Girls Like Englishmen (Chapter 4)

The night after that day, Madeline's mother set up the table in the dining room for dinner. She cooked the food and arranged the plates to make a good impression for her daughter. Around six, Mason arrived and Madeline's dad let him in. Mason sat down with the family to enjoy a dinner of baked chicken, peas and mashed potatoes. He sat next to Madeline who sat across from her parents.
"This is a lovely dinner, Mister and Missus King," Mason remarked.
"Oh, I didn't cook the food," admitted Mr. King. "You should thank my wife right here. She's a regular in the kitchen."
"Oh, honey," Mrs. King blushed.
"Wonderful food you made," said Mason to Madeline's mother.
"Thank you. You should call me Paula Deen."
"Nobody likes Paula Deen, mom," said Madeline.
"We are thrilled to have you for dinner, Mason," Mr. King confessed.
"I feel the same as well," said Mason. "You guys created such a lovely daughter."
"What do you mean by 'create'?"
"Shut up, dad," Madeline demanded.
"My apologies. I shouldn't disrespect a prince."
Madeline widened her eyes.
"Excuse me?" inquired Mason.
"We've heard that you're a prince in London," responded Madeline's mom.
"A prince?"
"A royal prince," said Madeline's dad.
Madeline shook her head endlessly while staring at her parents.
"Uh, what makes you assume that I'm a royal prince?" asked Mason.
"Well, we heard you were rich," answered Mrs. King.
"Like us," her husband added.
"You own a mansion."
"Like us."
"With a golf course and a swimming pool."
"Not like us. Yet we admire that."
"You practically fly to wherever whenever you want on your jet, don't you?"
"Not really," answered Mason. "My dad owns two jets and tells me when I can use them."
"So your dad's a king?" asked Madeline's father. "That's amazing."
"Truly amazing," Madeline's mother agreed.
"Does he play ping-pong with the Pope in a ball pit?"
"Oh, that sounds like fun!"
"It does," consented Mason, "but my father doesn't do any of that."
"So they play fooseball in a ball pit?" asked Madeline's dad.
"No, my dad doesn't know the Pope. He doesn't even know his own father."
"Your dad is one of the low-key kings?" questioned Mrs. King.
Mason glanced at Madeline who stopped shaking her head when she felt his eyes on her.
"What is going on?" he asked. "You people think I'm royalty?"
"Um, no," replied Mr. King. "We know you're royalty."
"You think just because I'm from England, I'm basically a prince?"
"No, not at all," Madeline's mom answered. "It's just that Madeline said--"
"Madeline said nothing," she said in third person.
"So let's get this straight," said her dad. "If my daughter marries you in a later future, she won't become a princess?"
"Cor blimey, no," Mason responded.
"So she won't have any occupation that involves wearing a crown?"
"Absolutely not. I don't even own a crown, although I can afford one."
"So you would have the crown for her?"
"I-I don't even know. Madeline, do you know?"
Madeline's eyes widened. "I know that I'm screwed," she nervously chuckled.

Girls Like Englishmen (Chapter 3)

The next day, the girls found themselves in the cafeteria for lunch during school hours. They sat at their usual table, waiting for Madeline to arrive. Lizzie did not really care as her focus was on her dark-skinned, mesmerizing male friend. They were giving each other endless Eskimo kisses which were making Skye itch.
"Will you stop?" she demanded.
The couple immediately stopped when they heard her.
"Are you jealous that Jeffrey is not here to give nose kisses to?" Lizzie asked.
"No way," Skye responded. "But when we see each other, we do our own Eskimo kisses."
"What do you mean?"
"We punch each other in the arm. Hard punches. I like roughhousing."
"Why do they call them 'Eskimo kisses'?" DeMarcus asked Lizzie in his deep voice.
"Probably because that's how Eskimos kept their noses warm in the cold," answered Lizzie.
"Of course! You are so full of knowledge."
Lizzie rolled her eyes and blushed.
"Where is Madeline?" asked Debra.
"Hopefully not in England," Skye shared.
Andrea giggled. "She's probably with Mason, feeding each other crumpets or something."
"Don't be racist. The only difference between Americans and Britains are the accents."
"I wasn't being racist; I was making a guess. They eat crumpets in England. Sabes que, get your facts straight."
"Did you know if Paul Revere didn't exist, we would all be British?" shared Debra.
"That's interesting," commented Lizzie. "Instead of a diet soda, I'd be having a spot of tea."
"Too bad any brothers aren't British," pouted DeMarcus.
"Aw." Lizzie placed her hands on his shoulder.
Her friends just stared at the couple. They unfroze when Skye caught her eye on Madeline and Mason walking in together.
"Oh, there they are," she said.
Madeline and Mason swaggered in the cafeteria hand-in-hand. The colors on their clothes, blue and white, matched while their similar styles maintained. They both had smoldering looks on their faces as if they were a new Hollywood couple on the red carpet. Madeline flipped her flowing, blonde hair behind her shoulder as Mason flipped his brown hair just by twitching his head. The two approached the table with Madeline's friends in it and they sat next to Debra.
"Whoa, I didn't know Prince William and Princess Kate came to visit," Skye joked.
"Smashing," Madeline and Mason answered at the same time.
Skye leaned back just a bit and made a perplexed face.
"What's with the matching clothes?" asked Andrea.
"Oh, these?" inquired Madeline. "They're just a little something we picked out at the mall."
"You went to the mall again after we went?" questioned Skye.
"Me and Mason went to a different mall."
"We shared a frozen yogurt," Mason added.
"Yummy."
"Okay," said Debra. "So, Mason, how do you like Laguna so far?"
"It's splendid," he answered. "I wish I could stay for just a minute more but soon, I have to depart to London and finish my studies."
Madeline wrapped her hands around Mason's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," said Debra. "What will you miss most about this place?"
"The games," Mason quickly replied.
"And me," Madeline whispered.
"And her."
"Oh, you must really like yourself some Madeline," nodded Andrea.
"Oh, I sure do. She's so intellectual. She's got a good head on her shoulders. And that mug. Who can resist such a face?"
"Blind people," responded Skye.
"Right, right. But look at this bird: she's a big bottle of sunshine."
Madeline grinned, glowing as sunshine would.
"The sun makes blind people," said Skye.
"Shh, Skye," Madeline hissed.
Skye sneered like a snake.
"Mason, have you met my... good friend, DeMarcus?" asked Lizzie.
"I'm afraid not," answered Mason. He put his hand out. "How are you doing, DeMarcus?"
DeMarcus shook his hand. "I'm dandy as candy, British brother. You said you liked the games. Do you play a sport?"
"Oh, I play a little football back at my hometown."
"Oh, that's cool. I play football, too."
"Delightful. So are you good at kicking?"
"When it comes to field goals."
"Of course. Kicking is mainly how you play the game. How else are you going to get it in the goals?"
"Uh, when I play football, I usually run. And sometimes catch."
"I'm befuddled. Are you a goalie?"
"No, I'm a football player. Are you referring to the goalpost?"
"No, I'm referring to the man that stands in front of the goal."
"You mean the referee?"
"He's talking about soccer!" Madeline lifted her head up.
"Oh, you call soccer 'football'?"
"Of course," said Mason.
"Oh! Okay. Sorry about that. But to be fair, you should've said soccer."
"Moving on," Madeline rolled her eyes.
"I'm famished," Mason said. "I'm going to get something to nosh." He took his feet out from under the table and stood up, facing Madeline. "Do you want anything? A bag of sweets perhaps?"
"No thank you," she smiled.
"Very well then. You know, ever since I've been here, this cafeteria has been serving fish and chips for us foreign exchange students. It feels like I'm home."
He walked away with a smile as Madeline watched him walk away. She then paid heed to her friends.
"Man, I'm so sick of eating fish and chips every day," Andrea spilled.
"I see fish on your plate," started DeMarcus, "but I don't see any chips. I see fries."
"I think 'chips' mean 'fries' in England," guessed Lizzie.
"Oh! Ain't she a brainiac or what?"
"Yeah," uttered Skye.
"Isn't Mason the cutest?" inquired Madeline. "He is so sprung on me."
"Too bad he's going to spring back to England in a couple of days," said Andrea.
"Whatever because we can continue our 'corking' relationship over the phone and Skype. Maybe letters. He could write me love poems."
"Or he could write you nothing," added Skye. "Maddie, how do you know that he wants to keep seeing you?"
"Because he's seeing me every day. Look at us. We look like the Blue Man Group but with better style. Besides, if he didn't really like me, he wouldn't have agreed to meet my parents tomorrow."
"He's going to meet your parents?" asked Debra.
"I wouldn't have said it if he wasn't."
"Maddie, don't you think you're moving a little too fast?" questioned Andrea. "You've known this guy for barely a week."
"No, I'm not moving too fast. I like Mason and Mason likes me. We're going at the same pace and it's a normal pace. That's why I'm going to wait until I'm in my late twenties to marry him and become the princess of England."
"That dude is a prince?" asked DeMarcus. "Why didn't anyone say anything? I just shook his hand and my palm was dirty."
"I'm sorry, my special friend," said Lizzie, resting her hands on his shoulder again.
"He is not a prince," Andrea noted. "He's not a prince, Madeline."
"Fine," said Madeline. "I move to England, we date then break up. My broken heart is consoled by an actual prince who I will later marry. Boom, there's my plan."
"That's a dumb plan."
"Especially for someone supposedly smart," said Skye.
"I told you," said Madeline, "it's my fairytale dream taking over."
"Well, there aren't any British fairytales so get over it."
"There are plenty of--"
"I know what I meant!"

