Diddly Doo Squad

Chapter 17

"Are we doing anything for the new year?" Ryan asked.

"It hasn't even been Christmas yet," Myles said.

"Just...you know, planning ahead and stuff."

"Uh...not sure then," Myles shrugged and began to load out the Christmas ornaments.

Cat was munching on a biscuit while rolling her sleeves up. She began to cut open the box that held the tree. "Anybody know how big this actually is?"

"Uh. Tall?" Myles suggested.
"Thanks, Myles."
He grinned, "No problem."

"Okay, finished my homework. I can help now," Allana bounded into the living room and dropped down to the dusty boxes of baubles.

Trevvy walked in from the boys' room talking to someone on the phone. "Andrew, your son is scheduled for an appointment this Tuesday. After school, yes. Um...I don't have my book right now...and I'm off—alright. Thank you. See you then."

Satisfied, she sat next to Allana and looked on with a happy grin. Blue, red, yellow—so many colours littered the floor. Her excitement bubbled, "Christmas!" she sung.

"Trevvy? Why were you in our room?" Ryan asked.

"Al called me to find something for him. I couldn't, with the mess everywhere."

"Hey!" Myles and Ryan objected.
"It is though!" Trevvy insisted.
"It's not!"
"It is," Allana deadpanned.
"Okay then, never mind."

The sound of the door unlocking turned heads. Al came in through the door with a cut on his forehead. He looked tired, as if the world's burdens were on his shoulders.

"Al! What the hell?" Trevvy pushed off the floor and ran towards him to look at the wound.

"Hey. I had a mishap at work. Had to fix computer. Everything just kind of popped out." Al hugged Trevvy for comfort, and trudged his way to the couch.

"Hey, no. No sitting," Allana scolded. "Go get yourself cleaned up then let Trevone take care of you."

Al sighed and changed his direction, swinging his bag over his shoulder as he made his way to his room.

"He could've rested a little bit," Trevvy spoke quietly.

"Don't want dust on the couch."
"But he's injured, Allana!"
"Treat him then!"

Trevvy sighed. She turned around to see Al carrying new clothes to the bathroom. She gave him a thumbs up as a question, and he gave a shrug in return.

Silence seethed throughout the apartment. Allana and Myles were steadily unloading the boxes. Ryan began to stack the empty boxes away. Trevvy went to the kitchen and waited for Al to come out. Cat was pulling at the string that held the tree together.

The tension was broken when the door was unlocked again, this time bringing Rija home. "Hey guys. What are you doing?"

"Setting up the Christmas tree!" Myles smiled.

Rija raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"Sorry, Rija," Ryan began, "I know you don't celebrate Christmas, but—"

"Yeah, I don't celebrate Christmas."

The other five stopped what they were doing and shifted uneasily. However, the uneasiness was broken as fast as it had begun.

"Doesn't mean I can't be grateful to you guys."

Everybody let out a sigh of relief. Rija laughed and headed into her room to change. "I'll help out in a bit," she called back.