A/N: The lost Christmas Chapter/Filler! This is a long one and something to go over while I finish up the first volume of my original novel. As for an update on my original novel, I have completed 12 chapters since I took a break from fanfic. I currently have 4 chapters uploaded on Ao3 and Fictionpress. So if you'd like to check it out, look me up on Ao3 as: TheNoca and on Fictionpress as: TheRealNoca. Yes, I forgot to state that my name on fictionpress is not TheNoca. I created TheNoca on Fictionpress, but never used it. So it's just there using up the name. So I changed my original Fictionpress name to TheRealNoca. So if you'd like to check out my original novel, look up TheRealNoca on FictionPress, not TheNoca.
Anyway, enjoy this Christmas Filler Lost Chapter thing as it goes over some continuity issues with the current timeline. Like the girls knowing about Erica's scheming and true intentions. So enjoy this lengthy chapter that took me several weeks of procrastinating to write!
Tridon woke up and looked outside at the snow falling on the ground. He looked next door to see the Christmas decorations set up around Sayori's house.
Tridon sighed and made his way downstairs. He noticed Monika pouring a cup of milk and saw Tridon.
"Good morning Tridon." She greeted.
"Good morning to you Monika." Tridon grabbed the mug from Monika as she was about to drink it and walked off.
"Hey..." Monika pouted.
"Sorry." Tridon took a small sip before handing it back to Monika, "It actually smells good. You've gotten good in the kitchen."
"Thank…" Monika stared at the mug and blushed. She specifically stared at the spot Tridon drank from.
"Oh sorry." Tridon took the mug again and wiped it, "Forgot to wipe it down for you."
"Mmm…" Monika stared at the mug and pouted.
"So, when are the others supposed to get here?"
"Sayori said she would come here after she finished her morning routine. Yuri would come here around lunch and Natsuki is making some baked goods for us. So she might be a little late."
"Having a sleepover on Christmas Eve will be fun. Don't you think Monika?" Tridon turned around to see Monika smiling up at him. Tridon looked above him and saw mistletoe hanging above them, "Well, it is the holidays." Tridon kissed Monika on her cheek, completely taking her off guard, "Good?"
"A-Ah…" Tridon winked at her causing Monika face to blush red madly and steam to come out of her ears.
"That takes care of her for a little bit." Tridon caught Monika before she fell to the ground and set her on the couch while she was still in a state of bliss.
Tridon's doorbell went off repeatedly and he quickly answered.
"Hey best friend!" Sayori gave Tridon a big hug and snuggled into his chest, "Good to see you again."
"We saw each other yesterday."
"I know, but that's a long time."
"Haha." Tridon looked at the bags Sayori was holding and asked, "May I?"
"You most certainly may." Sayori handed Tridon a bag and walked over to his Christmas Tree.
Tridon closed the door and joined Sayori by the tree.
"What's up with her?" Sayori asked while pointing at Monika.
"Mistletoe."
"Ah." Sayori looked up and noticed the mistletoe. Sayori smirked and dragged Tridon over under it, "Doesn't your best friend deserve some too?"
Tridon smiled and moved Sayori bangs out of the way before kissing her for a few seconds on her forehead. He backed away and pinched her cheeks.
"Thanks dude."
"Anything for my best friend."
After sitting around for a few hours, there were knocks at his front door. He excused himself and opened the door.
"Hey Yuri."
"Hi Tridon." Yuri stumbled in and hugged Tridon before walking over to his tree with her bags of presents.
"Need help?"
"Please. I have more in the car."
"Alright." Tridon walked outside and grabbed two more bags from her car, "This sure it a lot Yuri."
"They're mostly small things." Yuri took off her coat and placed it on the coat rack near the door, "But it feels good to finally sit down and relax. Took me forever to pack all of this up this morning. I'm just relieved that I can sit down and relax."
"Yuri," Sayori popped behind her and pushed her under the mistletoe. She ran over to Tridon and pushed him under it, "I'll allow it since it's the holidays."
Yuri looked up and blushed madly. She tried to run off, but Sayori stopped her.
"We might as well do it so you can relax." Tridon smiled at Yuri who stared at him.
