Jingling & Mingling

Troy leaned back into his chair, watching all the people hurrying inside of Ernie's. He looked around, wondering where both Gia and Emma were.

"Dude, where are the girls, and where is Noah?" Jake asked.

Troy shrugged; wondering the same thing. He thought Noah would have at least gotten back by now.

"Guys!"

"Noah…buddy!"

He hurried over to the table taking a seat next to Jake.

"Where did you leave Robo Knight's gift…at the command center?" Jake jokingly jibed.

"For your information, I left it on the rooftop of the central-plaza building."

"Why there?" Jake asked.

"It seems like Robo Knight's favorite place to hang."

"I see," Jake said.

"Where are the girls?" Troy asked looking around.

"I don't see them anywhere," Noah answered with a shrug.

"Yeah, I thought they would have been back by now," Troy said.

"Yeah, me too," said Jake.

"Perhaps, the Santa meet and greet they were going to, went over longer than they anticipated," Noah suggested.

"Maybe…" Jake replied leaning back in his chair.

Troy sighed; hoping that Noah was right, and that they hadn't run into any trouble along their way.

"Everyone can I have your attention please?" Ernie called, "I want to thank you all for coming out for annual Christmas party!"

A collective applause echoed throughout the shop.

"Now, I want you all to sit back, relax and enjoy yourselves!" he chirped with glee.

"Please feel free to help yourselves to any of the treats, and all the drinks are on the house…including my special eggnog and candy cane yogurt," he announced.

"Yeah…now that's what I'm talking about…well expect for that eggnog," Jake cheered with laughter.

Noah stood, "I don't know about you guys but I'm going to grab some treats."

"Same, here," Jake announced.

"Troy…buddy you coming?"

He shook his head; "I'll stay here, and watch the table."

"Okay…have it your way…" Jake shrugged walking away with Noah.

Troy shifted in his chair clutching his fists together as much as he wanted to take part in the all the fun and festivities he was much more concerned with the whereabouts of Emma and Gia.

Troy glanced down at his watch there was still no sigh of either one of them. As more time passed, he started growing increasingly anxious; this was certainly not like either of them not to contact them. He stood to his feet walking towards the entrance it was time for him to go out and do some investigating of his own.

"Troy!" Jake called.

"Where you off too?" Noah asked walking over to him.

"Yeah, dude where you going? The party is just getting started!" Jake jeered taking a sip of some juice.

"I think I should go and find the girls…"

Both Noah and Jake exchanged glances.

"Dude you're worrying way too much."

"Seriously, Troy, Gia and Emma can certainly take care of themselves," Jake added.

"Besides if there was "trouble," Noah whispered out-loud stepping closer, "I'm sure that Master Gosei or Tensou would have alerted us by now."

"I suppose…" Troy sighed.

"Hey guys!" called a sweet airy voice.

"Gia…Emma!" Noah called.

"Hey girls!" Jake said.

"Did you guys miss us?" Gia jokingly inquired glancing over at Jake.

"Of course not…" Jake countered shaking his head.

"Sure whatever," Emma said with a bright smile.

They both stepped inside the shop, heading for their usual table.

"So how the Santa meet and greet go?" Noah inquired.

"It was so much fun," Emma said taking a seat across from Troy.

"Yeah, just seeing those kids faces when they got to meet Santa, was priceless," Gia cooed.

"I bet," Noah commented.

"So, sorry we're late, we ended up having more kids show up than we anticipated," Emma explained.

"It's all good, Mr. worry-wart over here," Jake started glancing over at Troy, "was the only one making a big deal out of it."

Troy scowled at him leaning back in his chair.

"Awww, Troy you were worried about us?" Gia jokingly teased.

"How very sweet of you," Emma commented reaching for his hand.

Troy smirked, turning his attention over to the table, silencing wishing he could smack Jake for putting him out there like so.

"Guys…come out and enjoy the party!" Ernie cried swinging over to their table.

"Guys...you heard Ernie let's go!" Gia said standing grabbing Emma.

"After you ladies," Jake said.

"Thanks sweetie," Gia said with a wink.

A wide silly grin spread across Jake's eager face.

"Troy you coming?" Emma asked turning to him.

He shook his head, too embarrassed to look up.

"Oh c'mon Troy…it's okay to cut loose every once in a while," Gia said grabbing his hand.

Troy reluctantly stood to his feet, with Gia dragging him over to the center of the shop.

"Everyone, party time!" Ernie crooned.

Soon, the sounds of Christmas tunes feeling the yogurt shop setting the mood for the party. Everyone started dancing and mingling while partaking in all the holiday fun and cheer.

"Here you guys go?" Jake said handing Gia and Emma each a small glass.

"What's this?" Gia asked taking a sniff.

"It's sparkling apple cider."

"Here you go Troy," Jake said handed him one of the glasses.

"Hey guys how about a toast?" Noah suggested holding up his glass.

Everyone including Troy nodded their consent.

"A toast for making it through school and saving the world," Jake called.

They clinked their glass together in a toast.

"Guys, how another toast for our 6th teammate, Robo Knight," he said peeking outside of Ernie.

"To Robo Knight," Noah said.

"To Robo Knight," everyone said in unison.

Troy took a small sip of the cinder; it felt both cool and refreshing quenching his dry throat. In that moment, Troy decided that he needed to stop worrying and just enjoy this time, he was getting to spend with his friends...

Troy stepped away from his friends, taking a seat at their table. As much as he enjoyed the jovial atmosphere he thought it best to just take a moment to sit back and relax, and besides he needed a moment to rest especially from all the dancing he was somehow talked into.

"Hey wallflower!"

"Emma!" he called startled.

She took a seat across the table from him.

"Taking a break?" she asked.

"Something like that."

"Are you having fun?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Hey Troy…"

"Yes?" he asked leaning forward.

"Would it be okay if I gave you my gift now?"

"Oh…yeah…if you want," he said with a shrug.

Emma smiled reaching over into her bag pulling a colorfully wrapped box.

"Wow…thanks...Emma."

Troy was honestly taken aback by her thoughtfulness.

"Go ahead…open it," she cried excitedly.

"Okay."

Troy slowly started ripping away the colorful wrapping, pulling open the top, anxious to see what lied inside.

Pulling away the tissue, he reached inside pulling out a red windbreaker.

"This is really nice Emma!" Troy cried excitedly.

"I know you like to run…so since it's getting cold I thought maybe…you could use something to keep you warm…"

Troy chuckled; "Of course, thanks!"

How very thoughtful of her. He supposed now was probably a good time to give Emma his gift.

"Emma…I have something for you too."

"Really? You do?!"

He paused noticing how her brown eyes lit with joy. He pulling out a small bag from behind his chair.

"Here you go."

"Troy…you didn't have to do this..." she cried.

He remained quiet, hoping that she would like her gift. Emma reached inside the bag, pulling out the small wrapped gift. She looked up briefly with a big smile tearing it open.

"Oh…wow…Troy I love it!" she said holding up the book.

"Understanding Our Environment and The World around Us, by Cole Evans," Emma read.

"Gosh, Troy…" she said clutching the book to her heart, "I've wanted this book since like forever!"

"Glad you like it."

Troy was so relieved that he managed to pick out something she liked. Before he realized what was going on, he saw Emma reaching out for him.

"Thanks so much Troy!" she called.

"Oh…you're welcome…" he stammered feeling Emma squeezing tightly against him.

She pulled away from him with a huge grin. Troy quickly turned away; trying to hide his overwhelming embarrassment.