Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas everybody! Here is my gift to you all! Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER:Kh0ldstare DOES NOT own HuniePop or Dance Central or Warhammer 40k or any of the registered trademarks mentioned this fanfiction.
Find A Way
Chapter 19:The Best Gift Ever
Date: DECEMBER 21, 2015 8:42PM
Location: David's Room, Crystal Heights, Downtown, Glenberry, California
"I'm still around 140k short," I said to George through a Skype video chat on my laptop. We were discussing my plans of saving up money to buy a Nissan GT-R NISMO for myself.
"Still a long way to go," the Missourian said sadly, "But I know we can make it!"
"I'm not sure. I think Nissan will stop making the GT-R next year. Even if we did get the money, it would be too late," I frowned.
"Then we'll just go look for a second-hand model! I'm sure it'll do just as good as a new one," he smiled. I have to admit, George's optimism is amazing.
I looked around the room as I lied here on my bed. All of my stuff has been packed. My game consoles, computer, and a small collection of books related to either cars, motorsports or racing techniques that was an early Christmas gift from my Aunt Maya.
"So Tiff won't be able to go with us?" He asked me. I shook my head as a response.
"But treating her and you guys to lunch tomorrow should suffice," I said.
"It will. At least for me. I haven't had their Italian roast beef sandwich in a really long time!" George said as he streched his body.
"I should go to sleep now. I can't think like this," I said.
"Sounds good," he nodded.
"Okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow," I bid him good night.
"Good night buddy," George said before he ended the call.
As soon as I pressed the shutdown button on Windows 10, I closed the screen and went to sleep almost immediately.
Date: DECEMBER 22, 2015 11:42AM Tiffany's Birthday
Location: Nutmeg Cafe, Paseo de Glenberry, Rose Garden Pavilion, Glenberry, California
I decided to treat everyone to Nutmeg to make up for not giving George anything for his birthday and to celebrate Tiffany's birthday as well. Everyone was there: Tiff, Kyu, Momo, Celeste, Armin, George, Juli, Kat, and evenMs. Yumi.
"Thanks for doing this Dave," Tiffany said before sipping on her iced tea.
"No prob. Besides, you're not the only one who I owe a present," I looked at George who gave me the thumbs up.
"By the way Dave," the blonde moved a little closer as she whispered something. "Can I talk to you in private? As in now?"
"S-sure," I shuttered for a bit. Damn it, I really need to stop doing that!
So we got up. Tiffany asked for the both of us to be excused. Some my friends hollered, laughed and cheered us on as we left for the bathroom.
"Nice one, Dave!" Kyu yelled.
"Looks like someone is about to kiss their virginity goodbye!" Kat joked.
Even Ms. Yumi couldn't resist throwing her own joke into the mix. "Did somebody spike her drink or something?"
We went to the place where the restrooms would be. I leaned against the door and sighed.
After a while I asked her, "What's up?"
"Did you tell them I couldn't come with you guys back to your parents place?" she said.
"Yeah," I said with a hint of sadness. "They're pretty bummed out."
After we were ratted out by Enrique when we came back to Glenberry, her boyfriend tightened his already lobster-like grip on her life. She had to be with him every day, and whenever she would go anywhere she had to ask permission from him. And Enrique arranged for them and his parents to spend the holidays in their vacation home in Hawaii.
"But we'll let you in on what's happening via Skype," I tried to cheer her up.
"Okay," she said as we hugged. "By the way..." I released her before someone sees us, "You're getting better at driving."
"Thanks, but your rate of improvement is way quicker," I complemented.
The two of us spent our Sunday afternoons at Luvendass Garage. It's the only day of the week where Enrique lets her do what she wants. After jogging with George and Juli before sunrise, yoga with Beli, and going to our resident towers Gym with Kyanna and Tiffany, we would get lunch that we could eat in George's car while traveling to the Garage.
"Shall we go back?" My best friend asked.
"Can you go ahead? I need to go to the toilet," I said.
"Sure," she smiled. "But don't take too long okay?"