"A-Alright…" Yuri closed her eyes and said, "I'm ready."
Tridon moved aside Yuri's hair from her cheek and lightly kissed her. He held the kiss for a few seconds and eventually broke it when Yuri pushed him off.
"I-I'm sorry…" Yuri mumbled, "I gotta go to the bathroom." Yuri sprinted upstairs leaving the others confused.
"Wow." Monika commented, "That's the fastest I've seen her move."
"Did she get…?" Before Tridon could finish his sentence, Sayori stopped him, "Right."
"That means the last person is Natsuki." As Monika said this, there was banging at his door, "I got it." Monika quickly walked over to the door and opened to see Natsuki carrying one tray of baked goods, "Hi Natsuki."
"Hi Monika." Natsuki walked in and asked, "Can any of you help get more of the trays and containers out of the car?"
"I got it." Tridon offered, "Can you go check on Yuri?"
"On it." Sayori nodded as she skipped upstairs.
"Come help me Monika." Tridon quickly said as he walked outside. Tridon chuckled when he saw Natsuki's car and wondered, "Do you think her dad bought this just for her?"
"I think so." Monika answered, "She said he gifted it to her a few days ago. It's cute."
"Perfect for someone like her." Monika slapped Tridon after his comment making him laugh, "Still, this means that you and Sayori are the only two without cars. Sayori just rides with me because we're neighbors and of course, you live with me so there's no problem there."
"I also like walking everywhere. Unless it's the wintertime like this."
"So am I like a chauffeur for you?"
"Don't say that." Monika paused and added, "More like a taxi driver."
"But I don't get paid. I cook. I clean. Wow. I'm like your butler who doesn't get paid." Tridon thought to himself for a second before he quickly added, "I'm a slave."
"No!" Monika laughed, "How about a house husband?" Tridon raised an eyebrow at her causing her to chuckle, "A girl can dream, okay?"
"Whatever you say." Tridon snickered while carrying stuff into the house.
"Hey. I won't let you sleep tonight if you keep messing with me."
"Phrasing Monika. Phrasing."
Later inside, Tridon fixed everyone a cup of cocoa and set them on the counter, "Come get your cocoa." He called out, "Except you Monika."
"What?"
"You already had one this morning." Tridon grabbed his own cup and walked over to Monika," You drink anymore, you'll start gaining a holiday break body." Tridon poked Monika's stomach repeatedly to make her laugh, "But I think little bit of fat is cute."
"Stop poking me. Haha!"
"Ticklish?"
"Yes! Haha!"
"Tickle, tickle!"
"Ah! Stop!" Monika laughed while trying to shield her stomach.
"Oh Tridon…" Sayori growled.
Tridon stiffened up while Monika still laughed. Tridon slowly turned his head to see the 3 girls looming over him with their eyes glowing red and exposing razor sharp teeth.
"Please be gentle…"
Moments later, Tridon sat strapped to a chair and sighed. He eventually shrugged his shoulders and slumped forward.
"At least you girls didn't do what you did last time." Tridon looked back up and looked at his mug of cocoa, "My cocoa…"
"Thank you very much." Monika picked up the mug and happily sipped from it, "I appreciate the mug of cocoa Tridon."
Tridon held his mouth open and said, "I've been deceived. Laughing at my pokes were all a ruse."
"Nope." Monika chuckled before sipping on the cocoa, "This is just a bonus."
"And I thought Sayori couldn't handle her sweets." Tridon eventually stood up, ripping the binds off in the process, grabbed the mug of cocoa from Monika, and walked towards the Christmas Tree.
"Hey!"
"How did he get out so easily?" Natsuki wondered.
"I loosened the binds." Sayori answered, "I didn't want to keep him like that the whole time."
"Sayori's right." Yuri added, "He has to cook dinner later."
"Oh right." Natuski nodded, "By the way Tridon, isn't your family coming tomorrow morning?"
"They are. My sis and mom are coming tomorrow morning I think around 8 or 9." Tridon looked at the presents and noticed his weren't there, "Oh damn. Forgot to put my presents under the tree." Tridon turned around and asked, "Can one of you help me bring them downstairs?"
