Lost In Purple

Chapter 31: Christmas Eve (Part 1)

Melanie's POV

Two Weeks Later

I lay in bed, glaring at my phone screen that's currently in dark mode, feeling lonely without Johnny at my side. After we went skating he stayed at my parents house for about three more days before going back to campus, leaving me alone with my thoughts and an undying want to go back to campus to see him again. I know it's not a good idea though because it's Christmas Eve tomorrow and my family is going to want to see me. I press my phone's home button once, so that I can navigate into my messages app, and find Johnny places at the top. I kind of have an addiction talking with him because he's the only person I've texted since September, and I hope I'm not bothering him by doing so, but I can't help myself from asking about how his day was or being there for him when things become a little sour. His Dad has apparently been hounding him about his Scaring, and Johnny refuses to go into detail any further so all I can do is help him take his mind off of it.

I tap on the message box and begin typing with my stubby fingers. "Did you have a good day?" I ask.

There's a couple of seconds of nothing before the grey bubble of three dots shows up, implying that Johnny is about to reply. "It could've been better. You could've been there," Johnny replies.

A warmth generates within my chest, making my tail start wagging underneath my blankets. "I'll be back on campus soon," I reply rapidly. I then start typing out another message that causes my claws to make some clacks against the glass screen. "Are you staying at the house for Christmas Eve?"

"Probably. I'll likely see my parents for like an hour before they either go back to work or go to bed, so it might be my best option," Johnny responds after ten seconds.

"I'm sorry. If you want to come back over to my parents, I can lay out a fake makeshift bed again," I offer feeling myself become worried about him.

I lay there patiently and wait for an answer, but nothing comes. I knew it, I'm being too clingy again. I always get like this when I make new friends, making them feel uncomfortable when they talk to me or making them become sick of my constant presence. Maybe I should just put my phone away for a little while.

"I do miss being around you three, but wouldn't you rather spend time with your family? I'm sure you need some time to yourself before the next semester starts," Johnny asks.

Oh…thank god, I was just over reacting. I don't ever want to be that kind of person that doesn't realize that they're taking things too far or to the extreme. "I mean, yeah, I do. I just don't want you to be alone during Christmas," I respond while feeling my heartbeat pound against my ribcage.

"Stop worrying about me princess, I've done all of this before," Johnny replies.

"That's the problem John, you shouldn't have to go through that," I remark.

I wait for another response but five minutes go by, and that grey bubble with the three dots never shows up. I must've hit a nerve and now he doesn't want to respond. I guess that's the outcome when your socially inept like me, having no idea when to close your mouth. I exit out of the messages app, turn off my phone, and begin charging my phone once the charger clicks into the port. I place my phone on my end table before grasping onto my pink blankets and pulling them over my shoulders, pushing my head into my pillow, and cuddling up into it to generate enough heat before I close my eyes in an attempt to drift off to sleep.

Not even a minute passes by before there's a knock on my door. My Mom makes herself known and opens the door, generating a couple of annoying creaks. She peeks her head in and gives me one of her heartwarming smiles. "Hi, I just wanted to say good night."

I give her a smile before saying, "Good night Mom."

"Are you ready for tomorrow as well?" She questions while whispering.

Usually my grandparents come over along with my uncles and their families, so the house is going to be fairly packed. It's the only time my family gets together which means I have to be prepared for my mental batteries to be drained of all life. "Yeah, I think so," I reply.

She opens the door further, and starts hyperactively clapping while leaning forward. "Oooh good! Your uncles have been asking a lot about you, so have your nieces and nephews."

"Ugh, they're not going to leave me alone are they?" I ask.

My Mom gives me a devious chuckle while attempting to hide a sudden bout of sadism. "Oh don't be afraid, they love you so much that they want to know everything that happens with you. You know your uncles all wanted to be Scarers too, but didn't make it into their programs."

"Yeah I know. I just never know what to say, I feel like I can't relate to them and don't want to insult them," I respond with a grunt.

"What?! Mel don't think that way!" Mom gasps.

"What do you mean what? They look at me like I'm crazy when I talk to them about what I like or what I do. And they look jealous when I talk about Scaring with them," I retort.

"Well yeah, they are country folk who don't get to experience the things us city slickers do," Mom laughs.

I sigh. "Alright, I'll try my best to act like I usually do."

"You'll be fine Mel, stop being so nervous," She states.

