Thanksgiving fun
Lauren's P.O.V.:
"Both hands tied behind my back with nothing, oh no these times when we climb so fast to fall again. Why we got fall for it now," I sung placing the tablecloths out for Thanksgiving dinner with our family even my friends. I invited Keith to dinner this year along with his dad so he can meet my family. Sean's was joining us as well which I could not be more excited. "I never meant to start a war," Sean said coming out with the plates. "You know never I want to hurt you," I sang back. "Don't even know were fighting for," Keith sang joining in. "Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield? Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield," Jess sang getting the silverware. "Will you guys quit singing that Jordin Sparks song? It's getting in my head," Hector called from the kitchen making dinner.
"Come on Hector. We love that song," I pointed out. "Yeah just as you like one step at a time and I got a crush on Lisa," Sean sang the last part. I giggled as Keith and Jess did the same. "Oh put a cork on it Sean, besides I'll tell her when I got a crush on her," Hector said. "Yeah depending when," Jess told him. "Oh shut up sis," Hector groaned. I looked at my watch and it was reading nine o clock since we were up. "Hey Macy's Parade is starting," I called to the gang as we went to the TV.
Hector stayed behind working on dinner for his part. Most of our family brings some of their own things for Thanksgiving for instance Leo is bringing mashed potatoes which I am excited for, Lisa is bringing her green bean casserole, and our family was making the turkey and stuffing. Ooh, I can hardly wait for sure. Keith was helping us out this morning since we needed it and he hangs out with us almost all the time.
"Good morning everyone happy Thanksgiving as we are coming to you live here at Macy's," Matt Lauer said on the TV as Jess, Sean, Keith and I sat around the TV watching the parade getting started. They went through some intros a little bit to the parade ribbon cutting and we were surprised to see Robin Hall leading the way again this year. "Live from New York City NBC presents Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade! With your hosts Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Al Roker. With performances by Mitchell Musso, Boys like Girls and so many more," the announcer said on the TV along with some Broadway shows like Hair to be exact. I was just excited for the other ones like Shrek.
"Hey Lauren need you for a second," Hector called to me as Hair came on the TV. "Coming," I called heading over to the kitchen. "What's up," I asked. "Can you hand me the stuffing mix please," he asked as I grabbed it. "Sure thing," I told him handing the box as he made the stuffing. "Oh thanks Lauren. Thanks again to you guys for setting the table I appreciate it," he told me. "No problem Hector," I told him. "Yo Lauren, Shrek is about to perform," Sean called.
"Wait for me," I told him going out of the kitchen and back into the room with the TV. "Thanks very much. Everybody's favorite great green ogre has made a giant leap from the big screen to the stage in one of the bigger than life fairytales for all ages. The amazing Shrek the musical. This live lavish comedy show headlines a national tour next summer tells the story of Shrek's life changing adventure trying to reclaim the deed to his land," Matt said on the screen.
"Yes indeed Matt along the way Shrek meets a fast talking donkey, fights a furious dragon and rescues a princess with I should say a mysterious secret. From the Broadway Theater here is the Shrek-tacular cast of Shrek the Musical performing I'm a Believer," Meredith said on the screen and you can hear the guy counting off the beat as the cast was ready to dance. Jess, Sean and Keith were ready as well. The music started and I was so excited.
(On the TV)
Shrek: I thought love was only true in fairytales, meant for someone else but not for me. Love was out to get me. That's the way it seems. Disappointment haunted all my dreams.
Then I saw her face (I saw her face)
Now I'm a believer (I saw her face)
Not a trace (No not a trace)
Of doubt in my mind (In my mind)
I'm in love, I'm a believer I couldn't leave her if I try.
Fiona: I thought love was more a mess to give me
(Little Fiona's: Oh, oh)
But the more I gave the less I got oh yeah
(Oh yeah)
Shrek and Fiona: What's the use in trying? All you get is pain, when I wanted sunshine I got rain.
I got rain, I got rain!
(Donkey running in) Sorry I'm late. Then I saw her face, now I'm a believer. Not a trace, of doubt in my mind. I'm in love, I'm a believer I couldn't leave her if I tried.
Then I saw her face, now I'm a believer. Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
(Shrek and Fiona)I'm in love!
(Donkey: Sing it ogres)
(Cast) I'm a believer! I believe, I believe, I believe! I'm a believer!
I believe! I believe! I believe!
Donkey: I believe!
Lauren's P.O.V.:
The four of us just danced to the Shrek cast performing and I have to admit that was awesome and it caused me to get a workout which I needed for sure. "Man that song was awesome," I breathed and panted after dancing. "You bet Lauren, not going to lie that was fun," Sean added as we continued to watch the parade complete with the balloons for sure and Santa making his appearance. While also helping Hector with dinner of course. The clock in our apartment soon hit noon and I turned the TV off so that way I can focus on friends and family coming over for dinner. I was reading a little bit of a fantasy book when the doorbell rang. I soon went to it.
"Who is it," I called. "It's your grandparents," a voice replied. I smiled knowing it was my nana and papa. I opened the door to see them standing before me. "Hi Nana, hi papa," I greeted hugging them. "Oh Lauren, how are you sweetie. You keep looking awesome everyday," Nana told me. "Thanks Nana," I told her with a smile as I took my grandparents coats and placed them on the bed of my bedroom. I walked back to see them enjoying everything as the place became alive with the smell of food. Sean soon walked over and began talking to my grandparents which I couldn't help but smile.