"I'll help." Yuri offered, "It's only fair since you helped bring in the present I brought."
"Alright. Just follow me." Yuri followed Tridon upstairs and walked into his room, "They're in my closet. I'll just hand some of them to you." Tridon took out a few bags and handed some to Yuri, "You got it?"
"I got it." Yuri struggled for a second before stabilizing herself, "This is quite a lot, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Tridon responded, "I worked some odd jobs over the semester and during the summer to earn some extra money. I hadn't planned to buy presents for so many people, so I worked really hard to get extra money."
"You didn't use your power to get extra money, did you?"
"What do you take me for Yuri?" Tridon laughed while lugging the rest of presents in his arms, "I'm glad I was able to get money before the incident last month."
"Oh." Yuri instantly remembered their mountain incident from the month before, "I'm so sorry Tridon."
"What are you apologizing for Yuri?" Tridon asked, "Uh. Let's put the presents downstairs and we'll talk about it."
"O-Okay…"
A few moments later, they sat outside in Tridon's backyard. They both had mug of cocoa while staring at the flurries of snow.
"Yuri, do you blame yourself for what happened?"
"I couldn't help you." Yuri softly answered, "You nearly died."
"Well, when you say it like that…"
"I was extremely worried, and I just couldn't do anything to make the situation better. No matter what I did, I couldn't help you. You faded away and I thought I lost you."
"Yuri…"
"You weren't responding, and your breathing was short, so I didn't know what to do. I just…"
"Yuri," Tridon grabbed her shoulders and shook her, "I'm here Yuri. That means you did the right thing by keeping my body heat at a survivable level. If you weren't there, I would've died. Because of what you did that night, I owe you my life."
Yuri stared at Tridon and squirmed around, "Then can I get part of that debt paid?"
"What-." Before Tridon could finish, Yuri smashed her lips onto Tridon's and held a kiss for 3 seconds before backing up, "Uh…"
Yuri's face blushed before she took deep breaths and nodded, "I-I'll ask for the rest of that debt later…" Yuri stood up and quickly walked back inside.
Tridon stood dumbfounded before saying, "Is it bad to say that I could barely feel the kiss because of how cold it is out here?" Tridon shook his head and stood up, "Best to not let her know that."
Later that night after everyone had finished dinner, Tridon had finished washing dishes before hearing creaking wood behind him. He turned around and noticed Natsuki quickly hiding on the stairs.
"You know I saw you Natsuki."
"Hehe." Natsuki chuckled and joined him by the sink, "I guess you didn't need any help."
"As Monika said, I'm might become a house husband, so I have to be good at this." Tridon took a deep breath and placed his wash rag back next to the sink, "So what's up?"
"Just wanted to see if you needed any help."
"You can help." Tridon walked over to the Christmas tree and picked up a present, "Give this to your dad the next time you see him."
"You got my dad a present?"
"Of course I did."
"Can you tell me what it is?"
"Nah. It's just something nice for me to do for plot convenience."
"Right." Natsuki placed the present back down and said, "I'll take with me when I leave."
"Alright." Tridon started to walk upstairs and sighed, "Part of me is relieved that I don't have to make a choice just yet."
"After everything that happened just before school ended for the semester; I can understand why." Natsuki joined him on the stairs and the two stood next to one another, "I always wondered Tridon."
"Hm?"
"Did you really act all that out?" Natsuki questioned, "You know. Did you pretend to really act angry towards Sayori and Eric? For the plan you did with Tiff and Jen. Was it all a ruse or was there real emotion behind it?"
Tridon stared at Natsuki before shifting his gaze upstairs, "None of it was fake or acted out. Everything that had happened was merely done by luck and Tiff's expert planning."
"So if nothing had happened as planned…"
"I'd like to not think about that." Tridon trudged upstairs and said, "Don't tell the others. Especially Sayori. I don't think they would be able to take it."
"I will if you give me something." Natsuki tried to hold a mistletoe above them but was having trouble, "This is dumb…"
"Here," Tridon grabbed the mistletoe, placed it above him, and kiss her on her cheek, "better?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"I hope that's enough to not tell them." Tridon walked upstairs saying, "Now let's get to bed. We have a big day tomorrow."
