A Missing Ring

Celebrating At The Maron's

The next morning they all spent it getting ready to leave. Andrea searched through her entire suitcase to find a white pair of shorts she knew she packed. Oh dammit now I have nothing to match with this shirt. She held up a gray, cotton shirt. "Asher-" Andrea yelled until she heard a knock at the door.

Asher walked in, "Why are your pants in my suitcase, and I can't find my hoodie". "I was looking for these pants! Also I don't have your hoodie, I have my own" Andrea snatched back her shorts.

"Asher, is this your hoodie? The one you asked me to pack?" Ryker yelled. They both went outside of Andrea's dorm to see him leaning over with a black hoodie in his hand. "I never asked you to pack that! I asked if you had it! Just toss it down!" Ryker threw it down the staircase gap. Andrea chuckled as she locked her door to get changed, along with Asher as Ryker walked back into his own room.

Andrea placed on her gray, cotton shirt with white shorts that were slightly ripped at the bottom. She placed a jean jacket on top, rolling up the sleeves just to her elbows. She looked to the mirror and put strands of hair showing on both sides with one tucked behind her ear.

She walked out to see the twins and Rex walking downstairs, "Hey Andrea! Are you ready?". "Do you even know where we are going?" Andrea asked as they walked into the kitchen. They tossed everyone a granola bar as they weren't going to be able to eat breakfast and maybe even lunch.

"I think some sort of outdoor mall, one that opens only during Christmas but has the best gifts of any category" Rex bit into his protein bar.

"It's the best place to shop, trust us" Rachel smiled. Andrea nodded her head as she walked out to grab her wallet. She quickly grabbed a small wallet with all her cash, walking out and she didn't see Ryker's siblings anywhere.

Andrea screamed as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her and throw her over their shoulder. "Chill, it's just me!" Rafael laughed as he ran around with her. "Maybe next time don't pick me up while I'm looking for you!" Andrea yelled, smacking his back. Rafael let Andrea down but soon they heard running from the hallway.

"Andrea! Why were you screaming, are you ok?" Asher came out rushing his jacket on, "I'm fine! Rafael just scared me".

Asher immediately hugged Andrea as she didn't know what to do, "Why is everything ok?". "I was worried I wasn't able to protect you again" he whispered as Andrea wrapped his arms around him quickly. "You have protected me, you saved me, now we can spend the holidays together" Andrea whispered back.

Ryker and the rest rushed downstairs from her scream as well, it was frightening and loud. "Andrea what was that?" Ryker asked as she held Asher. "Your brother scared me that's all, sorry to worry you".

"Rafael! Don't you remember her incident? She doesn't need to be in shock! I told you to stop scaring everyone!" Janet yelled. "Don't worry I'm over it, it was quite funny, but come on let's go! We still have to buy our gifts for everyone!" Andrea pulled away stroking Asher's cheek, he smiled.

They went into a simple 10 minute car drive and made it to Holiday's Light, the name of the outdoor mall. It was festive with trees and lights on throughout the day, bringing a smile to everyone they walked by. "So all the twins together, Rex, Rylie, and Ryker together. Andrea and Asher are our last group, we will switch once everyone gets the gifts except for those they are with" Janet said.

Everyone walked off as Asher and Andrea stayed together, "I want to get Ryker's first, do you mind?". "I wanted to do the same, what did you plan to get him?" Asher asked. "A controller, I heard his broke" "Nice, I wanted to get him a gaming headset" Andrea thought it was a good idea.

They continued to go shop by shop, buying everything they needed for all the families. "I still have Rylie's, mind if I step away? I'll meet you here soon" Andrea asked. "Yea I still have to get Rafael's, one more thing, I'll meet you soon" Asher said as they went their ways.