Contents on him: one half eaten cookie with blood on it

The smell of anise, cinnamon, and allspice filled the apartment of the Tajmatan family on the morning of December the twenty-second. While the Indian family did not celebrate Christmas, the American way of life began to replace their traditions they had practiced in New Delhi.

Jonah opened his eyes and got out of his bed, he expected the cold air to hit him. But instead, warm air and sweet smells greeted him. He sensed the faux American Christmas spirit in the house and decided to see the outcome. 

It was worst or maybe better than Jonah had expected, the house was decorated with candles, christmas reefs, and platters of holiday dishes. Both parents, rose up from their seats near the decorated chimney and welcomed him with unusual love and enthusiasm. Taj lost his usual suspicious and cynical ideas and decided to enjoy his family.

After surprisingly enjoying his time with his family, Jonah called Alec to meet up with him. The day could only get better. Jonah stepped out onto the busy street as he bit the chocolate chip cookie without much care. A loud thud a large mercedes called him back into reality as it threw his body about ten feet as the cookie flew out of his hand. The joyous day of Jonah was at a sudden halt as blood rushed out of his mouth and pain covered his eyes with blindness. 

Contents on him: one party invitation and one bag pack

The two girls continued to discuss their elaborate weekend plans that belonged to their busy social calendar whilst sitting in front of Taj in his honors chemistry class. He wondered how these girls even got into the class, much less were not scolded by Dr.Molosky, their strict Russian teacher. As much as Taj tried, the self entitled and mind numbing voices of the socialites demanded his attention. Maybe it was also because of one the girls desperately wanted him to come to the block party at the sobshack and skating rink. But of course Jonah was oblivious to her attempts to lure him in. She was beautiful and loud, and secretly possessed the IQ level of 150, but her reputation and outside appearance made Jonah dismiss her as he did all the popular kids.


Finally the bell freed him of the girls’ chatter and gossip, and her failure of an attempt to ask him to come with her to the party. Jonah picked up his backpack, threw his books in, and hurried out. Once outside, he lit a celebratory cigarette. It was Friday. Only a couple more months before graduation and his departure.  

He waited for Alec outside, yet something was keeping Alec inside. Little did Jonah know it was the very same girl who had Jonah on her mind, Alec’s twin sister Charlotte. She slyly inquired if him and Jonah would come to the block party this weekend. While this would have alarmed any bystander; the popular Charlotte wanting guys like Taj and Alec, who in no way socialize, to come to the party. But Alec saw nothing wrong with mingling with the young drunks and rave crazed kids and agreed he and Taj would come. Charlotte had once again gotten what she wanted even if it did take longer than expected.   
 
Alec and Charlotte exited the school and greeted Jonah. A secret handshake from Alec and a flirtatious smile from Charlotte gave Taj the sense that  something would change this weekend.