Natsuki grabbed her cheek and smiled, "I'll get more than this. Just you wait."
That next morning, Sayori slowly rose and wiped her cheek. She looked around and noticed that she was sleeping very close to Tridon. She blushed lightly before inching away from him.
She stood up and looked outside. The sun shined just above her house, so she shifted her gaze towards Tridon's alarm clock. Her eyes widened before a large smile crept on her face.
"It's Christmas!" Sayori jumped up and down before dumping on Tridon, "Wake. Up. It's. Christmas!"
"Stop. Jumping. On. Me!" Tridon urked each time Sayori jumped on him.
"But it's Christmas!" Sayori stopped jumping and sat on Tridon, "We gotta get ready!"
"PJ Time!" Natsuki shouted as both herself and Sayori dragged the other two out of the room, "You get your PJ's on too Tridon."
"Alright…" Tridon groaned.
Just a few moments later, Tridon joined the girls who all presented themselves in their pajamas. Tridon smiled and gave them a thumbs up.
"Looking good girls." Tridon felt his phone vibrate and he checked it, "My sis said…" And the doorbell rang, "They're here." Tridon ran off, and grabbed some pillows to protect himself, "Open it."
Sayori opened the door and Lucy sprinted inside and tackled Tridon to the ground. Thankfully, his pillows protected him, but not by much.
"I missed you so much little brother." Lucy snuggled into Tridon's chest and sighed in bliss, "Where's the mistletoe." Lucy looked around while she dragged Tridon around his house.
"Well," their mom started, "it seems like she's going to have a good time."
"Hi, Ms. Pierce." The girls greet Tridon's mom who smile at them.
"It's good to see my son's harem. I hope you're all doing well."
"We're doing fine Ms. Pierce." Sayori laughed, "Well, I don't know how much longer though."
"Found it!" Lucy called out, "Now prepare those lips handsome little brother of mine!"
"No! I'm too young!"
Everyone laughed while Lucy attacked Tridon with a flurry of kisses.
Moments later, Tridon had just left his bathroom wiping off lipstick from his face. He trudged downstairs to meet an apologetic sister.
"I'm so sorry Tridon."
"It's alright Lucy." Tridon pat Lucy on her head and wrapped his arm around, "It's the holidays and you're my sister. How could I deny my sister with what she wants?"
"Aw." Lucy hugged Tridon while the two sat on the couch, "This is why you girls are lucky to have a man like this in your lives."
"So you girls are still waiting on that answer?" Tridon's mom asked, "I bet it's just eating at all of you."
"Mom…" Tridon groaned, "When you say it like that," Tridon glanced at the girls who blushed and avoided his gaze, "it makes me conscious of who I want to choose."
"Sorry sweetie."
"Are we waiting for anyone else?" Natsuki asked, "Why aren't we opening presents yet?"
Before Tridon could say anything, there was a knock at his front door.
"I got it." Monika jogged over to the door and opened. Behind it was Tiffany and Jen, "Tiff, Jen? It's good to see you both here."
"Tridon invited us last week." Tiffany chuckled as she walked in, "I hope that's not too much of a problem."
"It's not."
"Hello Tiffany."
"Hello Ms. Pierce."
"Who's your friend?"
"I'm Jen." Jen answered, "I joined the literature club last month, but left a few weeks later."
"Did my son's power drive you away?"
"Mom."
"No it wasn't that." Jen quickly answered, "It was for other trivial matters."
"Wait," Yuri interrupted, "you know Tiffany Ms. Pierce?"
"Of course. I met her when she was given the mission to-."
"Ahem." Tiffany interrupted by clearing her throat.
"Right. That's classified girls." Tridon's mom winked and stuck out her tongue.
"I can't figure out if you're 43 or 18 like us Mom." Tridon groaned.
"What? Can a mother not be hip like all of you?" Tridon's stared at everyone who visibly cringed as she said this, "Oh fine…"
"So I guess we open presents now." Tridon stood up and walked over to the tree, "Who wants to go first?"
