Late afternoon the next day, bundled in their coats with scarves around their necks, Shaggy took Christina on a tour of the town, pointing out where he'd gone to school the site of the first mystery the gang had ever solved anything and everything he could think of.
"Like, I know there isn't much, the town is kind of small," Shaggy was saying as their tour came to a close in the park.
"Shaggy I think it's wonderful"
"You do?"
"Yes, I do," Christina smiled happily.
"I'm glad," he reached for her hand only to grow nervous.
But, Christina took his with a grin. They went from the park to the cafe for hot chocolate.
"Tell me about the holidays when you were growing up?" Shaggy prompted.
"The day after Thanksgiving, Aunt Vana would go into the woods in search of a perfect tree while my cousins and I went in search of our decorations, I always found them first"
"Did you like, have a favorite?"
"My favorite," Christina gave it some thought, "I had a whole collection of fairy tale ornaments, The Frog Prince was probably my favorite"
"Why?"
"That was supposed to be my Mom's story, funny how the thing she hated so passionately reminds me of her. Now, you tell me a story"
"Every Christmas my parents would take us to the skating rink and every year I ended up riding Scooby before falling because no matter how many times we like, told him not to he like still wanted to try some super fancy skating trick that would end in a massive collision"
Christina laughed at the thought, "You know, that reminds me of the year we all got sleds for Christmas, the witches turned our yard into an unmeltable winter wonderland. The sleds weren't built for three girls but we all crammed onto one and took off down the hill, problem was none of us knew how to steer so we ended up in the snow"
"What happened next?"
"Sibella, she was really little, popped out of the snow shouting again! Again!" Christina laughed at the thought, "So we went down the hill, again and again, and again crashing every single time"
"None of you were hurt?"
"Just a bruise here and there. Your turn"
by the time they finished swapping stories, it had begun to sleet outside, the sun hidden by darkening clouds. With great urgency, they hurried home to discover Sophie plastered to the front window.
"Hey, Sophie," Christina laughed, "Have you been waiting for us the whole time?"
"Yeah, Grandma wants Daddy to get the tree from the attic so we can decorate!"
"So soon?" Shaggy questioned his mother who leaned on the kitchen doorway expectantly with a mixing spoon in her hand.
"Yes, I want to decorate before my little sunshine leaves"
"Guess I'm like, chopped liver then"
"Oh hush, get up to that attic and help your father while I get an early start on my baking"
"Can I help?" Sophie asked, "I help Mommy all the time!"
"Well, if you help Mommy I suppose you can help me too"
Sophie zipped to the kitchen excitedly.
Christina turned to leave.
"You too, Christina," Stacy stopped her.
"Oh no, I-I would just be a distraction-"
"Hush, how am I supposed to get to know my future daughter-in-law if you hide in the guest room?" Stacy grabbed her arm, "Come, I promise I don't bite"
Christina was in no position to back out.
…...
With Thanksgiving Break over the girls returned to the girls arrived at school to find Valerie had returned with her Uncle Felix who turned out to be the new groundskeeper. Valerie was not happy about this whatsoever, something she made very clear when they were herded into the dining room to discuss tomorrow and the weeks before the next holiday-during which they would FINALLY have their volleyball game.
"For now," Miss Grimwood spoke over the excited students, "I want you all unpacked and I expect every room to be tidy"
"Or there will be no gingerbread after dinner," added Christina with a smirk.
The girls took off to do what was asked of them.
…...
"Can I help?"
Christina turned from her prep to find Sophie looking at her expectantly
"Please?"
"Did you do what Miss Grimwood asked?"
"Uh-huh," Sophie nodded, "Do you want to see?"
"Show me,"
Taking Christina's hand, Sophie pulled her to her room.
Shaggy sat on the bed with an innocent smile on his face.
"Tell me you didn't do it all for her?" Christina deadpanned.
"No, she put Ruby away"
Christina swatted his arm, "That's cheating!"
"What are you like, going to do make a mess?"
Now, Christina faltered.
"Like, let's get started on that gingerbread" Shaggy guided her back to the kitchen.
"If we have to," Christina sighed.
Valerie watched this entire exchange from the shadows, her insides boiling with so many feelings she couldn't even name all of them.
I have got to talk to Daddy.
…...
"Um, isn't it too cold for a run?" Harper shivered, wings twitching.
"You can wear my scarf," Sophie offered, "Would that help?" she glanced toward the school.
"It's okay, Sophie, you girls will like, forget all about being cold when we like, get moving," Shaggy promised his class, "Now, ready, set go!"
Even though they were supposed to be running Phantasma and Dani both flew with Harper soon following suit. Valerie meandered along while Sophie tried to keep pace with Tannis and Winnie who were in a competition of their own with Lupa. Webbigale meanwhile was struggling to even catch up.
Noticing this, Sophie motioned to Harper who got the hint, hoisting Webbigale up by her arms.
When they passed Christina's garden they found her hauling the last of the pumpkins into a previously unseen cellar just beside her garden shed.
"Hi girls!" she waved while tugging her hood on, only to remember she had horns.
The girls shared a laugh while Christina muttered something about Clawdeen and hoodies. By the time they returned to school, they were no longer complaining about the chilly air having been warmed by their laughter. One by one they filed into the classroom eager for their next lesson.
Except for one scheming vampire.
…...
Valerie snuck through the halls of the school which were far larger than she recalled.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Valerie jumped. There stood her uncle Felix in coveralls, watching her intently, waiting for an answer.
"I don't have to tell you anything," spat Valerie who tried to push past her uncle.
"Actually," Felix clapped a hand on her shoulder, "You do because I'm responsible for you. Now, let's go to class" he walked her back to the classroom where Miss Grimwood stood expectantly.
"How nice of you to join us, Miss Easton, take your seat,"
Once Valerie had done so Miss Grimwood continued:
"Now, we're having our volleyball game after lunch today. No matter what happens I want you girls to have fun"
"Winning would be nice too!" Winnie chimed in.
"Yes," Tannis nodded, "Winning would be nice"
While the older girls debated strategies Sophie quietly sat at her desk doodling in her notebook, she wasn't fast or big enough to play the game. How could she be of any help? Especially with Jake on the other team. Shuddering, Sophie rubbed the spot where the pole had hit her so many weeks prior. She was so lost in thought that she almost didn't hear the bell chime for the end of class.
"C'mon Sophie!" Harper pulled her from her chair, "I know things are wacky today but we still have to go to music class"
"Today," Christina grinned, "We're going to learn a Christmas song to surprise your parents in a few weeks, come get your lyric sheets"
"Tannis can you help Sophie with some words, please?"
"I'd be happy to, Miss Christina"
Trying to concentrate was proving harder and harder. All Sophie wanted to do was hide from what was coming. They'd only practiced the game a handful of times and every single time Sophie felt too small to help.
"Don't worry, Sophie," Harper easily grinned, "I'll help you," she flapped her wings for emphasis.
"Thanks, Harper"
…...
It was declared too cold to play outside as such the game was moved into the Calloway gym.
The girls. All wearing newly designed uniforms thanks to Clawdeen were sitting on the bleachers watching the net get set up while the boys on the other side of the room cycled through last-minute warm-ups.
Sophie kept her eyes trained on Jake, scared that if she looked away he might do something horrible to her. She had a right to be concerned because even though the entire class was watching he gave her a warning.
A slashing motion across his throat.
…...
It's small but it's here LOL. I hope you all enjoyed it.