"I won't!" I assured her before I went inside the men's room.
Date: DECEMBER 22, 2015 12:15PM Tiffany's Birthday
I paid one hell of a bill for everyone after we finished eating and we all headed for the parking lot. I invited them to spend the holidays with me and my parents in Santa Rosa, so that means they have their toiletries and clothes in their trunks. It wasnt easy convincing George and Juli to spend Christmas without their families, but I was successful nonetheless. Plus, the two of them would still keep in touch with their families over the holiday season.
"C'mon guys, it's gonna be quite the haul from here to Santa Rosa," I told them as we split up and go into our cars. Celeste and Armin didn't have any passengers. While Momo rode with Kyu, Kat and I sat in the back seat of George's Tahoe with Juli in the passenger seat. Everyone else returned home.
"Hey, Walters!" I heard a voice call me. I turned my head to the direction of the sound. To my disappointment, it turned out to be Audrey in her Porsche.
"What do you want, Belrose?" I said irritatingly.
"You still thinking about that GT-R?" The redhead teased.
"Yeah. When I do get one, you and your Porsche will be the first victim!" I pointed at her.
Aside from reading about racing techniques and honing them with Celeste's mom, I also read about the specs of both the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 Turbo S. Though the current model of the 911 managed to beat the GT-R's lap time around Nürburgring Nordschleife of 7:26.7 by about point 7 seconds, it still manages to put up a proper fight. Plus, there's the difference in driver skill. I don't want to brag but I've seen Audrey race against Celeste. I was in the latter's passenger seat when it happened, and, let me tell you, her cornering is pathetic and laughable. Celeste often told me she shouldn't be anywhere near a sports car, much less a Porsche.
Audrey just laughed, "You must be pulling my leg or something. You haven't even gone passed the speed limit!" George, Juli and Kat must've heard everything as they stomp towards my side.
All three of them shouted in unison:
"Ánte gamísou, poutana! (Go fuck yourself, bitch!)" the Greek spat.
"Fuck off, bitch!" George joined in.
"Puta ka! Wag mo nga pakialaman si David! (You bitch! Leave David alone!)" Kat also yelled at her.
"Uhh... What the hell is this bimbo?" She pointed at Juli. "And little-miss-no-chest trying to say?" Then pointing to Kat.
That's when Juli lost it, "You little..." she growled and tried to get to Audrey. Possibly with the intent of "teaching" her some manners.
George quickly stopped her by wrapping his arms around her waist. "Woah easy!" He exclaimed as he tried to restrain her.
"Get out of that car and say that to my face, you hypocrite!" Kat screeched, I too had to hold her back.
They calmed down afterwards and I decided to answer the Mega Bitch. "She said to go fuck yourself," I pointed a thumb at Juli. "She pretty much said the same thing," I pointed my other free thumb at Kat. "And for your own sake, I highly recommend you fuck off," I warned her before any more trouble starts.
"Whatever," she said sassily.
"For the record," Juli spoke up, "I'm not a bimbo! I study biochemical engineering! Unlike you, prezóni! (junkie)".
"Okay, calm down Juli," George said soothingly. I wanted to make a joke about what was happening between the two, but now doesn't feel like a good time.
The four of us climbed inside the Tahoe. I pulled out the two-way radio Celeste lent us when she came on.
"What was that all about?" She asked.
"It was Audrey, talking shit as usual," I said.
"Don't mind her. She won't be running her mouth as much when you finally beat her," she tried to comfort me.
"Let's just go," I said.
George fired up the engine and hit reverse.
"Follow George, guys. I'll be telling him where to go," I said over the radio.
"Why don't you just tell us where to go? That's why we gave you the walkie talkie, idiot!" Kyu said.
I got a little irritated. "Because you still didn't replace the batteries on this thing!"
The pinkette must have realized that and said, "Oh shit. Sorry."
I pressed the call button again and said, "Whos the idiot now, huh?"
"Okay, okay. You got me," she sighed in defeat as she followed behind. I just simply smirked.