"Me first!" Sayori stood up and ran to the tree, "This is for everyone. Well, everyone in the club." Sayori handed them each a rectangular item wrapped in Christmas-Themed wrapping paper, "I think you'll all love it!"
They opened it at the same time, and they each got a notebook that was decorated to cater to their own specific tastes.
Tridon had Footballs, Helmets, and a few drawings of himself and Sayori His name also engraved on the actual notebook. Yuri had a few decorated skulls, books, and pens covering her book along with her name engraved as well. Natsuki's notebook had cupcakes, cookies, and other baked goods along with her name. Monika had quills, books, and white bows on it with her name.
"I custom made these notebooks earlier this month and I think they came out pretty well."
"This is cool Sayori." Natsuki commented, "I'm surprised you didn't eat the cupcakes and other things on my notebook."
"Yup." Sayori paused and held a straight face, "Didn't eat a single one…"
Tridon looked at her and asked, "You did eat one."
"No. I ate maybe 3 or 4 of them."
"Ah Sayori." Tridon groaned, "I think I'm gonna make you go on a diet that doesn't make you eat everything that resembles something sweet."
"You remember the last time I went on a diet."
"Can't say I do because I fail to remember you going on a diet ever."
"Mmm…"
"But these cheeks are adorable." Tridon pressed down on Sayori's cheek making her blow out some air. Tridon took a sniff and asked, "Did you have some Juicy Fruit earlier?"
"Yup!"
"Nice."
"I also have an extra present for you best friend." Sayori skipped off towards the laundry room and came out with a rather large box. She squealed with glee as she presented it to Tridon, "I know you said you were getting back into football, so I wanted to get you started."
"Okay?" Tridon ripped the wrapping paper off and stared at the box, "Mhmm…"
"Open the box idiot."
"Knife?" Tridon held his hand out and instantly, Yuri placed a knife in his hand, "Thaaaanks Yuri…"
"No problem." Yuri laughed.
"Anyway," Tridon cut the box open and looked inside, "oh wow." Tridon took out what was in the box and it was revealed to be a football helmet equipped with a visor, "How much was this?"
"Let's just say that on your first big NFL paycheck, you can pay me back then."
"Okay. I get it." Tridon stared at the helmet and put it on, "Haven't had one of these on since I played in middle school. This is insane."
"Not gonna lie," Natsuki started, "you look cool with that helmet on."
"Would look better if I had my full gear." Tridon thought for a minute and said, "You know what. I'm gonna go put on my gear."
"You have gear?" Monika questioned, "Like pads and everything?"
"He does." Sayori answered, "Since spring break this year, he's been practicing at the park to get back into rhythm."
"Sayori," Yuri chimed in, "are you going to try your best to get into Lingston?"
"I'm going to try. If it means I still get to act a fool with my best friend and see him on the gridiron every week, then I'm gonna give it my all!"
Tridon walked back downstairs sporting his football gear. Shoulder pads and all. He held his helmet under his arm and sighed.
"How do I look?"
"Tight…" Monika cooed, "Er- I mean hot! I mean sexy! I mean… gah!" Monika grabbed a pillow and hid her face with it.
"I can't wait to get hit with this thing on." Tridon's eyes gleamed as he spun around, "Either hit or juke a dudes ankle out of his shoes."
"Eesh…" Yuri winced.
"What is it Yuri?"
"Thinking about you getting hit is kinda scary." She looked up at Tridon and said, "CTE isn't something to be trifled with."
"Yeah it is, but I'll be sure to play safely." Tridon winked and sat back down.
"I saw you wink." Yuri pouted.
"Haha…"
"Who's next?"
"I have something for the two best friends." Natsuki chuckled as she walked over to the tree. She brought out a big bag and handed it to Sayori, "Go on and open it."
"Yeah probably best if she opens it." Tridon commented while he turned stiffly towards the girls, "These pads are kinda tight."
"How'd you put them on your own?" Sayori laughed while she dug into the bag, "I'm the one that always helps you out." Sayori looked inside and her face lit up, "Oh wow!" She pulled out a picture frame and showed it to Tridon, "Look Tridon!"