Girls Like Englishmen (Chapter 2)

The next day, the girls decided to go to the mall together after school. Madeline agreed to drive them all there. During their destination towards the shopping center, the girls listened to the radio. Madeline channeled to a pop station which played the funky song, "Cake By the Ocean" by DNCE. They all sung along in unison with some of them off-key.

Talk to me, baby
I'm going after this sweet-sweet craving, whoa-oh
Let's lose our minds and go crazy-crazy
Ay-yi-yi-yi
I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean
Walk for me, baby
I'll be Diddy, you'll be Naomi, whoa-oh
Let's lose our minds and go crazy-crazy
Ay-yi-yi-yi
I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean, ah

"Do you guys think me and DeMarcus should go on a date and it's practically eating cake by the ocean?" asked Lizzie.
"Lizzie, let a song be a song," responded Skye.
"You guys should do whatever you want," Madeline opined, concentrating on the road. "I desperately need date ideas."
"What for?" asked Andrea.
"You know what for. For Mason."
"Ah, your little British friend?" inquired Skye.
"Yep. I think he's head over heels for me."
"What makes you say that?" asked Debra.
"Well, whenever we talk, I see a little sparkle in his eye."
"Maybe that's from the light," said Andrea. "Light does that, you know."
"Whatever. I can still feel it. It's like heat."
Skye asked, "So is this like a fling or--"
"No way. I want a relationship with this guy."
"But I thought he won't be at our school for long," said Lizzie.
"He won't be but that doesn't mean we can't have a long distance relationship."
"Do you even know how to have a long distance relationship?" asked Andrea.
"Of course. I was in a long distance relationship with my second boyfriend, Brent McCain, while I was in middle school. He moved to Kentucky and we called each other every weekend for two years. Then he dumped me for some farmer girl. How dare he send me pictures! And the girl was missing teeth."
"Guys like gums," said Lizzie.
"Are you sure you can handle such a relationship again?" questioned Debra.
"With Mason, of course," answered Madeline. "He has it all. Did you know that instead of riding the airplane with the other students, he was sent out here on his dad's private jet? So cool. And I learned a little bit about myself: if I do not accomplish my goal of becoming the highest paid actress all around the world, I want to become the princess of England."
"You think Mason is a prince?" asked Skye.
"He's rich enough to be one."
"You only want to be with Mason because he's rich?" Debra inquired.
"No! I want to be with Mason because he's just like me. Only British."
"Madeline, there is no way you can be the princess of England," said Andrea. "Mason is not even a prince."
"And you're not even English," added Skye.
"Madeline speaks good English to me," said Lizzie.
"Yeah, I, like, totes speak good English," Madeline agreed.
"Maddie, you can't be with a guy for fame," said Debra. "That's what Selena Gomez used to do."
"I'm not trying to be like Selena Gomez. She's not the highest paid actress in the world."
"What would you do with the money anyway?" Andrea questioned.
"Practically everything. I could be the first woman on the moon."
"Wait, you want to be an actress or an astronaut?"
"Whatever pays more. I'll be the freakin' spaceship if I want to."
"Now you want to be a spaceship?" questioned Skye.
"Look, guys. I know this sounds absolutely kind of shallow and superficial of me or whatever but I like Mason. Nevertheless, I want to marry him so I can become a princess or at least have a career similar to that. I've wanted to become a princess ever since I was a little girl. Don't destroy my fairytale dreams."
"I encourage your fairytale dreams," smiled Lizzie.
"Whatever, Madeline," said Andrea. "We're your friends so just do you."
"Thank you, Andy," said Madeline. "If I ever get to wear the crown someday, I will more than likely share my spot of tea with you."
"If you try to wear the crown," mumbled Skye, "you'll share a spot of tea with your new girlfriend in prison."
"Nobody likes a dream crusher, Skye."

