing, some girls would hate receiving clothes but Suzie loved it. Shopping was her favorite thing to do. Lastly she opened Cole's. It was a shoe box, she squealed when she saw the brand. It was a Puma and Ferrari. "Oh my god thank you!" She ran to Cole and hugged him tightly.

He smiled, "I remember in the beginning of the year you said you wanted a pair but they were too much. So there you have it."

"They're so cool!" She grinned and started tying them on to see if they fit. Once she walked around the room a bit to make sure they were too tight or lose, she sat back down and pulled them off setting the shoes back into the box.

"Tori you go." Blake urged nudging his shoulder with mine.

"Ok..." I picked up my parent's gift first. It was a large present, but it weighed nothing. By the outline I could already guess what it was.

"I thought you'd want a new one," Mom said when I finished taking the wrapping off my new duffle bag. "Because the one you have is old and used."

"Look inside," Suzie said with gleaming eyes. Inside the duffle bag was another back pack. It had a design of blue and pink flowers. A couple of bee's buzzed around leaving a small trail of dotted black lines behind them. "I got that." She said with a smile. I grinned and kissed her head.

"Now look inside that bag." Dad said with a grin. I opened the the flap and then undid the drawstring to the bag. Inside was a small rectangle wrapped up with red paper. I torn it off and hugged my dad tightly. "I promised I'd get it didn't I?" He said hugging me back.

I nodded and stared down at Zombie Apocalypse 2. "Thanks dad."

"Open mine next." Shawn handed me his present when I sat back in our small ring we had formed. It was a bag with over flowing tissue paper, much like the one I had given him. I laughed when I pulled out the present. "I named him Gluteus Maximus." Shawn stated proudly.

It was a baboon with a very red butt. "I think the name is accurate." Cole handed me his present. One word: Huge. A sudden pang of nervousness set in me. I didn't get him anything remotely this big. I pulled the paper off to reveal a guitar. "Whoa..." I grinned. "A guitar?"

Cole shrugged, "I figured with your voice you could learn to play guitar. I'll even help you if you want. There's a lot of YouTube tutorials."

"Thanks Cole..." I finished pulling all the paper off and couldn't help it. I took the guitar out of the box with Blake's help. "It's so awesome." I said was I ran my hand down the smooth front.

"You gotta name it." Cole said with a grin. "Everyone name's their guitars."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Well the people I've met have."

I thought for a second. "You got a sharpie?" Dad went to the kitchen and came back with a sharpie handing it to be. On the back of the guitar, at the bottom I wrote in a  neat cursive. "Cori." I said with a smile.

"Cori?" Cole asked.

"Combination of Cole and Tori." I said again, "Cori."

Cole chuckled, "It's like those stupid ship names fan girls make."

"Hey!" Shawn crossed his arms, "Shemi is the real thing."

"What the heck is that?" Blake asked with a smirk.

"Shawn and Emily." Shawn stared at his brother like he was stupid. "Duh."

Blake rolled his eyes and handed me a box, "Here. This one's mine."

"I swear Blake if it's love and admiration I will slap you." I said seriously as I took the box.

He chuckled. "No just open it."

I unwrapped the paper and pulled the top off the box slowly. Inside was a leather bracelet with my name imprinted in black letters. I glanced at Blake's wrist, then at Cole and Shawn's. It's their matching bracelets. The one that signify their brotherhood. Blake took it out and grabbed my right wrist, "Now your one of us."

I smiled and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks Blake..." I looked back down at the bracelet. "Thank god you didn't write Tobi."

"I was actually considering it." He smirked. The jewelry I've gotten over the last couple weeks is a bit overwhelming. I went from wearing no accessories, to wearing a gold ring, silver necklace, and now a leather bracelet. At least the gold ring went with anything, same with the silver necklace Mark had given me, and now the bracelet. All things I would wear and probably never take off.

"My turn then?" Cole asked grabbing his gift from me.

"I didn't know what to get you," I admitted honestly, "You're too chill to actually admit what you like."

Cole smiled, "It's ok. I get that a lot." He pulled out the tissue paper and grabbed the three items. One was a book, that if it opened up it showed a secret compartment. I had placed a note inside that read, When you want to keep your lawyer stuff a secret -Tori. Cole gave me a smile after he read it and set the book down. He pulled out a beanie and a pair of DC high tops. "These are actually cool." He grinned and showed off the shoes. They were a simple grey and black style with the brand imprinted on the top. "I have a black jacket that can go with them," He added, "And the beanie."

