The Throw-Aways

“RAVEN!” Four excited voices cheered. Dante, Nico, Skars, and Kylar all rushed out of the restaurant as soon as we stepped out. I was engulfed in a snare of arms.

“Hey guys!” I smiled and attempted to break from the prison of my best friends.

“Merry Christmas!” Dante cheered and kicked some snow at me. There was a fine covering this morning and we were due to have another foot or two tomorrow morning! In fact, our gig down in Denver that was supposed to play soon had been moved to January first since the storms were supposed to be bad until then.

“Hey, you got green in your hair!” I ruffled Dante’s black mane. Streaks of green had been newly placed in there.

“Well, your tweet about the silver streaks had inspired me to do so!” He chuckled. As the cold start to seep into our flesh, the little huddle went into the closed restaurant. Arestino was in there with his two Saint Bernards. Vern and Briggs made their rounds around the new people, wagging their tail and sniffing the heels of Tino’s shoes.

A table was all set up with water glasses and twelve seats. Arestino sat at the head, Austin at the other end. Dante, Nico, and Skars dispersed to sit with the band members. Alan and Kye were stuck together, I was next to Aus, and Arestino had struck up a conversation with Mark.

“Well now I can’t paint your nails.” Kylar pouted to me and poked the black plastic arm.

“Hah, she loved to make me sit there for hours on end just to perfect ONE nail!” I groaned to Austin. Our conversation went on and on. Austin sympathized with me in all the right places and squeezed my hand to affirm he was still listening.

At about nine o’clock, we all got out the presents to give. Our stomachs were full with the warm dinner of ham and bread rolls. Now it was time for the main event. It was a big exchange of secret I-Hope-I-Got-The-One-They-Want glances, torn tissue paper, and squeals of delight. Skars got Nico some new albums by Crown the Empire and Motionless in White. Dante and Kylar exchanged rubber chickens. (It was better not to ask unless you wanted a long story of how it started)

Of course, Kylar and Alan had already given each other their gifts. Both passed me wary glances, a silent plea for help in case the recipient didn’t appreciate their gift.

Kylar nearly exploded with delight as Alan put the necklace on her. Kk was hugging him so tightly, I had to pry her off before we had to start searching for a new ginger.

Alan hugged the fabric of the I’m a Guitarist, So Your Argument is Invalid shirt tightly to his chest. It was grey with the white stamped letters on it. I figured he would wear that until the end of time, or until the end of the shirt’s life.

It seemed like everyone was pleased and no one had a pair of socks in front of them. I would say this Christmas, even without my dad or Jake, was a wonderful day. It was sad that Jake wasn’t going to be here, Mom wasn’t here, and Dad wasn’t either, but I knew they had their own Christmas going on in whatever life was after death. There had to be some place the rest of my family was celebrating Christmas, right? I mean, how else would Jake run into walls and sneeze?

During a break in the conversation on the price of Monsters with Phil and Dante, I snuck a glance towards Kylar and Alan. The ginger pecked Kk on the cheek, causing her to blush.

Austin leaned over and passed me a small, white box. I threw him a suspicious look. We agreed not to get each other anything!

“Hey…” I shook my finger at him. He insisted and set carefully into my hands. I cradled the cold box, wrapping my fingers around the lid and plucking it off the base.

“I went to the Hot Topic near my house and picked up a few of them. I knew how much you like the wristbands.” He smiled at me. Inside the box was about five bands, each with a different group on them. There was Motionless in White, Suicide Silence, Bring Me the Horizon, A Day to Remember, and Pierce the Veil. Instantly, I slid them on my wrists, admiring the present.

“Thank you, Austin. They’re awesome!” I gasped and threw my arms around his neck. He squeezed me back. I loved the way that the blue BMTH and the red ADTR bracelet stood out against the Eternal, my new arm.

Everyone was happy and content. The chime of the clock announced ten o’clock. Although people looked tired, no one wanted to leave. We may have a few days here, but we had to save our precious time and spend the valuable moments with our friends. What could ruin such a wonderful gathering?

That’s when Jack Barakat stumbled through the door, covered in the remnants of the blizzard outside and marred with a streak of blood down his forehead.

Notes

13,000+ views! Wow, thanks guys! I owe it all to you readers that made this so wonderful! It's on the front page of the popular list and it's an honor to be there. Keep on being awesome!

As for this chapter.....JACK!?!?!?!?! What will happen? Oh no! They're some serious shiz coming up and you'll be anxious to find out!

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