Date: DECEMBER 22, 2015 5:49PM Tiffany's Birthday
Location: Santa Rosa, California
We got off the interstate and entered Santa Rosa. The four of us spent the entire trip singing along to the radio, our throats got dry and voices coarse. Then we bought bottled water and did it all over again.
"We're almost there. Turn left at the next block then look for the house with orange bricks," I pointed out. "I'll call my parents and let them know we're here."
I had my mom's number on speed dial. As soon as the call was made, I placed my handset against my ear.
"Mom? It's David."
"Hi son! Where are you?"
"We're about to take a turn into the street. Expect a dark grey Chevy Tahoe, a Pink S2000, a yellow Mercedes, and a red Lancer Evo to come around in t minus 30 seconds," I told her.
"Okay. We'll be waiting," she said excitedly and dropped the call.
Surely enough, we arrived at my home, the four of us parked along the curb and got out of the car.
After we opened the trunk, we went inside the house.
Date: DECEMBER 22, 2015 5:45PM
Location: Walters' Residence, 118 Daisy St., Santa Rosa, California
"Mom?" I called out into the room.
"Were in the living room!"
Adjusting my knapsack's shoulder straps, I took two steps towards the living room, looked at my friends, and said, "follow me."
My parents were on the couch watching a Game of Thrones on Blu-Ray. It looks as though they were watching season 4 because the scene on the screen was the Purple Wedding.
"Have I ever told you guys how much I love that scene," I said to both my parents.
My dad got up first. "Dave," he said before we hugged.
"Welcome home, dear," mother said.
"Thanks mom," then I beckoned my friends to come closer so I could introduce them.
After that, my parents went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, I went to my room to put my bag inside while everyone else got settled in. Celeste and Armin decided to stay at a nearby motel, so that everyone didn't have to feel like they're sleeping inside a sardine can.
I stood at the doorway with three with a trolley loaded with boxes containing my game consoles.
"Is everybody settled in?" I asked them and they all said yes.
"Okay, great. If it's not too much, I need somebody to help me plug in my consoles to the TV," I said.
George raised his hand. "I'll help you out." he said before he closed the door.
I had to be careful with the trolley as I had five video game consoles on it. A PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and a Wii U.
"Are we gonna play while waiting for dinner?" the Missourian asked.
"Yeah. I was thinking maybe Dance Central Spotlight on the Xbox One," I told him as I plugged in all the HDMI cables into the switch.
"I'm game for that. Just don't expect me to do be on your or Juli's level," he said.
As I placed all the consoles onto the shelf I told George that he didn't have to push himself. "Don't worry, we're not really aiming for high scores. We're just playing for fun. That's what games are for after all."
Then I asked him a favor. "Can you call the others? I need to recalibrate the Kinect Sensor."
"Sure thing!" He quipped and headed upstairs.
After about two minutes, everybody went downstairs. I was almost finished with the recalibration at that point.
"Okay everybody," I turned around to face them. They were all sitting on the couch while I was standing.
"Where I'm standing now is where you need to stand if you're playing solo so that way the sensor detects your whole body," I told them, "Just take a step back and move to one side if someone else is going to join you."
"What are we going to play?" Momo asked.
"Oh, you'll see," I smirk before I turned my back on them and faced the screen.
"Xbox, sign in as David!" I said out loud. The message "Hi David!" appeared on the screen. When the dashboard appeared, I issued another command, "Xbox, go to Dance Central Spotlight!"
The console obeyed and launched the game. Everybody began to chat loudly amongst themselves in excitement.
"I'm going first. Anybody want to join me?" I asked them.
"Me! I wanna dance!" Kat raised her hand and got up from the couch.
"Okay then, bring it on!" I huffed.
(A/N:As far as I know, on-disc songs from previous versions of Dance Central cannot be imported into DC Spotlight. But let's say that it's possible in this story. Also, I recommend you look up the dances mentioned in this scene to enhance the experience.)
