"What time is it?" Georgie said to no one in particular.

"I'd tell you," I spoke from my spot on the living room floor, "but then I'd have to move my body."

Holly was texting on her cell like always. "It's after 10."

"Good. This day is almost over," said Georgie.

"My hands are totally dried out," said my other sister. "Mom made me wash like three loads of dishes today just because we had family over. There's no need to impress them - they're required to love us."

Audrey, the eldest of our sibling quartet, couldn't be bothered. She sat on a low chair beside me, with her legs placed on top of mine, touching up her makeup. "You three sure know how to dampen the joy of Christmas. Today wasn't that bad. Was it?"

A reluctant 'no' was her response.

"See? Now suck it up before I decide to start singing Christmas carols."

Georgie's thoughts were elsewhere. "I'm still surprised Mom left us the house tonight. She's never done that without leaving behind Grandma Beverly to stay with us."

"It's because I'm home for the holidays," Audrey said.

The rest of us merely laughed.

"Yeah," Holly giggled. "That's what it is."

Audrey pinched her cheeks hard while Holly squealed and swatted her arm in return. "Whatever. I'm going to pick up Malachi and bring him back here. He called me earlier and told me a grip of relatives are staying with them, so I invited him to crash here for tonight." Audrey softly kicked me with one of her legs. "Donyelle is staying over, too. Do you want to come with me to pick them up?"

I lifted my head with interest. "When are you leaving?"

She stood and stretched. "Now."

"I'll pass."

"Suit yourself," she reached for her purse. "Anyone else want to come for the ride?"

Holly straightened her clothes. "I'll go with you."

As soon as they were out the door, Georgie released one roar of a yawn.

"How the hell are you still awake?" I questioned, clearly amazed. "You were up cleaning even before Mom this morning."

"It's because I'm a fuckin' Jedi."

"Impressive secrets have you," I tried my best Yoda impression.

A bland 'wow' was my only reward.

No words were exchanged after so I decided to close my eyes. I could feel my body about to succumb to sleep until Georgie's soft snoring reached my ears. I pulled my cell phone out of the back pocket of my jeans, and zoomed through the selection until I found the audio recording option. I pressed record and held the phone as closely as I could without it touching her face.

A frantic knock on the front door required me to end my recording. Disappointed, I shoved the phone back into my pocket. My hand was on the handle when I heard Holly's snappy voice from the other side. "Open the damn door! It's freezing out here!"

My hand dropped. "That's not very polite," I said.

Now, she pounded against the frame. "I am literally going to kick your scrawny ass."

"Where's your key?"

"Quit stalling and open the freakin' door! I'm not the only one out here, you know."

Holly rushed me as soon as I unlocked the door. She billowed into my chest with pointed punches. I held my arms up in defense which only further infuriated her. When the abuse was complete, she marched upstairs, probably to her room. Audrey only chuckled in passing.

Malachi and Donyelle were last in line and I wished them both a Merry Christmas before shutting the door and locking up for the night.

Audrey lead Malachi straight to the kitchen after claiming he didn't eat much at his house.

"Did you eat?" I asked Donyelle.

She waved a hand. "I'll help myself later."

"Do you want to put that in my room?" I gestured to the overnight bag she was holding.

"No. I want you to put it in your room."

"Haha..." I reached for the bag but she pulled it toward her and chuckled. "I was kidding, Levi. I could take it myself."

"You know the way," I said. "I'll follow you upstairs."

"That's the oldest trick in the book. You could walk ahead of me."

"If you want to stare at my ass, all you have to do is ask," I said.

She kicked my rear to send me off. "Move it."

Malachi's voice matched his father's. "Leave the door open, you two."

Georgie laughed openly from the couch.

"I thought you were alseep," I said curiously.

"You wish," she punched the pillow under her neck. "And you better erase that audio on your cell or I'll heave it onto the freeway."

Once we made it up to my room and she set down her bag, I pulled Donyelle into a bear hug. Even though she hugged back, her voice was stiff. "What are you doing?"

"You're my new protector for tonight since Audrey can't seem to do a decent job anymore."

"Okay, okay." She patted my back and pulled away. "You're such a girl sometimes."

"Ow," I clutched my chest.

She dropped into my beloved beanbag chair. "Shut up. You hear comments like that so often that they don't even bother you anymore."

I simply shrugged.

Audrey knocked on my doorway before stepping inside. "Malachi and I are having some people over and we're getting some drinks for everyone. You two want anything?"

"I'll take whatever no one is willing to drink," I said.

"Oh please," she scoffed. "I only get the good stuff and you know it. Speaking of which, you have any cash you want to chip in with?"

I handed over the only bill I had left in my wallet.

Audrey pocketed the 10 and faced Donny. "Any preferences?"

"Whatever you're having," she replied. "You always did have good taste."

My sister pointed to my friend but spoke to me. "Why hasn't her charm rubbed off on you yet?"

"She doesn't like rubbing against me," I said blandly.

Audrey snorted and exited the room. Her voice called from downstairs. "We'll be quick. Answer the door in case we don't make it back in time."

Malachi's words were heard more sharply. "Stay out of trouble, Donny."