CHRISTMAS EVE

It's Christmas Eve, and my dad, Stacy, and I are doing last-minute shopping, joined by Stephanie. I wake up around 10:00 AM after a party with the boys the night before, where I shopped for their gifts.

Someone knocks on my door. "Time to get up, Anastasia. We have shopping and groceries to get for baking later," my dad calls. I roll my eyes and reply, "Give me half an hour; I'll be out."

It's below zero outside, but at least I feel cozy inside. I take a hot shower, reflecting on my breakup with Brandon a month ago. He tried to apologize, but Justin made sure he kept his distance.

In my bedroom, decorated with a small Christmas tree and lights, I bundle up in two pairs of sweatpants, three long-sleeve tops, a thick pink sweater, a cap, mittens, a scarf, earmuffs, and snow boots.

I text Arlene to come over because I'm not riding with Stephanie. Downstairs, Freddie hands me a cup of hot cocoa. I thank him and head to the living room.

The eight-foot tree still needs decorating. My dad greets me, "Ahh, you're awake. We'll decorate the tree together later."

The doorbell rings, and I find Stephanie at the door, bundled up. "Are you just going to stand there?" she snaps. I roll my eyes.

Stacy says, "Stephanie, you're here. I'm sure you know Mr. Montez and Anastasia." I cross my arms and my dad urges, "Anne, say hello to Stephanie."

"No way I'm saying hello to that slut," I retort. Stacy gasps.

Stephanie glares at me. "Well, I'm not playing nice either," she says, heading to the kitchen. My dad watches me, and I shrug.

Stacy defends her, saying, "She just has a bad temper; she's nice most of the time." I laugh. "Nice? She and nice don't mix, Dad. That's the girl I beat up and got a three-week suspension for."

Stacy gasps again. "You're the one who put Stephanie in the hospital?" she points at me.

I roll my eyes and reply sarcastically, "No shit, Sherlock." Dad grins while Stacy glares.

We leave about thirty minutes later because Stephanie wanted to eat and do her makeup. I drive to the mall with Arlene, who says, "Wow, I can't believe Stephanie had the guts to be rude to you."

"I know, right?"

*****

At the mall, Stephanie goes off on her own. Stacy sighs, "I wanted this to be a family outing." Family? She's barely been dating my dad for two months and thinks she's part of the family already—no way.

We enter a store filled with tree decorations and lights. I spot Gregory working. "Hi, Greg! Didn't know you worked here."

"Yeah, I wanted to make some holiday money. Can I help you with something?" he asks, eyes widening at my list. I wonder why Dad didn't just order everything online; he has the money.

"This might take a while, but we have everything. It's a big order," Greg says.

"Rich people love to order big; you'll get used to it," I reply. Dad and Stacy head to Walmart for groceries while I focus on decorations.

I hear Jordan's voice. "Hi, Anne! Season's greetings!" I laugh at him and Jacob in matching sweaters.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask.

Jacob explains, "Someone forgot to order the star for the tree, so here we are, plus we need a gift for Mom—another thing we forgot on Dad's list." When you're rich and want to order big, you forget important things.

Thirty minutes later, I finally finish shopping and load the car.

Arlene says, "I still have to get Kyle's gift. What kind of girlfriend am I?"

I chuckle, "Probably not a good one." She glares at me.

Then I spot Brandon and Brenda. After our awful breakup, I try to avoid them. Brenda is pulling Brandon into a doll store—this should be interesting. I need a gift for my little cousin, who loves dolls.

I sigh and enter the store, avoiding Brandon. I find an Elsa doll from Frozen and an Olaf one. Brenda sees me but not Brandon.

"Ana!" she shouts, running over to hug me. "I miss you! Where have you been?"

"Brenda, you shouldn't run off like that," someone says. I look up to see Brandon, who glances at me before looking away.

"I was just saying hey to Ana because I barely see her anymore," Brenda explains.

Brandon checks his phone and grabs Brenda's hand. "Let's go, Brenda. Dad is here," he says, not even glancing at me.

Brenda looks back and smiles. I wrap my gifts in paper and head to the food court, feeling hungry.

I see Nikki, Jack, and Brandon chatting at a table. Stephanie is flirting with a guy while sipping coffee.

Jordan whispers behind me, "Come on, Anne. Brandon wouldn't hurt you again; I wouldn't let him."

"Or me," Jacob adds, cracking his knuckles. "I'll seriously hurt him."

We walk in, and Jack stops talking, staring at us. Nikki frowns while Brandon clenches his fists, watching Jordan, who has his arm around my waist. Jacob smirks behind us, and Arlene is busy texting.

Maybe it's not so bad after all; I have friends who will always have my back.

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