Girls Like Englishmen (Chapter 1)

"You guys don't mind if my boyfriend sits with us for lunch, right?" asked Lizzie.
Andrea put down the crispy French fry she picked up from her lunch tray. "Of course... if you tell us who that is."
"You know! DeMarcus."
"The guy you met at that party last summer?" asked Skye.
Lizzie nodded. "Yeah."
"You're in a relationship with him?"
"Mm-hmm."
"You do know he's black, right?"
"Skye! Of course I know he's black. I'm not color-blind."
"I know but if you were color-blind, you would probably be able to tell he's black."
"I'm not racist."
Andrea chuckled into her can of soda. "I don't know about that."
"Guys, if she really likes him, then she doesn't care what race he is," said Madeline.
"Thank you, Madeline," Lizzie smiled.
"So he asked you to be his girlfriend?" asked Debra.
"Not really. I kinda call him my boyfriend behind his back."
"Oh, Liz'," started Madeline, "that is the right way to do it."
Madeline gave Lizzie a high five.
"Deceitful," Skye whispered playfully.
"Why don't you just ask him to be your boyfriend?" questioned Andrea. "There's no doubt that he doesn't like you."
"I know," said Lizzie, "but I don't want to take any risks. Besides, I know he'll ask me. I'm just... way ahead of him."
"Whatever floats your boat, Dolly."
"Oh, DeMarcus does. He made me a root beer float with a little boat floating on top. We shared it because that's what future couples do."
"It was an expression but I see."
Skye squinted her eyes, looking pass the girls. "Who's the guy in private school attire? Because the last time I checked, this was a public school."
The girls turned their attention towards the guy Skye was looking at. He was a teenager, conversing with someone sitting down at a table while he stood up. He was cute; he had full, flowing hair the color of mahogany. He was polished, wearing a blue blazer, khakis, and black loafers.
Madeline instantly drooled when she laid eyes on him. "I don't know but I want to know," she admitted.
"I think he's one of the foreign exchange students," shared Debra. "There were a few teens in my class today who were from England. They were really polite."
"Of course they were polite," said Andrea. "They can't just come in class and be like, 'Ah, yo, I run this and I'm only going to be here for a week.'"
"He's obviously from England," Skye assumed. "He looks like Harry Styles."
"I like Harry Styles," shared Madeline.
"I like Liam," Lizzie shared as well.
"I'm going to introduce myself."
"Why?" Skye threw her hand out.
Madeline lept out of the table. "Because I'm the president, darn it."
Skye shook her head as Madeline approached the well-dressed boy.
"Hi," she smiled, bearing her blinding white teeth.
"Hello," the brown-haired boy said in a British accent.
"Wow, you are from England."
"Is that a rumor?"
The two laughed.
"I'm Madeline."
"I go by Mason."
"If we ever get together, we would go by 'M and M'."
"Oh, yeah."
The two laughed again, getting deeper in the tangle of flirtation.
"Listen, since we know little about each other," started Madeline, "would you mind if I give you a tour after school? Besides, I am the president of Laguna Beach High."
"Intriguing. I would love the tour."
"Excellent. Do you want to sit with me and my friends?"
"No thank you. I was chatting up the old chaps here about nourishments. It's awfully funny; the students would eat like kings and queens back in London where we studied."
"Really?"
"No. It's pretty much the same. But I do eat lobster and sip some tea now and then, usually on Saturdays at family dinner."
"Family dinner? My parents barely come home."
"Of course. We always have family dinner right after tee time in the back of the manor."
"Manor? You're rich? My feet are literally glued to the floor right now."

Christmas Gifts & Mistletoe (Chapter 5)

Later, the girls called their parents and asked them to come over the Dunn house. Luckily, they all agreed and made their way over. (Lizzie changed her provocative clothing before her parents arrived.) The families were so happy to be united again, especially for a significant occasion. They even got know the Dunn family who were more than thrilled to have company over. Everyone spent most of their time in the smallish living room since the food was served in the kitchen. Madeline also invited her male friend, Guy, someone who she occasionally sees at the mall when she works. He arrived to the house last and Madeline was excited to open the door for him.
There he stood, his blond, hunky self with a long wrapped box in his hands.
"Hi, Guy," Madeline greeted him in a flirtatious voice, positioning herself in a sultry stance.
He smiled sexily. "Hi, Madeline." He stepped inside. "I got this for you."
Madeline took the box out of his hands. "Oh, for me? Why, you shouldn't have."
She closed her eyes, puckered her lips and leaned forward, insinuating that she wanted a kiss. But Guy ignored the hint, walking past her. Madeline heard his footsteps and opened her eyes to make sure. She acted natural again and closed the door with her eyebrows furrowed. She relaxed her face and swayed to Guy who stood in the center of the lounge.
"You know, I helped redecorate this place," she mentioned.
"Wow, you did?"
"Yep 'cause I'm charitable. That's just the kind of girl I am. I even helped hang up the mistletoe. See?" She gestured over to the suspended plastic mistletoe above the doorway to the living room.
Guy observed the group of plastic leaves and berries. "Oh, that's nice. Is there food?"
Madeline dropped her smile. "Yeah, there's plenty in the kitchen right beside you."
"Cool. Thanks."
He made no hurry but was pleased to go inside the kitchen to satisfy his hunger. Madeline just stared into the space, building with frustration.
Meanwhile, Alaska drooped down the sofa next to Skye who was biting a tough piece of chicken.
"Hi," Alaska said.
Skye ripped part of the meat off the warm bone. "Hi," she said back, chewing it all.
"Have I told you how thankful I am for you helping Lizzie with everything in my house?"
"Yeah, a few times."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. It's Christmas, ain't it?"
"You girls are so different. How are you friends?"
Skye swallowed her food. "I don't really remember. We just sort of found each other. You got to have friends who are little different from you."
"Not really. I mean I have friends but they wouldn't do this for me if I had to think about it. I don't even know you guys and you did everything."
"Yeah, I don't know if I would have done 'everything' if it wasn't for Lizzie. When she asked us to help her, I sorta said no."
"Oh."
"But I don't regret this. I mean this is a good experience for me. I honestly wish that I had more experiences like this. Someone like me wouldn't normally be friends with someone like Lizzie. But I need a friend like her. I got a friend like her and I am thankful because I need people like her in my life to change my perspective on life. Christmas is a day of realizing how much people care about you and Lizzie cares about me very much because she is a good person. And she cares about doing things like this for other people. I'm lucky I have the friends that I have. I'm glad to have met you."
"Aw, the same for you."
"Don't tell anyone I said anything of that."
"Sure. You got it."
Madeline followed Guy out of the kitchen until they both stopped in front of the living room.
"I love the bread maker that you got me," she told him. "Maybe you can come by and we can make bread together."
"Sure, Madeline. You smell good."
"Thanks. It's my new lip balm." Madeline stepped closer to Guy and looked up into his eyes. "It's grapefruit flavored. Want a better look?"
"No thank you. I smell just fine. Where's the bathroom?"
Madeline looked away and scowled. "It's upstairs to your right."
Guy walked away, going upstairs, leaving Madeline in the lounge to sigh and shrug. When Skye got up to throw her trash away, Madeline marched into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Alaska saw Madeline and bounced on the sofa until she was an inch away. She reached down and grabbed a red bag from the floor.
"This is for you," Alaska said.
Madeline received the bag with a smile. She reached into the bag and pulled out a black headband with a wire on top hanging a parasitic plant. "What is this?"
"Toe-on-the-go. I made it last minute. I saw you chasing that guy so I thought this would come in handy."
"Um, I don't chase guys."
"Seriously?"
"Okay, maybe I chase them a little bit but only Guy. I was actually thinking of making something like this so thank you."
"You're welcome."
Madeline reached down and grabbed a small white box. "Here you go."
Alaska opened the box and was almost blinded by the sparkling crystals stuck on the silver watch. "Oh, my God! It's a watch! How much did this cost?"
"More than you can afford. I got one for my mom at 'Jewels R U' and I went back to get you something. It's cheaper than my mom's watch so I still have money in my wallet. I was going to get you gum but I thought if I'm going to give you something, it was going to be special."
"Oh, my gosh. I never had anything like this."
"Just don't get it stolen. The receipt is folded under the watch in case you want to return it. You know, get some money and spend it on something else, like a bread maker."
"Oh, I can't return this. It's too special."
"Good. I know your mother called me and my girls 'Christmas angels' but you're the angel. Well, now if you excuse me..." Madeline put on the handmade headband, "... I'm gonna chase a guy down hard because I get what I want on Christmas."
Alaska giggled as Madeline got up with mistletoe hanging over her face and headed for the stairs.

