Just Good Friends

Chapter 28

DIGGY's POV

~Christmas Day, 9:00 am~

I awoke from my sleep to the sound of my little sister knocking on my door and yelling, "IT'S CHRISTMAS!" The excitement in her voice automatically made me smile. I remember those good ole days of waking up early and running down the creaky stairs to the living room to open all of my presents. Russy and Miley would always get the most presents because they were the youngest, but I was still thankful for each and every gift I received.

"DIGGY! IT'S TIME TO OPEN PRESENTS!"

"Okay, Miley, I'll be down in a few minutes," I yell back.

"WE'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU..." Her tiny footsteps thump down the stairs.

I stretch and sit up in bed. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I slowly throw the covers off of me, slide off the bed, and walk out of my room to the bathroom down the hall to brush my teeth.

Can't believe it's Christmas, I thought. Well, happy birthday  Jesus. 

When I finish brushing my teeth, I walk back to my room to grab my cell phone before heading downstairs. Julie has been blowing up my phone with pathetic apology texts ever since this past weekend. I should delete her number, but I read the texts anyway. I feel the urge to reply to her saying something nasty, but I don't have the energy to do it. So, I read her messages and never reply.

I've been thinking about Sam, too... last time we talked was... well I guess when she texted me about the Christmas dinner, but that doesn't count. It feels so weird. We used to talk to each other every day and now nothing. I thought she was just overreacting because that's what girls do -- especially Sam -- but maybe we both kinda got out of control.

"DIGGY! COME DOWNSTAIRS, WE'RE OPENING PRESENTS!" My mother's voice startles me out of my thoughts.

"I'm coming!" As I enter the living room, I see my family gathered around the Christmas tree. My mom is holding her camera with a huge smile on her face. My dad is lounging on the couch, he looks bored.

"We were waiting for you. What took so long?" My mom asks.

"I'm still sleepy." I yawn and sit on the edge of the couch; my dad gives me some dap.

"Can we open presents now?" Miley whines.

"Yes, sweetie. Open the big red one first..." My mom suggests.

Miley rips the box open, sending shreds of wrapping paper through the air. Her face lights up as she gets the first glimpse of her brand-new pink barbie doll mansion. She's been whining about that thing since the summer. I know she's ecstatic right now.

"YAY!! MOMMY, DADDY! I GOT A BARBIE DOLL MANSION FOR ALL MY DOLLS TO LIVE IN!" She screams and jumps up and down.

"That's really cool, Miley," Russy says, calmly.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Miley hugs mom and dad and skips back to the tree to open more presents. She ended up getting an easy bake oven, clothes, her own Bible, and a pink Hello Kitty watch. Russy got a pair of Air Jordan 14's in gray, some clothes as usual, video games, and a gold chain.

"I know you said you didn't want much, Dig," my dad begins.

"Who said that?" I jokingly ask.

He laughs a little, stands up, and picks out a gift wrapped in red and black paper, my favorite colors. "Here you go."

I take the box from his hands,  set it down in front of me, and unwrap it. As I rip the cardboard box that was hiding underneath the wrapping paper, I see something orange peek out from the inside. Opening the box completely, I see that it's a basketball.