Part 1
The next morning, Peter and Sophie let the Cliffhangers sleep in till about 8.
“So do you think Sophie and Peter are sick?” Shelby asked and threw her wet towel that had been wrapped around her hair on her bed.
“Either that or all the mistletoe and holly has seeped into their brains.” Daisy said and ran a brush through her dark hair. Shelby smiled and started putting her makeup on.
“No you guys, I just think they want to do something nice for us.” Jules argued and sat down next to Shelby to put on her makeup also. “I mean, it’s Christmas.....don’t you think you should give them a break?” she asked, putting on mascara.
“Since when are they the ones who need the breaks?” Shelby said and rolled her eyes.
“Shelby, they have to run this whole school. Not to mention deal with all of us. I think it’s really nice of them to do this. I mean, they didn’t have to. You should maybe show a little more gratitude, IF you know the meaning of the word.”
Shelby shot her a look. “Why don’t you get off my case? What’s your problem anyway?” she snapped.
“I’m only expressing myself. Maybe you should work on that.” She taunted.
“I’m gonna express my self upside your head if you don’t- -“ she was cut off. Scott knocked on the door and opened it immediately after. He leaned his head in. He saw Shelby and flashed her a gorgeous smile.
“Good morning ladies.” He said with a cocky smile.
“Scott.” Daisy acknowledged. Juliet just smiled.
“Shelby, you, uh, ready to leave?” he asked stepping inside.
“In a minute.” She replied. “I have to finish my makeup and then I’ll meet you out front.”
“Okay, well, hurry. And dress warm. Peter says it’s below freezing out there.”
“I will, thanks.” She smiled and watched him leave. When he was gone she turned back to her makeup. Juliet looked at her, expecting her to continue with the little argument they had been having, but Shelby just smiled brightly and started putting on blush.
“What...just happened here...?” Daisy asked.
“What do you mean?” Shelby asked her best friend with an innocent smile.
“Okay, one minute you’re ready to bash Juliet’s head in, then the next minute, Scott walks in here...says nothing important...and you’re get all smiley sunshine on me. What is going on around here. It’s too happy and sunny! We need some tragedy around here to kill the happiness.” Daisy said, being her usual sarcastic self.
“Well, you better get used to it, because that’s what Christmas is all about. Everyone happy and sunny.” Shelby said, which was WAY out of character for her usual depressed self.
“Okay, well...I’m gonna go now...” she said pointing and inching towards the door. “And maybe...when I come back...you’ll be living in the real world again....” she said and left. As she was walking to meet the rest of the group out front she muttered to herself. “Looks like it’s mot only Peter and Sophie who are high on mistletoe and holly, jeez.”
*************************************************************************************************************************** In Town
Everyone piled out of the van. Peter handed each of them an envelope with their name on the front.
“Okay, guys.....in this envelope....is the money your parents sent you individually. This is what you have to work with. I don’t care what you buy for who, or even if you buy anything, but let’s get one thing straight. You are still under the rules of Horizon, and you know what that means. You pick a partner, you stay with that person at ALL times. We meet back here at 5 P.M. for dinner. If you aren’t here at 5 sharp, it’s kitchens for 3 weeks, got it?” Everyone agreed. “Okay, I’m turning you loose now. I trust you guys. Don’t let me down!” he called as they scurried off in different directions. Shelby went with Daisy and Juliet, and Scott, Auggie, Ezra, and David headed off together.
*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*% Shelby opened her envelope of money and peeked inside. Of course, her parents had hardly sent her anything. There was maybe $50, if that much. How was she supposed to manage 9 gifts on such little money? Especially when she wanted to get Scott something really nice.
“Are you coming, Shel?” Daisy called.
“Yeah!” she called back and followed them.
They went into several little shops. Shelby bought Juliet some new lip gloss and a mirror. * Great * she thought to herself. * Feed the little vanity monster * But, it was Christmas, after all, and Juliet was her friend. She bought Daisy some sticks of incense and a package of Tarot Cards. Auggie got a new paintbrush. David got a soccer ball, Sophie got some nice lotion, and Peter got a new whistle, because she was sick of the one he had. Shelby had no idea what to buy Ezra. She had been in and out of all the stores. Finally they went in a bookshop. She was walking around, browsing when she saw a book set. It was a Shakespeare writing kit. It had 3 of his famous plays, cliff notes, a biography on William Shakespeare, and tips on writing good plays. She grabbed it, almost excited. It was perfect. That is until she turned it over and saw the $20 price tag. She had already spent $25 on all the other gifts and she still hadn’t bought Scott anything. But this was it! Ezra would love it. But what could she get Scott for $5? She stood thinking for a minute. What about Scott? He loved her. He had told her he did. What would he think if he got nothing for Christmas? Suddenly Shelby saw the light.
“He loves me. I love him....that’s what I’ll give him for Christmas...” she said to herself, and took the book set up to the register to pay for it. “I wonder if I still have it......” she said to herself.
*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%* 5 o’clock came quickly for the cliffhangers. They all met where they were supposed to on the dot. No kitchens, and they were all relieved for that. Everyone was carrying huge bags of stuff. Everyone had to be careful when they were shopping so the people they were with didn’t see what they were buying. Peter and Sophie took them to a nice restaurant. Shelby and Scott took a seat alone, as did Auggie and Juliet. Everyone else sat together. Scott looked tired, and his eyes looked heavy.
“Looks like you’ve done quite a bit of shopping....” he said, motioning to her huge bag from the bookstore. She smiled.
“Yeah.”
“Yeah, so what’d you get me?”
“Yeah, you’ll find out soon enough...”
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