Broken

• Chapter 96 •

"Merry Christmas!" I chirp as I rush into the living room, where mom and dad are lounging on the couch and drinking coffee. Pft. How adult. They should be drinking hot cocoa.

Dad grins, "Merry Christmas to you, too."

"Where's my gift?" I ask as I squat down to examine the boxes.

Aurora, Brandon, Aurora, Brandon... I frown. "Um, excuse you guys?"

Mom smirks as she points to something behind me. I get up slowly and turn around to find Tony grinning at me with arms folded across his chest.

My eyes grow as wide as my smile, "TONY!" I jump into his arms and give him the most suffocating hug I can muster.

He laughs at me, "All right let go. Shit your grip's tight, you been working out?"

I grin as I let go of him, "What the hell are you doing here?"

He shrugs, "As if I wasn't going to spend Christmas with you, Clem. Your parents invited me over." I look behind him, "Where's Dorito?"

"Okay really? How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? We said we wouldn't make it my nickname!" Dorito walks out of our kitchen with a tray of... Something.

"No, you decided you didn't like the nickname. But we're going to keep using it, regardless," Tony shrugs.

"Dorito! Agh, I've missed you guys. This is the best gift. Thank you," I turn to mom and dad with a smile.

They nod in unison and I turn back to Tony, who's dangling my beautiful baby's keys. I shriek. Yes. I shriek.

"YOU FINALLY SHIPPED HER?" I grab the keys and sprint outside, where my baby's waiting for me. I almost cry as I hug her.

"Oh my God, baby I've missed you so much!" I tell her.

"Your attachment to that thing is alarming," Tony says from the doorway. I snap my head back at him, "Do not call it a thing! This is my baby, it's more precious than your life!"

Tony roars his head back in laughter, and it takes everything for me not to get on my cruiser and drive around aimlessly. I have to get ready, Ashton and the twins will be coming over at lunchtime. And I need to catch Tony and Dorito up on everything.

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The morning is eventful. I tell Tony and Dorito about Aya and Hana, Adrien, Eric and his girl, (yes, I told them about my embarrassing crush on my childhood best friend) and Ashton. I tell them about all the events they've missed over the past few months, and about how Derek is now sentenced to prison for life.

I find out that Tony and his girl of over two years have broken up. I never thought she was good enough for him, anyway. Too uptight, and very loose morals. She was a taker, he needs a giver. Dorito gifts me a pretty red dress, which I surprise myself and decide to wear today.

I examine myself in the mirror and sigh as I smooth out the hems with my fingertips. It's strapless and stops right above my knees. It really is beautiful. I brush my hair out and style it the way I always do, with two small braids at the top of my head, and the rest in loose locks.

Well, if I'm going to wear a dress I might as well go all out. I apply some lipstick and mascara before darting out of the bathroom.

Tony sits up from my bed with a dropped jaw. "Who knew you were a girl," he says.

I huff, "What a lovely sentiment." Dorito grins widely, "Look at you, girl."

I give them an exaggerated twirl, "Victoria's Secret here I come."

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"You just don't appreciate the art of music," dad argues.

Mom rolls her eyes as she takes plates out of the shelf. They're both dressed to the nines, "Shut up Brandon."

He huffs, "See? No appreciation!"

"I appreciate you," she tells him with a playful smirk. Dad grins down at her, "Do you, now?"

He leans in and plants a soft kiss on her lips. Ew. I clear my throat, and dad pulls away, still not recognizing my presence, "The chicken!"

He rushes to the oven and pulls out the completely burnt chicken, waving the smoke out of the open window with a towel. "Guess we'll have to order pizza," dad shrugs.

"Why do you always do this? I always tell you you suck at cooking, and you always insist you want to do it! But you're incapable of cooking! Now we're gonna have to eat pizza on Christmas!" mom groans.

"I'm an excellent cook! Take that back!" he's offended. She rolls her eyes at him, "Brandon. You made a peanut butter sandwich using a hammer."

His jaw drops as a small laugh escapes my lips. He tickles her mercilessly, to the point where she's about to fall over, "Take it back!"

"No!"

"ADMIT I'M A GOOD COOK!"

"I—can't—lie! Oh my God, fine fine fine I take it back, stop!"

He grins as he lets go of her, she inhales deeply and shoves him. Wow. My parents are literal children. They look at their burnt chicken and sink to the floor, laughing to themselves. At least they're happy. Truly, undeniably happy. Best friends and lovers. Their love is hard to live up to.

"Are we really ordering pizza for Christmas?" I groan. Not that I'd usually complain, but it's Christmas.

Their eyes pop as they snap their heads to me, as though they've just realized I'm here. Dad's brows furrow as he looks over me, "What are you wearing?"

"Ugh, Brandon, stop being protective. You look beautiful, Minty!" mom grins widely, she seems very proud of my choice to look cute. Dad's frown deepens, "Obviously she's fucking beautiful, she's my daughter. But I just don't understand why you have to look that pretty when there are boys around—"

"Brandon!" mom hisses. Dad huffs and rolls his eyes, "Fine, fine. You look gorgeous, baby."

I laugh, "Thanks, guys."

The doorbell rings, it's showtime.