divine , devon lee

09. the season of giving

CHAPTER NINE
the season of giving

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   christmas time was always bittersweet for diane. she would watch her mom scrap up the tiniest bit of cash to get something prepared for her and her brother. last year, they went to a restaurant. it was pretty great. years before, sometimes they would get gifts that were small, but made an impact.

it was nearing christmas, so everyone was throwing holiday parties and specifically someone miguel knew. he wanted to surprise eagle fang and bring them out for some fun. in true west valley fashion, it was a kegger.

penis breath, he was getting used to the nickname, drove his van that fit all the eagle fang members who were allowed to go to parties. it really tells you something about eagle fang.

wham! played softly from the car speaker as miguel sat in the passenger seat telling penis breath when to turn left or right. eagle fang members spread throughout the car, one even having to sit on the ground ducking under the windows.

this would mark diane's first ever christmas without her mother or brother; without her family.

"we're in encino!" a voice from the back shouts. his finger pressed against the window as the big arched green sign came and went. you could see rows and rows of decorated pine trees with pretty rainbow lights. all the decorations accounted for the one thing california couldn't get, snow.

of course, diane knew where they were headed. she knew the exact route penis breath was taking. she did call it her home once... or more so lived in it. miguel put her on to his plan and she agreed hesitantly. it was gonna be for the better, he told her. but anyway, she already had history with the other.

"got you all gifts!" diane said excitedly. she pulled out a plastic shopping bag she got from the minimart. it was full of goodies she hand picked for every single eagle fang member.

although eagle fang hadn't existed for long, they all had a special bond. a bond that existed from the wrath of johnny lawrence.

"got them earlier today. i'll hand them out right now." she picked up each trinket and tossed them to their respective person. she was never a big gifter before but miguel got her in the festive spirit — and he helped pay.

she picked up a small container of tic-tacs. "for you, penis breath," she grinned as she threw it over his shoulder. it landed on his lap and he picked it up, his other hand still on the steering wheel.

"what's this for?" he furrowed his eyebrows at the mints. he shook them, making a rattling noise.

"your breath," diane replied. his brows stayed furrowed. "and lastly for you bert." she handed him a hamster stuffed animal that couldn't be bigger than six inches.

"sweet! i'm gonna name him clarence!" bert gushed. he petted the toy as if it's a real animal. diane stuffed the almost empty bag into her pocket. the kid next to her got a plastic ring and the one behind a piece of candy.

"so, miguel, how do you know this chick?" penis breath asked. his santa hat swayed around whenever his head turned.

"she's a friend of moon." miguel shrugged. he turned his head to face penis breath just enough so diane was in his peripheral vision. he caught her roll her eyes with admiration.

"and we're here!" penis breath cheered. he parked the car in front of the whimsical house diane recognized so well. it looked the exact same apart from a couple colorful string lights that hung at the front.