Approaching Holidays

Back at school the following Monday, Aiden's psychology teacher was having trouble handling the rowdiness of the class.

"Quiet down now, everyone! Settle down! I know all of you are having trouble concentrating as it's the final week of school before the winter vacation but you still have work to do. Exams are only a few weeks away once you all come back so no one should slack off. Also, don't forget to turn in your permission slips for the class ski trip in February. It'll be here before you know it so don't wait till the last minute. I'll also remind you all about your group projects. If you haven't done much, you better start now. Now, everyone open your textbooks to page 152 and let's get started."

Every class was just as disorderly. Most of the teachers didn't have any hope of getting the students to focus on anything too difficult and just decided to review what they already learned. It was as if the entire school was buzzing with excitement for the holidays. Some people were discussing where their families were going on vacation and others talked about all the expensive gifts they expected to receive.

The rest of the week passed in the exact same manner. By Friday, the teachers gave up completely and some of the classes spent the time cleaning up the school and their belongings while others just put on Christmas movies. At the end of the day, students and teachers alike flooded out of the building and happily headed home.

During the drive back, Aiden stared out of the window at the decorated city streets. Store windows were adorned with different colored lights, trees with ornaments, garlands and more. Lights were strung up on light posts and trees that bordered the street as well. Occasionally, he'd see different charities doing collections while dressed up as Santa or elves.

Back at the house was more of the same. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson had gone all out in decorating for the holidays and they still weren't done. The outside of the house had lights and holly garlands hung up. Large candy cane lights also framed the walking path to the door where a beautiful wreath was placed. Inside the house, garland was tied on the railings of the staircase and a huge tree was standing in the corner of the living room. It didn't have any ornaments yet as Mrs. Hudson wanted Aiden and Derek to help her and Mr. Hudson decorate the tree.

As Aiden entered the house, the sweet smell of cookies and vanilla greeted him. Mrs. Hudson cheerfully beckoned him into the kitchen.

"Aiden, dear, perfect timing! Would you be a darling and taste test this new batch of cookies for me? I tried something a little different this time." Aiden had lost count of how many times she had asked him to taste the cookies, breads, and cakes she was making over the last few days but he didn't mind. They were all delicious so he'd never say no even if it meant he'd have to exercise two times more than usual.

"Absolutely!" He went over and picked up one of the cookies. It was still warm from the oven. After taking a bite, he smiled. "They're so good! I actually like these a bit more than the last batch. What's different though? They look like the same thing." Aiden ate the rest of the cookie as Mrs. Hudson answered him.

"I added almond extract and a little more sugar."

"Mm, I like them." Aiden nodded and picked up one last cookie.

"Alright then! I'll make another batch!" Mrs.Hudson went back to baking and Aiden took a seat at one of the counters.

"Um, Mrs. Hudson?"

"What is it, dear?" She glanced at him but continued to bake as they talked.

"Well, I was just wondering if you could help me think of a good Christmas gift for Derek. I'm having trouble coming up with anything decent. I mean, what do you get for someone who already has everything they might need or want?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "That's true. He's always the most difficult person to find gifts for. I'm not even sure myself what he really likes and I've known him for years. Luckily in my case, I always do the same thing each year for him and embroider a handkerchief."

"What do other people get for him?"

"Let's see…His father usually gives him something strange he picked up while traveling. Derek always complains about how useless they are and that they take up too much space in storage. His brother, on the other hand, almost always buys him imported coffee. After all, you and I both know that Derek wouldn't be able to function without coffee. My husband buys him socks every year. Unfortunately, that's about it."

"That's it? You mean he doesn't get anything from anyone else?" Aiden asked.

"Not that I know of. He's not sociable in the slightest so I don't think he has anyone he'd call a friend and his family…Well, let's not talk about them. I think he'll appreciate anything you get for him, dear. So don't worry. It's the thought that counts in the end."

"Alright. Thanks Mrs. Hudson."

"Anytime dear!" Aiden then went upstairs to his room, leaving Mrs. Hudson to do her baking. He sat down at his desk and continued to ponder over what he should do. He turned on his computer and that's when he got an idea. He had set up his desktop background to show one of the pictures he'd taken during the trip to Hawaii. It reminded him that he had a lot of photos of both himself and Derek. If he printed them and got a photo album to put them in, it would be perfect. He could also leave room in the album for future pictures.

Finally, with a plan in place, Aiden got to work on Derek's Christmas gift. It took him longer than he thought it would to look through all the photos he'd taken and pick out the best ones. He also found an elegant and not too flashy album and purchased it to be delivered in the next couple of days. Other than Derek's gift, Aiden also needed to find gifts for Bex, Yuki, and Mr. and Mrs. Hudson. He smiled warmly while thinking of the people he was now close enough to to want to buy them gifts. In the past, the only person he had ever bothered to get a Christmas gift for was Bex. She was also the only one who had ever gotten him a gift as well. So much had changed in just a few months.

When it was time for dinner, Aiden went downstairs to the dining room as usual. Derek was already back from work and sitting at the table but, regrettably, Lyla was there too. On one hand, he was happy that neither of his cousins had shown up but on the other hand, he was gloomy since he still had to deal with his aunt. He had gotten used to them being out during meal times.

Mrs. Hudson brought in the food and placed it on the table. She said hello to Derek and Aiden as she did so all the while ignoring Lyla's presence entirely. The dinner she made for that night was burgers, potato salad, and garden salad. It made sense that it was a simple meal because she'd spent the whole day baking. Of course, Lyla couldn't help but complain.

"Just burgers?"

"If you don't like it then don't eat it," Derek said plainly. That seemed to shut her up and she begrudgingly filled her plate. "By the way, Aiden…" Aiden looked up when Derek called him. "My grandfather's holding a Christmas party and you've been invited to attend. It's in the evening on Christmas day."

"Another event?" Aiden had already gone to the Montgomery mansion twice for different occasions not that long ago.

"He never misses an opportunity to show off the family."

"Excuse me!" Lyla's shrill voice interrupted them. "Why are you only talking to him about it? Aren't the rest of us invited too?" Derek raised an eyebrow.

"No, you're not."

"Why not?! If Aiden is then we should be too!"

"It's obviously because my grandfather doesn't like you."

"But he likes him?!" Lyla pointed aggressively at Aiden.

"Indeed." Lyla was too angry to get any words out of her mouth, for which Aiden was thankful. She stood up from the table and stormed out without ever eating her food. Aiden heaved a sigh of relief.

"At last, she's gone." Aiden thought to himself that the best gift he could get for Christmas would be for Lyla, Becca, and Spencer to never eat another meal at the house ever again. But he knew he'd most likely have to settle for them only turning up every once in a while. After that, Derek and Aiden both enjoyed a relaxing and leisurely meal together.