Everyone was all smiles and giggles at the Dunn house
The married men were tickling and kissing their spouse
The girls did not forget to exchange gifts
As Debra gave Andrea a box with a weird sweater in it
Andrea asked if there's a receipt, Debra said no
Through a fake smile, Andrea said, "Oh!"
But as time passed, she grew to love the sweater
Because it was a sign they were going to be friends forever
Alaska asked her mom why she was called the real angel
Her mom replied, "Because you're heavenly, true and graceful."
Alaska was all smiles which would have been impossible
If it wasn't for those girls who made it plausible
Everyone basked in the warmth of the Christmas tree lights
Madeline said, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Except for Guy 'cause you're not gonna leave without my kiss."
Madeline chased frantic Guy like a cheetah after a deer
He had no idea--

Aw, it doesn't matter. You get the gist of it.

Christmas Gifts & Mistletoe (Chapter 4)

During Christmas break, the girls spent most of it buying and gathering materials that would make good Christmas decorations. They collected the usual: a wreath, lights, ornaments. They even handcrafted some items like ribbons, customized flowers and paper cranes. When the shopping was all done, they put everything they had in boxes and placed them in Madeline's vehicle.
On Christmas morning, the girls woke up to their families' warm embrace and indulged themselves in gift-giving. After they felt that their annual tradition was fulfilled, Madeline put on clothes and head out to pick up her girlfriends. They made their way to Alaska's home address which Lizzie received. Once they made it, the five got out of the car and hoisted as many boxes as they could. They trudged to the door with Madeline in front so she rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, a gentleman in his early forties, good-looking with light brown long hair combed back, answered the door.
"Hello, Mister Dunn," Madeline greeted, poking her head out of the boxes.
"Hello," the man said back. "Who are all of you?"
"We're the girls who promised to give you Christmas," said Lizzie.
"Actually, Lizzie promised you Christmas," corrected Andrea. "We just got sucked in."
"Oh, you're the one who promised to give us Christmas," said Mr. Dunn to Lizzie.
"Is that Lizzie?" Alaska's sweet voice was heard. She revealed herself by the door, wearing baby blue pajamas.
"Hi, Alaska!" Lizzie said.
"Come on, girls," commanded Madeline. "Let's bring this Christmas crap in before our arms fall of and a girl like me needs her arms."
The quintet walked themselves in and dropped their boxes once they entered the lounge of the house.
"Oh, you girls don't have to give us Christmas," said Mr. Dunn.
"But we want to, Mister Dunn," said Madeline.
"Oh, no. I can't possibly let you do this. It's nice and all but I think we're fine."
"It's okay, Mister Dunn."
"But no, I--"
"Shut up!" Skye ordered, sticking a large plastic candy cane in Mr. Dunn's face. He leaned back, staring cross-eyed at the end of the cane. "We spent our entire break buying all of this for you," she continued. "So we're going to give you Christmas whether you like it or not. But you're gonna like it, okay?" Skye put down the cane, allowing Mr. Dunn to stand up straight. "Geez, ungrateful," she murmured to herself.
"Where should we put the decorations?" asked Debra.
"The living room," answered Alaska. "We were going to celebrate Christmas in the living room."
The living room was right by so the girls entered it to take a better look. It was the average living room; it had a couple of sofas, a chair, a television and a coffee table. But it was very plain. The walls were white and naked. Everything else was a solid color, especially the plain Christmas tree standing in the corner.
"Dang, you got to cleaned out!" said Andrea.
"Shhh!" Debra hushed her.
"We got a lot of work to do," said Lizzie.
"That's what we came here to do," said Skye.
"Gosh, I feel like the host of a house-decorating show," shared Madeline.
So the girls began to open all of the boxes and take out all the items in them. Together, they hung stuff up, stapled things into the wall and placed things on the floor. They also worked on the tree, hanging on the branches bulbs, beads, ribbons, and lights. They even helped Alaska place a golden star on the top of the tree. It took them almost two hours, with the help of the Dunns, to embellish the living room. When they were finished, they all stood by the doorway and looked at the results.
"Sorry if it seems a bit mismatched," apologized Madeline. "We all have different tastes."
Later, Alaska's mother, early forties with glasses and long caramel-colored hair, walked downstairs and ran up to the gang when her eye got caught on the decor. She stood there with a stunned look on her face.
"What happened here?" she asked with astonishment in her voice.
"We filled your living room with the Christmas spirit," answered Lizzie.
"Why did you do this on Christmas day?"
"In case your home got robbed again," replied Andrea. "Now you can enjoy Christmas on the day of."
Mrs. Dunn walked closer into the living room slowly. "Oh, my God. I love it. I love it!"
The girls smiled as Mr. Dunn walked towards his wife and put his arm around her. They turned around to face the girls.
Mrs. Dunn continued, "It's as if you gave us..."
"Christmas?" guessed Lizzie.
"Yes, exactly. Thank you. Who are you girls?"
"We're your Christmas angels," Debra responded.
"Ugh, I don't want to be an angel," Skye muttered.
"They go to my school, mom," said Alaska. "They heard that we were robbed so they decided to help us."
Mrs. Dunn put her hand on her chest. "Oh, thank you, girls."
"No problem, Missus Dunn," said Madeline. "So I guess we'll just head on out."
"Where are you going?"
"Back home," answered Andrea.
"Oh, please stay. You got to. You can invite your families over."
"I don't know about that," said Skye.
"Please? I'll make dinner. It would be an honor to have our angels for Christmas."
The girls glanced at each other until they all smiled.
"Sure, why not?" smiled Madeline.
"Yay!" Alaska grinned. She zipped towards Lizzie and gave her a big hug.
"Hey, we did the work, too," Andrea mentioned to Alaska.

