Vivid Memories

Chapter 15

It was Christmas.

I wasn't expecting snow, because who would in California? It never snowed during Christmas in England. It did once five years ago, but it hasn't happened recently. In any case, I was happy enough to spend Christmas with people.

Dante was still fast asleep. To be fair, it was only seven. He looked like he slept more peacefully than he did in my place. I supposed he didn't take his shirt off because he was sleeping in the same room as me.

I knelt down in front of Dante and started to softly shake him.

"Dante... wake up..." I whispered quietly, trying to wake him as smoothly as possible. "It's Christmas morning."

"I'll be up in five minutes," He yawned and turned to the other side. "My alarm hasn't gone off yet..."

"Uhhh... you have an alarm?"

"Uh... who doesn't?" He turned back to me and opened his duvet cover. "Mmhmm... get in or get out..."

I playfully hit Dante on the head before laying right beside him. Normally, if this was my house, I would make something for myself, but since his parents are around, I can't really do much since I don't want to take anything from them - even if that meant making them breakfast. Besides, it's the holidays; I should take the first few days to relax.

The floor was cold, but Dante's embrace was warm. He didn't care who was next to him, I assumed since he hugged me out of nowhere. His hands were around my stomach. I think he was being careful in where he wrapped his arms around me. I just messed around on my phone for about an hour, until Dante's alarm went off. I didn't want to move from my position, because I felt like Dante was a cat and the moment I moved.

"Okay... I'm up," He yawned and stood up. "Mmhmm... How was your sleep?"

"I slept pretty well," I smiled at him, moving his fringe away from his face. "I honestly do think you should let the world see your beauty..."

"It's not a beauty, Avalon," He placed his warm hands on the hand which was on his face still. "It's a curse. Nothing good has ever come out of it."

"I'm still here for you, aren't I?" I smiled at him, before yawning. "Come on sleepyhead. It's Christmas. We should go downstairs."

"Mmhmm... okay, Ava," He yawned once more and stood up, stretching his arms.

Christmas wasn't the same without dad, or mom, but having it with people always made it better than having no one around. When we got downstairs, no one was around so Dante and I decided to make breakfast for his parents. Apparently this happens more often than not, so this wasn't anything unusual for him. He did have his fun by flicking drops of water at me, but to be fair, I did do it first to him. Luckily we didn't start throwing eggs, otherwise the kitchen would have been a mess.

We pretty much made a classic English Breakfast — though instead of sausages, we had chorizo instead. I forgot Dante was part Italian.

His parents got out of bed around nine, and we surprised them with breakfast. They primarily thanked me, though honestly half the work done was Dante. It was a team effort.

We opened presents after breakfast and clearing up. I got him his gift card, which he was thankful for. His parents got him a skateboard (for some odd reason. Didn't really see Dante as a skater boy) and also a crazy expensive (well, it was fifty bucks) art set. Well, I can see some similarities between him and Caitlyn now.

Though I was surprised when Dante had something for me. Opening it, there was a crop top and ripped jeans. Whoa, this was my style.

"I had Penny and Tyler help me out with picking the top," He confesses, shrugging casually. There was stream of red that was a smeared across his face. "I uh... tried to guess your jean size, but apparently you and Caitlyn were the same size, so... hope they fit?"

"Thanks Dante," We hugged and grinned funnily at one another. God, we tried so hard to get something that we'd like.

"We actually got something for you too Avalon," His parents brought out a small wrapped box from a drawer. "We didn't want Dante to know because he'd think we were embarrassing him. We hope you like it."

"I-I can't accept this gift, Mrs. LaVine," I chuckled nervously, waving my hand.

"Nonsense," His dad just shook my hand instead, meaning he gave no shits about my disapproval. "We rarely meet some of Dante's friends and it is always a treat to have more than three people for Christmas. So when Dante said you'd be staying over, we knew we had to get you something."

"We just hope you like it,"

I couldn't really decline at that point. Opening the gift, it was a perfume. It was Cherry Blossom Spring. I didn't recognise the brand, but everything was in Italian so I assumed it was from Italy.

"Wow... thanks," I smiled and hugged them both. "Really, you didn't have to give this to me at all."

"We just wanted to let you know if you ever need somewhere to stay, you're always welcome here," Dante's mom announced. I noticed Dante groaned and sigh but I'm glad he has good parents. She then whispered something in my ear. "There's a note inside the box. But to summarise it, we want to thank you because you've done so much for our son."

I nodded and smiled, taking the box and noticing the note. If they didn't want it out in the open, then clearly they didn't want Dante knowing about it. So I decided to read it on my own time.

I left their house about the afternoon. We agreed to meet again at New Years. I couldn't wait. But what I needed to do was read the note. So arriving home and laying on my bed after a nice cold shower, I opened my box again and took the note to read it.

It said:

Dear Avalon,
Without you, our boy Dante wouldn't be so happy. When he first came home after meeting you, he complained about you all day. But then more and more he actually liked to talk about you.

He's been happier recently and it's no surprise that it must be because of you.
What we have given you wasn't enough to show our gratitude, but I do hope you appreciate it.

We do hope you continue making our boy happy, because we know he will do as much as he can for you.

- From
Michelle and Alfonso LaVine
P.S: don't hesitate calling us by our names.

Man, the LaVine's are something.