As days turned into weeks, one moment Melody closed her eyes and opened them, she couldn't believe that it was Christmas day. I mean, she did remember going Christmas shopping, her sister dropping her off at the store so as to not spoil the surprise for what she had gotten for her family for Christmas. She’s been celebrating the holiday with her sister and her family since she was in middle school, when her mother was so damaged by her father that she couldn't even function, and her father being locked away for beating her mother within an inch of death. But for the most part she had looked forward to Christmas. It was the time where Hanna and Paul attempted to put themselves together if not for the children, then for the image of the perfect family.

It was actually Aaron who had woken her up on that fateful day, bouncing up and down and off of walls. He had opened her door and shook her awake.

“It's Christmas, Auntie Mel! Christmas!” he yelled into her ear. He stood by in his red racecar pajamas as Melody peaked between her covers, before slouching up.

“Yeah,” she said, rubbing her eyes and dragging her fingers through her hair. “I guess it is today.”

“Then come on!” he said, grabbing her hand to pull her out of bed. “Gotta see what Santa got me!”

“Okay,” Melody said, pulling her covers away, stretching and scratching her side. “First I need to pee.”

When Melody arrived into the living room, she was greeted with the bottom of the Christmas tree filled with presents of various sizes, boxes wrapped in christmas or wintery wrapping paper. It was interesting to think as when she went to bed it was only the gifts that she had that were underneath the tree. She knew that Santa always delivers an hour before the kids wake up, and they wouldn't know the difference. But it didn't matter, all that mattered were the two small children that hung around the tree, looking at Melody, then to their parents to see if it was finally present time. They had to have a good Christmas. Melody looked at her sister then rolled her eyes. On the couch, Hanna had sat on top of Paul, much like some horny mother would sit on Santa’s lap after her child had gotten their picture taken. Both of them had worn festive pajamas and Santa hats, holding each other sensually. At least they were in a good mood, Melody thought, even though not too long ago it seemed like they enjoyed tearing each other a new one. 

Melody sat beside the tree and handed out the presents to Aaron and Kimmi. She gleaned with joy as she watched their faces switch from anticipation to excitement when they found out what Santa gave them. To baby dolls, monster trucks and even soft plushies of their favorite cartoon characters, it didn't matter who got credit, it was always a joy to see the smiles and screams of joy they got from their presents. Children are always the easiest people to buy gifts for.

“Here you go,” Hanna said, beaming from ear to ear as she reached down to grab a small box under the tree. “For you Mel.” Melody glared at her sister, looking on in suspicion just because how happy her sister seemed to hand her that present. She carefully took it, and watching Aaron and Kimmi distracted with their toys, she tore the festive wrapping paper and opened the blank box to reveal something Melody never wanted to see. 

In the box was a bright red book with a couple embracing on it. As she lifted it up to look at the title, her face turned red. Her sister had gifted her a book titled, "How To Get (and Keep) A Man".

“What the fu-” Melody stopped, looking at the kids in the room, “What is this Hanna?”

“A little help,” Hanna said, with both her and Paul laughing. Melody can feel her cheeks flush in embarrassment. “‘bout time you find yourself a man,” she said, swinging over to boop Melody on her nose. Then Melody’s embarrassment turned to anger.

“You didn't have to give me anything if it was going to be this,” Melody said, dropping the book in the box and throwing it towards her sister and Paul. She popped up from the floor and stormed into her room, behind her, Hanna had more to say.

“Just read it once, you can keep your good girl attitude most of the day but when you find that boy you like, follow the tips in that book. He’ll enjoy the surprise,” Hanna said bursting out into laughter, causing Paul to do the same. If Melody knew anything, it was that those two shitty people were made for each other.

“Whatever, Hanna!” Melody said, slamming the door shut in her room. She couldn't believe that Hanna could do that, what part of Melody did she think would enjoy reading something like that. Melody didn't really have anyone to impress. She didn't want to. Anyone who got in her way of achieving her goal, was a liability. She wanted to live a different life than her sister and mother. She didn't want a relationship.

Melody sat on her bed, listening to Aaron and Kimmi play in the living room when she heard a knock on the door.

“Mel, are you okay?” Hanna asked, her voice muffled against the door.

“What do you want?” Melody sighed, looking around her bedroom.

“Thank you for the gift! I can't believe you found the perfume!” Hanna said, knocking the bottle on the door, “It smells so good,”

“You’re welcome. You don’t know how many people I had to talk to to find that weird bottle,” she chuckled, stopping herself from making a complete smile. She grinned. The look on so many people’s faces as she tried to describe the shape of the bottle. She didn't even know the name of the perfume so it was tough. Thankfully, a nice elderly woman knew what she was talking about and guided her to it.

“I got you something, your real present,” Hanna said. Melody rolled her eyes, she wondered if it was going to be another weird gift, maybe some bunny ears, and or a maid's outfit. “Open up.”

Begrudgingly, Melody got up and dragged her way to the door. As she opened the door, she was greeted by her sister, holding a long box with a smaller one on top by her chest. She stretched her hand, and Melody glared before finally taking the presents. The smaller box was obviously the book that her sister had ‘joke’ gifted her, but the bottom box was a mystery. Melody walked back to her bed with Hanna following behind her, tossed the small box off to the far corner of the bed, giving her full attention to the other box. She unwrapped it, revealing a small screened laptop, no bigger than one of Melody’s textbooks. She was surprised, she had always complained to Hanna about writing all of her essays on paper before excruciatingly typing it out on her phone when she knew that she could do it much faster on a computer. Plus she could always watch videos on a larger screen.

“Thank you, I like this gift,” Melody said, smiling at her sister. Hanna returned the favor.

“Yeah, me and Paul split the cost for that thing. It doesn't have touch screen technology or anything like that. Figured you would want something simpler than that.”

“I’m pretty much going to use it to write reports and watch videos anyway,” Melody said, taking the laptop out of the box, preparing to set it up. When she got it out, she realized that it was much smaller than she thought it was, but still, it could be helpful for her work. “Thank you,” Melody exhaled before screaming again “THANK YOU!!!” making sure that Paul could hear. After hearing no reply, Melody sat down with the laptop in her lap, and turned it on. Hanna watched on for a moment, only to walk over to the box Melody threw to the corner of the bed and placed it beside Melody.

“You never know,” Hanna said, walking away. Melody looked down at the box again. “Just in case! I’m making the kids breakfast if you want in on it,'' Hanna disappeared into the living room. Melody quickly placed her laptop to the side, grabbed the box, and pushed it deep into her underwear drawer. With that being done she got back to setting up the laptop before joining in on preparing something to eat that Christmas Day.