-Chapter 7-

-Christmas Time!-

Author's Note: I haven't updated in a while, so I figured I do like, 3 chapters' worth in one. It's the holidays anyway. Enjoy!

So supposedly it crossed our minds to get up in the middle of the night and eat, Nicole and me. I had been dreaming about a new video game coming out, and I was one of the characters and suddenly my personal record player skipped and Nicole was tapping me with the end of a broom stick, so she wouldn't get hit by me by total accident. No, I'm not a friend abuser.

"Keili…" She whined.

"Mmm…" I turned over, annoyed. My turning was in vain.

Poke-poke— "Keili, Nickeh is hungrehhhh!!!" She whispered hoarsely, poking me furiously with the stick.

"WHHHHHAAATTTTTTTTT????!?!?!!!??!" I screamed, suddenly irritated. Her hair that is usually straight and almost perfect became spiked with the five million horse-powered wind-vocal mix attacks I just shouted at her. Her eyes were wide in shock, but quickly reverted to normal with a, "I'm hungry!!! Can you cook me something so I don't blow up the house?"

Grumbling, I shuffled out of bed, wearing a t-shirt and some shorts, chilled to the bone. Nicole wasn't as temperature prone as I, so she ignored how our house turned into Greenland in five seconds. Instead she cheered with an empty stomach. "YAYYY!!!!"

"…Every page I tried my best to think of something to contest;

With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say…"

"Hello?" I, the eldest twin, answered the call, scratching my head sleepily.

No answer, just a tone.

I hung up and pulled the covers back over my head.

"…Every page I tried my best to think of something to contest;

With inside jokes—"

"Hello?!" I asked again, irritated.

No answer again, just a tone.

So I hung up again.

"…Every page I tried my best to—"

I picked up my damn phone and with a curse chucked it at my TV.

And it finally shut up.

I drew the covers back over my head, sighing peacefully.

BAM!

Killmenowkillmenowkillmenow….!!!!

"VERGIL! GET YOUR ASS UP!!! WE'RE EATING QUESADILLAS AT KEI'S AND NICKY'S PLACE!!!!"

And of course that idiot of blood relation would come in only his boxers. I think he believes he's long life destiny was to be a Calvin Klein underwear model…How disgusting. I'd never buy anything CK after that ever again.

On the way there, I asked, "At three in the morning?" Ruffling my hair with one hand this time; I rubbed my other eye lazily.

"Yussir! I CAN'T WAIT!!!"

The tires screeched, hitting the girls' driveway concrete soon after he screamed that in my ear and I punched his face into the Driver's door window.

"Hello?" I could hear Nicole calling José to come over, seeing how, um, I don't know. The damn thing was on speakerphone!

"Whatcha doing, José?"

"Sleeping like the rest of the hemisphere, you nimrod."

"What's a nimrod?" She asked so innocently. I busted out laughing it was that cute. "Hey Joser, you want some Quesadillas?"

"Sure, why not. I was sleeping, but who cares," he said, stuff moving in the background. "I'll walk over there. It's not that far."

"You sure?" I shouted so José could hear me.

"Yeah, it's fine. See ya in a moment."

José hung up and the twins walked in. Vergil looked disoriented, wearing a blue pajama assortment. Dante rode over here in his underwear…

"Yeah," I quipped, "I heard that December over here in the States was just so hot—why not drive in early December to your girlfriend's house in your CK boxers?"

"I love you too!!!" He shouted, holding his arms open, awaiting a hug.

"No, not yet," I wagged a finger, pulling out the next batch of Quesadillas. Flour sprinkled an entire counter, a rolling pin and a bowl with a tiny bit of mix left sat in a bit of the mess. Many cookie sheets held batches of Quesadillas out the wazoo—enough to make everyone suddenly hungry.

"FOODD!!!" Nicole bounced like she would if she had a Monster (energy drink) in one hand and a Redbull (another energy drink) in the other.

