Becoming Beautiful (Wattys2014)

| Chapter 18 |

Cover to the side made by Amazesomebowaholic.

Chapter 18

I rubbed my eyes as I sat up, blinking a few times to regain my vision. The sun shone through the window and I wanted to hiss and cover my eyes. I sat up, looking at my phone to see the time. I noticed that I had four new text messages and I grinned widely. I quickly unlocked my phone, opening the messages and looking at the four different contacts that texted me.

‘Merry Christmas, Ken,’ Floyd texted me and I grinned. I responded similarly, chiding him about his stupid nickname for me.

‘Merry Christmas!’ Dana sent. Chloe sent the exact same message but added a smiley face at the end of hers. I replied to the girls, returning the greeting.

‘Merry Christmas from the Rivers family! Especially Noah,’ Marissa added a few winking faces towards the end of her message and I scowled but sent her a simliar message.

When do these people wake up? I sat up and looked around, slowly getting out of bed. I walked towards the bathroom, grabbing my clothes for the day from my dresser. It’s only a new pair of pajama pants and a Christmas sweater with a reindeer on it. I quickly showered and brushed my teeth, not bothering to dry my hair.

I walked downstairs to see my mother cooking breakfast. I grinned as I walked over. “Hello, daughter.”

“Hi mom.” I managed to get myself onto the counter a few feet away from the stove. My mother didn’t bother to reprimand me. “What are you making?”

“Chocolate chip pancakes,” she rejoined as she flipped the pancake, placing it on the pile beside the pan.

Once she finished, I grabbed two pancakes, drowning them in syrup. I didn’t miss the disgusted look my mother sent me. “They’re swimming in syrup.”

“Yours have two drops of syrup, mom,” I retorted as I saw her lightly drizzle syrup on her pancakes.

“Normal people eat their pancakes like this,” she responded with a smile on her face. “Now hurry up because I want to open gifts.”

I nodded and ate at a quicker pace, careful not to choke on the pancakes. We walked over towards the tree, which wasn’t lit thanks to the bright sun outside. I noticed a large box sitting under the tree that wasn’t there yesterday and I furrowed my eyebrows. “What’s that?”

She grinned. “Open it first.”

I nodded as I sat beside the box, ripping off the bow at the top. I noticed holes in the box and I felt a grin spreading on my face. This isn’t what I think it is; it can’t be. As I lifted the top of the box, I squealed loudly, lifting the small puppy from the box. Its eyes opened wide as it was pressed to my chest in a hug. It's tongue licked my cheek and I laughed.

“Thank you so much mom!” I told her with a smile on my face. The dog quickly leaped from my arms and began walking around, inspecting its surroundings. I've always wanted a dog, so I wouldn't be so lonely when my mom leaves. “Is it a girl or a boy?”

“A boy,” she smiled at me as I watched him attempt to jump on the couch. “What are you going to name him?”

I looked at the husky, taking in its blue eyes. “Dakota.”

My mother nodded as she looked at the dog. “Dakota, it suits him.”

The other gifts that I opened were things for the dog- food, two collars, a leash, and special treats for him. I also got clothes and some new books. My mother bought me more makeup and I was surprised to see it sitting in a bag. “You bought this for me?”