STARKID Senior Year

Christmas Eve Eve

Joey woke up in the comfort of his own bed. He finally was able to get a good nights sleep. Because things were finally resolved (well sort of). When Joey went to the store to pick up butter he found Penelope, he had no clue she was from San Francisco, and well... they ended up kissing. It was a magical moment for both of them, but neither wanted to admit it. And when there kiss ended, they both acted like they didn't feel that spark. Joey had no clue what happened she was the girl who was stuck in his head for days. And he kissed her, it was the best kiss of his life, but when he went to talk it came out "That was okay." Penelope agreed and they went on with there days as if it never happened. Maybe Joey slept so well because he felt like he had closure, but even he knew that he didn't and neither did she. But he pretend he did.

He got out of bed and took a shower, he pushed the thought of Penelope far out of his mind. He want down stairs and his parents had already started there Christmas Eve Eve traditions. His dad was throwing tensile the tree while is mom was wrapping the tree with a strand of popcorn.

"Good morning sweetie, the candy canes are on the tabel." Joey nodded his head and picked up the box off the table and started hanging them on the tree.

"The Richter Family Christmas tree is officially done." His father said.

●●●

Joeys family did everything they normally do on Christmas Eve Eve. They played a board game, did a puzzle, chose one classic Christmas special to watch, then all chose a present under the tree to open.

"Okay, time for our final tradition dinner ant MacDonalds." Joeys mother said putting her new locket on.

"Mom, I think we should go some where more classy, I'm grown up now." Joey said trying to convince his mom to change dinner plans. When Joey was little one Christmas Eve Eve his mom asked where he wanted to eat out at, and what 5 year old wouldn't say the MacDonalds with a play land. And ever since Joey has out grown the play land he has been trying to convince his mother to change restaurants, but she refuses.

"Joseph Michael Richter, we're going to MacDonalds and that's that." His mother said then walked out of the living room.

At about 7:30 the Richter family pulled into MacDonalds. Joey did not not want to be there. Joey order a simple meal, he figured the less he had to eat the quicker he would finish, and the faster they could leave.

"Joey, it's not that bad." Joeys mother said, as they sat down at a table, she handed him his food.

"I'm not saying that it is." Joey replied then gave his mother a fake smile.

"What's so bad about MacDonalds?" His father asked.

"Well this isint real meat, and the cheese is plastic so." Joey answered.

"No I mean what's so bad about being about being at MacDonalds, is it because your with your parents?" His father asked more clearly.

"No, it's just that I'm torn when I come home now. I have you guys that I desperately want to see. And then my friends who I desperately want to see as well." Joey answer then ate some french fries.

"What are they doing tonight?" Is mother asked.

"Um, well I don't really know, they just said they were going-"

"Joey!" He was cut off by the squeal of three girls, three voices who he knew by heart. Lauren, Jaime, and Meredith.

Joeys parents gave him a smile, his mother took a deep breath then smiled and said, "Go be with them."

"Thank you." Joey said hopping up and going over to his friends. "What are you guys doing here."

"Were going to see if we're to big for the play land." Joe said then headed off. Thankfully it was late and empty. Joeys parents finished eating then waved to the group and left.

Once at the play land, Joe carefully maneuvered the it trying not to get stuck, or make it collapse. Everyone stood around watching except for Darren who was sitting at a table. Joey walked over to his friend.

"I know you, something is on your mind, what's up?" Joey asked taking a seat across from him.

"I'm going to have a kid, and I'm going to take him or her to places like this." Darren explained.

"And are you scared?" Joey asked.

"No, I'm excited, you know to see them running around. Yelling from the top 'Daddy daddy look at me!' I can see our child running around playing, that's what I was looking at."

"What gender do you see your child?" Joey asked.

"A girl. She has brown hair, like Lauren but it's super curly like mine, she has my eyes and nose. She's perfect." Darren said getting lost in his dream again. Joey got up and made his way back over to his friends and stood beside Dylan.

"So where is he?" Joey asked Dylan.

"Still in the stairs, there stacked in opposite ways, and well were not gonna tell him it's a dead end." Dylan said then laughed.

"Dammit!" Joe yelled when he found out that it was a dead end. "Um I'm stuck." Joe said causing everyone to laugh. It took Joe a while to get down but as soon as he did he went back up. "I will make it out alive." Joe yelled and continued.

The gand ordered ice cream and sat around and ate it.

"So is everyone excited for tomorrow." Brian asked giving Darren a look. Darren gave him a look as if saying, say another word and you die.

"It's just Christmas Eve. Wait are we doing something?" Lauren asked.

"Just ... hanging." Darren said horrified some how Lauren would find out. "But it should just be us, arnt you all leaving tonight to be with your families." Brian gave Darren a look as if to say Touche.

"What? You guys are leaving?" Lauren said upset.

"Yea, it's Christmas Lo, we sorta have to go home." Meredith said giving Lauren a smile.

"But this is your home, this is where you all live." Lauren said not wanting her friends to leave.

"It may be," they heard Joe say from the top of the play land, they all looked at him confused, "I'm stuck okay." He said causing all of his friends to laugh. "But Christmas is a time to spend with family and we told your boyfriend to tell you but..." He finished, throwing Darren under the bus, then ducking back down and began to try to get out again.

"Darren you knew." Lauren said looking at him.

"Lauren, honey, they need to be with there families." Darren said in a calming tone. He knew he had to play his cards well with Lauren her hormones were off the chart crazy, so she could either blow up, or sob for hours.

"But- but we're a family." Lauren said in a whimper.

"Oh Lauren." Jaime said getting up and giving her a hug.

"But what if I have the baby before you all get back." Lauren said full on crying.

"Lauren, your only nine weeks pregnant, I think we're safe." Meredith said taking her hands.

"Hey look at it this way your apartment will be empty, and I've heard pregnancy sex is the best." Joe said as he walked over to the table, he obviously made it out.

"Oh Walker shut up." Darren said wishing he had something to throw at him.

When they finally decided to leave Lauren gave everyone a goodbye hug, her brain had her thinking she would never see them again. Darren and Lauren drove Joey back to his house. Darren pulled into Joeys drive way and put the car in park. Lauren was passed out asleep in the passenger seat.

"Keep me updated." Joey said to Darren as he got out of the car.

"Will do." Darren said then drove off.