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This chapter splits between Nancy's and Joe's POV. Injoy :)

Christmas Catastrophe

Part 2

Nancy:

Many people think it's weird to have only one parent, but I'd disagree. Ever since Mom died from a tumor when I was three, my Dad and I have gotten through it just fine. We also have a live-in housekeeper named Hannah Gruen, and she's basically like a substitute mom.

Like in school when the teacher is sick and they have a substitute teacher come in. But unlike teachers, my mom isn't coming back after the bell rings. I don't like this subject and- Oh man! I forgot to introduce myself!

My name is Nancy Drew. I go to River Heights Elementary with my two best friends Bess Marvin and Georgia (but everyone calls her George) Fayne, who are cousins. I just turned nine on September 9th, and I'm in the fourth grade. River Heights is a small town outside of Chicago.

A week or two ago, my dad told me that we would be having some friends of his stay over for Christmas. That would be nice. More people to get presents from!

He also said they had two sons about my age who were also coming. I didn't like that at all.

Boys ruin everything! Boys have cooties! They're SO gross! They pick their noses, they have burping contests, and they're just, plain, stupid!

And I'd be stuck with TWO of them OVER CHRISTMAS! That is just plain rude!

On the morning of December 24th, Christmas Eve, we went to the airport's baggage claim to meet Dad's friends. During the drive there, I had this weird feeling in my stomach that this was going to be a LONG, BORING vacation and a LONG, BORING Christmas.

Did I mention that boys ruin EVERYTHING?!

Finally, we got there and waited until their flight was called. As soon as Dad told me their flight had come in, I looked around for them.

I'm not really sure why I did that, because I had no idea what these people looked like, and it's not like they would be wearing signs around their necks saying 'Dad's friends and the do-do brained boys we brought with us'.

Finally, Dad said, "There they are." Dad and I walked toward a dark-haired man and a blond lady about Dad's age. I looked around, but didn't see any sign of the two boys.

Maybe they were left at home, I thought with a smile.

Just as I thought this, a dark-haired boy with chocolate-brown eyes to match and a younger blond boy with intense blue eyes came through the crowd. Darn!

A minute later we were standing in front of them. Dad made introductions, "Nancy, this is Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, and their sons Frank," indicating the dark-haired boy, "and Joe." indicating the blond, "Everyone, this is my daughter Nancy."

I politely shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, and then forced a polite smile to Frank and Joe. Frank returned it, but Joe was having trouble lifting the right side of his mouth to complete the forced smile. They both looked a little shocked to see me there.

For what seemed like the millionth time, I wondered just how BAD this Christmas was going to be...

Joe:

Do you remember my parents saying anything about a GIRL being there?! I didn't think so.

Apparently, on top of spending Christmas away from home, the friends we're staying with have a GIRL!

That's one little detail my parents seemed to have overlooked. I couldn't help but wonder what ELSE they had overlooked!

After introductions from the man named Mr. Drew, I learned that the nine year old reddish blond-haired girl standing beside Mr. Drew was named Nancy, his daughter.

And boy did she look unhappy to see us!

"Hey," I felt like saying, "don't be snobby at us! We're not exactly thrilled to see you either!"

But then she surprised me by giving us a smile, though it looked forced. I tried to smile politely back, but since my heart wasn't into it, neither was the right side of my mouth. So the polite smile that I had planned on turned into an evil smirk.

Not that this Nancy girl seemed to care...

A few minutes later we were carrying our bags to the car. During the drive, the adults kept talking and talking. In the backseat, we stayed completely quiet. I then noticed that there was no snow anywhere!

I turned to Nancy, "Do you get any snow around here? You know, that white, cold stuff that gets you out of school?" Nancy nodded, seeming glad someone had finally started a conversation.

"Yes, but all the snow we've been getting in the last few weeks has melted by the next day." She turned to look out the car window, "Looks like a green Christmas this year."

She turned back to us, "Doesn't it snow up where you live, in New York?" Frank answered the 'no duh' question with a, "Yeah, we have a lot of snow back home." I suddenly felt a sick feeling in my stomach as I thought of all the fun in the snow we were missing right now back home.

For what seemed like the millionth time, I wondered just how BAD this Christmas was going to be...

A couple minutes later we pulled into the driveway of a simple two-story white and brown house. They had a few Christmas lights around the windows and doorway, like everyone else on the block.

These people just didn't seem to understand the art of inflatable Santas.

I was dreading to see their Christmas tree.

We walked inside into a small hallway that branched off into different rooms before ending at a small staircase. The first opening led into a large living room, with a cozy couch, some comfortable chairs, a roaring fireplace, and a BIG T.V.!

As I expected, the small Christmas tree stood alone in the corner, unwanted and forgotten. A few ornaments hung limply from the tree's branches, and the star was lazily placed crooked on the top. A dusty blanket was being used as the tree skirt, with no presents placed beside it.

There was but one faded pink stocking hung dangerously close to the fire. The mantel, which at our house was cluttered with Santa figurines and holly, held only two red candles, which were burned down so they were no more than an inch tall.

There wasn't anything else to symbolize Christmas, not even mistletoe in the doorway or the smell of freshly baked ginger-bread cookies.

It was as if they thought that Christmas was just another day.

Just another stupid, River Heights day.

Did you see the repetition between Joe and Nancy's thoughts? I'm just so clever like that:)

Don't worry! I haven't forgotten the older Hardy boy! We'll be hearing from Frank in a bit...

Joe's description of his own house is loosely based off of the decorations in my house around the holidays.

And no I personally don't have an inflatable Santa (we have an inflatable snowman instead) :)

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