Kat and I danced to one of my favorite routines, "Gonna Make You Sweat". I picked Aubrey as my character in her "Street Stlye" outfit while Kat picked Glitch in his "Retro Fitted" outfit. She was able to keep up with me even though it was her first time to dance such a difficult song. One of my favorite moves is the drop about halfway through the song.
When it was over, I outscored the Filipina by a very narrow margin. "Oooooohhhh so close yet so far! Better luck next time, Kat," I hissed when we saw the score.
"Aww, can we go for another one?" She whined.
"Why the hell not?" I shrugged my shoulders.
This time we picked "Firework" by Katy Perry, a very deceptive song. It's only a level three song out of a scale of seven, but it actually has a spin during its chorus.
Unlike before, I massacred her with a huge point difference. The boys cheered me on the whole time as I danced all over her.
"Phew! I'm tired! Anyone else wanna dance?" I panted as I plopped down onto the couch beside George.
"I'll have a go!" Juli got up.
She picked "Milkshake" by Kellis. One of the sexiest routines in the game. The girls began to cheer like crazy.
"You go get 'em, girl!" Kyu hollered.
"Yeah, shake what your mama gave you!" I joined in.
The music began and she started to dance while everyone else had their mouths slightly agape as everyone watched in awe.
But somebody didn't want all the attention for Juliette: Celeste.
"Fuck this, I'm joining in!" the half-German sprang up from the couch and rasied her hand to join in the dance mid-song. A message that said "New Player Detected" popped up on the top of the screen and Glitch appeared alongside Aubrey, she began to dance with the Greek cheerleader.
The two danced as if they were seducing every guy in the room, which was Armin, George and myself. What guy couldn't resist hollering with two very beautiful women dancing such a sexy routine in front of you? It was sensory overload.
When it was over, everybody applauded the duo as they bowed.
"Well that's the way to entertain us, right George?" I turned to my course mate who had a mesmerized expression on his face. "George?" I waved my hands across his face. No response. Then I snapped my fingers in between his eyes, "Hello!? Earth to Gunnerson!?"
When I yelled that, he was stunned and shook his head for a bit. "You still with us amigo?" I asked him.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm back," he massaged the bridge of his nose.
"What's wrong? Did you like what you saw earlier?" I joked.
"Oh fuck you, Dave!" he punched me in the arm while everyone laughed.
While Armin and Momo were playing, George tapped my shoulder.
"Where's the bathroom?" He asked.
I leaned closer to his ear, "Upstairs, first door on your right."
"Thanks." He got up and left.
TWO DAYS LATER...
Date: DECEMBER 25, 2015 6:30AM Christmas Day
Location: Walters' Residence, David's Room, 118 Daisy St., Santa Rosa, California
The past two days were rather uneventful and mostly revolved around me and my friends playing video games, Christmas shopping, Celeste talking with my dad about his Fairlady Z, and me messing with George.
I felt somebody shake me in my sleep. Somebody is trying to wake me up.
"Dave! C'mon, wake up!" Someone said as I was shaken out of my sleep.
"Alright! Alright! I'm up!" I swatted the hands away and tried to wipe the crust from my eyes.
When I opened them, I was shocked. Blonde hair and blue eyes? Is that?
"Tiffany?" I asked the mystery person.
"Guess again, man!" a male voice said. My vision cleared itself and saw that it was a guy, with brown hair and eyes. "George?"
"Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!" He said softly as he sat beside my bed and I chuckled.
"What do you want?" I asked, blanket wrapped around me like a Snake.
"Your parents and everyone else are downstairs. They sent me to get you up," he stood up from the bed.
"Gimme a few minutes, I'll be right down," and at that he went back downstairs.
I washed my face to get remove the crust still in my eyes and went downstairs to the living room. Since it was still dark, the room was lit up with Christmas lights and at the far left corner of the room was the Christmas tree where the presents were waiting to be unwrapped.
I gave mom a new cookbook, dad a new wristwatch to replace his broken one, a copy of the Vocaloid music album "Greatest Idol" by Mitchie M for George, a bottle of Jimmy Chue perfume for Juli, Kyu, Momo and Kat and a Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi charm for Celeste and Armin's respective keychains.
