Chapter 2

"I can't believe I'm walking in with you dressed like that," I mumble, shaking my head as I look Avi over in her Christmas pajamas and reindeer slippers.

"And I can't believe I'm walking in with you dressed like that," she responds as she looks me down in my jeans and school shirt.

"I'm wearing school spirit," I groan as I open the back door to the front office, "what more do you want from me?"

"It's the last day of school before Christmas break," Avi says crossing her arms and standing away from the door, "you're supposed to be in Christmas spirit. At the very least wear pajamas on pajama day."

"I'm not wearing pajamas to work," I shake my head. "Now are we going to stand outside in the 'Florida' cold or are we going to go in?" I tilt my head as I hold the door open and stare at Avi.

Avi rolls her eyes. "Fine," she says as she starts to walk through the door. She stops before turning to me and saying, "Alynezer Scrooge."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I say as I follow her in, shutting the door behind me.

"You've never seen A Christmas Carol?!" Avi almost yells as we walk into the teacher's lounge to check our mailboxes. I shake my head and Avi rolls her eyes, "You don't even understand my insults. Ugh!"

I roll my eyes. "I'll see you at the end of the school day," I say as I walk toward my office.

"Don't forget we need to go home and change before the staff Christmas party tonight!" Avi calls as she starts to walks down to her classroom.

Ugh, don't remind me, I think as I walk into my office and plop down in the chair. "Alynezer Scrooge…what does that mean anyway?"

"Alynezer Scrooge?" Tyler responds on the Voice. "That's a good one!"

"Course you would like it," I answer, rolling my eyes. "What's it even from?"

"A Christmas Carol!" Tyler answers. "It's a classic Christmas movie!"

"Still doesn't help me any," I groan, as I start on my paper work.

"Eddy didn't make you watch the classic Christmas movies?" Tyler says in a shocked and almost disapproving tone.

"He tried, I just wouldn't watch them with him," I say.

"Shame on you," Tyler responds. "Anyway, she did a play on Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol because he is a grump about Christmas. I think the phrase 'bah humbug' comes from him."

"I guess that makes sense then," I sigh. "Since when did you learn so much about Christmas?"

"I actually celebrate Christmas," Tyler says. "It was the one time at Fireweed that everyone was happy. And now Michael makes it a huge deal. So, we celebrate it."

"Then why did you make a huge deal about Avi putting her decorations up early?" I say defensively.

"First of all, I didn't make a huge deal," Tyler corrects. "I just happened to agree with you because you don't put up decorations until after Thanksgiving."

"Fair enough," I sigh. I hear Mrs. Headstrom start with the announcements and I say, "I better get back to work and try and survive this last day before Christmas break and then the Christmas party tonight."

"You'll be fine," Tyler says. "Just let yourself have fun! Love you, sis!"

"Love you too," I say as I get back to my paperwork.

I walk down the hallway, the sound of Christmas music growing louder. I pop my head into Avi's open door, watching as the credits of a movie scroll across the whiteboard from the projector and Avi bustles around in her classroom. "I thought you told me we had to leave right after school so we could go change for the party tonight?"

Avi pops her head up. "We do!" she says. "I just need to make sure all the food is put away so we don't have any critters in here when we get back. We don't have Tyler here to save us from that should something decide to come hunting for Christmas cookies."

"Fair enough," I chuckle. I look around the room as I add, "Looks like a tornado went off in here!"

"Welcome to the last day of school before Christmas," she says. "We basically eat snacks and watch Christmas movies all day. It's wonderful and the kids love it!"

"Well, that's all that matters," I say. "At least your first day back is a planning day so you have a day to fix all of this."

"Exactly," Avi says as she grabs her bag. "Ready?" she asks and I nod as we walk out of the school. She doesn't even bother talking as she blasts Christmas music the whole way home, much to my dismay.

As we get home and we walk into the apartment, I ask, "What are you wearing to the party?"

"You didn't read the email?" she asks. "Ugly Christmas sweaters!"

I roll my eyes, "I can barely warrant wearing a sweater in this weather, let alone a Christmas one."

"Come on, Aly," she says, sensing a drop in her excitement, "please wear something even slightly Christmas themed? And it will drop closer to the fifties tonight. It may not be an Alaskan winter but it will be chilly."

"Fine," I say with a sigh, "I'll wear my red, snowflake sweater." Her eyes beam as she rushes to go get changed.

I stand off to the side as I watch Avi dancing to the Christmas songs being played as I sip on moonshine. I can see the pure bliss on her face and I can't help but smile.

"Man, Jennison can tear up the dance floor," one of the teachers says as she walks up to me.

"And she doesn't even have alcohol to help her out!" I comment as I take another sip of my moonshine.

"I wish I had her enthusiasm," she says. "You're her cousin, right?"

"When I want to claim her anyway," I chuckle as I say, "You're Megan Smith, right? You're third grade too, right?"

She nods, "Yup! She's such a fun person to work with. It doesn't surprise me she's this much into Christmas."

"Tell me about it," I say. "She had our apartment decorated the first Saturday of November."

"Oh dang!" Megan chuckles.

"So why aren't you out there?" I ask.

"Girl I don't have the energy to keep up with all of them the whole night," she chuckles as she sips her own drink. "I already was out there for like five songs. The question is, why aren't you out there? I haven't seen you out there once tonight."

"Christmas isn't really my thing," I say with a sigh. "But I am here to support her and for comradery."

"I get that," Megan says. "Cheers to mediocre Christmas spirit?" she asks, holding up her cup.

"Cheers," I say as I clink my cup against hers. I take a gulp as I watch the dance floor. I start humming one of the songs before I can catch myself.

Avi walks off the floor and towards me. "Are we humming a Christmas song, Ronan?" she gasps as she grabs her eggnog off the table.

"The beat was catchy," I say rolling my eyes. "Don't get used to it."

"Mhmm," Avi says raising an eyebrow, "before you know it, you'll be jamming out with me on the way to work."

"Shut up and go dance," I shake my head. Avi walks back to the floor, smiling at me and I can't help but smile back. Her excitement fills the room, I can tell you that.