Vergil placed his hands on both of her shoulders, trying to make her settle down, but she wouldn't have it. "Please, you're making me dizzy."

"How do you have so much energy at three in the morning?!" Dante wondered, only to be cut off with a sudden question from yours truly.

"¿Quién quieren café? ¿Alguien?" I asked in Spanish. I think Nicole sort of got it with her constant tutoring by Vergil. He was a persistent one, teaching Nicole another language.

"¡TANGO HAMBRE!!!" She shouted hysterically. I think our neighbors were already connecting to the city's police to complain. (ROFL)

Dante took a moment to understand it. "…Hunger Tango? I don't get it."

Nicole frowned, realizing she messed up the pronunciation.

And of course Vergil went teacher mode on her. "Not tango, but close; what's 'I have' in Spanish?"

"…Tengo…? OOOOHHHHHHH!!!!" She shouted in sudden realization. "¡TENGO HAMBRE!"

"THERE IS A GOD!!!" I threw my hands up with happiness, realizing she actually corrected herself in a different language. I'm not giving any props to Vergil though. His teaching is kind of weird. I didn't even understand his instructions on Polynomials and Distributive Property…

"Now FOIL it." He picked the stray pieces of eraser on the end of his pencil.

"Vergil," I laughed, "I'm not pulling out a whole bunch of aluminum foil just for my homework. We all know aluminum foil is not the solution to these numbers—"

"You asinine fool." He deadpanned, smacking me in the back of the head with that pencil.

LINE HERE

José jumped through the door, ready to attack our quesadillas. Well, really, mine. I made them. xDD

"¡TANGO HAMBRE, JOSÉ!" Nicole shouted at José, shaking him madly.

"YOU SPEAK SPANISH NICKY!!!" He shouted back, surprised.

"¡ACEITUNAS, JOSÉ!"

"Aannnddd that's where it ends…" Dante chuckled. "Good job Vergil."

"Like you could do a better job, Dante," Jose rolled his eyes, diving into a plate of Quesadillas as I began handing them out to each person.

And they were delicious. Just enough cheese and salsa and everything; of course José's mom makes them a different way, but I still liked mine too. They could also match hers.

After the midnight snack of coffee and quesadillas, we crashed in my living room. Bodies were piled all over the three pieces of furniture; José curled up in his favorite reclining chair, nearly passed out. Nicole had nuzzled into Vergil's chest. Unfortunately, I switched those respective roles with Dante—he had nuzzled into my chest.

"Pervert…" I whispered.

He smiled against my sternum, "You know you love me."

"Don't try anything stupid. I'm sure there are three other people who would kill you if you did."

"I know. And I'm sure there are three other people waiting to interrogate you to death on how obnoxious you're being right now," he snapped, out of character.

"Where did that come from?" I wondered.

"I don't know, I'm sorry." He dismissed harshly, turning over as if to break intimate contact with me.

That kept me up for the rest of the morning.

Dante and Vergil were no doubt the first to wake. They soon after woke up José, and I guess he woke with a start.

"DEBBIE DO YOUR JOB—Oh…" He trailed off, embarrassed about reliving his moment with the trifling cashier at some superstore. Ask him, he'll explain it. xD

Next it was time to wake up Nicole.

"Nicole…! NICOLE! NICOLE!!!" Vergil kept shouting at her but to no avail.

Dante, smirking, sighed, "It's simple! Like this—" He grabbed Nicole, shook her, and even pulled at her face a bit. "WAKE UP—YEOWCH!!!"

Nicole scowled, "Good morning!"

And my turn. I mean, I had been watching the whole time, but since Dante was practically ignoring me and being an asshole, I didn't decide on waking up yet.

"Let's see you try that with your girlfriend…numb skull." And Dante clutched my shoulders. Oh boy, I was so gonna give it to him…

However, he let go. "You wake her up, Nicole. And hurry up. We got to get ready early if we're going to that ski lodge.

