The air was cold, the ground was all white and the colors red and green were everywhere. It was December, and along with it came the preparation and excitement for Christmas. Andy was in his room sitting on his bed, listening to music on his smartphone. He wasn't just listening to music though, he was thinking about one thing: what he should give to Luna for Christmas. Ever since they first met, the rocker has been nothing but a good friend to the youth. She introduced him to his other friends, she was teaching him how to play a guitar and has been spending lots of time hanging out with the young man. Andy felt that he had to repay her for all she has done. However it was not easy.
"Haaa..." Andy exhaled. "Why is this so hard? Its just a present!"
The black haired boy paused his music and went out of his room. He walked to the living room, where his mother was reading her book on the couch. Andy sat down on the couch, drawing his mother's attention.
"Hey buddy. Whatcha up to?" Ana asked.
"I…need your help, mom." Andy answered.
The older woman put her bookmark on the page she was on and closed her book. "What kind of help?"
"I want to get Luna something for Christmas. But I can't decide on what to get her."
"I see." the young man's mother said. "Here's a question. What does she like?"
"She likes rock music, playing on her guitar and Mick Swagger."
"Well that's pretty easy just get her something related to those things." the woman said.
Andy sighed. "It should be...but I want to make it a special gift. She has been a great friend and I think this is the one way I can give back."
"Well I don't know what to tell you son." Ana replied. "How about you do something to take your mind off of it?"
Andy exhaled and thanked his mother for her help. He went back to his room to listen to music. The boy was frustrated about the whole situation much so that he couldn't take his mind off of it. However when he was listening to his music again, his phone vibrated. He looked to see a message from Sam, asking him if he was free and if he wanted to go to the mall with her. Then a light turned on in Andy's head. That's it!
Andy was dropped off by his mother at the entrance of the mall. When he entered he saw Sam sitting at one of the benches near the entrance and made his way to her. The boy had a goal in mind: to find a gift for Luna. However his secondary goal is to have fun hanging out with Sam.
Sam saw Andy approaching and sprouted a cheery smile. "Hey Andy. Thanks for hanging with me."
"Thanks for inviting me. So what do you have planned out for us?" Andy asked.
"I was planning on getting some sailing gear. My family is going to Florida for winter break." the blonde rocker answered. "Was there anything you wanted to do?"
"I'd like to go to the usual places if you don't mind." the boy said.
Once Sam agreed the two started their day. Their first stop was at Chilled Subject. When they entered the two went to the women section. During that time Sam noticed that Andy was fairly quiet and looking at the shirts as well.
"You looking for something in particular?" Sam inquired.
"Yeah I guess you can say that." Andy said.
The blonde rocker went back to looking around but stilled talked. "Is it a Christmas present for someone?"
"M-maybe." the boy stammered.
"Its for Luna isn't it?" the young woman asked, cutting to the chase.
The young man sighed. "Yes..."
"So Luna gets a present but I don't get anything?" Sam asked, pretending to be upset. However when the boy looked down in shame she quickly dropped the act. "I'm joking! It was a joke, Andy!"
"Oh. Phew...I thought you were really mad." Andy replied, relieved.
"No no I was just teasing you. Sorry." Sam bashfully apologized. "But back to the subject what are you gonna to get for her?"
"That's the problem. I don't know what to get her." the black haired by said. "I just want it to be something special."
"Let me think about it really quick..." the blonde rocker replied. She pondered about how to help her friend. Then she snapped her fingers. "I got it! How about a guitar pick?"
Andy stood there with a blank look. "A pick?"
Sam nodded. "Yeah! Well…not just one pick. A set of picks. Let's go to Melody Shop."
Andy agreed and the two went to music store. Once there they went to the guitar section to look at the various picks. The young man looked at the various sets. He then saw a Mick Swagger set and grabbed to inspect them.
"What about this?" Andy asked.
"I think she already has that set." Sam answered.
The young man sighed disappointingly. "Why does she have to be a Mick Swagger buff?"
"Don't worry there are plenty of other bands she likes." the blonde replied. "How about this SMOOCH set?"
"I think her younger brother would like it more." the boy answered still disappointed. He was about to give up until he spotted a six pick Noir Coven set. Andy picked up the set and observed it and then showed it to his friend. "What do you think?"
"Oh yeah she'll love it!" Sam concurred.
The duo went to the counter so that Andy could purchase the pick set. The young man was relieved that he found a present for Luna. When they got to the counter Andy gave it to the cashier.
"Noir Coven picks huh? Nice choice, man." the cashier said. "These would look good in a display frame."
"You can put these in frames?" Andy inquired.
"Yeah man. These frames display the picks in style. They fit all kinds of pick sizes, are sealed in shut so that the picks won't slide out and you can see both sides of the pick." the cashier excitedly explained.
"I have some of my picks displayed too." Sam added. She pulled out her phone and showed a picture of her guitar pick display. "You should totally frame those for Luna."