"Wait a sec." Tridon grabbed the picture and looked at it, "This is a picture from when we were in middle school. Again, with the football theme, a picture on my first game as a starter." Tridon turned it around and showed it to the others.
"Sayori hasn't changed a bit." Monika commented. Her attention turned to the younger Tridon and she chuckled, "I keep forgetting how you looked in middle school."
"Wha-Wha…" Tridon stuttered, "I haven't changed either."
"And this crew cut with glasses isn't what you look like now?" Monika teased.
"It was a phase!" Tridon fell off his seat and rolled over to his mom, "I'm being bullied!"
"There, there…" Tridon's mom coddled him while she stifled some laughter as well.
"Why are you laughing now?" Tridon quickly asked.
"I have to admit. Your crew cut phase was pretty funny."
Life left Tridon's eyes as he bore witness to his mother betraying him. He fell out of her embrace and laid on the ground. Lucy crawled up to him and snuggled with him on the ground.
"You know I'll love you either way little bro."
"I'm not sure if that makes me better…"
"Anyway," Sayori continued, "this is amazing. I think in his first start hm." Sayori thought to herself for a second and said, "His team lost."
"They lost?" Yuri asked as she looked at Tridon, "How bad?"
"It wasn't too bad. It was by a score." Sayori answered, "Tridon didn't do all too bad either. 287 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, an interception, and a he ran for 87 yards."
"Threw an interception did you." Monika teased as she shot a smug-look at Tridon.
"Monika," Tridon started, "I don't think you're at the top anymore."
"E-Eh?!" Monika faced Tridon teary eyed and pouted, "I'm just teasing…"
"And I'm just teasing you." Tridon winked at Monika who blushed and turned away.
"Lucy told me that it took a while to find that picture." Natsuki commented, "I was lucky that she gave it to me last week, but I was kinda unlucky that she gave it last week. I didn't really get to decorate the frame the way I wanted to."
"That's fine." Sayori reassured Natsuki and hugged her, "I love it either way. Just gotta figure out who's going to keep it."
"I think you should keep it Sayori." Tridon answered as he sat up with Lucy still attached to him, "I've seen a lack of pictures of us in your house. I think that should start the collection!"
"Okay. I'll keep it." Sayori smirked and said, "Mostly to remember your crew cut."
"…" Tridon stared at her and touched his hair, "I wonder what you all think of my current hairstyle."
"I love both hairstyles." Yuri answered, "I think crew cuts are nice and your long hair would be fine." Yuri shifted her glance to the side as she muttered, "If you kept better care of it."
"Why am I being attacked."
"A-Ah. I'm sorry." Yuri was quick to apologize and hid her face with her hair, "I do love your hairstyle regardless."
"I feel like that was forced."
"Well, maybe my present will make up for it." She walked over to the tree and picked up several small boxes, "I had made these for you, your mother, and Lucy."
"Oh thanks Yuri." Tridon thanked as Yuri placed one of the boxes on his forehead. He sat up, allowing it to fall on his lap, "I should probably take off my shoulder pads." He turned to Lucy and said, "Can you open it for me sis?"
"Sure thing."
"I'll help you take your pads off." Natsuki offered while dragging Tridon towards the kitchen.
"I could've walked myself."
"Nope." Natsuki smiled before smirking devilishly, "Now off with those pads!" Natsuki jumped up and elbowed dropped Tridon.
"This isn't how you take off pads!"
"Off with them Pierce!"
"Anyway," Lucy interrupted, "I wonder what you got us Yuri." She unwrapped her present first and it was a small jewelry box, "Jewelry?"
"Look inside it." Yuri urged.
"Okay." Lucy opened it and inside was one-third of a heart, "F…"
"Then you open yours Ms. Pierce."
"Okay!" Tridon and Lucy's mom gleefully unwrapped the box and opened it, "The 2nd part of the heart."
"Now Tridon's heart." Lucy mumbled while opened his, "It's one of those things we put together…"
"F4VR." Their mom finished.
"Family. 4. Ever." Yuri answered, "That's what it means."
"Oh Yuri." Lucy and her mom hugged Yuri while Tridon peaked his head out, "This is so sweet."
