My Life: The Christmas Party

"Come on Izzy, stop dragging your feet!" Amanda shouted from downstairs, struggling to put an earring on.

"Mom! I'll be down in like 5 minutes! I swear!" I shouted back from upstairs.

"You said the same thing 5 minutes ago!" Amanda snapped.

"Seriously guys." John walked out of his and Amanda's room, which was right across from mine. He was wearing a tuxedo, which he almost never does, with the exception of special occasions like this one.

Today was the big Christmas party. And when I say big Christmas party, I mean BIG CHRISTMAS PARTY. Every year, it's set up by my two 'uncles' Lawrence and Adam. I love them to death. They're crazy, gay, hysterical, and a little odd. But that's how they form the greatest party that has everyone talking until December 23rd of next year.

"Izzy Young!" Amanda screeched. (Since Amanda had me before she married John, I took my mom's last name. But technically, you could call me Izzy Young-Kramer…) "If you aren't down here in 1 minute, we're leaving without you!"

"I'm coming down the stairs mom! Chillax!" I told her.

"Okay…good." She said much quieter.

I did a jump when I got to the last few steps. (3…meh, I've done better.) "Let's do this!"

"Calm down Izzy…" Amanda scolded.

"Calm down?! Mandy, it's the big freaking Christmas party!" John shouted.

I smiled. "Glad to know someone shares my feelings on the value of the party."

"So Amanda, are you done painting the Golden Gate Bridge yet, or do you need more time to put your makeup on? I really would like the make the party earlier than one minute before it ends!" John complained. Amanda responded with a hard smack across his face. "Got it. You're all done."

"Maybe we can enjoy the party this year without anyone breaking a bone!" I said. This was one of those impossible dreams that I have.

"Or anyone dying!" John added.

Amanda rolled her eyes. "That's crazy talk."

"That's not crazy talk!" I shouted. "This is crazy talk: BLARGHHHHHHAJHDFSKLL!" [1]

Amanda smacked her forehead. "You guys wanted to go? Let's go." She snapped.

We hopped in the car and started on our one hour drive. It kind of sucks that my uncles have to live so far away, but we understand and manage to put up with it. However, I try to make this experience as hard as possible for whoever is in the car with me. I remember the time with me, Amanda, Hoffman, and a bag of peanuts…oh wait-I have a court order that I'm not allowed to talk about that ever again.

The car ride to Adam and Lawrence's house seemed very slow and long. For Jigsaw and Amanda that is…I went on and on about what I think their house is going to look like this year.

"PINK!"

"Dear lord, I hope not…"

"Uhh…brown?"

"Brown isn't too Christmasy m'dear."

"The will the frosting be…purple?!" I asked.

"We have been arguing about this for the past 55 minutes! Izzy, knowing A and L, the frosting on the fricking cupcakes will be green, red, or white! Now shut the hell up, I'm trying to fall asleep!" Amanda screeched.

After 5 minutes of quiet (Which normally for me is way too much quiet.) we finally pulled into the driveway of Adam and Lawrence's house.

I examined the house. "A normal looking outside…we must not be doing anything outside this year." I thought aloud, tugging on my dress. Stupid dress. I'm just thankful I only have to wear dresses for special occasions. Otherwise, I hate them so much. As well as fancy shoes…and skirts…and tights…I hate fancy outfits, okay?

"Well thank God for that. It's too cold outside anyways." John muttered, heading towards the house.

As soon as we stepped in, you could hardly tell we had gone inside. The entire place was covered with very realistic looking fake snow, the ceiling was painted so it looked as dark as it was outside, and everything looked amazing. Almost as soon as we walked in, Uncle Lawrence slid towards us on what looked and seemed like ice.

"John! Amanda! The life of the party! How are you?" He shouted enthusiastically.

"Good! It's great to see you!" John cheered. Although Lawrence and Hoffman were in the same boat with the 'shoe size age' thing, for some reason, John liked Lawrence better.

"Amanda baby! How are things going in the morgue business?" Lawrence joked, pulling my mom into a tight hug.

Amanda laughed. Lawrence was one of the few people that could awaken her sense of humor. "Doing pretty well, and you?"

"Couldn't be better!" He threw his arms up in the air and turned to me. "There's lil' Izzy!" Lawrence picked me up and swung me around.

"Nice to see you too Uncle Larry!" I squealed.

He set me down. "Phew! You're getting big! Pretty soon I won't be able to pick you up anymore…"

"Signs of the apocalypse!" I screamed jokingly.

This must've awoken Adam's ears, because he slid into the room too. "Good evening Izzy, John, and Amanda!"

I threw my arms around Adam, and I was joined by Amanda. "Hey Uncle Adam!" I pulled away. "Love the ice, is it real?"

"No, but it's pretty darn close!" He gestured to the path he had slid in on. "Feel free to try it out!"

"Me first! Me first!" I cheered.

I leaped onto the ice and started to slide, but suddenly Hoffman flew in at full speed and crashed into me. He tumbled on top of me, but recovered and got up quickly. I didn't. "IZZY!!!" Hoffman shouted.

"I think you crushed my spine…" I squeaked.

Hoffman cringed at the sight and sound of my pain. "Sorry 'bout that Iz…" He helped me up and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Again…crushing my spine…" All of the air was forced out of me from Hoffman's hug.

"Oh…yeah…sorry." Hoffman sighed, letting go of me.

