CHAPTER 3

A KISS FOR CHRISTMAS

"December 25th

Dear Diary,

Wow, I can't believe it's Christmas again. That time when we give presents, sing carols, and the truth comes out for everyone.

Well, I got a surprise phone call from Dorothy this morning. She invited me over for Christmas dinner tonight! I was amazed, I had only known the Waynerights personally for about six months, and they're already inviting me to dinner.

She asked if I would like to invite my family as well, but I declined on their behalf, what with my dad being a total drunk and my mum being a total slut, I have a feeling that they won't be all to happy to mix with the Waynerights. No wonder my brother ran away.

Anyway, Dorothy said to dress smartly, yet casually. Apparently Dr. Wayneright…I mean Timothy( I hate calling him that) is holding some sort of Christmas party, with dinner for a select group of friends afterwards.

I can't wait for tonight, though I better find some good clothes, something smart yet casual. Hm…do I have anything like that? Oh and I gotta find Dorothy's present! I hid it from my parents so they wouldn't get suspicious."

The house I lived in was dismal compared to the Doctor and Dorothy's house.

It was on the outskirts of Paradigm, right by the river.

My parents were a couple of cold, cruel, hateful people, so hateful, my little brother ran away from home when he was ten.

My father was a drunk. A man who's sole purpose in life was to steal money, and by booze with it.

He was one of those typical home drunks you see on TV. The kind of person that lounges in an old armchair with nothing but a pair of grey and holey trousers, a string vest, and a large beer belly.

My mother was no different.

She was a slut. A woman who was ugly, but thought she was pretty, and man was she ugly!

She wore clothes that were two sizes too small for her, way to much makeup, and spent more on anti-aging cream then she did spending time with me and my brother (when he was here)

On the other hand, myself and James (my little bro) had actually turned out quite nicely. Maybe we missed the ugly genes this generation, I dunno. But I knew for a fact that we always turned heads throughout our school days.

But I'm straying from the point so I'll return to the story.

Somehow, I managed to sneak away from the house unnoticed by my parents, (they were watching a documentary on small time crooks)

As soon as I made it out the door, I had bolted down the street, not even hearing the cries of my enraged father when he found me missing.

When I reached the street where the Waynerights lived, I paused, out of breath and cradling a number of stitches in my side.

After my breath returned to me, I stood up and examined myself in a nearby window.

This was the smartest thing I could find. I wore a simple, black two piece suit, made from thin cloth, as well as a black tie to finish it off.

"Well, it's the best I could afford on forty credit's a week," I thought to myself. My parents were skinflints, that much was certain. The only reason me and James had been able to go to school was because it was free. After I left High school (and my brother ran) I had to get a job as a garbage man to afford even going to Paradigm College. This suit was a forty credit buy in a last minute Christmas sale, and I had initially bought it so I would have something to use for next years School formal. I then looked down at Dorothy's Christmas present in my pocket. Yet another forty credits. I hope she liked it, it was the best thing I could afford.

With a small sigh I dusted myself off one last time, took another look in the window, and headed down the street towards the house.

Never in my life had I been so nervous. Never had the doors to the Wayneright Mansion looked so large. I could here what sounded like soft classical music coming from within. I started to sweat. What if I wasn't smart enough? What if I embarrassed myself in front of Dorothy and the Doctor? What if…

"Oh, cut the what-ifs Smith and knock on the bloody door!"

I sighed, the voice in my head had a point (Wow, there's eight words I never thought I'd say in a row). It was now or never.

Very nervously, I slowly reached out, and knocked on the door.

I had barely knocked once, when suddenly the door was flung open.

Dorothy looked out, and her face lit up when she saw me.

My mind went numb when I saw her.

She was wearing a single piece, red dress with large straps over her shoulders to hold it up, as well as matching red high heels and headband. Around her neck was a black bead necklace and finishing off the outfit was a pair of long, black gloves.

"I didn't think you'd come," she said breathlessly.

I shrugged, "Well, you know me, allows popping up when I'm least expected."

She giggled slightly, putting a hand to her mouth to smother it, before taking my hand and pulling me inside.

Inside the room lobby was well lit, as well as decorated with tinsel and Christmas trees. A few dozen people milled around, chatting happily amongst themselves, sampling from the buffet tables on either side of the lobby.

I gazed around in awe, there was even a orchestra, merrily playing classical music in the corner.

My thoughts were interrupted however when I felt something warm slide under my arm.

As I looked down, I realised Dorothy had slipped her arm through mine.

I blushed slightly at the gesture, before smiling as we walked round, Dorothy pointing out a few people to me.

"That's Senator Almandine, and that's General Dastun. Over there's Professor Krewkerne, oh, and over there is Gordon Rosewater…"

I barely heard her talking, all I could concentrate on the woman I was linked arms with. She seemed so small and delicate, as though the slightest fall would break her. But her she was, linked arms with me, happily walking around and pointing out people of science, politics and the armed forces.