"What I miss?"
"Here little bro." Lucy handed Tridon the combined heart and he smiled.
"Cool. Family always stick together." Tridon thought to himself and said, "I think I'm gonna get a shadow box frame and keep it inside. Display it somewhere so we always know that we're family forever."
"Yuri is such a sweet gal." Ms. Pierce gleamed, "I wonder if she's the one you said you were gonna choose."
"Eep!" Yuri shrieked inciting a chuckle from Tridon's mom.
"Don't tease her like that." Tridon pleaded, "Her heart is too pure to be teased like that."
"Mmm…"
Tridon looked over at Monika and asked, "Do you have anything Monika?"
"I have something for Tiffany." Monika walked over to the tree and grabbed something from inside the bag, "I know that you've been watching Tridon from the background and making sure he doesn't do anything stupid with his powers."
"I have. How do you think I bailed you girls out of your last adventure?"
"Well, as thanks, I wanted to give you something you really wanted. So I asked Tridon what you would've liked and…" Monika took out a rather large box and chuckled a little, "I was a little surprised for him to say that you really liked ice cream."
"Oh right." Tridon nodded, "Yeah. She loves ice cream. It's her what she indulges herself with on her cheat days."
"Well, this will make those cheat days a lot more satisfying." Monika handed Tiffany her present and smiled brightly at her, "I hope you like it."
"If it's about ice cream, I know I will." Tiffany unwrapped and her face lit up, "Ice cream maker!" Tiffany hugged the box and coddled it, "I've wanted one of these for so long, but Tridon wouldn't get me one when my birthday passed."
"You eat too much ice cream on your cheat days. I was trying to help you."
"It's not your job to watch what I eat."
"If you watch what I conjure, then I get to watch what you eat."
"Ugh…" Tiffany laughed and smiled at Monika, "Thanks Monika. I'll be able to experiment on ice cream flavors that I'll have Tridon and Jen taste test for me."
"On one of my cheat days please…"
"We'll see about that." Tiffany chuckled and winked at Tridon.
"The pain of being a rookie…" Jen mumbled to herself.
After everyone had exchanged the rest of their gifts, most of the group were in Tridon's kitchen sipping on hot cocoa and/or eating the pastries Natsuki had brought the day before.
Tridon cleaned up the wrapping paper around his living room and sighed. There was one present remaining and he stared at it. He grabbed it and slowly tossed it into the trash bag.
"Who was that for?" Sayori asked behind him.
"For Erica." Tridon tied the garbage bag up and froze, "I know she was the one that called Eric. I know she's the one that's trying to break us all apart. I know she's still going to try and break us apart. However, I still feel the need to trust her. Maybe how you felt about Eric when he came back is how I feel about her still."
"Can I speak my mind for a second?"
"About Erica?"
"Yeah."
"Go ahead."
"This woman is the most volatile person I've ever known. Not only does she break your heart once, but she does it twice by affiliating herself with the one man she broke your heart for. Then she proceeds to trust that man in hopes of getting you for herself. Not only that, but she's trying to ruin our friendship. The friendship we've cherished since we were kids. I might've liked her before, but with how she's played with your feelings these last few months is unforgiveable."
Tridon eventually stood up and said, "Even when you say that, I don't know how to feel." Tridon walked out the front door carrying the trash while Sayori stared at him.
Sayori followed him outside and watched him just stand out in the cold. She looked around and her attention landed on the snow near his car. She smirked and ran over to it. She took a handful of snow and balled it up.
"Hey Pierce!" Sayori yelled, "Lighten up!" She threw the snowball at Tridon, but she missed by a mile, "Uh…"
"You missed." Tridon commented. He put down the trash bag and said, "Let me show you how to really throw."
"Uh oh." Sayori backed up and shouted, "I need back up!"
Everyone else ran outside to see Sayori being pinned down by snowballs. They all laughed and split up into teams to start a massive snowball fight.
"I will be victorious!" Sayori shouted.
"Not on my watch best friend!" Tridon shouted back.
"I'll do what I can to protect his smile." Sayori said to herself, "No matter what. My best friend's smile will be protected!"
