It was the Christmas Eve at Hartfeld. The students were just wrapping up their lunch. School policy stated that every year on Christmas Eve or the friday before it, the students got out after lunch. Principal McLean was thrilled to be out of the school for the holidays. That was so he could spend more time being alone without anyone bugging him.
Mrs. Dean, on the other hand, began to worry, because Christmas was about being with the ones you loved. But Principal McLean didn't care. "Kevin, please," Mrs. Dean said. "Could you just be the announcer for the winter ballet show tonight?"
"Fine," growled Principal McLean. "Just for the sake of the school."
Mrs. Dean smiled.
XxoxX
At Zuzanna's Steps, Mrs. O'Donovan was giving away dancing Christmas clothes at 60% off. That's when Will came into the store. "Ms. Vandom," said Mrs. O'Donovan. "Wonderful to see you. Does your daughter need something for the holidays?"
"A new duffel bag for her when she goes to her new dance lessons after Christmas," Will answered
Mrs. O'Donovan showed a duffel with stars on it. "Nah," Will said. "She thinks astronomy is boring."
Then Mrs. O'Donovan a duffel with tidal waves. "The ocean," Will said. "She loves the beach, but that's more of a summer present."
Finally, Mrs. O'Donovan showed one with a unicorn. "A unicorn duffel," Will smiled. "That's perfect. Alexa has always believed in magical creatures."
By the tap dance shoes, Peggy realized that she forgot to get present wrapping for her family. "Let the present-wrapping expert handle this," said Isadora. "I always keep some spare present wrapping for the holidays and birthdays. I get the ones with the stars on it so I can help the enviroment and save a fortune on 'Delfina's Dictionary'."
"Thank you, lass," Peggy said. "Tell your Tia to bring them for me at the pageant."
"She is closed till the new year," Isadora replied. "So, Okay. I'll tell my Tia to bring the present wrapping ASAP. Which means, 'As soon as possible'."
"Isadora," Addison said. "Could you PLEASE bring the wrapping so Peggy can wrap her families' presents?"
Outside Zuzanna's Steps, Bipon was spying on them. "You know, guys," he said to his fellow crew, "maybe those losers could use a little present of their own. Jeivan Nutcrakcers."
"You mean the nutcrackers where they break everything?" Wuitet said. "King Jeiva loves those."
"This is the perfect gift for His Jeivaness," Khantaranaak said, "scaring the citizens with our nutcrackers. I remember when they use to scare me as a kid."
"You were always scared of them, Khan," Kroor said. "Anyway, let's make the the most Jeivaness night of the year."
"With the kids all yelling in fear!" shouted Jangalee.
XxoxX
Later that night, everyone was getting ready for the winter performance of the school's ballet recital, including PRIMA's families. "Our parents are here," Peggy said. "This is going to be great."
Just then, their rings glew, knowing that there was trouble outside the university. Lucky for them, they were the final act.
Guardians Unite
Outside, they saw that Jeivan Nutcrackers were tormenting the Christmas decor. "Someone is on Santa's naughty list," Peggy said as she blasted some lightning bolts, scaring the nutcrackers.
Rayne gave them a skating sensation by blasting out water and the cold wind turned it into ice, which made the nutcrackers sleep; Isadora blew a snowstorm to the nutcrackers; Addison wrapped them with real Christmas wreaths; and Mahi blew them away with the Christmas candles.
Behind them, they saw that most of the decor was ruined. They all decided to fix it up as fast as they can before anyone suspected them. After they finished, they saw that the decor was prettier than the original. Candles glew like stars and smelled like candy cane, wreaths were covered in glitter, and holly shined around.
Right near the cemetery, the Ferociars saw that the Jeivan Nutcrackers were ruined. Bipon decided to let them go, because it was Christmas.
XxoxX
Back inside, the ballet recital was wrapping up the Christmas carol segment. Principal McLean showed up. "And next on our show," he said. "Alim Bangash, Jayla Olsen, and Mao Xiang performing an excerpt of 'It's a Wonderful Life'."
Backstage, Alexa saw PRIMA coming in and barging into their dressing rooms. She knew that she needed to buy her friends some time to get changed. After Alim, Jayla, and Xiang finished their act, Alexa rushed onstage. "Ms. Vandom," Principal McLean asked, "what are you doing onstage?"
"Buying friends time to get dressed," Alexa explained. "You may rule the school with an iron fist, but you can't rule a show that would flop and cause refunds."
Hearing the word "refund," Principal McLean had no choice but to let Alexa give them time to dress for their parts on the show. "Anything to get the music wing fixed."
"Okay," said Alexa as she began to read "Twas The Night Before Christmas."