Andy was plenty convinced about framing the picks. "That sounds like a good idea."
The cashier smiled. "Great! Let me show you the frames we have. You will not be disappointed!"
Then the Melody Shop employee showed the duo the various frames the store had. After looking over a few of them Andy chose a six slot frame. As the cashier was scanning the frame and pick set, Sam patted Andy's arm.
"I just remembered that the mall has a wrapping paper station. We should go over there and wrap Luna's present up."
"That's really convenient. But I don't know how to wrap a present." Andy admitted.
"That's fine station has people who wrap the present for you." Sam claimed.
"Oh well it works out then!"
"Hey dudes," the employee spoke. "I can put the picks in the frame now if that's what you want."
"Sure! Thank you!" Andy replied.
Once the picks were in the frame, the duo thanked the cashier once again and headed to the wrapping station. When the teens arrived there was a large booth with people dressed as elves. They approached the booth and were greeted by an elderly woman.
"Hello there!" the woman said with a sunny mood. "How can I help you?"
"I would like to get this wrapped." Andy said holding up the frame.
"Sure thing. I should mention this station is set up to receive $5.00 donations to purchase presents for orphaned children. We wrap the present nicely and add the bow." the elderly lady said.
"That sounds great!" the boy said, handing the frame over.
The woman took the frame and started to wrap it up. The wrapping paper that was being used was all red with white snowflakes. Once the frame was all wrapped up the booth worker put a large white bow on it. Andy and Sam couldn't believe how beautiful the present looked. The elderly woman gave the present back and Andy gave the five dollar donation.
Andy looked at the present with awe. "This looks amazing..."
"Well I've had plenty of experience in my life time." the elderly woman said pridefully.
"Thank you for wrapping it for me, ma'am." the youth said.
"You're welcome, young man. You two have a Merry Christmas!"
The two teens wished the worker a Merry Christmas and went on their way. After spending the majority of the day getting a present for Luna, Andy decided to repay Sam for her help.
"Hey once we're done with looking for your sailing gear how about I get you lunch?" Andy offered.
"You sure? You spent a lot today."
"Yes. I owe you this much." the boy countered.
Sam thought about it for a second and caved in. "Alright I'm game."
"Good." Andy smirked as the two went to finish their day.
A week has passed since Andy went to the mall to get Luna's Christmas present. It was now Christmas eve and the young man was planning on giving Luna the frame. He was certainly nervous and couldn't keep still. Ana, meanwhile was observing her son pacing around the house. After a while she decided to speak up.
"Mijo," she said, getting her son to stop his pacing. "Calm down I'm sure Luna will like it."
"I guess." the boy replied.
"You don't sound convinced," the older woman said. "but you did a really good job at picking the present and its all wrapped up so beautifully."
"Actually it was a lady at the present wrapping station that wrapped it up." Andy interjected.
"Regardless, there is nothing about this present that she will not like." Ana replied. "From what I've seen of Luna she is not a snobby girl. She's a polite and sweet girl and she will love the frame."
Andy averted his gaze a bit. "Yeah...she's cool like that." he said smiling a little.
"Its the thought that counts, Andy." the mother said. "Now get ready so we can go."
The young man said nothing but he wasn't so nervous now. He went to his room to get ready to see Luna and the Louds. Once he got ready he put on his gray hoodie and his gray winter coat over it, Andy and his mother got into the car and drove to their destination. When the Moreno's arrived to the Loud house they saw one of the Loud kids making a snowman in the front yard. Pulling into the driveway the mother and son got out of the car saw that it was Lana who was making the snowman.
"Hi Andy and Mrs. Moreno!" the plumber greeted.
"Hey Lana." Andy greeted. "Nice snowman your making."
"Thanks. His name is Mr. Twig Arms Jr."
Andy and his mother both made a confused expression. The snowman Lana was making was by itself and it wasn't a small snowman either.
"What happened to Mr. Twig Arms Sr.?" Mrs. Moreno asked.
"A couple years ago Lisa built a robot and the robot melted him." Lana revealed, making a somber face. "He will be missed..." the girl finished, closing her eyes to pay her respects. She then opened her eyes and her attitude became jollier. "Well since I'm done here I'll come in with you guys!"
The Moreno's agreed with the young girl and followed Lana to the door. Once they all got in the house, the Morenos hung their coats on the coat hanger. In the living room, Christmas movies were being played on the TV. The dining room table had a several gingerbread house kits with frosting pouches, sprinkle containers and some bags of candies. Lynn Sr. and Rita Loud exited the kitchen and saw Andy and Ana.
"Hey Ana and Andy!" Lynn greeted "You guy's ready to make these houses?"
"As ready as we're going to be." Ana replied. "We haven't done this in years so just expect our gingerbread houses to look like they got hit with a tornado."
Rita chuckled. "I doubt any of ours will look any better. We're just gonna have to wait and see."
