Chapter Fifteen
Christmas decorations
Lauren
"Well, this is a nice tree." Tiara said as we studied the Christmas tree. "We'll take this one." I told one of the Walmart workers. He got the box and put it in my cart. "Thank you." I picked up a few lights and decorations to go on the Christmas tree.
"Do you know how to drive?" I asked Tiara as we put the bags in the backseat. "Yes. I been driving since I was thirteen." I threw her the keys. "Pop this CD in." She handed me the CD from her purse. I put it in. "Ain't comin' home tonight" by Boosie played through the speakers. "Girl what you know bout Boosie?" I laughed. "Boosie my nigga. We from the same hood." She turned up the radio. I just sat back and directed her on where the mall was.
I got everyone a Christmas gift. Gran, momma, Tiara, Quin, Rashad, KaTrece, Sarah, Anthony, Natalie, and Myles. I shopped in the jewelry store, Belks, and Ralph Lauren. "Have you always been so nice?" Tiara asked me. "Well, I guess." I shrugged my shoulders. "You treat people so nice. I can tell you really care about your friends. You go out of your way for people and expect nothing in return, dont you?" Now that I thought about it, Tiara was right. I nodded my head. "I'm the same way. Sometimes I feel like people be taking advantage of me though."
"Don't trip bout that. Just continue to be kind and you'll be blessed." I smiled at her. I put my bags in the trunk. This time I drove. "Let me ease ya minddd. Bring you in my worlddd. Cause you dun' caught my eyeee. And you can be my baby girlll." Tiara sung along with the song. I just nodded my head to the beat.
My phone started to ring. I turned the radio down. It was Sarah. "What you want?" I joked when I answered. "Where you at?" she asked. I could hear talking in the background. "I'm at your house. Your mom and gran is here. Your mom looks so good to be thirty nine!" she exclaimed. "I know. But I'm pulling up in the yard now." I hung up. I pulled into my dirveway. There were cars parked everywhere.
"Do you always have so much company?" Tiara got the Christmas tree from the backseat. "No, not really." I got the Christmas lights and decorations. "I'm leaving the gifts in the trunk." We went into the house. There was gran, momma, KaTrece, Sarah, Regina, Anthony, and Rashad. When did my house become the hit house?
"You don't mind if I light the fire place do you?" Anthony asked. I shook my head no. "But when you do that, I need my tree put up." I sat the bags down on the table. I looked into the kitchen. Gran, Ms Regina, and momma was talking with Rashad. Which I found a little odd. "What are they talking about?" I asked KaTrece. She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. They're probably just getting to know him better." I plopped down on the couch next to Sarah. "Gosh, I'm tired." I laid my head on her shoulder.
Sarah sipped the hot coco from the mug. "Your mom is so nice." I smiled. "Thanks. She's just like gran." I switched on the TV and flipped the channel to HBO. Home Alone was on. The best Christmas movie ever. "Do you want a piece of brownie?" Tiara asked. "Yes. And could you fix me some hot coco?" I asked nicely. "This is your sister?" Sarah asked. "Yes, Tiara this is my best friend, Sarah. And KaTrece." I pointed. "I already met Trece. But it's nice to meet you Sarah." She shook her hand. "I'll be back with your brownie and hot coco." Tiara looked at me before walking away.
Rashad walked into the living room and started to help Anthony put up the Christmas tree. "I think Rashad likes you." Sarah whispered in my ear. Great! Who's next? I was tired of hearing that when it clearly wasn't true. "No he does not!" I whispered back. Sarah called KaTrece to come sit beside us. She whispered something in her ear. KaTrece looked at me. "Most definitely. He looks at you like you're gold or something."