Keith soon joined me near the wall. "Are those your grandparents," he asked me. "Yep they sure are," I told him with a smile. "I bet they sound nice," he added. "They do, want to meet them," I asked. "Sure," he said as we walked over to my grandparents who were sitting down with Sean on the couch in the family room. "Nana, Papa, I want you guys to meet our friend Keith. He's new to the neighborhood and this is his first Thanksgiving," I said to my nana and papa as they talked with him. The door bell ringed and I saw Shock coming in with a whole bunch of food including his best friend Mario who I hadn't seen since his Broadway days.
"Mario," I shouted and went over to him as he turned to face me. "Lauren Ruiz, my oh my," he said with a smile and gave me the biggest hug ever. "Oh it's so good to see you," I told him. "Oh it's good to see you too you look fantastic," he told me. "Thanks," I smiled. "So tell me, did you tell Hector his punishment for the bet this year," he asked. "Sure did and let's just say, he's going to do it regardless," I chuckled. "I heard that Lauren," Hector said from the kitchen. "Oh go make dinner, jinx," Mario and I said in unison. We soon laughed and he came over to the sofa where my grandparents were and said hi to them.
Sean's P.O.V.:
"Mario, what's up brother," I greeted him with a smile after he talked with some of Lauren's family. "Sean, I hadn't seen you since you completed sixth grade," Mario told me giving a big hug. "It's been that long," I said with a shrug. "Yeah so how are your parents," he asked. "Doing well, they're coming today for dinner," I smiled. "That's great. Lauren was telling me the fun things that had been happening lately. I confess you guys are a busy bunch," he told me. "We sure are," I admitted.
"Yo Sean, your parents arrived just to let you know," Keith said telling me. "Oh thanks dude. I completely forgot," I thanked him. "Whose this," Mario asked.
Lauren's P.O.V.:
"Whose this," Mario asked as I came over to him. "Oh we didn't tell you," I realized. "Tell me what," he asked. "This is our friend Keith Watson, he's new to the neighborhood. He moved at the beginning of the new school year," I said to Mario. "Oh," he realized. "Keith this is our good friend Mario. He knows Shock and he knows us as well," I told Keith. "Nice to meet you Mario," Keith said shaking his hand. "You as well Keith. Lauren has always told me a lot about her new friends. I hadn't had a chance to come up to Brooklyn and visit since I've been on Broadway," he told him.
"Broadway," Keith asked. "Yep. You heard of In the Heights right Keith," Sean asked after helping his parents. "Yeah why," he asked. "Mario composed and stared in the show," I told him. "He did," Keith asked with surprise. "Yep as the one and only Usanvi," I said smiling. "And I still got it down," Mario told him. "Lauren, Jess needs help, Lisa's here," Hector called me. "Coming," I said excusing myself and heading over to help Jess who was carrying Lisa's casserole and the pumpkin pie she made as well. "Thanks for the help guys I appreciate it," Lisa told us. "No problem," I told her as we placed the pie in the freezer and got the casserole set and ready to go. Leo arrived soon afterwards and Mom directed everyone over to the table to get started with dinner. Sean and I found our spots at the table then sat down.
"Okay so I think we can get started with prayers before we have the food coming out, so uncle John want to lead prayers," mom asked him. "Sure Maria, let us pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen," Uncle John began making the sign of the cross as we did the same and soon hold each other's hands. "Heavenly Father, we come to you on this very day to give thanks for all of the bountiful blessings you have given to us over this year. We thank you for blessing us with great weather and for spending time with friends and family. We pray for all of those who are not with us anymore but are enjoying the heavenly banquet just as you prepare for us in heaven. We ask you Lord to bless which we are about to eat and help us to remain grateful for all the things you have given to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen," Uncle John prayed as we finished with the sign of the cross and dinner was being started to be passed around.
"Before I forget everyone, I wanted to introduce you to my friend Keith. He's new to the neighborhood along with his dad Leo and this is their first Thanksgiving with us," I said introducing my family and friends to Keith as they started to talk to him getting to know the dude more. I was enjoying the first course before the turkey came out. Now I am not a turkey person but mash potatoes and something with chicken can make me happy.
Jess and Sean went for the turkey as we all enjoyed our dinner even if it meant leaving dessert behind. Hector soon got the football game on as we watched with excitement cheering for the team we wanted to win. Mostly everyone talked with Keith or Leo even our friends and I couldn't help but feel thankful for the fun times we were sharing. Almost half of the time went by and I couldn't believe it went quick as we said goodbye to family as they headed out the door.
"Best Thanksgiving ever," I told Sean as I sat on the sofa. "You bet Lauren, glad to see your family come up even Mario, which I am surprised," Sean added. "Yeah it was but hey at least we got to introduce everyone to Keith and Leo so they are like family now," Jess added joining behind us. "Indeed sis," I told her with a hug. "Hey guys, I need help with cleaning," Hector called again in the kitchen. "Well, we better help him," Sean told us. "Yeah besides, don't try to explain your mind I know was happening," I started to sing. The others soon smiled. "One minute is love and suddenly is like a battlefield," Jess joined in as the others did as well while we cleaned up and helped Hector. All in all, it was the best Thanksgiving ever in our family and friends life.
Here it is! Thanksgiving is complete! Thanks for holding in guys, I was busy and had writers block throughout the week so glad I was able to break it. Okay so like I mentioned we are just two episodes away from the season 1 finale and I can't tell you how excited I am to write more of Lauren's story for you guys! Enjoy for now and stay tuned to my other stories for updates.