José had a little concern in his voice when Dante left the room. "What's gotten into him? Usually he wouldn't give it thought to shake her to death."

With my eyes slightly cracked, I watched Vergil shrug. "I'm not sure. Dante has been acting strangely though, I agree."

"Maybe he has the holiday blues?" Nicole mused pensively. "Has anything bad happen to him around the holidays?"

"Not that he's told me of," Vergil picked a piece of fabric from his shirt. "And he tells me everything."

I had to fake waking up. I felt out of place doing so, too. Instead of pondering it for too long, though, I continued my daily routine. I sauntered to my room for something to change into. As I opened my closet doors, Vergil strode in; it looked as if he had something to ask me.

"What happened last night?" His voice was brisk and cold, "Dante has never acted this strangely before."

I stared blankly at him. "I didn't do anything. It was all normal. He tried to snuggle into my chest and I told him there'd be three people ready to kick his ass if he tried anything."

Vergil sighed and seated himself on my bed. Preparing for a big conversation meant he would smooth the fabric of whatever is around him. An annoying habit like that only showed if he felt truly concerned. "Start from the beginning."

And I told him everything. Afterwards, his gaze darted about the room in contemplation. "That was extremely normal. I don't understand what could've made him upset."

"Me neither," I shrugged, pulling out a long-sleeved sweater and hanging it on a closet door. "But that's the thing that makes it so weird…Did I make him mad?"

Fleeting agitation twisted in my stomach before he answered, "I wouldn't think so. And I know my brother well." Standing, he suggested, "Just pack and act normal, like nothing happened. He'll probably do the same and get back to normal."

I nodded as he left the room.

Arriving at the ski lodge, coincidently named the 'Snowy Stay'; anyone could understand why the place was open year-round—the lodge and its vicinity lived feet-deep in snow! The Snowy Stay is 2 hours away from our little town, and really far up in the mountains. I reminded me of the Alps in Southern Germany.

After we checked in we received the key to our lodge. Let me tell you now, that lodge was the shiz. I expected a one-room, bunk-bed inhabited cabin; this was an entire house. A cozy fireplace in the far back part of the living room, stairs leading to the bedrooms and kitchen…It was like Dante and Vergil hauled their whole house to this exact location.

The downside, however, is that there are only three rooms. There are six people: José, Nicole, Dante, Vergil, Lady, and me. We invited Lady last minute for all the strings she's been pulling for us in the past semester. The least we could do for her saving our asses from expulsion is drag her along.

"Nice," Lady smirked, "Looks like home."

"Doesn't it though?" Dante noted it as well. "Hey Verg, someone towed our house over here before we made it."

"Very funny."

Nicole had escaped earlier to check out the rooms. Coming back from exploration, she slid down the metal railings to a perfect landing. With that she reported, "There're only three rooms, you guys."

"Are you sure you counted right?" Dante quipped, lifting a corresponding finger as he counted, "1-2-3?"

"Yes, you asinine arsehole," she threw back at him. With him taken aback, she laughed. "Verg taught me that."

José wondered, "How are we gonna split the rooms, then?"

"Of course it's gonna pair off." I dropped my suitcase.

Vergil pointed to each person, "Nicole, me; Lady, José; Dante, Keili—"

Suddenly, Dante spoke up, "Actually, I'm taking the couch."

Everyone paused, surprised. "What's wrong with taking the couch?"

And this is the part where Lady shoved us up the stairs with an uneasy tone, "Come on freshmen; let's unpack."

José, worried, asked me, "What did you guys do last night?"

I shrugged, "Nothing unusual. Even Vergil doesn't know what's wrong with him."

Later, Lady took us Christmas shopping—the Christmas shopping wasn't unusual, though the partners were. She pointed to us girls, "You two go your way," and basically strangling José in a chokehold, "We'll go ours."

Poor José had to go with the junior!!! Everyone but José has noticed her adoration for the freshman. We all thought it's cute. José only blushed when hooked under her arm.