Now came my presents, starting with George. The box was long and rectangular. I began scratching the corner to try and pry the wrapping paper open. The paper came off completely and when I saw the logo on the box, I smiled, "A Warhammer 40k Dark Vengeance Starter Army set. Niiice."
"George and I saved up our money so that we could buy it," Juli added.
"I like it, thanks you guys!" I said with a big smile as I hugged them both.
Next was my parents. My mom gave me a small rectangular box, I peeled the paper across and my eyes widened at what I saw what it was hiding. "It's... It's a phone...," I mumbled.
My friends gathered around me. Kyu couldn't contain her excitement and said, "Well, what are you waiting for!? Open it!"
I got rid of the rest of the packaging to reveal the whole box.
"Oh my God!" George gasped.
I couldn't believe my eyes, "It's not just a phone. It's an LG G4!"
I opened the box and immediately pulled out the handset from it. It was shiny and new, plus it had a matte screen protector already which makes sliding your finger across the screen much smoother and easier. "Thanks mom, this is awesome!" I hugged them too. My dad gave me a pair of aviator shades. "Oh man, I've always wanted one of these ever since I started wearing contacts!" I smiled while examining the eyewear.
Celeste also had a present for me and it was in the form of a round object, "I wonder what it is?" I wasted no time ripping it open and saw that it was a... "A steering wheel?" I tilted my head.
"Yeah. It's a Nardi Deep Corn steering wheel. We could use it when you finally get a car," the soon-to-be mechanic said.
Armin joined in, "Take good care of it till then! Those things don't come cheap, y'know."
"I will, promise," I pressed the steering wheel to my chest.
"Merry Christmas guys!" I opened my arms wide and all of us, both my parents and my friends hugged. Then my old phone rang. I checked it and saw that Tiffany was calling from Hawaii.
"C'mon! Answer it!" Momo said when I hesitated to take the call.
"Hello? Tiff?" I said through the phone.
"Hey, Dave? Is that you?" The cheerleader asked.
"Yeah, it's me. Did your parents wake you up like they used to when we were kids?" she joked.
I scoffed and replied, "Nope. They got lazy and had George do it for them. Is it okay if I put you on speaker?"
"Can we go on Skype instead? I really wanna see you guys," she suggested.
"Won't Enrique catch you?" I worried about getting caught.
"He's asleep along with his parents. And besides...," she moved her phone so she can show where she was. She was on the beach and it was a bit dark but I could still see her on my screen pretty well, "... I'm outside."
"Okay then, gimme five minutes," I said before I ended the call.
"Xbox, on!" I called to turn on the Xbox One.
A few minutes later, I logged into Skype and called Tiffany.
"Hey guys! Merry Christmas!" My childhood friend appeared on the TV and waved.
Almost everybody screamed, "TIIIIF!" when they saw her.
"How are you Tiff?" I asked her.
"I'm okay," she gave me the thumbs up.
"You should see the gifts everybody gave me," I bragged as I held up my new phone and the steering wheel, "Plus George and Juli got me a Warhammer starter set!" I laughed as I held up the box.
"At least you won't be glued to the TV screen anymore," Tiffany joked.
Then George threw and arm on my shoulder and looked at the screen, "I wouldn't count on it, Tiff."
We traded stories of what happened here at home and Tiffany did the same with regards to what she, Enrique and his parents went to in Hawaii. It turns out the parents of the blond quarterback knew nothing about what their son is doing to her because he threatened to upload the video if she tried to inform them.
Then about two hours later, Tiffany had to sign off and go back to their hotel. We said goodbye and turned off the Xbox.
"By the way David, there's one more gift for me to give you. Everybody, come outside," dad beckoned everyone to outside to the driveway.
Date: DECEMBER 25, 2015 8:30AM Christmas Day
Location: Walters' Residence, Driveway, 118 Daisy St., Santa Rosa, California
At this point, the sun had already risen. The eight of us were standing on the driveway with my mom and dad.
