The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? open

"Well, yeah. Thats why I bring it up so often. It would be awesome, probably the most awesome thing in the world to do."

"ill see what i can do about it... no garentees..." i said, and went back to my pizza with a grin

I smiled, going back to eating as well, finishing my part. "So, we start playing again?"

"of course!" i laughed, hastily finishing my pizza as well before standing up and heading over to the machine

Several games later
"Why cant I get the 'AAA' score!? I only got 1 'good' result! Does the machine seriously care!?"

".... if i may..." i said, and gentally guided her off of the pads "your time is almost perfect... but your steps are rather harsh, and as such, it ditracts from your timing as the game goes on... you may laugh, but ive learned how to ballroom dance, and as such, ive applied it to things that can use it, such as running or this... focus not on the order and hitting them, rather, let your mind wander as you dance, and only notice them out of the peripheral vision in your mind... its similar to how you zone out in a class and just think, while paying attention to your teacher as well..." i said, and showed her "your steps are like this..." i said, and gestured "while mine are rapid and fluid, like water..." i said, and danced around her quickly "its something that comes with practice, not force..." i said, and smiled lightly at her, different from my usual smile

I sighed. "I guess if I knew how to dance then it would be much easier, since sports are mainly practice and force." I smiled back in a meek manner. "I'll try to keep that in mind."

"I could teach you if you want..." I said with a weak smile, unsure if I should have offered...

"Ehhhh, Id rather not. Im a really awkward dancer around peeps and stuff. Thanks for the offer though," I said, maintaining my meek demeanor.

"alright, if your sure...." i smiled still, a bit disappointed, but i beleived her, and turned back to the game "try it again, but try it with the advice i gave you..."

After a few deep breaths and 'letting my mind wander' a bit- and three more tries- I got the score I wanted. "FINALLY! I have achieved my goal! Now im gonna sit. Who wouldve known that it would take so many tries..."

"you have natural talent for this.... took me 5 months to do what you just did..." i grinned, laughing a bit

"How many hours over those 5 months and how many times in a row, because...Its pretty late and I only took a break once."

"about a 1/3rd of the time, and time after time..." isaid, and laughed "just take the compliment!"

"Fine, fine, Ill take the complement!" I said with an amused grin.

"Thanks...." i said with a smile, wider than usual, and turned away for a moment, looking outside through a window

"Well, its pretty late now, I reached my goal, I guess I wanna call it a night, You?" I asked, stretching.

"sure!" i smiled, happy that it had turned out so well "w-would you like to do this again sometime?" i asked hesitantly, wondering if i was wrong to ask

"Yeah, it was really fun!" I nodded eagerly.

"come on, lets go get you home..." i said with a laugh, happy she had a agood time, and yawned, cleaning up our table by putting all the trash into a box

The drive back home was pretty quiet, mainly because we were a bit tired and it was late after all- that didnt make it any less awkward. He finally dropped me off, and I noticed my dad sitting outside, despite the late hour. "Really now?" I said, breaking the silence as I stepped out of the car. I looked back, waiving cheerfully. "See ya."

"Sorry she got home so late! she really wanted the AAA rank in a game!" i called out, and smiled at her as i drove off and headed home, a large grin on my face as i did so, glad that things actually seemed to be looking up for me now

My dad didnt respond; it seemed to be that exhaustion loomed over his task of waiting. I helped him back inside, and as soon as I tucked him in, I went to my room and called it a night.

"....." i yawned as i went inside, looking for my room tiredly, half stumbling to the door and opening it

A few days later, during lunch, I quickly organized some flash cards I had made -and was in the process of making- for a project in one of my classes, stopping every now and then to pick them up when someone decided it would be a fun idea to knock them off the table. Why are people jerks every time im alone...