Disclaimer: I do not own Recess or any of its characters.

Day Eleven

"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" Gretchen excitedly said as she walked out of her room and into the living room to see the whole gang assembled on the couch.

"I know, and since we finally have a tree, it even feels like Christmas!" Mikey said back, indicating the tree in the corner of the room. The group had stayed up late decorating it, drinking milk and eating cookies, just like they had done in the old days at TJ's house. TJ's mom always loved to have the whole group over to decorate the tree. The tree did look pretty good, however it didn't look as color coordinated as Mikey had been going for. After uncovering a box of ornaments the group had made in fifth grade, they had decided to put the worthless pieces on the tree.

"Well, it didn't feel like Christmas last night when we had so much trouble with the Christmas lights," Spinelli muttered under her breath, glaring daggers at the Christmas lights hanging from the tree. Spinelli and TJ had been in charge of putting the lights on the tree like they always had been and seemed to have exceptional trouble trying to get it to work last night. Gretchen couldn't help but giggle at the look on Spinelli's face.

"It's okay sweetheart, because they look pretty now," TJ informed her, kissing her and looking no where near as belligerent towards the lights as his girlfriend did.

"Plus, it was really funny watching you guys put them up there," Gus helpfully inserted.

"Shut up Gus," Spinelli grunted, kicking him softly.

"Are you going to go get your letter from Vince yet?" TJ asked Gretchen, deciding to change the subject before Spinelli got too belligerent and nobody was safe. Gretchen just smiled at him.

"I think I'll wait a couple of minutes," she said, nonchalantly, sitting down in an empty armchair. She was trying to act as if she didn't care whether or not Vince sent her a letter today. Of course, they all knew differently, but it was okay to pretend.

"So, you won't mind if I go ahead and go down to the mailbox and get the mail and keep it for myself?" Spinelli grinned at her.

"Spinelli! You can't do that," Gretchen hurriedly said as Spinelli got up from her spot on the couch. She quickly jumped up from her spot to run and beat Spinelli to the mailbox.

"Those two are just big kids," she heard Mikey say as she fled the room, knowing that Spinelli must already have the keys.

"Give it to me," she demanded as soon as Spinelli opened the mailbox and grabbed the mail.

"How do you even know its in here?" Spinelli asked her, teasing, "I mean, he's sent you packages the last few days, so what makes you think he's going to send you a letter now?"

"You know I come and check the mail every morning to make sure he doesn't send it to me here first," Gretchen complained, holding out her hand to Spinelli.

"Here you go," Spinelli presented her the letter and walked back to the apartment as Gretchen opened the envelope.

Hey baby,

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve! Of course, I have practice at the same time I always do, so it won't be much of a Christmas Eve for me. But, knowing that you are having a great Christmas will be enough for me. However, I was thinking the other day about one of the first dates we went on as a couple. Do you remember when you made me go to our high school's production of Grease because you loved it so much? I could not even imagine at that time that you would like Grease. But, apparently, you had this big soft spot for all musicals. I have seen more musicals since our relationship started than I will ever admit too. I don't think that I could ever look these guys in the face if they knew that I could sing most songs in Grease by heart. Not that I don't love seeing it with you. Really, I don't mind. Just, really, did we have to watch so many? I think I've seen more musicals than TJ, Spinelli, Gus, and Mikey combined. Anyways, that was my memory for the day. I love you baby.

Love,

Vince

Gretchen then looked in the envelope to see her gift, already having a pretty good idea what it was.

"Broadway tickets!" she exclaimed as she entered back into her apartment a couple of seconds later, holding the tickets up.

"That's great," all of her friends smiled at her, and then began to look around. Gretchen assumed they were looking for a quick exit to make sure that they wouldn't be caught in the trap of going to go see a Broadway production with Gretchen. Gretchen could remember TJ's words on the subject of Broadway had been along the lines of highly overrated and he would rather gouge his eyes out than ever go to one.

"It's alright you guys," she laughed at them, "the production isn't until after you leave. So, you're all safe from the wrath of having to go with me. Even though I was looking forward to seeing TJ gouge his eyeballs out."

The others all laughed as TJ pretended to stick a fork in his eye, showing his ability to gouge his eye out.