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
Out of their dressing rooms, Peggy, Rayne, Isadora, Mahi, and Addison were in their costumes. Quickly, they rushed near the curtains to hear Alexa recite the finale of the story.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
Everyone cheered, including Will. "Alexa" she said, "I'm so proud of you."
"That was my Christmas gift to you guys," she said. "Mastering 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and buying the others time to get in costume."
Principal McLean started getting migraines. "I can't take the Christmas spirit anymore," he said. "I'm going home for some eggnog. The show is all yours, Vandom."
After he left, Will came on stage filling in his shoes. "Due to holiday troubles," she said, "I'll be covering Principal McLean. Next up on our show we have 'The Nutcracker', featuring Peggy O'Donovan, Mahi Chakavarti, and Rochelle Vilks."
In the audience, Eliseo, Elias, and Cassie started to boo, but Selma told them to be quiet.
Peggy, Mahi, and Rochelle came onstage and performed the scene where the Rat Queen and Nutcracker Prince got into a fight for Clara's heart. After the prince defeated the Rat Queen, Clara came up and kisses the prince.
Finally, they did the main act: "The Nativity," where Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem and gave birth to a son in a manger. This delighted the hearts of most of the audience. Cassie was confused. "You see, Cassie," Selma said to her foster daughter, "the Lord has gaven the world Jesus, so that they could show that Christmas is about giving in need."
"Would I be giwving to otews too?" Cassie asked.
"You will tomorrow," Selma said.
XxoxX
After curtain call, Will told everyone that it was time to go home for the holidays and there wouldn't be any more ballet club until the first Monday of January. "But can I have a word with Peggy, Rayne, Isadora, Mahi, and Addison first?"
"Sure," Addison said. "What Christmas message do you have for us?"
"Two, actually," Will said as she gave them Christmas cards.
Inside the cards were gift cards to O'Mickey's and a message.
Christmas isn't about candy canes, holly, or lights all that glow.
It's about the hearts we touch, and the care that we show.
This touched the hearts of all of PRIMA. "How adorable" Peggy said, "This is the same card from Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas special from the 90s."
"Now what's the other message?" asked Rayne.
"I got a message from Santa" Will said as she got out a Christmas gizmo from her backpack, "This is the latest christmas finding gadgets. It's called The Presentfinder 5000. It makes the person find the gift that qualifies from the heart."
"That's right" Peggy recalled, "Christmas isn't about getting what you want."
"It's about giving to those in need." said the rest of Prima
One by one the thought about what to give for the others for Christmas. All they have to do is pressed their hand against the scanner and think hard from the heart on what to give eachother for Christmas.
Peggy- Paula Poundcake dolls. Sally Sundae for Rayne, Brenda Birthdaycake for Isadora, Jaya Gulab-Jamun for Mahi, and Contessa Cupcake for Addison.
Rayne- Personal umbrellas. Pink hearts for Peggy, cupcakes for Isadora, flames for Mahi, and piano keys for Addison.
Isadora- Rockin Bonanza T-Shirts
Mahi- New shades that looked just like her.
Addison- Vietnamese poetry books(In English).
XxoxX
In the morning, Peggy found her father and sister admiring the new bedding she got for them. Her mom also admired the new slippers she got for her. Peggy also got the presents from her friends and loved them.
Rayne and Mahi joined their family for Christmas where they can see that their parents like their "Return of the Tracker" collectibles. Eliseo and Elias both got new hoodies for Christmas, Elsie got a new makeup kit, and Cassie got a Kadee Worth poster. Rayne and Mahi looked at their presents and really admired them.
Isadora was in her room. It was filled with comics, drawings she made, stuffed animals, miniature sheep, and a cute animal blanket. She woke up while clenching on her Secret Santa Surprise Reindeer Monkey when Tia Delfina told her to come down for Christmas. Downstairs, she saw that her family admired the puzzle books she got for them.
Isadora also liked the presents her friends gave her and she got a new hackeysack from Damien.
And at the Bach residence, Grandma and Grandpa Bach were celebrating Christmas the Vietnamese way. Addison and Mae both gave their grandparents knew gloves for Christmas. Before Addison could open her present, she saw that Mae got her bag back. She didn't care how it happened - it was Christmas. By the fireplace, she admired the presents that her friends thought up and then she got a mysterious note with her name written in Vietnamese.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I know your secret
Yes, it's true
Guardian of Veil, that's what you are
To me, you are a superstar
If you want to know who I am
Follow the clues, one day and you'll go wham!
Addison was suprised that someone knew that they were the Guardians of the Veil, but that didn't matter. All that mattered was that she should spend the holidays with her family.
The End.