"Daniel?"

I turned round slightly, only to see Dr. Wayneright behind me, a warm smile on his face.

"Oh, hello Dr. Wayneright," I said brightly.

"Are you enjoying the party?" he asked mildly, glancing down at Dorothy with an amused smile.

"Yes sir," I replied, "I don't think I've ever been invited to something like this before."

Timothy chuckled, "Yes, quite," he looked round for a moment, before lowering his voice, "Could I have a quick word with you…in private before Dinner?"

I blinked, "Am I in trouble?"

The Doctor chuckled again, "Oh good lord no! I just…need a word that's all."

I nodded, "Of course. Dorothy, would you excuse me for a moment?"

Dorothy flashed a look of curiosity towards her father, before nodding with a smile.

"Of course, I'll play host for a while father," she looked up at me for a moment, before lightly stepping up onto her toes and kissing me on the cheek, before running off to talk to Rosewater.

I touched the spot on my cheek, standing stock still.

"Did she just kiss me?"

"Daniel?"

I snapped out of my trance as I looked over at Timothy, who was beckoning me into a nearby room, to which I followed.

"She seems to be very attached to you, you know." Timothy said with a smile as he poured himself a drink from a nearby bottle.

The room we were in seemed to be a sort of study/living room, with large French doors opening out onto the garden out back.

"I guess she is," I said with a small blissful sigh, still touching the spot where she kissed me, "I still stand my statement when I say that I've never seen a more prettier girl."

The Doctor smiled, before turning to the window, gazing out at the blackness of night outside.

"As you know Daniel, I happen to like to know the people I work with…and teach, inside and out."

I sighed, I had a feeling I knew what was coming.

"You know about my parents huh?"

Timothy looked over his shoulder at me, before nodding solemnly.

"I know you live in the slums of riverside Paradigm. I know your father is a first class drunk, who uses all of his dole money on drink, and even goes as far as to steal for more of it.

"Your mother is no better," I noticed his voice seemed to now have a taste of disgust in it, "If her profile is anything to go by, she'll do anything to make herself look pretty. She spends all of her money on cosmetics, and very little on food.

I also know you have a little brother, James, who ran from home. He now works in an orphanage in London, but apparently, he's never been happier.

And you," I cringed at the sound of my name, "You are forced to work just so you could go to the college. You can't go on any trips and such, and I believe that suit your wearing must have cost at least a months wages."

I sighed, "You don't want me to see Dorothy do you? Or even be in this house."

My shoulders slumped, I had never felt so down.

I suddenly felt the Doctor grab me by the shoulders, forcing me to look into his eyes.

"Quite the contrary my boy," he said with a smile, "I want you to live here, with me and Dorothy."

My eyes widened, "Really?"

Timothy smiled, before going back to the window, "I know you an I have only properly known each other for a few months, but I've come to look on you as the son I never had. I know Dorothy would like it if you came and lived here, and we have plenty of room. I'll even finance your college funds. A Garbage man isn't the best job for someone who lives in the Rich district eh?"

I was in shock, "You…You would do that for me?"

Timothy smiled as he turned to face me, "My boy, as long you live here, I will help you. Now come on, It's almost time for Dinner! I hear Norman prepared a grand meal for us."

Dinner went very slowly after the shock of my sudden departure from the lowlife of society. The small collection of friends, turned out to be mostly Politicians and men and woman of the armed forces, as well as a couple of robotic engineers.

"You father keeps some…erm…amusing company," I whispered quietly to Dorothy.

She sighed, "Oh please, I hope that was a joke. These people have been talking with him for years about something. Their mostly from the U.S. Government."

"The U.S.?" Okay, now I was confused, "But Paradigms in…"
"Exactly," Dorothy interrupted, "But for whatever reason, they've been meeting like this for at least the past five years."

I frowned, and went back to the meal in front of me.

"Well, I think we're all full now," Timothy said with a grin as a rumble of improvement echoed around the table, before turning to me and Dorothy, "Dorothy, will you be so kind as to take Daniel out? I'm sure he doesn't want to listen to business men drivel on about work!"

Dorothy nodded in understanding, before dragging me out of the room, as though she had a purpose.

In the main room a few people (those who hadn't been invited to dinner) we milling around the room. Some were dancing, while others snacked at the buffet table.

At first I thought she was dragging me to the dance floor, but instead I found myself being pulled behind a pair of pillars that surrounded the room, yet wasn't probably lighted, allowing me to see only half of Dorothy's face.

She looked up at me, her purple eyes shining with hope, though for what I had no idea.

"Father told me about his little talk with you, and that your going to live with us right?"

I smiled and nodded. Suddenly I remembered something.

"Oh, I got you something," slowly I reached into my coat pocket, and retrieved the small box, wrapped in decorative (if slightly shabby), and tied with a little blue bow.