Christmas Gifts & Mistletoe (Chapter 3)

Later that day, all of the girls chilled at Andrea's house, mainly in the living room. They watched Christmas specials and indulged in tortilla chips and guacamole dip. After Madeline arrived, she sat down on the couch with Andrea while everyone else sat on the floor.
"What are all the reindeers' names?" asked Debra.
"I know all of them," admitted Madeline.
"Of course you do, know-it-all," commented Skye.
"I think a normal person would know."
"Well, I guess I'm not normal."
"That's fine with me. I like being the only person who knows everything."
"That's what makes you a perfect liar."
"Why does Rudolph have a red nose?" Debra asked another question.
"Drugs," answered Andrea.
Skye high-fived Andrea as Madeline scoffed.
"What reindeer takes drugs?" she asked.
"Rudolph, that's who," responded Andrea.
"He was probably messing with Tinker Bell or something," said Skye.
Andrea shook, hiding a laugh, but her smile kind of gave that away.
"Can we enjoy a cartoon without asking questions?" Madeline inquired.
"I have a question," spilled Lizzie, "but it doesn't involve cartoons."
"What's up, Doll?" inquired Andrea.
"How do you guys feel about giving your Christmas to someone else?"
"The same way I feel about Cris Angel doing magic," responded Skye. "Ain't no freakin' way."
"How do you mean, Liz'?" asked Madeline.
"Well, I met this girl at the office," Lizzie started, "and she told me that her house was robbed of Christmas stuff. So I told her that I was going to give the best Christmas she ever had."
"Why give a girl hope?" asked Andrea. "You're no worse than Madeline."
"I am not a liar," Madeline almost shouted.
"Lies!"
"What is this girl's name?" asked Debra.
"Alaska," answered Lizzie.
"Ew, who would do that to their child?" Skye questioned.
"Alaska Dunn," said Andrea. "Sophomore, really cute and benevolent. She chews a lot of gum though."
"See, I already know what to get her," said Lizzie.
"Lizzie, why do you want to 'give' Christmas to some girl you just met?" asked Skye.
"Because I want someone to do the same for me if a burglar robbed my house. But my family prays too much for something like that to happen."
"Lizzie, I know you mean well," started Madeline, "but like Skye said, ain't no freakin' way."
"You know what, guys?" Lizzie stood up. "I'm very disappointed in you all. One of the reasons I'm friends with you all is because you were the nicest people I could find. I thought you guys had hearts. There is a girl who is going to cry all day for Christmas because she has nothing to get and nothing to give. And what we're going to do is stay at home and open presents and spend time with our families? Uh, no thank you! I would rather make a stranger happy then make myself happy because that is how the world going to change: with smiles."
"You know, a wise man once told me that I should let out the good in me more."
"You spoke to one of the men who brought baby Jesus a birthday gift?"
"Yeah... that's who I spoke to. Lizzie, if you're really doing this, then so am I."
"Me, too," Debra jumped in. "Every day for Christmas, I wish for world peace. But I think we would get a step closer if I saw peace in someone who really needs it."
Lizzie bounced with a grin on her face.
"Hey, I've been on the naughty list for too long," said Andrea. "It wouldn't hurt to be on the nice list."
Skye groaned. "Fine, you losers. I'll do it, too."
"Yay!" cheered Lizzie. "This is going to be great! I'm telling you, you won't have any regrets."
"I'm not so sure about that. Eighty percent of my life I've been full of regret so we'll wait and see, shall we?"

Christmas Gifts & Mistletoe (Chapter 2)

On the last day of school before Christmas break
The clock was on 2:29 and the teens couldn't wait
Soon the bell rang and they ran out with jolly
They flooded the halls which were decorated with holly
The girls found each other and walked together slowly
Andy asked, "Do you wanna come over for chips and guacamole?"
Madeline said, "I can't. I have to work.
"Hopefully, I'll see Guy and with him, I will flirt."
Lizzie said, "I'm confused. Is Guy your man?"
"No, he's not but I do have a plan.
"I've tried to get him to kiss me for the past few weeks.
"But the only place on my face he kissed are my cheeks.
"So on Christmas, I will see him and bring mistletoe.
"So he'll be forced to kiss me and then I will know."
After the girls made faces of dissent, Skye urged,
"Will you quit it with the rhyming? It's getting on my nerves!"

Whatever.

"Anyway, I was thinking about having him come over and when my parents aren't looking, I'll give him a smack on the lips," pondered Madeline.
"What happens if you kiss him and you feel nothing?" queried Debra.
"Then I'll kick him out."
"That ain't right," said Andrea.
"Well, I'm not gonna spend time with a guy I don't like. I'd be wasting his time. We'll keep texting though. His compliments are sublime."
"You like every compliment someone gives you," noted Skye.
"That's because compliments are my friends."
"Does that make us a compliment?" asked Lizzie.
"Sure 'cause ya like me. I can't come over your house, Andy, right now but I can surely make it after work. Do you think after 6:30 is good enough?"
"Sure," answered Andrea. "It don't matter. As long as it's before ten. I slow down around ten."
"I have to pick up something from the office," mentioned Lizzie. "Don't wait up for me."
"I don't think we were," Skye joked.
Lizzie rolled her eyes with a smile before leaving her girls who went outside to enter the office in the lounge. She walked up to the desk, eyeing an angry-looking, old woman, wearing the glasses with beads on them.
"Hello," Lizzie greeted, "can I check your lost-and-found? I lost a hair-clip."
"You came here for just a hair-clip?" asked the old woman.
"Uh, it was a special hair-clip. It had a ladybug on it."
"Alright. I'll go get the box of junk out for you."
"Thank you very much."
The old woman went into the door behind the desk which led to a long hallway. Lizzie sat down in one of the waiting chairs next to a girl and was happily patient. Yet she noticed the girl next to her, a short brunette, crying into the palms of her hands. Lizzie felt like she had to say something.
"Are you alright?" she asked into the girl's ear.
The brunette improved her posture and wiped her wet, red eyes. "Uh, yeah, I'm alright," she said after a sniffle in a quivering voice.
"You don't look alright to me. Are you sad? Having an allergic reaction? Or could those be tears of joy?"
"No, they're tears of sadness."
"What's wrong, girl-I-don't-know-whose-name?"
The girl wiped her nose. "Well, this morning, my parents and I woke up to our house robbed."
"Oh no! What did they take?"
"Not much. Just ninety percent of our Christmas decorations. They took the wreath, the presents, the ornaments. All we have is a naked tree."
"Who would just steal the ornaments off the tree?"
"I don't know! Someone who doesn't have ornaments on their tree?" The blue-eyed brunette buried her head into her hands again. "Now because of those horrible burglars, we won't have a Christmas. So I'm here in this office, waiting to see my counselor so I can cry some more since that's all I'm gonna do this Christmas."
The girl wept harder than she did before. Lizzie comforted her by patting her on the back.
"Aw, don't cry. You can always spend Christmas at another family member's house."
"It won't be the same!"
"You're right; I have some family members that I'm currently avoiding. Why don't you buy some more decorations and presents?"
"We don't have enough money. We spent it all on the ones we had."
"That's a bummer. What if I bring Christmas to your house?"
The brunette sat up straight and wiped her nose with her index finger. "No, I can't possibly ask you to."
"But I want to. I bet it'll fun for me but most importantly, fun for you. I know I'll have Christmas and I want to make sure you have Christmas."
The girl sniffled. "You really want to?"
"Yeah. What's your name?"
"Alaska."
"Alaska? Alaska. I'm Lizzie, although my real name is Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie. I promise you that I will give you the best Christmas that you ever had."
"Gee, thanks, Lizzie."
Alaska spread out her arms and attempted to squeeze Lizzie. Lizzie wanted to hug her but couldn't help but resist after sighting the yellowish mucous running down Alaska's nostrils.
"You don't have to hug me," said Lizzie, trying to be polite.

