It was 7:00 at night on Christmas Eve. The gang was staying the night at Antea's place. They had spent most of the fall trying to find out about XANA's master plan. But for now, they had put that from their minds and took this time to relax. Calvin was sitting on the floor, catching up on his studies. Ami was watching a nature documentary on television. Sam was busy scarfing down the sugar cookies Aelita had made. Dennis and Rumiko were curled up around the fireplace half-asleep. And finally Antea had crashed out on the other end of the couch from helping clean up the dining room after dinner. Everything was peaceful. Until…

"Man, I'm bored!" Sam shouted out of nowhere, waking up Antea in the progress.

"Way to kill the mood, Della Robbia!" Dennis said.

"I'm sorry, but still." Sam said. "How much longer until Christmas?"

"About 5 hours." Calvin said annoyed. "If you're bored, go to sleep."

"No way. The night's still young." Sam said. "Besides, I'm trying to reduce my boredom."

"That makes no sense!" Calvin shouted.

"We could all tell scary stories." Ami said as everyone stared at her. "What? Isn't that what people do at slumber parties?"

"I'm up for it if everyone else is." Antea said. "Even though I can't stand that kind of stuff."

"Ooh." Calvin said. "I go first!"

"You? Please." Dennis said. "You can't even hold a conversation for a full minute without making eye contact. What makes you think…?"

"Actually, Dennis." Rumiko interrupted. "Hear the kid out."

"And so the boy asks: 'What do you have such big eyes for?'" Calvin said nearing the end of his story. Antea just shrunk back a few inches.

"'To see you through.' The creature responds. 'What do you have such big claws for?' 'To scratch your grave.'" Calvin said. "'What do you have such big teeth for?'"

Calvin then paused and looked around. He then turned to Antea.

"'TO CHOMP YOUR BONES!'" Calvin shouted pouncing on Antea and tickling her. She then burst out laughing.

"Calvin. Please. Stop." She said still laughing. "Somebody help."

"No way." Dennis said. "I'm enjoying this." Just then the adults came down.

"Hey!" Yumi shouted to Calvin. "Play nice!" Calvin then stopped.

"Oh, let them have their fun." Jeremie said. "After all, you and Ulrich were never like this when you started dating."

"And besides." Ulrich said. "When was the last time you've seen your son this happy?"

"Well…" Yumi said.

"Hey Mom. You look lovely." Ami said noticing Yumi and the others all dressed up as if they were going someplace fancy.

"Yeah." Rumiko said. "You guys going somewhere?"

"Your mom and I are gonna go out for a little bit along with the others." Ulrich said. "You and Dennis are in charge while we're gone."

"Why not me?" Antea said. "It's my house."

"Because we're the oldest, therefore we're the most responsible." Dennis said

"That's right you are." Yumi said. "Now you kids be good. Don't stay up too late, and don't answer the door or phone unless it's someone you know. Understand?"

"Yes we do." Rumiko said. "By the way, can we open some of our presents early?"

"Fine." Yumi said. "But one each. Now give me a kiss."

"Mom!" Rumiko said. "Do I have to?" Yumi just glared at her.

"Fine." She said kissing her on the cheek. Calvin and Antea each tried to hold in laughter.

"Shut up!" Rumiko said.

"Rumiko." Yumi scolded.

"Shutting up now." She said quickly.

"Alright." Yumi said. "We're heading out now. We should be back in a few hours."

"Bye." Calvin said as they headed out the door.

"Alright, so who should go first?"

"How about me and Sam?" Ami said. "Followed by Dennis and Rumiko and ending with you two lovebirds."

"Sure." Dennis said. Ami and Sam each got their presents for each other. Ami's present to Sam was thin and square in shape. Sam opened the present.

"Wow!" He said. "The new Daft Punk CD!"

"Yeah." She said. "Calvin told me you love this band a lot. So I decided to get this."

"Well, here's your present." Sam said handing her a large rectangular shaped box. Ami opened it up and saw a book about environmental protection.

"And look on the cover." Sam said pointing to a sticker on the cover that said: 'Made with 100% recycled paper.'

"Awesome!" Ami said.

Rumiko then gave her present to Dennis. Dennis opened it to find a roundish papier-mâché doll with blank eyes.

"Uh… What is it?" Dennis asked.

"It's a Daruma doll." Rumiko said. "You fill in one eye when you have a goal you want to accomplish, and you fill in the other one when said goal is accomplished."

"Oh. Neat." Dennis said grabbing a marker and filling in the right eye.

"So what's your goal?" She asked.

"Like I'm telling you. Anyways, here's your present." Dennis said giving her his present. Rumiko opened it and pulled out a multi-colored robe.

"Oh my God!" Rumiko said. "It's a kimono!"

"100% silk and imported all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun."

"China?" Sam asked.

"Japan, you idiot!" Rumiko said. "Alright, Calvin. It's your guys' turn."

Antea gave her present first. Calvin opened it and saw that it was a book on soccer plays and strategies.

"Wow. I like it." Calvin said

"Really? I saw it at a bookstore the other day and I thought that you would like it." Antea said. "You're still playing for Kadic next season, right."

"Yes." Calvin said "In fact, I plan on playing for Germany in the FIFA World Cup when I'm older."

"Oooh." Dennis said. "The big leagues."

"Well, that's a long-term goal if I've ever heard one." Rumiko said. "Pun not intended."

"Give her your present now." Ami said.

Calvin then gave her the small box he had earlier. She then opened it to find a silver-chain bracelet with gold colored charms including a baseball, a rose, and a guitar. Antea was silent.

"Nice going, Cal." Dennis said.

"Antea, I'm sorry. I…" Calvin said.

"Calvin. It's beautiful." Antea said.

"You really think so?"

"Yeah." She said putting it on. "This is one of the best gifts I've ever received. The best gift Dennis gave me was a dinner for two at some seedy bar."

"Would you shut up about that already?" Dennis said. "My brothers recommended it; they said that every couple goes there for their first dinner."

"And you believed them." Rumiko said. In a short time, everyone changed out of their day clothes and fell asleep. They didn't even try to stay up later.

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