There was some activity going on in the kitchen which caught Andy's attention. He walked over to see Lori and Leni were putting out coffee mugs and cups on the small kitchen table.
"Hello Andy." Lori greeted when she saw the boy.
"Hi. What are you doing?" the young man asked.
"We're setting up a little hot cocoa bar." the eldest sister explained. "There are different kinds of sprinkles, different marshmallows and you can put whip cream on it but we keep can in the fridge."
"And we have some chocolate and strawberry syrup to put in the cocoa as well!" Leni added.
Andy's eyes were shining brightly, looking forward to making his own hot chocolate. From the dining room the rest of the Loud kids had all arrived to get started on the gingerbread houses. The young man went to go greet his rocker friend and came to see her wearing a Mick Swagger ugly Christmas sweater.
"Hey Luna. Nice sweater." Andy complimented.
Luna smiled. "Thanks mate. Its one of me best sweaters!" she said in British accent.
Andy was surprised to hear Luna do an accent. He found it to be a bit cute. "Wow...that accent was amazing!"
The rocker grinned. "Oh its nothing compared to my Dad. He's the one who taught me."
"And can I say I did a swell job." Mr. Loud added with his own accent.
The teens chuckled then sat down at the table to get started on the gingerbread houses. Andy struggled a bit getting the walls up and when he managed to set them up the roof only added much more problems. Eventually he got the walls and roof to hold still. Meanwhile Luna was having a much easier time building her house. She was already putting the candy decorations on the roof and walls.
"Is there anything you're not good at?" Andy joked.
"Baking. I'm terrible at it." Luna admitted.
"Same but there's time to learn. Besides we got plenty of people to teach us."
The purple rocker smiled. "Yeah you're right about that."
After a while Andy had finished his house, a few minutes after Luna had finished hers. The boy made a relieved sigh. He looked over and was stunned to see how the other Loud kids were doing. Lisa made a science lab instead of a gingerbread house. Lola's looked like a castle and Lana was an auto shop that looked like it was bitten by a giant monster. But the one that stunned him the most was Lucy's house. Not only was it a castle but he goth was using chocolate graham crackers.
Andy turned to his friend, still dazed. "Did you see-"
"Yeah. My little sibs are pretty artsy."
"Maybe we can learn from them too." Andy suggested to which his friend agreed.
Once everyone was done, they all decided to look at the gingerbread houses in their glory. During this time Mrs. Moreno went to her son and whispered in his ear.
"Go give Luna the present."
"Now!?" Andy asked nervously.
Ana nodded. "Yes. We're gonna be leaving in a little bit."
"But...in front of everyone?" the boy confessed.
"It'll be fine just go get the present." the older woman reassured.
Andy sighed and went out to the car to get the frame. While getting the frame, the young man felt butterflies in his stomach. To give Luna a present in front of such an audience was nerve wracking but Andy had to go through with it. With the frame in his hand the boy walked right back into the house where everyone, still in the dining room, all looked at him. This was it, the moment Andy was both fearing and anticipating. He walked up to Luna with the present in hand.
"T-th-this is for you." Andy stammered, presenting the gift to her.
Luna face lit up and she grabbed the present. "Thanks Andy." she said as she held the present.
There was a short pause after the rocker received her gift.
"Are you going to open it?" Lola spoke, breaking the silence.
"Ah sorry." Luna sheepishly said. She began to open it up and was in awe of what was underneath. "Noir Coven picks?" she asked in wonder.
"Uh ye-yeah. I know you love Mick Swagger and all but…." the boy trailed off. "But Noir Coven is the reason why we became friends. Its our special thing."
The rocker was touched by what she had heard. "Dude….I love it! Thank you Andy! It seriously means a lot to me!"
Andy smiled at his friends acceptance of his gift. He felt relieved and happy of the outcome. Meanwhile everyone else all had glimmers in their eyes and the girls were all holding their urge to squeal.
"But," Luna then said with a bit of a smirk. "I think I got you beat."
Andy tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Luna didn't answer but she still had a little smile on her face. She put the frame on the dining room table then left to go upstairs. There was a sound of a door opening and shutting and a few seconds later the door opened again. Andy was confused by what was going on. After the door closed Luna walked down the stairs back into the dining room.
In her hands was the green guitar Andy used for his guitar practices. "This is for you, Andy." Luna said as she gave him the guitar.
It was now Andy's turn to have his face lit. "You sure?" he asked.
The rocker nodded. "Yeah. You've been doing great with the practice and this is my way of thanking you for letting me be your guitar tutor."
"Thanks Luna. You really did one up me." Andy chuckled.
By this time the Loud girls were using every ounce of their being to not squeal excitedly. The adults on the other hand were much more composed but were still moved by the teens exchanging presents.
"Merry Christmas, Luna." Andy said smiling.
"Merry Christmas, Andy." Luna replied returning the smile. She then looked at her gift once again with wonder. No doubt...this is one of the best presents.