"Okay, I gotta be honest here son," dad began, "Tiffany told me that you really wanted a car so you can beat this Enrique fellow and that you've been trying to earn money to buy a GT-R," he laughed.
Something tells me I know where this conversation is about to go...
"You know David, if you wanted a car..." then he pressed a button. The garage door slowly opened. "All you had to do was ask."
I ran up to the garage but backed away because the door hasn't completely opened yet. I managed to see into the garage door. It's my dad's Fairlady Z!
Both my mom and dad got inside the garage and pushed the car outside for everyone to see. Celeste's eyes widened when she saw the vintage sports car.
After they pushed it out of the driveway, dad came up to me.
"Actually, I've been planning on giving this car to you when the time was right," he began, "And now does seems like the best time to do it." Then he opened his hand to reveal the keys. "Go on. It's yours now," he smiled.
I took the keys from his hands and my friends applauded.
"Looks like you won't have to save up money anymore, Dave!" George cheered.
I just stood there, mouth slightly agape. Trying to process what had just transpired and letting it sink in. I didn't know what to say. I just got my first car. The one car that I've been ogling for so long.
"You okay, sport?" Dad asked after a bit.
I shook my head and snapped back to reality, "Uhhh, yeah. I was just admiring the car."
"Mind if I see the engine?" Celeste asked my dad.
"Well don't ask me, Cel. Ask the new owner," he chuckled.
The half-German looked at me and I nodded, "Sure. We gotta know what we're dealing with."
I walked up to the car with her and climbed into the car to release the hood latch. My dad helped her open the hood.
"Remember, the hood opens by lifing the part near the windshield," he said to her.
"Okay, got it," she nodded.
They lifted the hood and Celeste eyes widened for the second time.
"Oh my gosh..." she gasped.
I got curious and got out to look down on the engine bay.
"What's up?" I wondered.
"It's an L28. A bigger version of the original L24 engine," Celeste said.
Then my dad added more info, "the displacement is actually increased to 3.1 liters and has triple twin-barrel carburetors."
"Well that explains the BRE front spoiler, the bolt-on fender flares, Watanabe Eight-Spoke deep dish rims and ducktail spoiler," she inspected the car by walking around it.
Then I walked up to my parents and hugged them.
"Thanks guys! You don't know how happy I am right now!" I said slighty in tears.
"You're welcome, Dave," mom placed a hand on my back and hugged me back. My dad did the same.
"You know, that car holds a lot of memories for the both of us," dad said.
Curious as always, I asked, "Like what?".
They looked at each other before he answered, "Your mom and I had the best sex ever in it!".
Really? He just had to say that?
Everyone laughed hysterically when they heard him.
"What the hell, dad!?" I yelled, partially traumatized by that information.
"Wait, wait! I'm not done!" he made gestures telling everyone to stop and listen.
"We were already married at that time. And about three months after we did it, we found out she was pregnant..." then he pointed at me, "...with you."
So does that mean I was born to drive this car eventually?
"Wow..." was all I could say.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, Mr. and Mrs. Walters," Kyu went up to them, "but who was on top when you did it?"
Everybody but me laughed even louder. I swear, the neighbors were starting to eye us suspiciously.
"Hey guys!" I called my friends and raised my keys, feeling as if the stars were aligning and preparing not just me, but everybody I know.
"Who wants to go for a ride?"
END OF CHAPTER 19
Well, well. Looks like shit is about to get real for David and his friends! I have a feeling that is gonna get more intense from here on out. That feeling of excitement you're having right now? Yeah, it's probably because Dave just got a car.
I'd like to take the time to say thank you to everybody who has lent a hand in helping me with this story. You know who you are. I'm glad I wrote and uploded this story because it gave me a way to meet wonderful people (I'm looking at you 0756, Blood Angels Captain and BlissTwilight) and reachout to so many people. And you all surprised me when we managed to hit 10k views within the year.
So from me and my beta readers, thank you so much!
Merry Christmas!
Kh0ldstare