Five Against One

Christmas Day

Chapter 24

"Merry Christmas!" the radio blares.

I sigh and roll out of bed.

"And for all of you people out there, have a great day with your friends and family! Now for some carols, the whole family will enjoy." The DJ says.

White Christmas starts to play and I frown, switching the radio off.

Just another, dreary, depressing Christmas.

I know I told Harry I got the "Christmas Spirit" back, but how could you keep it if the ones closest to you aren't even home.

I slip on a pair of slippers and walk down the stairs quietly. I make my way to the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee. The couch creaks as I sit down and look out the window.

I look at all the families walking down the street, the carolers, kids sledding and building snowmen. I look at the clock and see it's already 12.

"Shit!" I mumble throwing back my coffee and rushing into the kitchen.

I run upstairs changing into a red sweater, a pair of jeans, and a pair of uggs. Rushing down the stairs I grab a jacket, a scarf, gloves, and a hat.

I pick up my phone and my fathers keys before I rush out the door. Climbing into the car I flick the heat on and drive down the street towards the soup kitchen.

The line is long and I frown. No one should have to wait this long, and be this cold on Christmas. I climb out of my car and pop open the trunk, pulling out a box with multiple pairs of gloves, hats, and scarves I bout at the thrift store.

I walk over to the line and smile at everyone, the box propped up against my hip.

"Hi everybody!" I say and a few of them smile, most of them giving me a little nod.

I spot a shivering little girl and walk over to her smiling.

"Hi." I say crouching down to her height.

"H-Hi." she chatters.

"Would you like some gloves?" I say and she bobs her head up and down.

I hand her a small pair of pink gloves and she smiles at me, her face filled with excitement.

"I like these, they have Hello Kitty." she giggles.

"Yeah, I like em' too." I say.

Her mother touches her shoulder and looks up. Her mother gives her a small look and the girl looks back at me.

"Thank you. I'm Ellie." she says and I smile.

"I'm Alex." I say.

I stand up to my full height and hand a hat to the mother.

"Merry Christmas." I say and she smiles.

"Merry Christmas angel." she says.

I send one last smile and walk down the line, handing out hats and gloves to as many people that I can. They all thank me and send me thankful smiles.

Once I run out I enter the building walking to the back.

The main floor person smiles at me.

"Alex! I haven't seen you in years!" she says.

"I know Katherine. It's just, Christmas has been a tough time for me these past couple years." I say quietly and she nods.

"We were just about to start letting people in." she says and it's my turn to nod.