I don't say anything else on the matter and tell her to sleep well before she shuts my door. I listen to her footsteps as they stomp away from the door, turning my attention to the crickets outside that drown the night with their songs. Before I close my eyes, I hear my phone ding and vibrate on my end table, the bright screen illuminating my room. I pick it back up, seeing that Johnny has texted me back.

"Alright you got me, I'll see you tomorrow."

I wake up to the cozy warmth of the house's heat, blankets almost falling off the bed, and my pillow positioned in crooked manner. It's snowing slightly outside, and can hear a weak breeze pushing against the house, eliciting a couple of snaps and creaks from the walls. Like the past two weeks, I rag doll out of bed and eventually find the strength to bend my limbs in order to stand tall, making myself look somewhat presentable for the day ahead. I make sure to spend some extra time on myself since it's a special holiday by brushing my hair more thoroughly and even putting on a tad bit of makeup. Can't have all my family members thinking that I'm ugly or something, because that wouldn't be good for my mental well-being.

I exit my room groggily and take light steps down the stairs to hear the usual sizzle of breakfast coming from the kitchen. My Dad unfortunately has had to go back to work these past few weeks so he hasn't been making it recently, and therefore would mean that Mom is making it. I turn into the kitchen/living room and am taken back by what I see.

"Hey Princess," Johnny says while lounging on the couch.

I also look around to see Javier, Chip, and Bruiser acting as if they've lived here their entire lives. They all smile at me, making it obvious that they're happy to see me again after being away from campus these past few weeks. I quickly go around, giving them all hugs, and then jump into Johnny's lap so that I can give him a tight hug with a kiss on the cheek.

"Surprise!" Mom cheers from the kitchen, "They called about an hour ago, asking if they could all come over."

I turn my snout to Johnny and say, "I didn't know almost all of you were coming though."

"Aren't we all family amiga?" Javier chimes in.

"Yeah, aren't you happy to see your favorite group of Scarers after so long?" Chip asks while gesturing to all of the RORs.

I groan because that's not what I meant to imply. "Ugh, of course I am. I just thought that only Johnny was going to be here…I'm not good with surprises."

I hear Mom tinker with a couple of pans in the kitchen. "We know, but it's still good to make some memorable moments with your new friends," She sings while setting down a couple of plates on the kitchen counters. "Would you take all these to your friends Mel?"

I look to see what they hold, and there are omelets and cinnamon rolls that look like they've come out of some gourmet restaurants kitchen. I can smell the sausage, bacon, potatoes, and cheese that's expertly stuffed within the wondrous yellow breakfast item which makes my mouth water. I pick up two plates and give one to Johnny first, and then Bruiser because I know he's starving. Both give me their thanks, but Bruiser nearly leaps off the couch in excitement. I hear Mom laugh in the kitchen and give him a small, kind lecture on dining etiquette. He listens carefully, reminding me of an elementary school student when looking at his legs dangle of the couch, kicking in happiness. It's kind of weird seeing him receive a lecture on etiquette considering he's a member of the RORs.

When I grab two more plates for Javier and Chip and serve them, Javier asks, "Do you want us to move into the dining room Señora Everett?"

"Oh don't worry about it Mr. Rios, you all deserve to relax after the long drive down here. I can always clean it within five minutes anyways," Mom responds joyfully.

"Alright, just be prepared for a mess coming from the rabid weasel over here," Javier replies while pointing over to Bruiser.

Bruiser completely halts all movement with the entire omelet in his mouth, and his eye stocks twisting over to us. My mom and I laugh at him as I take my serving of omelet and cinnamon roll.

"Do you need another one Mr. Jacobs?" Mom asks with a motherly smile.

He stays still and silent, eventually nodding his head, and looking at the rest of us like he did something wrong.

"Bruiser, for the love of god, keep the omelet on the plate. This is not a place where you can be messy," Johnny instructs seriously.

With his rabid eyes staring at all of us, and thinking we're about to steal his food from him, he starts hyperactively chewing. I kind of wish I was around the cafeteria more often to see something like this unfold, it must have been hilarious to see everyone look at him like he's a absolute psychopath.

I sit down next to Johnny which makes him smile and I ask him, "So you called my Mom again while I was sleeping?"

He chews his food and swallows. "Yep, you would be surprised as to how much can happen within the three hours you refuse to awake. We were, in fact, able to take an hour long drive down here and get to know your mother better within that time," He responds with a cocky smirk.

