Have Some Cake

Christmas: Ontario, CA (11/12)

Ontario, California, USA

Kale Clague sits by the window of his small apartment. Sun rays shine through the window, giving Kale's face a glow. Yet Kale's expression contrasts the rays: his eyes are sharp and sullen, his eyebrows lowered, and his mouth is a frown.

Footsteps sound from behind Kale before Drake Rymsha appears into view and halts behind him.

He gazes at his friend with confused eyes. "Whatcha doing looking at the window, Claguer?"

"There's no snow," Kale murmurs at the window.

Drake turns his attention to the window.

Displayed through the glass is a beautiful scenery of crystal clear skies with streaked, white clouds. Full, green trees are scattered throughout the idyllic neighbourhood. Birds pass by the white, luminous sun.

Drake tilts his head as surprise takes over his face. "Are you sure it's December?"

Kale just sighs.

Drake pulls out his smartphone from his short's pocket and navigates to the calendar app. On the white calendar, a red dot is on the twenty-fourth of December, indicating the current date.

Drake peers back at the window. He appears more scared than surprise. "Weird." He then whirls around and walks away.

Kale peers behind his shoulder to look at his departing friend. "Where're you going?"

Drake halts in the middle of the living room and turns to him. "I'm gonna start putting up the Christmas tree! Wanna help?"

A scowl sets on Kale's face. "No."

Drake's elated expression drops. "But I...need help."

Kale lets out a huge sigh. "It doesn't feel like Christmas."

Drake groans and throws his hands in the air. "I know, but it's December and if we don't have our Christmas tree up, Santa won't give us presents."

"If Santa even comes here." Kale whirls to the window and holds his hands out at it. "There's no snow! How would his sleigh work?"

Drake holds a confused look at the glass. "Oh yeah..." Worry crosses his face. "...oh man..." He dips his head. "...that's right..."

Kale stands up and approaches his teammate. "We can't have Christmas here! It's seventy degrees outside! The evergreen scent isn't anywhere near! And the spirit, it's just not..." He halts his stepping and shrugs. "...there."

Knocking sounds from the front door. The two men freeze.

"Who's here?" Drake asks with furrowed eyebrows.

"I'll get it." Kale trudges to the front door, which is right by the window, and opens it.

On the other side is Jack Kopacka with a grin. He is wearing an Anaheim Ducks black ugly sweater with a matching Ducks Santa hat; despite his winter attire, he has shorts and flip-flops as well.

"Hey, Claguer!" Jack pipes up. "I gotcha cookies!" He holds his hands up, revealing a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

Drake steps next to Kale and gazes at the visitor. A look of disapproval overcomes his face with a cross of his arms before he turns to his teammate. "You had to invite the Gull again?"

"He invited himself," Kale remarks to him.

Jack scans the two from head to toe; concern forms on his face. "What's up, guys?" He cocks his head. "You're not wearing any Christmas attire or do the Kings not sell any?"