Different

~33~

Lavender

December 25..... Christmas Day. You would think I'll be happy and run to my parents room and scream that it's Christmas.

But I didn't.

My adopted parents that I loved very much, became strangers to me. The two people that loved me, lied to me and everyday I'm in this house gives me more reasons to hate them. Hearing my phone go off, I noticed someone FaceTiming me.

I smiled when I saw Layla's contact name pop up on my phone. I answered it with a giggling Layla.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS LAVENDER!!" She screams which caused Mr. and Mrs. Manes to scold her for screaming. I laughed lightly.

"Merry Christmas Layla." I smiled causing her to giggle.

"Are you coming over? Because Xander has like multiple presents with your name on them." I smiled before sitting up and giggle.

"Does he now?" I questioned looking over at the presents that I had for him. I also had presents for my friends, Aunt Jackie and grandma Pearl.

Grandma Pearl was staying until New Years and I'm more than happy to be with my grandma while she's still in L.A.

"Yes! It's a lot of them!" She exclaimed as I saw her try to push Xander from the camera but he grabbed her I-pad.

"Xander!!" She yelled trying to get her I pad back.

"I promise I'll give it back okay?" He said and she stomped her feet leaving away.

"Merry Christmas Care bear. I have multiple presents like Layla said." I giggled.

"I have presents for you too. I'll come over later. My grandma and Aunt wanted to do something for me since we found each other again." I said which he smiled, nodding his head.

"Sure. Let me know." He said and I nod my head.

"Give Layla back her I-pad please, I want to talk to her." I said and he rolled his eyes playfully calling Layla to get her I-pad back. She snatched it out of his hand, rolling her neck and talking to him. I laughed whenever she did that.

After Layla and I talked, I decided to get up and shower, brush my teeth, do my hair and get ready for the day. Walking down the stairs, my thoughts trailed off to Xander and I's future once again. I've been thinking about it for at least a week but I try not to.

"Merry Christmas honey!" Mom said bringing me out of my thoughts. I looked at the present that was in her hand and I shake my head no.

"Merry Christmas but I don't want any gifts." I walked passed her going to the key holder ring to get my keys.

"Honey it's Christmas. Open it." She kept encouraging me to do so but I kept refusing. I didn't want anything from them.

"Come on Honey just open our gift." Dad said and I stood there and snort a little looking at the two people I called my parents.

"So I'm suppose to open a gift from two people I don't even know anymore?" I gave them one last look before turning around and going to the front door.

"We were going to tell you about everything-"

"When mom? Never? I can't believe I had to find out about it through my blood Aunt. You should've seen the face she made when you two did what you did." I said causing dad to shake his head.

"We wanted to protect you." Dad said causing me to laugh with such bitterness in my voice.

"Protect me from what?! My own family?!"