"Good luck on your impromptu date, Joser!" I called excitedly over my shoulder, trailing behind Nicole to the toy store.

I bet that left him in shock. I chuckled to myself a bit.

I had mentally prepared a list for my friend. On my list, I had a present in mind for each person. That would be five presents; I had $300 in my pocket. That was all my savings from when I stopped working in Wal-Mart and Nicole adopted me. I gave Nicole the other $300 just because she was my friend. I don't know if she had any saved up, either.

For Vergil, I figured a good book or a spectacular CD would do him justice. Out of the information I gathered from Nicole, he was a mystery or horror genre-type in books; his music taste would be rock or classical. He seemed too refined for rock, I thought. I would decide later when I finished scanning the mall.

In Nicole's case, every year was easy. Each year I have gotten something that made her cry—in a good way, people. I always get her something she'll cherish forever. She still has everything I've given her, too. This year a nice, expensive necklace looked good. Do you think she'd like one with a lot of small diamonds or a real one? I'd check out the jewelry store later.

For José, I wasn't too sure. A couple of weeks ago, he told me how his parents despised buying him video games. Maybe I could get him the latest and greatest video games, right?

Lady was a very simple person. She bluntly told me face-to-face she wanted some sweets. She also said the reason she wanted sweets is because no one knew how to shop for her. Because I was so competitive, I wanted to challenge that problem. When I looked in the windows, I'd find the perfect thing for her. It's something I just knew.

Lastly, there's Dante. Dante, Dante, Dante. I couldn't think of anything for him, honestly. It's easy to shop for boys if you're not going out with them. I might even have to ask Nicole what she's buying for him to get an idea.

"Hey, Nicole," She looked up from a toy plane, spinning the propeller on the front, "What are you getting Dante for Christmas?"

"Um…I planned on buying him a couple of CD's he said he didn't have…What are you buying for Vergil?"

I laughed, "Then I guess we have the same problem…I was gonna buy him CD's."

She scowled playfully, "That's no fun…"

"Yeah, I know."

"Let's go out on the deep end here…" I think Nicole's getting into her alter-ego. It was one of great terror…One made by her boyfriend. "If inexplicably we found out about their anniversaries of birth, then what would we obtain for them by purchase?" She let her eyes shift around creepily.

I shrugged.

"Do you know what I even said? 'Cause I sure don't."

I gurgled at how adorable that was, "You said what would you buy if we found out that suddenly it was their birthday."

"Oh…Vergil taught me some big words…"

"I can see that." She grinned a mile a minute.

"Then what should we buy them…?"

I shrugged again. "What about weapons?"

"Why weapons?" Nicole asked, still tinkering with the plaything, "And no one's gonna sell those to minors."

"That's true," I sighed. She was right. "Clothes?"

"They already have everything in this mall."

Across the way, a pet shop opened up. People with signs cheered, "BUY A PUPPY GET ONE FREEEE!!!"

And I believe the idea hit us both. Puppies for each guy; two rottweiler puppies would suffice. They'd be cute when they're little, and then they'd grow into monsters that protect your house! I hope Vergil doesn't believe in the 'Rottweiler equals Human Death' idea.

"Do you think Vergil would mind Rottweiler puppies?" Nicole questioned.

"He shouldn't," I replied, "He's not ignorant. He should know that their reputation is trash."

The rumors around here were that Rottweilers are only trouble-makers. Many say they are bred to kill. Guess what? That's false; they're herding dogs by nature. And they make great family dogs, even good guard dogs too.

And before we knew it, we were carrying little puppies around like babies. We planned for Vergil to have the boy. A male Rottweiler might need a little more tough love than a female. Dante would be good with a female one. I noticed ours slept a lot, so it made shopping a breeze.

