Thin As Water

30.

Lil opened the door and Daisy pulled her into a hug. "Merry Christmas, Lil!"

Lil grinned at her friend. "Merry Christmas, Daisy! Come on in!"

Daisy looked around at her surroundings. "Your house looks great!"

"Thanks! We still have a lot to unpack but the living room is pretty much done now." Lil glanced around at her new house which, unlike the old one, was bright and cosy.

"Hello, Daisy."

Daisy smiled. "Hi, Mr. VanGrayson."

Lil's father smiled. "I'm glad you're all having this party. Lily, I'm calling to order pizza, what kinds do you want?"

"I think one cheese and one pepperoni for us."

"Got it. I might get an extra pepperoni for me and James."

"Ok. Thanks Dad."

Mr. VanGrayson gave his daughter a wide smile and then left.

"So, how has break been?" Daisy asked when they were alone again.

"It's been really nice. I can't remember the last time I've felt this relaxed. Though I don't really like going to therapy, it can be pretty difficult sometimes."

Daisy nodded in understanding, then the doorbell rang again. Lil jumped up to answer it.

"Hazel!"

"Hey Lil! Hi Dai, Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" The two friends echoed.

Hazel grinned. "I've missed you two so much."

"We've been out of school for a week."

Hazel held a finger up to Daisy's lips. "Shh."

Daisy laughed. "Fine, fine. I've missed you too."

"Same here. I've been so excited for this!" Lil grinned.

"Me too. Should we exchange gifts now?" The girls had agreed to meet together a bit early to set up and exchange presents.

"Sure! Yours are in my room, I'll get them." Lil hurried down the hall and grabbed two wrapped boxes before returning. The three girls swapped boxes and looked at each other.

"Ok, you guys open yours from me at the same time, ok?" Daisy instructed.

Hazel and Lil tore open the boxes. 

"Daisy, this is beautiful!"

"Aww, I love it!"

Daisy grinned as her friends each pulled out a small silver ring shaped like a treble clef. "I've got one too, so now we can all match each other."

Hazel smiled and slipped the ring on her finger. "Thanks Dai."

Lil pushed the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. "Thank you so much."

Daisy smiled, clearly pleased at her friends responses.

"Ok, yours from me next." Hazel bounced up and down slightly

Daisy opened a small box and grinned. "These are so pretty! Did you make them?"

"Yup. I felt very artistic this year."

Daisy held up a pair of delicate wire sunflower earrings. "Thanks for doing sunflowers and not daisies. Trust me, I appreciate it."

Lil laughed and opened her present from Hazel, a smile spreading across her face. "Z, this is beautiful." It was a detailed painting of mountain landscape.