Christmas Gifts & Mistletoe (Chapter 1)

'Twas a week before Christmas, during a warm weekend
At the mall were Madeline and her four girlfriends
They walked pass stores of games and apparel
And a group of people singing Christmas carols
The girls sang along off-key which was okay
"Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!"
The girls entered a shop called "Jewels R U"
Where the sparkly jewelry can make a girl go, "Ooh!"
Lizzie asked, "Can you afford any of this?"
Madeline said, "Relax, my parents are rich."
The employee said, "Hi, can I help you?"
Andrea replied, "Do you have anything worth dollars of two?"
"Of course not, silly, this is a jewelry store."
"Well, there is nothing I am looking for."
Lizzie asked, "Don't you wanna give your mom something special?"
Andrea said, "Yeah, I could give her a pretzel.
The way my wallet looks says I can't afford nothing."
Maddie said, "Come on, you can afford something."
"Not in here. All I can do is look around."
Skye said, "I agree. I'm almost cleaned out."
Madeline said, "Fine, we'll go to another store.
But wait for me; I think I know what to look for."
Debra asked Madeline, "What does your mom want?"
Madeline answered, "Something she can flaunt."
The employee said, "What you think you're gonna buy?"
"I think I'll get that watch. It looks super fly!"
The employee looked at the watch studded with diamonds
She said, "Wow, this one is worth more than an island."
Maddie said, "What?!"; the girl said, "Just kidding.
"This is what you wear when you're good at winning."
Madeline said, "My mom is always a winner.
"Everything she wears makes her look thinner.
"How much is this watch? I don't care how much you say."
The employee said, "Thirteen thousand. That and some change."
Skye uttered, "Dang! I can barely buy lunch."
Madeline shrugged, "Heh, I had a hunch."
Debra questioned, "Are you going to still buy it?"
Skye said, "You know, people save money. You should try it."
Madeline said, "No, this is not about me today.
"I'm gonna buy this watch and ask my boss for a raise."
Lizzie cooed, "Aw, Maddie, that's so sweet."
Maddie said, "Well, I'm the sweetest girl you'll ever meet."
Debra asked, "Since you got your mom something, what about your dad?"
"Well, my dad didn't ask for anything which makes me very glad."
Andy asked, "Can you buy a sister some earrings?"
"Oh, please, Andrea, you have enough bling."
Lizzie said, "I don't know what I should get my brother today.
"I also wonder when was Jesus born. Probably in May."
After the girls ignored Lizzie's confusing statement
Madeline received the watch with good money spent
The girls head out and could still hear the songbirds
And they sung along again, reciting every single word

The Beast Within (Chapter 5)

Next week, Lizzie accompanied Debra after school on her way to a club that she had decided to join: environmental club. The girls spoke as they entered the assigned location which was outside behind the large school.
"I'm so glad that you found another club to attend," admitted Lizzie.
"Thank you, Lizzie," responded Debra. "That means a lot."
"What happens if they decide to wipe out this club? What would you do?"
"Well, change is normal. Change can be good or it can be bad. But whatever happens, I'll just have to deal with it."
"Ooh, what a good answer."
"Thank you."
"I hope that you stay in this club forever because you were crazy."
"I know."
"No, you don't know. You were a full jar of crazy. Sometimes, you can be a little crazy. Just a little bit but a good amount. But the last few days, you were more than crazy. Loony, mad, nuts. You were like the Cocoa Puffs bird: you were cocoa... for Cocoa Puffs."
"I think I get it, Lizzie."
"You even looked like a bird."
"Thank you, Lizzie. I get it. I was crazy."
"But you found a club so you don't have to be crazy anymore."
"Yeah."
"It makes sense for you to join the environmental club. You love the environment."
"I sure do."
"I'd join it with you but I don't like getting dirty. And I don't like bugs. And I don't want to wear boots. And someone told me that trees were out to get us."
The girls soon reached the club's location which was on top of a hill. After approaching it, they were greeted by an attractive, African-American male in a multicolored plaid shirt. He had a clipboard in his hands and a good smell that hit the girls right on the noses.
"Hello, how can I help you?" he asked in a deep voice.
"My best friend, Debra, heard about this club and would like to be a part of it," answered Lizzie. "I just wanted to take her here."
"Awesome! All I need for you is to sign some papers and when you do, you can have a seat." He gestured over to the organization which were umpteen teens sitting on the grass. He reached his hand out for a shake. "I'm Trevor."
Debra shook his hand. "Coolness. I'm Debra."
"Your name is Trevor like the rapper?" asked Lizzie. "Trevor Porter? You know, I thought he was one person but two years later, I learned that he's two persons. It's like Van Halen."
"You're not joining, right?" Trevor asked.
"No."
"Good. Glad that you're joining, Debra. Hey, do you wear makeup?"
"A little bit," Debra replied. "Not a lot."
"That means 'a little bit'," elucidated Lizzie.
"Wow, you're very pretty," Trevor commented.
Debra grinned. "Thank you."
"I like your necklace also."
She grabbed her hand-made crescent moon necklace. "Thank you."
"Are you a fan of the moon?"
"Yeah, I find moonlight really relaxing. But sunlight is very much important. Nothing brings me into a good mood like sunlight."
"Wow, that's beautiful."
"I think so."
"Do you want me to leave?" asked Lizzie.
"Yes," Debra and Trevor answered honestly together.
"It was a rhetorical question."
"Not really," said Debra, shaking her head.