I also found that present that would make Lady keel over in shock. She seemed big on cosmetics and body stuff, so I bought her this huge kit from Victoria's Secret. Boy shorts, body scrub, lip gloss and other items were included in the enormous and expensive gift. I felt it was worth it. Nicole bought her a big thing of sweets, just in case my plan failed.

For José, as promised: The latest games for all his platforms. His parents would kill me if they found out the trouble (and fighting) I went through to get these games. I know he'd love them forever though. And for Nicole, I got her this beautiful necklace, ring, and bracelet combination of golden butterflies. On the inside of each piece, I made the jeweler inscribe for a pretty penny, 'Never stop dreaming, Nicole—from Keili'. Once again, she'd probably bawl her eyes out. All I could display a satisfied smirk when we met José and Lady again.

José had never been so beet red. Usually a girl wouldn't affect him like that.

Nicole quipped playfully, "What'd she do to ya, Joser?"

He gave no reply as we left the mall.

Last night I spent alone in my room wrapping gifts; Dante would not be shaken by his older half. They seemed to be pissed at one another as well. No one felt the need to ask questions, though.

Today would be a better day, I chanted in my head. Maybe Dante will stop with the shenanigans and start talking to me again. But no, Vergil and Dante buddied up on the ski slopes. Of course Lady stole our José from us, poor thing. I could've sworn I heard him screaming "HELP ME!!!" From the top of the mountains.

Nicole waited for me at the ski lift, absent-mindedly rapping about random stuff. Actually, I think that's from"Malibu's Most Wanted". Figures, right? xDD

"Traffic, traffic. Lookin' fo mah chapstick. Feelin' kinda carsick. There's a Ford Maverick…" Then she switched to, "Shrink, shrink. Blinkity, blink. Make's me wanna go to my sink and vomit. Clean it up with comet. Earth's mah planuht."

"Really, Nicole?" I snorted, boarding a bench on the ski lift. And then I remembered something.

"Yeah!" She plopped down beside me. "I've never been on a ski lift before—" And she suddenly remembered my fear of heights. I clamped down on her wrist as the bench took air. "Oooh…that's right…I forgot about that…"

I couldn't help but to hyperventilate, "JUST RAP DAMMIT!"

"UH UH CAPTAIN PLANET SMURFS SMURFING HANDLE ET! COATS IN THE CAR CAN'T GO REAL FAR—"

And unexpectedly, Nicole managed to slip out about 100 feet in the air. I was lucky enough to be gripping her wrist, so she wouldn't be falling for a while. As long as I held on to her, she'd be fine, but still!

My heart felt like a bird attempting to escape a cage, "HOLY SHIT NICOLE!!!"

She was freaking out, "DON'T LET GO WHATEVER YOU DO!!!!"

That wouldn't be impossible. But I wish Vergil or Dante was around to help me. They got on before us, though.

And after a couple of minutes, she was at a safe distance to land, and I told her I was gonna let go.

"ARE YOU SURE!?!?!" She still panicked like a cat in water.

"YES!!!" In fact, I jumped out before her, opposing my acrophobia for once. That's weird, it's like it vanished. I landed on my butt, yards away from the rest of our friends. When Nicole finally let go, she immediately started down the mountain. I didn't know she could ski…could she?!

"HOW DO I STOP!?!?" She would've run me over if I didn't roll out of the way.

Vergil threw his arms in the air, screaming, "JESUS CHRIST!!!"

And before we all knew it, we were racing down the mountain to save her. I know for a fact I lasted longer than Dante. Dante hit a rock, screeching "WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?!?!"

But I pressed on, along with Vergil. Vergil looked like a pro at this. José and Lady were just as good, if not better. In fact, José looked like the stunt doubles in the movies.

"NICOLE, BREAK SIDEWAYS!!!" José shouted, watching as Nicole did as told.

And we raced past her.

Vergil mumbled something like, "Thank god…"

But it wasn't over from there.

I heard Dante, who caught up, scream, "GIANT NICOLE SNOWBALL!!!!"