I sighed in relief. I had expected Cole to have a forced smile, but he actually seemed satisfied with his presents. He opened Shawn's next, a couple sets of boxers that had fairy's flying around, and a set of underwear that had a large Spider-Man symbol on it. Inside the set of underwear Cole found fifty bucks. Blake gave Cole a new soccer ball that was signed by Landon Donovan, one of the players on the US team. Suzie gave him soccer shirt that read his name on the back. Mom and dad gave him a brief case, Cole turned red at that point.

"For when you go to college." Mom covered up. "You never know when you may need it." Cole nodded and everyone moved on to Blake.

"Can we do mom and Bill first?" He asked. "I want to have the last word...well...gift."

Mom picked up her presents. I got her a new cosmetic bag because the one she had with her make-ups was just too old and dirty. The boys got her a Micheal Kors bag, which she obviously loved. Dad and Suzie got her got her the matching wallet.

Dad opened his first gift, which happened to be Suzie and mine's. It was a new belt for his job. It had all the holsters for all the stuff he needed. It was hard to get, but we called in one of dad's friends from work and asked him to order one for us. Dad loved it, he had been complaining about how his belt was worn down so Suzie and I combined money to get it for him. He then opened the Trips present. It was a mug and t-shirt that had the word Cop written on it, the O was a sprinkled doughnut with a bite taken out of it. Lilly got him a pair of dress shoes since his old ones were worn down.

Everyone turned to Blake. He grinned and pulled the first gift from our parents. A new soccer outfit, the one used for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. Suzie got him a snap back with the USA soccer team logo. He opened Shawn's gift, it was large box and when Blake pulled the top off we all peered in to see a crown. Blake turned the crown over and his eyes went wide. Luckily, mom and dad couldn't see the condoms Shawn had taped inside the crown. A note was written to the side, You are the king of the school right? All hail Blake!

When no one was looking, Blake flicked off Shawn and mouthed the words to the gesture. Shawn grinned and gave Blake a thumbs up. Next was Cole's gift. It was simple enough, a pair of jeans from American Eagle and some Adidas sneakers. He took hold of my gift and unwrapped it slowly. It was a regular black sweatshirt with his team number on the back. The name above the number said, Cake. He shot me a glare but his lips curled into a smile. "I knew I should have written Tobi on that bracelet."

I grinned and fiddled with the leather. "No I like it like this."

"Is that everything?" Dad asked.

"Ye-"

Blake interrupted me, "Not quite. I think there's something outside too." The three of the boys smiled widely and gazed at each other with a knowing look. "So uh," Blake added getting up, "Can everyone get dressed?"

We all nodded and stood up heading to our rooms. It was still snowing outside so I made sure to put on my waterproof pants and layers of clothing on me. I finished it up with my big puffy jacket, gloves, and boots. When I came back downstairs everyone was wrapped up in scarves, hats, or in Shawn's case, ear muffs with little Sponge Bob faces.

"Come on." Cole grabbed my hand and led me outside as Shawn and Blake walked ahead. The snow kept landing in my hair and on my face, slowly making my skin cold. "Close your eyes." Cole said with a grand smile.

"Why?" I asked shutting my eyes.

To make sure I wouldn't peek, he covered my eyes with his hands. "Just cause."

I wasn't sure where they were leading me, so I concentrated on the sound of the snow crunching underneath my boots. My breath came out in a puff as I exhaled, and it was hard to walk with Cole accidentally pulling my head back with his hands. "Whoa!" I heard Suzie shout.

"Ok I'm going to let go put you have to keep your eyes closed until I tell you too." Cole said to me.

"Yeah no peeking or the boogie monster will get you." I heard Shawn say.

I nodded, "Alright." It took every ounce in me not to open my eyes and look. So I waited for their signal to open my eyes.

"Ok...now." Blake said. I opened my eyes and grinned. "Merry Christmas!" The three of them said simultaneously. They stood in front of a 2014 silver Honda but instead of it having a bow on the top, it had a jump rope tied together as if it were a bow. Sure the car was lightly covered in a coat of snow, yet the bumper on the front made me smile, 3S+Tori.

"Is that car for me?" I asked.

Shawn smirked, "No Tori it's for FooFoo and Lala." I gave him a glare but I couldn't get the smile off my face.

"Course it's for you," Cole smiled. "3S+Tori means three stepbrothers and Tori. It was all Blake's idea. The car, the bumper, and the jump rope bow."

Blake grinned and tossed me the jump rope. "Like old times huh? I figured you were tired of that old bike."

I smiled and ran to them embracing them all in a hug. "Thank you thank you thank you!" I gave them all a kiss on the cheek and Blake handed me the keys. I took them and opened the door leading to the interior of the car. It was small, hardly anything special. But it was a new model and it was cozy. I breathed in the new car smell and sunk down in the seat.