The Beast Within (Chapter 4)

Over the weekend, the girls stopped by Debra's house uninvited. Madeline drove them all there after discussing that they were going to have a talk with their transformed friend. Debra's worried father let them in when they arrived. They knew where to go, walking down the hallway and pushing Debra's open bedroom door in to enter. They caught Debra gradually collecting her sea of candles and throwing them away in a garbage bag. She was wearing attire similar to the one she wore at school days ago.
"What's up, my hookers?" she carelessly greeted them.
"She's calling us hookers again," Lizzie whispered to Madeline.
"Debra, what are you doing?" Madeline asked.
"I'm getting rid of these nose sores called candles. Since I'm going to change myself, I might as well change my room. Oh, and don't call me 'Debra' anymore. My name is now 'Dirty Debra'."
"I understand why," said Andrea. "You smell horrible. Maybe you should keep the candles; they might block that roadkill smell."
"Listen, this is me. Like it or leave it."
"And we will like it," said Madeline, "after we know that this is finally you."
"I told you: this is finally me."
"But you can't automatically change yourself because you can't go to yoga club anymore," apprised Skye.
"Hey, that club was very important to me. What will I be a part of now?"
"A different club," responded Madeline.
"Well, it's not that easy. Besides, this could be a sign. Maybe the world is telling me that things you love will be taken away from you so a part of you has to go."
"Or this is the world saying that when things get taken away from you, it's only to make you stronger which is a good thing."
"Hey, my change can be a good thing."
"Debra, you farted in a cup, sealed it and sent it to my house."
"It was funny."
"It was smelly."
"Oh, you don't have a sense of humor."
"I actually do because this whole thing -- this new you -- is a joke. And when you get over it, we will all laugh about this. Ha ha ho!"
"Well, this is serious, Madeline. I am seriously changing and you're going to have to accept it."
"Debra, remember when Madeline tried to go through a 'change'?" asked Skye. "She was failing so she thought that she was going to be the girl who didn't care about anything. And we told her that that was stupid because she couldn't just change who she was just because she was getting bad grades. Also, Madeline can't really go through a whole day with her hair not done so it was like a wake-up call. But anyway, we helped her because we knew the real her. And we know the real you so we're going to help you."
"I don't need help, okay?" Debra stepped closer towards Skye. "That's how life is: people change and end of story. I'm flattered but I don't need your help."
Skye gagged briefly, stopping herself by covering her mouth. "Geez, what have you been eating?" she questioned through her hand. "Toilet soup?"
"I told you yesterday. I stopped brushing my teeth."
"But I didn't think your breath was going to stink that bad. Look, we don't have to help you but please help yourself to some toothpaste. It probably misses you."
"Excuse me, Skye," Andrea moved in front of her. "Look, Debra, we're worried for-- Oh, God, your breath does stink. Debra, we're worried for you; that's why we want to help you. We're afraid that you're going to take a bad route that you don't want to take."
"Oh, what do you know about bad routes, amazon? You've taken more than I have and that's every day. But I shouldn't say anything; you've got plenty of bad 'routes' in your hair."
Andrea raised her eyebrows then furrowed them. "Okay, you didn't have to go there. Now I'm going to take out all of your teeth before the gingivitis does so, Halle Tosis."
Madeline squeezed herself between the fearless girls. "Girls, we won't learn anything with violence. Sounds familiar, Debra? That's something you would say because you're smart and you want everyone to get along."
"Well, it's a dumb saying. Therefore, you're dumb for saying it."
"Ooh, she just called you dumb," said Lizzie.
"Debra, remember that time I had a shopping addiction?" Madeline asked.
"Yeah, so?" Debra replied.
"Well, I haven't forgot the pressure point."
Madeline began to tackle Debra, throwing herself into her body and knocking her down onto the floor. The two rolled over each other numerous times as the rest of the girls watched and tried to make room. The two screamed, holding onto each other and trying to pin one another down. Madeline succeeded in pinning Debra down although Debra did struggle.
"Calm down or I'm going to pee on you," threatened Madeline.
"You won't dare," said Debra.
Madeline began unbuckling her leather brown belt, which caused Debra to freak out and shriek, "No!" She forcefully climbed on top of Madeline, knocking her over, then scrambled up, towering over her.
"You always do this to me!" Madeline shouted.
"Debra, Maddie only attacked you to help you," Skye reminded.
"Well, am I helped?" Debra asked furiously, walking towards her.
"You tell me, dude."
"You don't want to change, do you?" asked Andrea.
"I really don't," answered Debra. "If you love me, accept me. But if you can't do so, I will chase you out of this house with hammers. That's right; I bought hammers."
"We can't accept you if this isn't who you are," said Lizzie.
"Yeah, you freak," Madeline agreed, lifting herself up.
Debra quickly turned her head and glared at Madeline. Slightly frightened, Madeline laid back down on the floor.
"Wait, so you're completely changed?" questioned Skye.
"A hundred percent charged with change," responded Debra.
"Her corniness hasn't left," Andrea commented.
Debra cocked her head and pursed her lips.
"I'll be right back," Skye said before leaving the room.
"If she tries to hurt me, will you protect me?" Lizzie whispered to Andrea.
"I got your back, girl," Andrea responded quietly.
Debra crossed her arms. "I'm not going to hurt anyone unless you decide to break off our friendship."
Madeline sat up a bit, leaning on her elbows. "You hurt me and I thought we were still friends."
Debra gave Madeline another death glare. Because of that, Madeline laid back down on the floor again.
"Listen, I know you guys don't like the idea of me," started Debra, "but as your friend, you have to accept it. I don't like some of your characteristics but I dealt with them because we're friends. However, if you can't accept me, I will find new friends. New, motorcycle-riding, platform-wearing, trouble-causing, doobie-smoking friends. You understand?"
"What's a doobie?" questioned Lizzie.
Debra crossed her arms and cut her eyes on Lizzie. Just when she did that, Skye reentered the bedroom with a half-wrapped cheeseburger in her left hand.
"What's that?" Debra asked.
"What does it look like, Dirty Deb'?" Skye responded. "It's a cheeseburger."
"Skye, don't eat my McDonald's," said Andrea.
"Shush! You said you're completely changed, right?"
"Yes," Debra answered.
"So that means you're not a vegetarian anymore, right?"
"Uh, what?"
"Uh-t-uh! You heard me."
"I guess not."
"You guess not. Then eat this hamburger."
"What?"
"I didn't stutter. Eat this hamburger."
"Right now? All these extra calories?"
"Hey, that's my thing," Madeline reminded, still laying on the ground.
"Right," said Skye. "You're not a vegetarian anymore, meaning you eat meat now. If you truly don't care about the cows or the chickens or the pigs in the world, then eat this burger."
Debra froze, staring hard at the cheeseburger in Skye's hand. She started to shake like she was having a seizure. The girls looked at her puzzled, waiting for an answer. Then she stopped vibrating and gave her response.
"No! No, I can't eat it. I-I just can't do it."
"Ah-ha!" uttered Skye. "I knew it! I knew it 'cause I know you. You haven't really changed so you can't say you are. I'm so awesome!"
"Dang, Skye, you don't got to be so arrogant," said Andrea.
Before Debra spoke, she began tearing up. "I'm sorry, guys. It's just that... yoga club was a part of my daily routine. And now it's been ripped away, I don't know if it's a sign that yoga in general is going to be taken away from me." She sniffled and her voice started to quiver. "What if it's fate telling me that since I'm growing up, I can't be who I am anymore? What if it's taking away the things I love so I can change?"
"Oh, Debbie," said Skye, "it's okay to change but too much change can be a pain in the butt crack."
"You're fine just the way you are," added Lizzie. "Maybe fate is telling you something else like, 'Do more yoga'."
"You think so?" asked Debra.
"Yeah, maybe it's telling you to keep on being you," replied Andrea. "It's telling you... be more you."
"And if you are going to change," started Skye, "you can change into a better person than Dirty Debra. But we love you and we love you because there's something to love. Things are going to change as we grow up. Change can be good but it can be bad, also. Don't ever change, Debra."
"Yeah, don't change, Debra," Madeline agreed.
"Get up, Madeline," Debra gestured to her.
Madeline sprung up on her feet and rushed over to Debra to hug her. That allowed the other girls to hug her as well at the same time.
"I love you, girls," confessed Debra. "You're the only ones who understand me. Now get that burger away from me. The smell is making me sick."
The girls giggled before letting go.
"Don't worry," said Andrea. "I'll get rid of it."
Andrea swiped the cheeseburger away from Skye and began eating it.

