live a little - j.birch

t h i r t y - o n e

i got woke up by leah jumping on my aching body. she had a huge grin on her lips and even though you could tell she had just woke up herself, she was full of energy.

"it's christmas!" she yelped as i shoved her off of me and onto the floor. she wobbled back to her feet whilst i removed the sleep from my eyes. leah was such a merry person at christmas, but i just wasn't feeling it this year. nevertheless, i still got up and danced about to whatever christmas song she was playing at the time. we soon was called downstairs and greeted to a present filled lounge and a beaming diane and an excited elliot. nick still had a childlike wonder about the whole day whilst judd looked pissed to be awake so early.

"this pile is yours nicky, there's leahs and there's judds. i know yours isn't as big dear but your pile is there." diane instructed us all, giving warm smiles. i was honestly shocked i had anything at all, so the sight made me cheeks redden.

"you guys didn't have to-" judd cut me off.

"just open them." he plopped down at his pile, beginning to rip open the paper carelessly. i sat at my little pile and decided to look at the cards i had first.

'Dear Bella,
merry christmas! we hope you have an amazing day and rest of the year!
thank you for looking after our babies and being such a good friend to them.

Lots of Love,
Diane and Elliot Birch
xx'

'To Isabella
mom and dad said i need to write you a card. merry christmas i guess.
From Nick.'

'Bells,
MERRY CHRISTMASSSSSSSS!
love you bitch
open my present so my parents can't see
love you bitch, again

your slut forever,
lee
xoxo'

'Bella
mom and dad said we all need to write christmas cards so merry christmas i guess. thanks for everything. i know girls are meant to be the ones with mood swings so i'm sorry you have to deal with mine.

i'm glad we're friends again. but don't be a fag about it.

judd
x'

i smiled at the words from all the family and was glad i managed to scribble some cards last night when leah said the others did. i also smiled at how many times judd scribbled out the 'x' and rewrote it. it was cute.

"who goes for cards first?" leah teased as she admired the pair of earrings her parents got her. they looked expensive.

"someone who cares about words?" i began unsealing the wrapping paper from the first present. it was from nick. inside was a bar of hersheys cookies and cream. i thanked him, knowing that this was a nice thing he even thought to get me something. next was diane and elliots present. inside was a pair of gold hoops that radiated bad bitch energy. i knew i'd feel amazing in them.

"wow guys, you shouldn't have." i beamed at the birch parents, who both shared such happy expressions. you could tell their favourite thing was seeing the way their kids faces lit up as they realised they got what they wanted.

next was leahs presents. she had spoiled me. in a large box was a little red latex dress with white fur around the bust and a chunky black belt was placed underneath it. in my other box was knee high black latex boot heels with a gold buckle. another box held a-

"oh my god. a fucking vibrator?" i cackled loudly, chucking the dildo with a little santa on top at leah. she wheezed with laughter. nick gave us a weird look whilst the parents giggled.

"thought i'd treat ya." leah winked, throwing it back to me. i shoved it in the box and slid it away from me slightly.

"the outfit is for the christmas party mom and dad said we could throw. as long as the house is spotless when they're home." leah rolled her eyes at the last part but i was grinning like the cheshire cat - an excuse to drink was always a good thing. though the idea of a christmas party confused me. didn't we throw one the other day? oh well.

"here." judd grunted as he reappeared from wherever he went. it was a small box with a gold necklace inside. the necklace was dainty and looked delicate with a small crescent moon the main part of it. i read the note inside of it.

not much. but it's coz we seem to get along when it's night. girls like gay shit, right? don't say i'm a cunt all the time.

"it's beautiful." i whispered to no one in particular as i pulled it out of the box carefully and looked at it closely. i noticed, in tiny calligraphy writing, was the words 'moon flower'. i wasn't sure what it meant but it made my cheeks burn.

"judd got you a present? judd don't buy presents." leah had a cheeky smile on her lips. i handed it to her and she looked at it closely before clasping it around my neck. i held the cold metal in my fingers as i watched judd take a large gulp of his drink. he was avoiding eye contact.

"thank you." i smiled at him. he nodded, still choosing to not look at me. judd truly was an enigma. my mind wandered as i wondered what he had bought harriet for christmas if he got me this. the thought made my smile falter.