"It's nice to see you again!" I smiled, catching my breath.

"Did you ace those tests?" Hoffman tried not to smile, remembering our disastrous study session two weeks prior.

"Yes, but with no help from you!" I laughed, poking him in on the bridge of his nose.

Hoffman laughed and made spastic motions to try to swat my hand away. "You're welcome!" He giggled giddily.

I grabbed his hand and we jumped and slid, crashing right into Aunt Jill. "Aunt Jill!" We both shouted.

Jill stood up and dusted herself off. "Hello Mark, Izzy." She acknowledged our presence.

"I'm surprised you showed up, given Hoffman's…craziness." I gestured to Hoffman who was making a butterfly with his hands.

"It's a family tradition Izzy! Why wouldn't I come?" Jill's normally serious face faded into a soft smile. Even though she and John are divorced, she still cares about our family.

"Good point!" I grabbed Hoffman's hand again and we slid past Jill and towards Cousin Zepp. Fortunately this time we didn't run into him.

"Hey there Hoff! And Izzy baby, you're as adorable as ever!" He smiled and smothered me in a hug.

"What is with everyone and smothering me with affection?!" I managed to blurt out.

He continued to hug and cuddle me, but that was pretty typical for Zepp. He was pretty affectionate. I'd say if we weren't 'related' and I was his age, we'd be married at this point. Either that or I'd be married to Hoffman. I looked over to him to try to send a help signal, but Hoffman was too busy being mesmerized by the flashing lights in the kitchen.

I finally pushed away from Zepp. "We kind of need to move on to the rest of the party, okay?"

He blushed. "Oh. Sure. I guess I overdid it again…"

I giggled. "Yes you did my crazy cousin, yes you did."

Zepp merrily skipped away, and after some thought, I did the same. Everyone met up in the kitchen, which was encased by very realistic looking snowmen.

Lawrence tapped his glass with a knife, but it shattered and the pieces fell to the floor. This got everyone's attention. "Alright, it is now time for the big gift exchange!"

I raised my hand. "But don't we have to like…go to bed and get our gifts in the morning?"

"Well," Lawrence began. "We stopped doing that now that somebody stopped believing in Santa Claus…"

Everyone looked at me but I shook my head. I've known since I was ten. I turned and pointed at Hoffman who had his arms crossed and a pout on his face. "Why'd you guys have to spoil it for me?"

I laughed. "Hoffman, you've gone one year too many not knowing."

"Anywho…" Lawrence intercepted the conversation. "Everyone's gifts are now under the tree!"

I have never seen a group of adults (and one teenager) run so fast for a Christmas tree like small children at a free candy booth.

"Here, this one's for you!" "Ooh, that one has pretty wrapping paper!" "This one is really round…I wonder what it is?!" "A NEW TASER! THANKS JILL!" "I thought you would enjoy this, it's red and sharp!" These were some of the various quotes that I picked up from standing a foot or two away from the tree, trying not to get run over. I guess it would be okay if one of my presents got trampled…as long as I didn't get a bomb from Hoffman again.

After a few minutes, the disaster scene still wasn't calm enough for me to enter. But Zepp looked up. "Izzy? Are you okay? Don't you want to find a present for you?"

I sighed. "Oh no, it's fine."

"Are you sure?" Zepp asked with true concern in his voice.

I smiled gently. "Well, is there anything in there for me?"

Zepp dug through the mountain of presents under the tree and pulled out a long rectangular box wrapped in red and white paper. "I think this one's for you."

I took it from him. "Gee, thanks Zepp!" I ripped the paper off and took the item out of the box. "Oh my God! It's a traditional sword! I've always wanted one!" I checked the paper for a tag and it said 'To: Izzy. Your awesome uncle, Adam' I tackled Adam. "Thank you so much!!"

Adam smiled and struggled to get me off of him. "No problem! John told me it was something you'd been begging him for."

I glanced over at John, who was beaming because Zepp had gotten him a set of ninja stars. "Looks like John really knew what I wanted."

Zepp's thoughtfulness inspired me to join the group and the rest of the night went pretty well. I was sad when the clock struck 4am, meaning it was time to head home if I wanted to get up at 8 to open the presents my parents got for me.

"Come on Izzy, you'll see everyone again next year." Amanda told me, patting me on the back.

"But I don't wanna leave!" I whined.

John laughed. "It's okay. Maybe we'll have everyone over for New Year's or something."

"Yay!" I cheered.

John, Amanda, and I hopped into the car and drove home. I stroked my favorite gift so far, which was my laser that was disguised as lipstick. I'd been asking for it since I was 7, but my parents thought it was too dangerous. But Hoffman finally caved and got it for me.

Tomorrow morning was another bright day and I was super excited to get even more gifts from my parents and maybe even my friends.

As I was lost in thought, my thumb accidentally pressed the button and the laser created a hole in the window.

"I TOLD YOU GUYS SO!" John shouted, pointing at Amanda and I. We just shared a look and laughed.

[1] Gotta love a SpongeBob reference :)

A/N: I ACCOMPLISHED MY GOAL IN GETTING THIS DONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!! YESS! I think the ending might be a tad bit rushed, so I'm sorry. I'm still sorry for the OOC nature of the story....hehe. I figure the next chapter will be based off of the New Year's idea...and I'll see if I can get it up by New Year's Eve, but knowing me, it's not likely. See you next chapter! ~Izzy