And for a mile we were trying to not get caught in the gigantic snowball she created.

We stopped after a while, thanks to José's suddenly expert skills in skiing. Returning to the lodge, we all jumped at Vergil's barking.

"Why can't I take you anywhere without you destroying something?!?!"

Simply, she replied back, "You don't understand that my unknown thirst for destruction is worst than yours and you secretly like it..."

"Sure," Dante scoffed.

"Are you crazy in the head or something?"

"Are you?" I asked, exhilarated, "That was fun!!!!"

"Sure," Dante scoffed again, throwing himself on the couch.

Vergil reluctantly seated himself in the reclining chair with Nicole on his lap. Lady found the other recliner and forced blushing José into the seat with her. I stood up. I didn't know where my place was…

"You say 'sure' a lot, Dante," I noted.

"Sure."

"That's very mature of you Dante," I growled.

"Sure."

And I knew exactly what he was doing. This was his passive way of fighting with me! He wants me to think I'm winning! And here I thought, hey, this guy is different—they're all the same, aren't they?!?! The only ones who have feelings around here are José and Vergil right now!

"Do you have anything else to say besides sure?"

"Sure."

And that anger that had bubbled up inside me in a matter of days overflowed. "FUCK YOU THEN DANTE! GAWD!" I wailed, as I started crying. I hurled my jacket, my purse, anything at hand towards the door and ran to my room. Of course, I slammed the door, and locked it so not even Nicole could get in. I didn't want to be bothered.

Silently crying, I heard them gang up on Dante, who gave no reply to any of it. Vergil was the most extreme one yelling at him.

The only one not yelling was Nicole. I think she was just as upset as I, but she is less aggressive than me. When shit hits the fan, her reasoning help me control my anger. I did hear her knock on the door though.

"She locked it, José…"

"Great…"

Out of the blue, Lady barks, "HEY! Any of you kids feel that?"

All went silent.

And the house began to tremble.

"Is it an avalanche…?" Nicole sounded anxious, but I couldn't step out now.

The trembling became worse overtime until finally, a loud thud shook the house.

"We're snowed in." Lady confirmed after a while.

"Good, perfect chance for you Dante…!" Nicole seemed to struggle to get Dante off the couch. He too fell with a thud. "Now go upstairs and talk to her!!!"

"She's not gonna listen to me now."

"Then at least get her to open the door!!!!"

Lady snapped, "Nah, let me do it."

There were quick paces of pitter-patter.

Then—BAM!!!

She kicked at the door.

"OPEN THIS DOOR BEFORE I BREAK IT DOWN MISSY!"

I was not about to defy that. With expert fingers I unlocked the door and let her in.

And we talked for a good bit. It started out heated but gradually died down to crying and assurances. I told her that I thought I had made Dante upset.

"I thought it was because I was young and he couldn't do…that…Because it's against the law…"

"He wouldn't do that. He may be a freak," And she mumbled on the side, "And I can't believe I'm saying this—but Dante's a good person. You'll see that in him. Now let's get downstairs. You don't have to talk to him."

In fact, I didn't. I simply stayed with Vergil and Nicole. Lady returned to embarrassing the crap out of José to make everything feel normal.

It still didn't.

Still, we watched old Christmas movies and reminisced old Christmases…until everyone suddenly fell asleep. I mean, Dante and I still were among the living. We were pros at late nights. And I thought this was a cliché moment, but what the hell.

I gradually eased back to the couch Dante inhabited. Sitting on the spare space not inhabited by his feet, I sighed, "I'm sorry."

I didn't expect an answer, but I got one. "…What?"

"I said, I'm sorry." I looked at his indifferent eyes.

His stayed on the TV until I repeated that. And I mentally slapped myself when he began to scowl. "Why?"

"I don't know," I started fumbling with my hoodie zipper again, "I just felt like it was my fault you wouldn't speak to me."

"Why?" There he went on his one word sentences again.

