Black woke up early, like, just before the sun. She groaned and buried her face in her pillow. She knew she wouldn't get back to sleep any time soon. She climbed down from her bed and down to the living room. She grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee. She sat on the white couch and drank it. "How many times to I have to tell you not to drink that coffee on the couch," a voice behind her scolded. Black jumped and almost spilled the scalding liquid all over her. She whipped around to see her aunt in her usual white suit with her white leather brief case. "Don't scare me like that!" She panted. "I'm going to work and I'll be there until late. You can order pizza later or whatever you want. You'll have the house to yourself," she shrugged emotionlessly. "And I'd like for you to clean out Tawny's room." Black felt the last part before she heard it. "You what?" She asked angrily. "I want you to clean out Tawny's old room," Aunt Yarrow repeated slower. "I heard you Aunt Yarrow I just-" She interrupted Black. "Just get it done Black," she sighed and left without another word. Black set her coffee mug on the glass top table and threw her face in the couch's white cushions. "Ugh!" She grunted. Recently her relationship with her aunt has plummeted since her sister's death. She sighed. 'Best Christmas ever,' she thought sarcastically. She walked over the the Christmas tree she'd put up and decorated herself without notice from her aunt. Black sighed and suddenly noticed something shining under it. She pulled out a cardboard bod wrapped in white and silver paper. She carefully ripped open the paper and opened the box. She pulled out a frilly pink dress. It'd look kinda cut on literally anyone but her. She shuddered and almost shielded her eyes from the dress. She quickly shoved it back in the box and went outside to bury it. She did appreciate the thought from Aunt Yarrow but...just no. She disposed of the dress and walked back inside. There were three small boxes under the tree. One was wrapped in comic book paper, the other had black paper, and the last had awfully wrapped orange. She laughed when she inspected the boxes. One from Spider, Soot, and Flame. She smiled and opened them. The comic one from Spider had a collection super hero comic books and movies. She opened the black one from Soot which had a book of the original Grim's tales. She struggled to get past the mess of orange wrapping paper and tape coating a small cardboard box. She finally got it opened found a card. She opened said card and read a note inside in Flame's messy print.

If you're not doing anything today, (I've heard your aunt's place is open on Christmas) you can come over and have dinner with me and my aunt.
-Sparky

Black laughed slightly. She brought the boxes up to her room and dropped them off. She walked back to the kit kitchen and decided to make her friends pie for Christmas.
                     ***
Black finished the pies and started to walk outside with them until she remembered she was still in her pajamas. She set the pies down and ran up to her bedroom to change. She pulled on a black sweater and her least ripped pair of black jeans. She slipped on her black boots, not wanting to wear her combat boots in the snow, grabbed the pie she'd made for Flame and his aunt and walked outside to her motorcycle. She set the pie carefully in the back basket and drove to Flame's aunt's place. She parked the motorcycle and knocked on the front door. "Hey Sparky," she smiled when Flame opened the door and rocked on her feet awkwardly. "Hi Black," he said back. She scratched the back of her neck. "You uh said..." she murmured, looking at the ground. "Yea yea of course! Come in," he smiled and stepped aside so she could walk in. She gladly did so because she was freezing. "I uh made pie," she said quietly and held up the pie dish. flame licked his lips and took it. "You didn't have to," he said but had already set it on the kitchen island. "Flame? Who's at the door?" Someone who Black guessed was his aunt called. "Uh this is my friend Black," she said, leading her to the living room. "Black this is my aunt." "Hi! I'm Ginger Stream," the woman smiled. She was a smaller woman and had Flame's ginger hair, although she was on the other side of the family. Black shook the woman'a head. "I brought pie but Flame took it," she said shyly. "Sounds about right," Ginger smiled. "Dinner is almost ready. Want some hot chocolate? It's freezing out." Black shook her head although she did want some. "It wasn't a question," she winked and walked away. "She's nice," Black turned to Flame. "My mom's sister," he laughed, running a hand through his ginger hair. "I honestly didn't think you'd show." "Are you kidding? Just meeting your aunt is better than cleaning out-" she stopped short. "Let's just say I'd much rather be here." She shook her head. Flame set his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. She smiled gratefully back. They walked to the dining room and Black stared at the table. "There's so much food!" She gasped. Flame and Ginger laughed. They sat and started to eat. "This is amazing," Black smiled between bites of baked beans. "Thanks!" Ginger grinned back.
They played games and ate and told stories. Black fell asleep on the couch. Flame smiled at her and covered her up with a blanket. She smiled in her sleep and curled up in a ball. He pushed her black hair out of her face. "Happy Birthday," he smiled and fell asleep in the recliner.

Hey wazzup?!
Phew I finally published it.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Peace out dudes!
-Bri