Saving Mira-Jean (Hiatus)

Chapter 10

I frowned as I heard pots clanking in the distant and the landline ringing off the hook.

Yup, welcome home.

Oh and Merry Christmas.

I grinned as I got off my bed and opened the blinds. Instead of snow I was greeted with sand instead of snow. I had been back in Los Angeles since school ended for the holidays. It was hectic as I had done all my Christmas shopping here and had it sent to Bridgewater; all except one gift which I would deliver personally. My phone was lit up like the Christmas tree my parents and I put up last night but before responding to any messages, I brushed my teeth and headed downstairs.

"Merry Christmas," I hugged Mom and kissed her forehead before hugging Dad as well.

"Merry Christmas Ryder," they said in unison as we all sat down for Christmas breakfast. Christmas carols filled the room as we talked about past Christmas celebrations, Mom was careful not to mention the Swansons in front of Dad, not risking the continuation of the argument I got into with Dad over them.

After our gift exchange, I headed upstairs with my new Xbox, a stack of the latest games and clothes. I looked at my phone, internally cringing at all the notifications but I lay down on my bed and responded to every one. I could hear my parents singing along to the radio as Dad helped Mom prepare Christmas dinner. I would join in but cooking together was one tradition they had started when they were dating and I was the third wheel. 

Christmas for me was always kind of lonely as both my parents did not have any siblings and both maternal and paternal grandparents had passed away when I was a child. Chase had the big family while Mira had Rex and I was sort of always left out on the holiday.

I frowned as my mind turned to Mira-Jean. I wonder how they celebrated Christmas or even if they celebrated it all. I knew money was an issue for them, I wonder if they saved up or didn't bother with any gifts. I wondered how they were surviving the winter, did they have heating? A fire place? I had a whole bunch of questions and no answers, maybe I should've met up with Mira-Jean before I left.

My finger hovered over her number, saved under "Unknown" for an unknown reason. I found myself typing a quick message:

Merry Christmas

I pressed send and as I looked at the screen, I realised my palms were sweating. Was I nervous to talk to Mira? She is my best friend dammit.

15 minutes passed as I kept talking to Rose who was stuck at her grandparents who were not happy with her parent's divorce, she eventually called me in tears as her family were treating her like a stranger.

"They say I'm stupid and think I don't know how to do anything because I'm from this small town, that I don't know how the world works and that my dreams are foolish," she choked out, trying to not completely break down. "They say I'm a fool for choosing to stay with my father but I rather a stable home over jetting all over the world just until high school is over."

I sighed, "I know. Try not to take their words to heart. Keep your head up and show them that you are strong." Something about her words did not sit right with me. Didn't they do the same when it came to Mira-Jean? They assumed she was a criminal now that she lived in the Alleys. Could they handle the same when someone did the same to them?

Those thoughts turned in my head as I helped Rose collect herself and we eventually said goodbye as she returned to face her family. I sighed as I checked my message; no response. I tossed my phone onto my bed and sank to the floor to set up my Xbox.