"Because…I was being a bitch. And I should totally accept the fact--since it's been a long time since we first started going out—that you're a total pervert. And I went overboard a couple of nights ago on that."

"That sounds just like you to blame me for your anger."

"I'm not blaming you!" I snapped. But he was right, I realized. Indirectly I blamed him. "Yeah I am…great…I'm such an idiot—"

"Look, it's my fault too," he sat up, pulling me to him. "But it's a little more…your fault than mine."

He made sure I gazed straight into those icy orbs of his. "I need to know that you actually love me. I understand you don't show it like the average babe, but hey—a little more please?"

"W-What do you mean?!"

"The insults are okay, I don't mind them. Just…stop being so flustered if I hide my face in your boobs or whatever." He chuckled, "I would never go that far with you."

I couldn't help my blushing, "H-how far would you go?"

He smirked like the perv he was, "I hold your hand, I hug you, I kiss you, I snuggle in your boobs and sleep in your bed with you. That's it." I had a feeling he omitted the 'for now' part for when I got older. "I'm not going to force you through anything more than that, you're too young for it."

And I guess subconsciously I worried myself about that…

"I love you, Keili." He stated like it was a well-known fact.

And finally, it was my turn. He didn't start it this time. I leaned closer to his face, and eventually kissed him softly. I wasn't an expert at kissing, but I knew that one had enough bite that it astonished Dante.

I don't think my bed would be as empty tonight.

The next days we spent at the lodge were better. And then we finally returned home, and exchanged presents. For it was Christmas day, and I don't think the puppies could have been hidden any longer.

"TADA!" Nicole and I posed with spirit fingers as the guys found their puppies.

Dante beamed with happiness, "AH FUCKIN SWEET A PUPPY!"

Whereas Vergil showed remote happiness by petting the dog. The way he did it though, made all of us laugh our asses off—he looked like Dr. Evil, much? "I shall name you—"

Dante cut Vergil off. "NAME IT McLOVIN!"

Vergil snapped "It's my dog; I'll name it whatever I want!"

Nicole chanted with Dante, "McLOVIN! McLOVIN! McLOVIN!"

Sighing, he surrendered, "FINE! McLovin…"

I asked Dante, "You should let Vergil name yours then."

Oh, the smirk on Vergil's face. "I want to name it something horrible, but for the dog's sake, name it…Spot or something."

"Spot," Dante quipped, "That's all you got?"

José suddenly gurgled, "Haha…I SPOT McLOVIN!!!"

Lady joined with him in the laughing, "Highfive, man!"

And we finished opening our presents.

Dante bought me this incredible set of clothes. Each pair, in fact, had something with either my name or his on it. Surprisingly, he had good taste. A couple of skirts and shirts and jeans with your name on it never hurt anyone. José bought me a couple of CD's I've been dying to have but never got around to getting. Lady bought me…um…she bought me undies and bras…

"Why'd you make me open it in front of Dante!?!!?" Dante whistled as soon as I pulled out a pair of undies. They read on the back in bold "GIVE ME YOUR BOOTY." Greeeat.

"Thought you and Dante could benefit," she winked. Of course she was joking, right?!?!

Vergil, with his sophisticated taste, bought me a set of perfumes that obviously cost a pretty penny.

José got Dante CD's. I'm glad I didn't, because he bought the ones I thought about. Dante enjoyed them all the same. Vergil didn't buy his brother gift. He said keeping him alive was the only gift he would give him, whatever that meant. Lady bought him some stuff for his SUV, which I guess was a good thing. Nicole and I both pitched in for the puppies, so that was her gift.

Vergil, oh boy. Vergil felt shocked that José would buy him an electronic violin (with Lady's help of course). Dante got his bro some spiffy watches; how unusual that he'd know how to shop for someone like him. The puppy was a gift from us two, as reiterated.