The Beast Within (Chapter 3)

Couple of days after, Madeline and Lizzie walked down the hallway together after third period had ended. They swaggered down the hall full of zig-zagging students, engaging in conversation.
"Have you seen Debra at all?" asked Madeline.
"Nope, I thought you saw her," Lizzie replied.
"I feel so worried about her. She had been acting weird ever since she told us she got detention."
"Why did she get detention again?"
"Because she fed her history teacher his tie."
"Is she still angry about yoga club?"
"Apparently. Why else would she stick a tie in a teacher's mouth?"
"Maybe he was hungry. Or there was candy on his tie."
"That was a rhetorical question, Lizzie."
"Oh. Do you think Debra will get over the yoga club thing?"
"Of course. Debra is the calmest person I know. She's not going to freak out continuously over a club."
As the two walked together, they were unaware what was happening in the background. Rapidly came down a specially decorated Debra who pushed every student out of her way. She was wearing a black leather fringe jacket over a multicolored vest which was over a brown T-shirt dress. She also wore ripped black tights with chunky brown combat boots and a colorful Indian headdress. Her makeup was different, going from natural to harsh with raccoon eyes and bold eyebrows. Her countenance changed; she used to appear calm but now, she seemed irritated. She walked down the hall fast enough to catch up with her two girlfriends. When she did, she squeezed herself right in-between them and put her arms around them.
"Hey, tramps," she greeted with a grin. "What's up?"
Lizzie yelped when she laid eyes on Debra.
"What?"
"Debra, why do you look like George Clinton from Parliament Funkadelic?" asked Madeline.
"Oh, Maddie. You and your old people."
"I thought you were a bird," said Lizzie, putting her hand on her chest.
"A bird, Lizzie?" Madeline inquired.
"They're sneaky."
"Debra, what's with the get-up?"
"Well, let's see," Debra started. "When I got up, I wanted to wear this."
"But why?"
"Because it's so me."
"It's so not."
"Of course, it is, overbite. I thought that it was time for a transformation. The old Debra is dead and gone. Now you're going to have to deal with the new Debra."
"But can you bring old Debra back from the dead?" asked Lizzie. "You do look like a witch doctor."
"Old Debra is no more. You're my friends; deal with it."
"We're obviously not going to do that," said Madeline.
"That's fine. I can always make new friends. I met these guys in detention that were so bomb. They offered me a smoke. I should go ask them for one now if I still have a chance."
"But you don't smoke."
"Old Debra doesn't smoke, but new Debra would. That's right; I'm going to be getting holes in my throat left and right. So be prepared!"
She smacked her friends on the back of their heads before storming away from them. The girls covered their heads to possibly stop the throbbing pain.
"Why would she want holes in her throat?" asked Lizzie. "Does she need somewhere to keep her change?"

The Beast Within (Chapter 2)

The next day, a school day, Debra couldn't concentrate. She found herself in second period, fidgeting in her chair. She set her head in the palm of her hand as her elbow rested on the desk. She looked up to the ceiling, hardly blinking, and she had a hard time breathing. As the teacher got into the first lesson of the day, Debra could barely listen to him.
"Who can tell me when was World War I?" he asked. After going through a visual maze of students, he caught his eye on Debra. "Ah, Debra?"
Debra didn't hear him. She still wasn't listening, distracted with angry thoughts in her mind.
"I said Debra."
She sat up straight. "What?"
"Can you tell me when was World War I?"
"Uh, did I raise my hand?"
"No."
"Then I don't have to answer that question, do I?"
"Well, I called on you and I'm the teacher so you do have to."
"Well, I don't want to."
"What's with your attitude?"
"My attitude? I don't want to be somebody's welcome mat. That's my attitude."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been nice and patient for too long. I thought that the world was good to me but apparently, it's not. And I'm not going to sit here and be a good person when good people can't get what they want."
"Well, someone should have told you that when you live in a world like this, you can't always get what you want."
"And that's where you're wrong." Debra pushed her chair back and stood up. "You see, I go to school, I do my work and I go to yoga club. Basically my school routine. But now, since yoga club has been pulled, my routine is a little different. Because it's different, I should be different. Isn't that how the world goes? You come and you change."
"Is that why you're freaking out? Because yoga club is gone?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I? And they replaced it with K-Pop club. Who listens to that?"
"I listen to that," said a Caucasian brunette with bangs who sat behind Debra.
"You listen wrong," Debra looked at the girl with a snarky smile.
"Debra, please sit down," the teacher demanded.
"No!" Debra approached her teacher. "I will stand up. I mean, what's the point of learning relaxation when it basically gets taken away from you every single day? Which is why I will not relax; I will react. Because emotions are normal; anger is normal and I shall feel angry every day because it makes me a human being." She poked her finger in the teacher's chest.
"Alright, Ms. Lincoln. I understand that you are angry and I agree that it's normal. However, this is a learning institution and here, we expect our students to learn how to become civilized adults. And Ms. Lincoln, I suggest that you act like an adult, sit down and get your education."
Debra gave her teacher a big, cold stare into the eyes. Her scowl became a sinister smile before she did the unthinkable. She grabbed the end of her teacher's red striped neck tie and lickety-split, she stuffed his tie into his mouth. The teacher was surprised and so were the witnessing students. His eyebrows furrowed as he stood glaring at the fearless Debra.
"Try to catch me," she said softly.
She ran out of the open classroom with the teacher following her, yelling muffled, incomprehensible words through his neck tie.