Angel smiled. "Yep, I hope everyone will love what I got them!"
BJ took a sip of her soda sitting down. "I'm sure they will. So, you wanna' talk about it?"
"It as in 'IT'."
"Well, sadly, that was what I was referring to."
"It sucks."
"I could've told you that much. But I'm just concerned you and I are especially close, sis, sorry I wasn't there to help you out."
"It's okay, Leslie taught me the ropes."
"Did you two have fun?"
"Kinda', Leslie basically just slept all the time. It was really weird at first she was real angry and then she loved being with Nick. And after that she starting getting a cold."
BJ shrugged. "Well, fourteen is a rough age- you'll find that out soon enough. And the guys?"
"As happy as ever there were sports to be played."
"I see."
Angel stared at the ground. "Hey, BJ?"
"Yeah?"
"Sometime can I come stay with you in New York? Just you and me?"
"Well, maybe at Spring Break or something......why?"
"Well, the trip made me realize how much I'd miss you. You're my big sister!"
"So is Leslie."
"Yeah, but she's tired all the time and has mood swings."
"I thought you two had fun? As for mood swings...I wouldn't say too much if I were you."
The burnette shrugged. "True enough."
"No thanks, my throat is kinda' tender."
Mrs.Carter turned away from the television set. "Leslie, I think we should schedule a doctor's appointment for you. This is really getting out-of-hand.
You've been sort of tired ever since this summer and you've been catching colds right and left. It's time to do something."
The teen rolled her eyes. "I don't want to go see some stupid doctor!"
"You're being silly, honey. I know you don't like doctors, but you need to find out what's wrong."
"But Mom-"
"I mean it, Leslie! You're going to the doctor after Christmas if this doesn't start clearing up!"
Leslie's father sighed. "Ease up, Jane, the two of you fighting won't help the situation."
"Aren't you concerned?"
"Of course I am, but making her uncomfortable won't help anything."
Nick interjected. "Can we just drop it? Just discuss it after Christmas and Leslie will be sure to rest until then."
Aaron returned mug in hand. "Mom, were you and Dad fighting?"
"We weren't fighting!" his mother spat.
"Well, excuse me for caring!"
The woman massaged her temples. "It's not you, Aaron."
Nick made note of the uncaring glare she was throwing at his father.
"Um...come on, kids, let's go hang out in the game room. We can play a round of pool."
"Sure!" his younger brother quickly agreed.
Nick stood gently pulling his sister to her feet. "Come on."
"Aaron rack 'em up!"
Aaron started placing the balls on the table.,"I'm gonna' kick your butt!"
Nick selected a pool-stick. "Not in this lifetime, Air-Boy."
Leslie set by the door listening to conversation below.
"Why can't Leslie ever just talk to me without you butting in, Bob?" Jane shouted.
"What do you expect? I was the one she had to go this summer when she got so sick and I'm normally the one tending to her needs while you're off in Europe with Aaron and Angel!"
"That's not my fault!"
"I never said it was! So, Leslie and I are very close, big deal."
"It is a big deal to me. There is something wrong and I can see it in her eyes."
"Well, there have been plenty of things wrong with the others too! Take Nick: after his breakup with Mandy he was a basketcase, I was the one that flew out to be with him. BJ is heartbroken due to her career and the twins- Angel is just acting weird lately and Aaron once again is clinging to Nick savoring every moment of his presence!"
"Well, they're close! There's nothing wrong with that!"
He crossed his arms. "Oh, really? Then, I guess, there's nothing wrong with Leslie being close to me then, is there?"
Jane stormed out rushing up the stairs. "This is ricidulous!"
Nick knelt down next to his sister shutting the door. "Don't listen to that."
Aaron rolled his eyes. "How can she not? I bet people in China heard them fighting."
The 20-year-old returned to the game. "Well, they're only human- they're bound to fight."
"At least, you're not the reason they're fighting..Merry damn Christmas, indeed," Leslie muttered to herself.