Snow Day

Chapter 5: Surprises and Sisters

Riley pick up a nearby stone and tossed it in the direction of the young girl, hitting her in the back of the head.

"Hmmm..." the girl moaned rubbing her scalp.

"Hey, little girl—psst..."

"What?" the girl turned around angrily. Saw Riley and yelled, "What's the big idea!?"

"Ummm... Jack here said that—I'm- I'm- I'm a—witch... and that I- I- I have magic?!"

Jack turned "I never said anything about you being a witch"

"Oh Jack, it's so obvious though—boys' that have magic in them are called Wizards while girls that contain it are called Witches," Riley said, "Haven't you ever heard of the book series harry potter by J.K. Rowling?"

"No..." he started, but was cut off by the dark brown-haired girl.

"... and Riley's got some peculiarity in her too" the girl informed.

"Wh- what, I've got some sort of peculiarity in me as well?"

"Yes"

"Like that of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children?"

"Yes Riley"

"But- but I'm just- just an ordinary girl"

"No, no you're not... you are a very special girl"

"But- but- but- how- how do you know this about me?"

"Simple—I'm- I'm your sister and best friend, Riley"

"You- you are?"

"Yes Riley, my name is... Sophia, Sophia Anderson"

"But- but how—mom and dad never--"

"Our parents wished to be blessed with a baby for Christmas for so long that- once they got one—they were so happy, until one day; it was Christmas eve- I was asleep in my crib when... I heard- this sound coming from the living room; crawling out of my crib I entered the dark hallway, turning the corner I saw a man in black boots and a red suit... now I didn't know it at the time but I was looking at the one, the only: Santa Claus!"

Riley, her younger sister stared at her in awe, mouth hanging open, not saying a word as Sophia continued telling her amazing story.

"Anyway, he went about his work: filling stockings and putting presents under our tree when all of the sudden—I crawled over, and near his big, red bag sat a small, little toy bear... reaching for it, I tried hard not to make a sound... but that didn't last long; I tried to stand up, to grasp it from where it sat on the fireplace, but sadly I fell—crying out, hoping mom and dad would hear me... but alas they didn't; Santa, however, did... turning he replied '"Oy, vie"' in that Russian accent of his, anyway while trying to calm me down, he- he ended up giving me the bear say '"Here, a special gift from me to you eh'" he chuckled happily. After that—well... he said that I looked up at him... calling him '"Dada"' I think... and knowing him—he has a very soft spot for children..."

"So, he kidnapped you?"

She shook her head, "Mmm-mmm, not kidnapped—just- well, he thought I'd like to see the workshop... so he just took me on a little joy-ride"

"Ooh"

"Yep, I got to ride back in the slay with him all the way to the North Pole"

"Wow!" Riley gasped, "But what about mom and dad?"

"Oh them" she sighed heavily. "Well, when morning came and mom came in to arouse me. She was shocked to find one of the long sides of the crib was unlatched and found that I was gone..."