Generation 2-Chapter 3

My eyes opened slowly, resistant to obey the morning light as it shone in through the bedroom window. I was so exhausted. All I ever wanted to do was sleep, and it seemed as though my body never could recover the emotional stress that Zack gave me all that time ago. Mom and Dad never knew, and Julie hadn't told them.

I sat up on my bedside, listening to the bustle of my family, so loud that I knew there was no way that I could go back to sleep. I let out a long sigh, and began to wander through the halls.

"Hurry! Hurry!" I heard Mom exclaim as I heard something crash on the floor. I rounded the corner just in time to see my sister kneeling over a broken plate.

"Mom! Please," she pleased aggravatedly. I knelt down beside her and began gathering the broken fragments. After throwing them away, I crept over to my mother's side, planting a small peck on her cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Mom!" I told her. She flashed me a hurried smile before continuing her Christmas Cooking Rage. Over her shoulder stood a bright-eyed Dad, attempting to "tell" her how to cook. She bit her lip, I assume to stop herself from saying the wrong thing, or perhaps to keep herself from hitting him. I chuckled, and the couple moved their gaze to me.

"What?" Mom snapped. I shrugged my shoulders. She took a deep breath, and a much softer voice flowed from her mouth. "I'm sorry, hunny, I'm just a little frustrated. Your grandparents are going to be here any moment, and I still don't have dinner completely made."

As it turned out, Grandma and Grandpa were a little late. It allowed Mom and Dad more time to get everything situated, though. It truly was a nice Christmas. Everyone showed up. Julie's boyfriend also joined the party . . .

It got harder and harder each time to see Danny with my sister after what Zack did. We have never talked about it, though. I'm sure he knows. Julie and him are getting pretty serious, it seemed.We've hardly made eye contact since the incident with Zack.

~~

After dinner, when everyone was completely stuffed and couldn't possibly eat another bite, Mom called out, "Okay! Present time!" Her face was nearly blood red with all the laughing that had gone on where the adults were sitting.

"Darn right, it's present time," Dad laughed. Everyone laughed and Mom gently slapped his shoulder. 

"Let's go then," she grinned.

They disappeared down the hall, and when they came back I couldn't believe my eyes. "Layla, you're first. We got you this cat because we know how much you love cats, and how alone you feel stuck up in your room all the time. We love you, and we want you to be happy."

 "Mom, Dad," I mumbled as I examined the feline. "I love you too. Thank you so much! She is adorable!"

"Next," they continued their gift-giving, "we have Julie." Suddenly Dad let out a high whistle, and a dog rounded the corner, running at full speed into the room. Julie bent down and intercepted the ball of fur.

"Thanks, Mom and Dad! He's the best!" Julie exclaimed, roughing up her pup's fur with a big smile. It has always been our dream to have pets. Now we have them.. 

After that, we took pictures. . .

Merry Christmas, everyone! I made the post so early because I was sure I wouldn't have time to finish it during Christmas day . . . So, you get it early! Feel free to leave a comment.

Also; I changed the blog layout, as you can see. What do you think about it?

OH. By the way. Did anyone notice the slideshow at the bottom? Betcha didn't. ;)