Nicole smiled through all her presents. Some cute clothes from Lady, make-up from Dante, drawing stuff for Nicole's skills by José, and from dearest Vergil only the best sets of earrings known to man! They will match perfectly with my gift…Thanks Vergil!

She nearly killed him seconds after by clutching onto him.

Lady's gifts were simple: chocolates. Everyone thought of chocolates, except for me. That was good, because when she opened my gift, she was in awe.

"Keili!!!" She put a hand to her mouth, "I LOVEEE YOUUU!!!"

"IT WAS NICOLE'S IDEA!!!" I squirmed under her death-grip. A spa with chocolates? I never knew Lady was that type.

José nearly died when he saw all the games and stuff everyone bought him. Nicole got him a bunch of manga and anime; I got him the video games. Vergil thought highly of him enough to buy him a really luxurious phone. He even said he'd pay for the plan!!! I think José fell into a second-long coma after that one. Dante bought him some stuff to learn Japanese, because José's wanted to learn it for a while. Lastly, Lady's gift was a total jaw-dropper. A bunch of candies in a box surrounded a small letter. As soon as José finished the letter, Lady whipped out mistletoe and hung it high over their heads.

"MISTLETOE! EVERYONE HAS TO KISS!" Nicole shouted, pointing.

Dante easily took that offer to crash his lips on mine…

Lady swooped José up—and like a man, he took it! I was shocked by his brashness.

Nicole gave Vergil a peck, but Vergil came for a little more than that. I thought that was sweet.

And finally, Nicole's and my tradition; we always save each other's gift for last.

"1-2-3!" We chucked each other's gift, letting it land in the other's lap.

I let her open hers first. When she saw that my gift was a thematic set of golden butterfly jewelry, she went to tears. It was planned…and I always get her. "Don't cry! I tell you this every year!" I scowled mockingly at her, hugging her.

"I know, but it gets me everytime!!!" She fingered the butterflies and the inscription, 'Never stop dreaming'. "Your turn."

My unsteady fingers tore through the wrapping paper. Inside, a jewelry box lay untouched. On it swarmed fairies dancing around a flame—I can't believe she remembered my childhood dreams! As a little girl, I wanted to be a fairy. And for her to remember meant a lot to me. I couldn't really cry; I was too happy.

"Open it!" Nicole urged. She got more?!

Inside, it played a Celtic tune, most likely dedicated to the mythic beings. Also in there laid a locket of silver. She remembered my love for anything silver.

"Open it!" She repeated.

When I did, I saw the pictures all of us took together on the second week everyone knew one another—we were wearing our school uniforms. She also thought of inscribing the piece of jewelry, which read, "Best friends forever, right? Love you, buddy!"

That was so like Nicole. I threw my arms around her and cried small tears of joy. "You idiot!!! Couldn't you have put something better?!?!"

Nicole pointed out the mock insult to Dante, "See? She means well but she always says something rude!!! And ASISINE!"

Vergil stifled a laugh to hear his word come out of Nicole's mouth.

"She's got it!" Lady chimed with José.

"¡Tango hambre!" She shouted again, flailing.

"And she lost it…" Dante snorted.

Suddenly she started up again, "I did not you prick! You FOOL!"

Vergil, stroking his… 'McLovin' softly, smirked, "You make a fine protégé."

"What's that mean, Verg? Are you insulting me?!?!" Nicole panicked.

Everyone rolled their eyes, loving how this holiday went.

-End-


A/N

First thing's first: any correct grammar I learned, I chucked it out the window. Seriously, guys. I forgot all about it with the haste of this chapter. Oh well. I bet you enjoyed it!!!

And of course, to my loving friends Joser and Nicole. Merry Christmas! I couldn't have made it this far without you guys, you know that.

AND TO THE REST OF YAS!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANUKKAH! HAPPY KWANZAA!!! HAPPY WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Please Review?!?!?! xDDD

Deuces.

(PS: THIS WAS 18 PAGES LONG!!! AND 6,841 WORDS) \(*A*)/