"I'm sorry I need sleep in order to function properly," I scoff. I still can't believe he's alright with sleeping only six hours every night. Don't monsters need like eight to nine in order to be healthy? Maybe I need to help him change that at some point.

"Don't we all," Chip chimes in.

Javier and Johnny shake their heads at us in disbelief. "Why don't you two just go into hibernation already," Javier sighs.

"How would one go about doing that?" I ask with the intent of challenging that jab.

"Uh, well, you could try melatonin, chamomile or lavender tea, turning on the A/C or fan when sleeping, metabolism slowing drugs, slow breathing exercises… turning the lights off when you sleep…" Javier responds like a smartass.

"Yeah I think I'd rather take the option to wake up and be an absolute downer for the rest of eternity," I reply passive aggressively. I notice that I take Johnny by surprise when he turns his head towards me.

"T-that's not what I'm implying," Javier chuckles.

Chip backs me up by saying, "What were you implying then? How many times have you two woken all of us in the house at six in the morning, causing us to be angry and 'slow' in terms of doing simple tasks?"

This is clearly something those two rich boys can't understand, the concept of a good nights sleep. I thank the heavens that Chip is on my side, and I'm sure Chet would be as well if he were here.

"You know, I don't think I would want to deal with Melanie's rage if we were to do that…her punches hurt," Johnny mumbles.

"Ok, then forget everything I just said amiga," Javier says with a smile.

I laugh, brushing the topic off my shoulder, and continue eating the five star meal my mom prepared. The RORs all continue eating as well until we all completely clean our plates. I gladly take all of their utensils, wipe Bruisers mouth clean with a napkin, and take them all into the kitchen so that Mom and I can clean them. All the RORs begin talking amongst themselves about their classes next semester, which makes me tune them out because I'm not necessarily excited to go back. While I like Scaring, I hate school… like a lot… it's an awful existence to sit in one spot for hours on end while wishing death upon myself…yeah.

"Hey Mel?" Mom asks, interrupting my thoughts, "I haven't been able to go get a ham for tonight, would you go get one for me at the grocery store?"

"Oh, yeah! Do you need anything else?" I respond.

"No, that's everything we need," Mom affirms while putting two plates in the dishwasher.

I walk over to the counter next to front door, and grab my black wool coat that I got earlier this year, so that I can head out the door. "I'll be back in a little bit then."

I see Mom wave goodbye as I twist the door knob to the front door, but end up getting stopped before I take a step outside.

"Where are you going?" Johnny whispers to me.

"Oh my Mom needs stuff from the store. Is there anything you need?" I respond with a whisper.

Johnny gives me a bewildered smile as he asks, "She needs more food?"

"Apparently. She forgot to get a ham for tonight, which is kind of a family tradition of sorts," I answer while noticing a couple crumbs on Johnny's sweater, flicking them off.

He turns his head to Javier and gives him a signal to come over. "Well we don't need anything, but we'll go with you."

I wave my hands in disagreement. "No no no, you really don't have to go. You all should rest after that long drive down here."

Johnny fishes his keys out of his sweater's pockets and raises his hands up slightly as if he were shrugging. "Where's the fun it that?" Johnny chuckles.

"Ugh, ok, it's obvious you're not going to take no for an answer so, fine, I'll let you come along," I smile.

I twist the door knob and exit the house to feel the cold wind push against my scales. I hear Johnny give Chip and Bruiser some instructions behind me. "You two, you had better listen to Ms. Everett and help her with whatever she needs help with. If I hear anything remotely bad when we come back, you're sitting in the car for the rest of the day with no heat!"

There's two stutters that just barely make it out the door before Johnny and Javier shut the door. "You sure Chip will be able to control Bruiser?" Javier asks.

"Yeah, do you not trust him or something?" Johnny inquires.

"Oh no, I have full faith in him, but it's you that I'm worried about amigo. I'm really not excited to hear you talk about how he might destroy the house or not understand personal boundaries or something," Javier replies. Does Johnny really have little to no trust in anybody? I swear he leaks a little bit of distrust at least once a month.

"Usually I would, but considering that he's with Melanie's mother, I'm sure he'll behave. I mean, he listened to her talk about dining etiquette, I'm sure he'll be fine. Anyways princess, you ready?" Johnny continues.

"Yeah…um, Jav?" I question while pulling my coat tighter.