"I'm sorry it's not wrapped properly," I looked down slightly as she took it, "It's the best I could do on a forty credit income ya know?"

Dorothy didn't answer. She was staring at the box, as though it was the greatest treasure in the world.

I looked uneasily at her, "Aren't you going to open it?"

Dorothy looked at me blankly, before undoing the bow and gently unwrapping the paper.

Inside was a blue velvet box.

With trembling fingers, she slowly opened it, before breathing a sigh of amazement.

Inside was a gold necklace, with a small gold heart pendent at the end.

She looked up at my face, a look of wonder in her eyes.

"How did you afford this?"

"I…," I didn't want to tell her, in case she told me to take it back, "I…saved up my wages." I cast my head down.

"You've been so nice to me Dorothy," I mumbled to my shoes, "You're a part of one of the most richest and well known families in the Paradigm, and yet you talk to me, some random guy with a talent for robotics and negotiation, as though I have the same status. I've….I've never had a friend like you. I just had to get you something nice. So I blew about a months wages on that thing."

"Daniel…"

I sighed, "If you don't want it. I'll understand."

There was a silence between us, the only sound coming from the orchestra.

Suddenly I felt Dorothy lift my chin, forcing me to look into her eyes.

Her eyes were shining, and a small smile was on her face.

Then she did something I didn't expect from her. Something I never thought I would see her do, especially to me.

She stood onto her toes…and kissed me, full on, the lips.

I couldn't think. My mind was a complete blank. I barely felt my arms slide around her small waist and kiss her back.

I had never felt something so….so right. Our love for each other was ignited, and began a flame that would never go out. We clung to each other, our heads completely fogged up in this kiss, and it was only when we both required air did we finally break apart.

"Wow," I heard her whisper.

"Wow is right," I murmured back.

Slowly I took the necklace from it's box and gently put it around her neck.

"It's beautiful," Dorothy whispered, "Thank you Daniel."

I smiled as she huddled closer to me, feeling her heartbeat against my chest.

She suddenly looked up at me, a slight tinge of pink appearing in her cheeks.

"I…I want to show you something in my room. Will you come with me?"

I only had to take one look into her eyes to understand what she meant.

Without a word, we snuck up to her room and locked the door.

No one saw us for the rest of the night.

"December 26th.

Dear Diary,

I'm moving in with the Waynerights today, and as you could guess, my parents weren't to happy…"

"YOUR WHAT!" My mother screeched.

"Nope, Not happy at all."

"I'm moving out." I said calmly, "And I very much doubt you'll see me again."

"Now look 'ear son," My father growled, "You're not moving out! You 'ere?"

"Yeah, I 'eard," I mimicked, "and I don' care!"

"You wot?"

"Listen Dad," I said through gritted teeth, "Give me one reason, just one, why I shouldn't go and do what James did?"

"James was an ungrateful little brat!" My mother cried balling her wrinkly hands into fists, "We gave him everything he wanted and in return…"

"Bullshit!" I spat, "James ran away from you because you gave him nothing! Zip! Bupkiss! You spent all you time, getting ready for some date or another, while you just lounged in that chair, watching a stolen TV! Well now I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago!"

I picked up my small suit case with all my belongings and marched out the door to where a limo and Dorothy were waiting.

"DANIEL ROLAND SMITH!" My father roared as he grabbed my jacket's sleeve, "If you leave now, You'll dishonour the name of Smith!"

I paused, before turning around and glaring at my father with the utmost hatred.

"Dishonour?" I asked, "You think I'm dishonouring the name of Smith? My God! Just look at my parents! A slob and a whore! Trust me when I say you two dishonoured the family way before I, or even James did!"

Before he could say anything else, I had walked down the path and thrown my bag into the trunk, before getting into the back with Dorothy.

As she curled up under my arm, I rolled down the window, just in time to see my "parents" running down the path at breakneck speed.

"Goodbye you two!" I called with a wave, "We shall never meet again!"

Before either of them could stop me I had rolled up the window and told the driver to head home.

"DANIEL ROLAND SMITH!"I heard my father roar, "YOU WILL RUE THE DAY YOU RAN FROM 'ERE! YOU 'ERE ME! YOU…WILL…RUE…THE…DAY!"

I smiled slightly to myself as I held Dorothy tight in my arms. I was free.

"I'm glad you decided to stay with us…with me." I heard her whisper in my ear.

I looked down at here, before gently kissing her forehead.

"I love you so much," I whispered back, "I would do anything to stay with you."

She smiled up at me, before closing her eyes, slowing her breathing, and falling asleep in my arms.

"So that's it, I've finally done what James did, I ran from my good-for-nothing parents. I never had to see them again. I could now live my life without the thought of those two breathing down my necks.

I have Dr. Wayneright…and Dorothy…to thank for that."