It Can Only Get Better From Here

Chapter 12

KATIANA'S POV

I sat on the bed in the van. I had a book and a cup of cofee in my hands and I curled my legs under me. I had headphones in my ears. blocking the sounds of the cars outside.

I read the note clenched in my fist from Serj.

'Sorry I couldn't give you a proper goodbye, Katiana. I'm sure that we will meet again sometime. Lots of love, Serj.'

I grinned at the messy handwriting and placed the note in my pocket. I wished that I could've had a chance to thank him for the ipod- it had all of System of a Down's music on it and all of Serj's single work. It even had the unreleased ones.

We were driving to Quebec for the last part of the tour. The others were still asleep,since they were up late celebrating.

I put my copy of "The Hunger Games" down after marking the page. I silently got up to put my empty styrofoam cup in the garbaged.

I lay down on the bed again. I could really get used to this life. I was scared to advance on in life. I wasn't sure where I would live or what I would do.

I must've dozed off, because I woke up with Xaivier shaking my arm. "Katt, wake up! It's Christmas morning!"

"What? No, it's not." I rolled over and tried to sleep again. Xaivier sighed and grabbed my arms.

"What are you doing?" I whispered. My words ended in a yelp as he dragged me off of the bed and carried me in his strong arms over to where the others were sitting. He sat down beside Heith and Anderson. He was still holding me, so I stretched out and put my head on Heith's knees. My feet rested on Anderson.

"Is this some mega-prank? It isn't Christmas." I closed my eyes against the harsh glare of the sun.

Heith shifted, making me head move. "Yeah, it is." He bumped his phone against my nose and I squinted against the light coming from the screen.

It took me a few seconds to focus, then a few more seconds to read it through my dyslexia.

December 25th.

"Oh... I guess it is." I was shocked that the time had gone by so quickly. I closed my eyes again. "So why am I awake right now? I could be sleeping."

"Don't you like Christmas, Katt?" Raphael asked. "With the happiness and cheerful music."

I shook my head. "They should play death metal a Christmas time. The happiness is not real, it is only an illusion. People have been brought up to think Christmas is all fun and happy, but on the inside we are just trying to satisfy the need for new things. We are spending money to prove how powerful we are."

The van was quiet. "That was really deep." Anderson whispered. I smiled while keeping my eyes closed.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I think we should do presents now." Xaivier leaned over me to grab some messily wrapped parcels.

"Well, I feel like a big jerk." I muttered. "I didn't get you guys anything."

"Katt, I think the best Christmas present would be for you to say that you will stay with us... I know that you want to run, but we all love you." Jack's voice had a persuasive tone to it.

"I... I haven't made up my mind yet." I whispered.

Jack sighed and began opening one of his presents.

I was pleased that Xaivier was putting his presents on my stomach. Every time he picked something up his hand would brush against my waist. His hands were warm.

I tried to tune out the un-manly squeals as the boys opened their presents. I didn't understand the excitement, but I loved watching their expressions.