GIFT OPENING
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4:00pm
It's 4:00 PM, and the excitement is palpable. In my family, we have a tradition where whoever reaches the Christmas tree first gets to avoid paying $100 each to the others. Last year, Jack won, but this year, I was determined to be the first. And I succeeded! Everyone else had to pay up, except for Julie, who seemed to have a newfound level of hatred for me.
As we began opening our gifts, I noticed that each one had a name tag on it. Julie was the first to open hers, and she squealed with delight as she revealed a brand new phone and a makeup set. Jayden opened his gift next, and his face lit up as he discovered a shiny new guitar. Jayden has always loved singing and music, and this gift was perfect for him.
As we continued opening our gifts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and gratitude. But the tension between Julie and me was still palpable, and I wondered what the rest of the day would hold.
And his music is incredible. Then, the twins Michael and Jack got a new video game, SKY LIMITED, new edition. Next, it was my turn, and I crossed my fingers, hoping I'd get what I asked for - a new headphone and an iPad. And yes! I unwrapped the gift and was thrilled to see it was exactly what I wanted. I was over the moon!
Then, I unwrapped the gift from Jenny, and she got me a beautiful bracelet - the ninth one she's given me this year! I also got a nail polish kit from her. The rest of Squadjax got me three big journals, which was a bit disappointing, but I couldn't say so out loud. However, Uriel noticed my reaction and said, "Silvia, I know you're a little disappointed, but we all know you love writing, so we got you these big journals. Don't be disappointed, love."
Just then, Xander came over and apologized for not getting me a gift. But then, he moved closer and whispered in my ear, "But I know something about you that you would love to hear." I was taken aback and curious, so I dragged him outside and asked...
Silvia: "Xander, talk now!"
Xander: "I should talk? You have to beg."
Silvia: "Xander, I see you've recovered from that last bite. Don't worry, this time I'll bite your ear off, and you won't recover quickly enough to be saying rubbish."
Xander: "You're such an annoying bully." (said with an expressionless face)
Silvia: (smiling) "I'll take that as a compliment, thank you." (smiling again)
Xander: "Silvia, don't lie. Do you like Derick?"
Silvia: (pointing at him) "No, I don't like him. He's my best friend's twin brother."
Xander: "So why did you date Chad Morse?" (Chad Morse is the guy Silvia is dating to get Derick off her mind)
Silvia: "Because I like him."
Xander: "Then why don't you allow him to touch you or kiss you?"
Silvia: "That's a lie. I do allow him to touch me and kiss me."
Xander: "No, you don't. On many occasions, you move your face whenever he wants to kiss you."
Silvia: "By the way, where are you getting this from? Are you spying on me or something? That's creepy, Xander!"
Xander: "Don't worry, I won't harm you. So, whenever Chad tries to touch you, you have a disgusting expression on your face, but when you're with Derick, you become sweet and flirty. You have this expression that says, 'I like you, Derick'.
Xander: "I also remember when Derick asked you to the winter dance. You accepted, forgetting you had a boyfriend... So when Chad later asked you, you lied that you were sick. So, on that night of the winter dance, you hid from Chad that you didn't enjoy yourself so much."
Silvia: "That doesn't prove anything, okay."
Xander: "It proves something; it proves that you like Derick. You went through so much stress just to spend time with Derick. And you've done it many times before."
Xander was already catching on; I was then feeling frustrated and said, "Yes, I like him, so what?" feeling annoyed. Then Xander gave out a loud cheer.
Xander: "Yes, I knew it! I know you like Derick, but why are you dating Chad Morse?"
Silvia: "Because I want to get Derick out of my head."
Xander: "But why Chad Morse of all human beings? That guy is an asshole, and you know that Derick doesn't like Chad."
Silvia: "That's why I'm dating him. And you know I can't also date Derick because of Jenny. She made a strict rule: there must be no sexual relationship between her best friend and her twin brother."
Xander: "You know we all don't like him, but we accepted that son of a bitch because of you."
Silvia: "I know he was the first guy that came to mind, so when he asked me out, I just accepted, thinking Derick would stop talking to me. But that didn't happen. Instead, Derick is now closer to me than before."
Xander: "Yes, Derick was annoyed, but he wanted to protect you. That's why he's now close to you. None of us trust Chad."
Silvia: "Okay, I heard you. But if you ever mention this to anyone, I will bite your ear off." Then Xander touched his ear and said, "Why are you after my ear? This is the cutest part of my face, after my smile. I promise to zip up."
Then we went back inside. When we entered, everybody was staring at me. I thought they heard what Xander and I were saying. Then Derick came towards me. I was scared; did he find out about my feelings for him? Then I saw a small pink box in Derick's hand, and he said, "This is for you." Then I looked towards Xander; he winked at me. I was so nervous, then I collected the box. I felt really weird.
When I opened the box, I saw a piece of paper and a necklace, but not just any necklace - a couples necklace! Then, on the piece of paper, I saw "Read me". I closed the box and read the message.
Derick's letter:
"Silvia, you know I'm not used to saying this, 'I'm sorry'. Can you forgive me for punching your boyfriend? I don't regret it, but I want to apologize to you for embarrassing you."
Then I looked at him and continued reading:
"I'm so sorry, but that won't stop me from trying to prove that Chad is cheating on you. So, about the couple's necklace, I'm giving you this because when you find the right person, you can give him the other half. I'm sorry for always being rude to your boyfriend, but I don't regret it."
As I finished reading the paper, Jenny and Uriel dragged it from me and were about to run off, but Derick dragged Jenny back and took the paper from her. He chewed the paper and spat it onto Jenny's head! Then Derick said, laughing, "You want to read it, then pick it up!" Jenny screamed in disgust as she ran upstairs to wash her hair.