His eyes open a bit wider as he puts his hands in his jersey's pockets. "Huh?"

"Are you going to be alright without a coat or something? It's like below freezing," I mention.

"Oh yeah, Unlike the fur mammals have and coats that reptiles need, I have an exoskeleton that pretty much keeps me from feeling the cold. Perks of being un escarabajo," Javier boasts.

I have no idea what he just said. I look to Johnny who notices my confusion. "A beetle," he says.

"Oh," I say with a smile and opening the door to the back seats. Another day, another ride in the Roar Rover.

"John I swear to god, stop spending small fortunes on my family and I!" I divulge.

He places an entire turkey into the cart, making it clatter when the momentum pushes it onto the concrete. With a swift movement, he gives Javier a piece of paper, causing him to nod and adventure off into the depths of the store. "Why won't you let me give you the best of the best?" He questions with a raised eyebrow while leaning on the cart, legs crossed.

"Because we don't need an entire buffet tonight. Plus, Mom only told me to get that one ham!" I reply, putting my claws into my mane.

"Aren't 25 monsters going to be in the house though? One ham isn't going to be enough for 25 people. Also why a ham? Don't people normally eat some sort of bird for Christmas dinner?" Johnny interrogates.

"We can't afford iiiiit," I groan.

"Well you've got me now, so you'd better get used to living like this," Johnny counters.

Johnny uncrosses his legs and proceeds to move forward. I can already tell that everyone in the family is going to end up having the meat sweats, cause that's a lot of meat... especially for my family. I follow him into the various aisles, watching him pick up potatoes and gravy (presumably for mashed potatoes), stuffing, broccoli, carrots, pie crust, apples, and strawberries.

"Seriously, what are you two planning on doing?" I question desperately. Javier then flies in out of nowhere and places a couple packages of bacon, sweet potatoes, a bag of sugar, cinnamon, marshmallows, a pint of apple cider and various spices, putting them all in the cart, "Oh my god what is happening?" I quietly panic.

"Why are you freaking out Melanie? It's just comida," Javier chuckles.

"That's exactly what I'm freaking out about, why are we getting so much?!" I growl.

Javier pats Johnny on the back of his shoulder and they continue forwards, toward the cashiers while listening to me be confused some more. "I can't expect my Mom to use all of this for one night, and how do you expe-"

"I thought she enjoyed cooking? Were you not the one that said she's some sort of cocinera extraordinaria?" Javier questions.

I'm able to piece those words together: extraordinary cook. "Yes, but you won't tell me what's happeniiiiiiiing!" I whine while grabbing his arm, shaking it, and eliciting a laugh from him.

"We're just making Christmas Dinner dama de la luna! Bacon-Wrapped Oven Roasted Turkey, Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow, Apple and Strawberry Pies, Crudités, Cinnamon Apple Cider, and of course your mothers Honey Glazed Christmas Ham with Buttered Bread Rolls," Javier finally explains.

Holy crap, they're going to give us a literal feast for tonight. Just thinking about all of that food immediately makes all three pairs of my salivary glands activate, almost causing me to drool on the floor. "But why would you guys spend all this much on my family?" I ask, still not understanding everything to the fullest extent.

"Because you're our family too," Johnny answers instantly.

I feel my throat lock up, and a rush of emotion hit my entire body. I wasn't expecting him to say something that sweet so soon. "I-I'm your family?" I ask.

"Sí, once a ROR always a ROR. We treat every member, and their families, like royalty," Javier states proudly.

Johnny chuckles as we take position behind a cute old couple in the checkout line. "While that is true, take this as a thank you from us, for changing our lives for the better that is," He winks.

To be honest, I couldn't be happier hearing both of them say something like that…because they've changed my life for the better too.

Important Message:

Hello friends. I would just like to inform you that I will be taking a short hiatus. Since August, I have been writing chapters in advance so that I could comfortably and continuously update the story as time moved on, but I have recently fallen behind due to being in college myself. I'm currently taking an Organic Chemistry course that has taken a lot of time out of my schedule, and has subsequently made it harder to write for long periods of time. I will be taking this hiatus to catch up until I feel comfortable posting consistently again (it shouldn't be too long before the next chapter). At this point, I would also like to thank everyone who has made it this far, I know the story might not be incredibly interesting at the moment, but it should become better within the next few chapters.

Thank you, I shall return soon.

Signed, Lupinelectro