Winter Music Box

A Helping Hand

Amanda's Room

Amanda is currently wrapping up the presents she got for her family, then a knock on the door makes her pause. "It's open!" She called. Alex and Max enter the room. "We're back, Amanda!" Said Max. "Hey, guys. Huh? Where's Justin?" Asked Amanda. "He told us to go on without him because he's trying to find Tori a present." Said Alex.

"Speaking of presents, we can tell you're already wrapping up the stuff you got for your husband and siblings." Max said. "Yeah, I thought I'd get a head start so they'll be ready by Christmas morning." Amanda said. "No sweat, girl. Anyway, we thought we'd show you the cards we got for Ryder and Katie." Alex said.

The two Russos take out their cards, allowing Amanda to read them. Each message makes her smile. "Very sweet. And, Alex, this'll be your first Christmas with Ryder!" She said with a smile. "I know right? I can't believe we've been dating for eleven months already! Well, it'll be eleven months on the 8th, because that's the day we got together officially." Said Alex. 

"Max, are you and Katie gonna be at the Palm Woods for Christmas?" Asked Amanda. "Not really. She said everyone clears out of that building once Christmas comes, allowing Mr. Bitters to have all the peace and quiet he wants." Said Max. "Right, I wasn't there during the holidays, so I didn't know. That means it's back to Manhattan with you two, I'll bet." Amanda said. Max nods.

Three Hours Later

The three adventurers continue hanging out in Amanda's room, only for their current subject to be changed into something else entirely.

"Justin's been gone for a while. What time is it, anyway?" Alex asked. "It's 4:00." Said Amanda. "And the gift shop closes at seven. We better get down there and tell Justin it's almost closing time." Max said. "He still has three hours to spare, but I think we should go down and give him a helping hand." Said Alex. "I'll go down there, if you want." Amanda said. "Thanks, Amanda. The two of us are exhausted anyway." Said Max.

Changing into her swan form, Amanda flies to the gift shop to find and help Justin. She regains her human form once she reaches the entrance, and there was the oldest Russo in the front of the store. He notices Amanda first thing when she enters.

"Amanda? What are you doing here? Did Alex and Max send you?" Asked Justin. "No, I volunteered to get you." Said Amanda. "It's almost closing time, isn't it?" Justin asked. "Uh-huh, didn't you see the clock?" Amanda asked. "I've been so busy trying to find a present for Tori, I didn't think to check the time." Said Justin.

The oldest Russo hangs his head. "Hey, I'm here now, I'll help you find something." Said Amanda. "Thanks, Amanda." Justin said. For the next few minutes, the two walk around the store to find a present. But most of the things they found were either something Justin already got for Tori, or not good enough.

Two Hours Later

"It's already 6:00, Justin, we probably should be heading back." Amanda said. "I guess you're right." Said Justin. "It's not the end of the world, you can try again tomorrow." Said Amanda. The two exit the gift shop as a bunch of other customers are already clearing out as well. Justin leans his back on the wall of the store and slides his back down until he's sitting on the cold ground. Amanda sits next to him and rubs his back. 

"It was too crowded in there, which is another reason why I couldn't find anything." Justin said. "Stores do get packed when it's Christmastime, with everybody running around, doing their shopping and such. But like I said, it's not the end of the world. Christmas isn't for another twenty three days, so there's still time for you to find Tori a present." Amanda said.

Justin's frown becomes a smile. "I'll be honest, if my siblings and I never met you, we'd be struggling a lot more. No one has ever said the best words of wisdom, aside from our parents of course." He said. "And if I hadn't told you guys about my history with Paul after you got us those Beatles tickets, the two of us would still be separated today." Said Amanda. "It's a good thing you told us in the first place. Anyway, thanks for coming to help, even though we didn't have much luck." Said Justin.

The two give each other a quick hug before making their way back to the apartment. Although Justin is bummed about not being able to find the perfect present, he knows that tomorrow is a new day and he'll have better luck then... hopefully.