Mom and dad were at the porch of the house. Mom had her head on dad's shoulder as he held her to his side. They both had smiles like they felt complete knowing we were getting along. Suzie was running around with her arms at her sides as she tried to catch a snowflake in her mouth.

"And I thought you'd want this..." Blake unzipped his bulky jacket and pulled out a stuffed animal. It had patches in some places, and part of the ear was gone, but the toy was still the same.

"Mr. Cuddles!" I shouted and got out of my new car pulling Mr. Cuddles to my chest. "How'd you do it?" I asked.

Blake held up his fingers, there were tiny spots where it seemed like a needle pinched him. "I locked myself in my room and did nothing but that. Trust me, it was hard."

I jumped up wrapping my arms and legs around Blake. "Thank you thank you thank you!" I repeated happily.

He chuckled and hugged me back. "Anything for you Tobi. I'm sorry I was a jerk to you in the beginning."

I smiled, "Can we be friends now?"

Blake pulled back and stared at me in shock. "Friends? Hell no." My face fell and I looked down. His lips suddenly curled into a smile. "We're family."

My smile came back and pulled him for another hug. When I jumped off him I started slipping his ring off, "I assume you want this back."

He put his hand on mine. "Keep it safe for me, ok?" I nodded feeling better inside. Blake smiled again, something I still wasn't used to seeing. A snowball hit him on the shoulder and we turned to a laughing Shawn. "Oh it's on." Blake bent down and started forming ball with his hands. I grabbed some snow and smashed it on his head, running away with a laugh.

Shawn high fived me but then a ball of snow hit my leg. I turned to Cole who had a smirk on his face. "Snowball fight!" Shawn yelled before taking cover towards the trees. We all laughed and started picking up snow, throwing it at random people. Somehow we ended up on teams, Cole, Suzie, Dad and I versus mom, Blake, and Shawn.

Mr. Cuddles was safely tucked in my jacket as we continued to throw snowballs at each other. It was just like last time, only this time the water was frozen. The snowball fight was declared a tie, so we moved onto making a snowman. It was slightly lopsided so we gave it a lopsided family. Shawn named them, Hangover 1. Hangover 2. And Baby Hangover. Because according to him they weren't lopsided, just hung over. We laughed at his stupid pun.

Maybe Thanksgiving wasn't much of success. But Christmas felt right. It finally felt like we were all a family. Even if there was still a lot that was suppose to happen. I had to tell Mark about my new brothers, solve my problems with Cali, and watch the school react to the Trips having a step sister, but right now, I didn't care. Everything was perfect. Dad making a snow angel, mom taking pictures of us as we played around, Suzie giggling, Cole smiling, Shawn running away yelling random words, Blake laughing. We were all happy. Everything was perfect. This family may not be perfect, everyone has their flaws, but this moment. This moment here was perfect.

"Tori look out!" Shawn shouted as he sledded down the small hill. I moved just in time to watch him slide past me.

Cole and I took the plastic container and sat in it. "Ready?" He asked.

I nodded hanging on to the edge. "Hell yeah I am."

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I hope you guys enjoyed it :) I know it's more of a filler but like I said last chapter, I want you to look at their bonding too. There's still a lot that needs to happen. For one, Mark needs to be told about the boys right? Then you have the love triangle, Cali, Cole and Blake's love lives. The soccer games of course. So just please bare with me. This chapter had a lot of information so take it slow on this:

The first scene, Shawn's craziness must be contagious. But I think it was funny just to see how they reacted. Seems like even Tori has a weird side that fits with Shawn. They sounded like me and my brother when we used to play Star Wars, I'd always win ;) Trick is to look at them in the eye. Karate Kid taught me that.

Then it was Mark and Tori. He gave her the necklace and then they talked about him going off to the army.  I think it was sweet and also very...educational? Well Mark did speak out how he felt about a relationship while he went over seas.

Cole and Jodee. I don't know what you guys think of it, but I like their relationship. Let's see if it blossoms into something more ;) I like writing their scenes, I think it's cute. Thankfully, Cole isn't as crazy as Shawn.

Finally...the big WHOOPER of a scene. The whole Christmas seemed to be overwhelming huh? I hoped you guys liked it. Took me forever to figure out what they should all get for Christmas. Shawn was the easiest though. He's just...werid right?

So...yeah I don't know what else to say. I told my friend that the scenes went like this: Tori+Shawn, Tori+Mark, Cole+Jodee, and Tori+Trips. She responded, "The way I read that was: Gorilla, Blind, Hollister, Loud." I just thought that was 100% accurate xD Till next chapter, remember bare with me. Btw, Trips birthday is coming up :) Sorta...ish. Anyways, till next time. Please leave some feed back, that'd be awesome :)

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