Unintentionally Falling

chapter fifty-one

Iris

I love Christmas.

Aaron and I decided to do a 'half and half' type of Christmas this year. Half at his house and then we'd drive back to San Bernardino to celebrate with my family.

A day ago, I pulled Alexia and Crystal to go shopping for gifts. We all went and bought each other Christmas gifts. Because duh, we all love to receive shit. Inside the mall, it was decorated with evergreen garlands with Christmas lights wrapped around the lampposts. There was also a Santa's Village where kids could go and take pictures with the big guy himself.

This place looked sick as fuck. All it was missing was freezing weather because we live in Southern California. After we finished shopping I made a silent vow to myself that I would get a picture of Santa Claus with Alexia and Crystal. It would be the perfect dysfunctional family photo.

I bought Alexia a whole slew of self-care products for a line she loves. The brand is her religion when it comes to skin and hair care products.

I got Crystal this feminine mini dress that she's been salivating to get for a while now, I also got her a self-help book called, 'Girls come and go."

Maybe Crystal would appreciate the humour. You know, considering her whole situation. Maybe it'd be what inspired her to completely heal.

Or maybe inspire her to live a life of violence.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Crystal grabbed the book from my hand and tried to slap me in the head with the book.

She missed me completely. However, I could tell she wasn't that mad because I got her that dress she's wanted forever. So technically it cancels out the book title fiasco.

"You gotta try harder than that bitch!" I evade her and throw up two middle fingers, "I thought you might learn something valuable." I retort earnestly.

Crystal tried to lunge at me, but I grabbed Alexia and utilized her as a meat shield to protect me from Crazy Bitch Crystal. Like geez, maybe I have to call animal control on her ass or something.

"Will you two stop this? We're in public." She scolds us like she's a mother of two who hasn't slept a wink in six weeks.

Crystal and I shared a look. We stare down at our favourite short person who's currently acting like our mom.

She caught on to our shared look and flipped us off, "Do not look at me like that, malditas bastardas."

Oop. It's hard to piss off Alexia but clearly, us acting like dumbasses in public was enough. She reaches up and grabs Crystal by the ear and starts tugging her along like a dog as we move on to the next store.

I stick my tongue out at Crystal while she gets dragged by the ear.

"What the fuck? Why not her?" Crystal tries to jerk away but Alexia's grip is too strong.

"You need to use your words when you're upset and not automatically try to slap someone with a book."

"I'm literally older than both of you," Crystal argues.

"Yet you don't act like it." Alexia tuts.

Crystal let out a huff, but when Alexia glared Crystal's eyes followed every single one of Alexia's facial movements. Crystal bit her lip trying to hold back a smirk.

I tilt my head for a second. The only person that seems to break off Alexia's calm and collected manner is Crystal.

And me I guess, but only when I'm acting like a complete fucking idiot.