FRIDAY

Pulling a chair from a nearby table, Sierra sat by their table. Frank's eyes widened at seeing what Sierra had bought.

"That has to be the biggest banana split I ever saw in my life."

Handing each of them a spoon, Sierra scoffed.

"Well, they named it 'Explosion of Calories'; if it was small, we would have a problem. And before you say anything, yes, you're helping me eat it."

"Sierra, we just ate..."

Reyna stopped at Sierra's glare.

"I wasn't asking."

She turned her glare to Frank, who she guessed was less stubborn. He just scooped some ice cream, breathing in relief when she diverted her glare. After a couple of minutes eating in silence, Reyna could feel the heated glare trained on her again.

What is it now?

Let's just get this over with.

"What is it, Sierra?"

"Do you have any idea how your little stunt messed my schedule?"

I'm sorry, what?

"My stunt?"

"Yes, vanishing!"

Reyna furrowed her eyebrows.

"By vanishing you meant getting a cab to the airport?"

"Yes!"

Okay... clearly she lost some screws.

"How did that mess your life?"

Sierra sighed in annoyance and started ticking her fingers.

"First, I had to call my aunt and said I was traveling. Then, I called my dad's assistant and told her to book my flight in the same plane as you."

"How did you know which one was my flight?"

"I didn't, I left that detail for Victoria to figure it out. Then I had to pack REALLY fast, meet with Niel to get my gifts and leave theirs, then I met Adam..."

WHAT!?

"Wait, Adam? What were you doing with Adam?"

"Getting your Christmas gift."

It took them some seconds to process the information.

"Wait. Why would he have a gift for me?"

"Because he bought one?"

"Why would he do that?"

"If you want to know, you should ask him, not me."

Reyna looked at Frank and could see him clearly curious, but she doubted he would ask anything.

Great, this is a conversation I definitely didn't want to have in front of him.

Why would Adam have a gift for us? He doesn't expect anything back, right?

***

The first half of the flight was filled by a woman in her fifties bragging about how many contests her chihuahua had won. She was clearly annoying all those around her, but her arrogance prevented her to see that. Fed up with her, Sierra stood up so she could grin at the woman who was two rolls behind them – how Sierra got the seat beside Reyna, when she knew it had been sold even before she bought her seat, was a mystery she wasn't sure she wanted to know – and started talking in the sweetest voice.

"I'm so amazed with that many prizes! I can't believe it! Still, there is one prize that is clearly yours, so I'm saddened that no one gave it to you so far."

Since the woman didn't know Sierra, she was foolish enough to ask, which only broadened the grin.

"The prize for being an awful bitch who is oblivious to the fact that no one can stand you, your voice, your talking, your arrogance or your dog. So just SHUT UP."

Sierra sat back with a satisfied smile, put her earbuds and got comfortable.

"That should shut her up."

"It was harsh."

"It was necessary. You can't expect me to believe anyone would like to keep listening to her."

***

It was only when she was getting back her luggage that I dawned on Reyna.

We never warned your sister that Sierra was coming with us.

Well, we didn't know that she was.

We'd have said something while waiting for the flight.

Knowing my sister and Sierra, I don't think it will matter.

"Earth to Regina! Isn't that yours? Grab it and let's go."

***

Paying the cab while Sierra removed their suitcases from the trunk, she bit her lip, musing how bad this week could be.

Well, if she says you're acting weird, you can always blame it to the fact she hasn't seen me in years.

I suppose.

This makes me wonder, how did they do?

How did who do what?

Your friends with family living in the same house.

I don't know, I never asked them.

Sierra whistled in appreciation, and Reyna followed her eyes up the thirty floors building.

"That's one tall building. Let's go inside, I want to meet your sister."

***

Like Regina predicted, Hilda didn't even question Sierra's presence. She just said were the extra sheets were and asked if they wanted to order pizza. Now waiting for it to arrive, Reyna just stared at the TV without paying attention, mostly because Sierra kept switching channels every thirty seconds. Her sister was in her office, solving whatever problem came up by phone, even if it was past 9pm.

How much more until the pizza?

Shouldn't be much now.

What do you want to do tomorrow?

I don't know, I'd leave it to you. After all, it's your life.

I was thinking we should go shopping.

I'm sorry, WHAT? Please tell me you aren't serious.

We will most likely spend Christmas with both Hilda and Sierra, and if you don't remember, we didn't exactly buy anything for them.

Do you have any idea what to buy them?

I was kinda hoping you'd be able to help.

I'm not really experienced in buying gifts...

"REGINA!"

Reyna snapped back to see Sierra aiming the remote control, ready to throw it at her head.

"What?"

"I asked: what is the wifi password? By the way, the pizza is here, your sister went to get it."

What is the wifi password?

I don't know, I don't exactly live here, do I?

SATURDAY

"Sierra, I told you over and over, I want to go out alone."

Feigning boredom, Sierra answered without looking up from her nails.

"Again, I'm ignoring you, since you're speaking nonsense."

"It's not nonsense. I really need to do this alone."

I don't even know why you're insisting in this. I already told you, she is not gonna change her mind.

Not helping.

Actually, I am. I'm telling you to just accept and not waste any time, because I know, and Sierra knows, she's coming with us, and your opinion doesn't really matter.

"Oh, please, you need me, we both know you suck at it."

Do you want her to come?

What I want is no more important than what you want. She's already decided.

Reyna rolled her eyes, trying really hard to stay patient.

"You don't even know what I'll be doing."

"You're going to try and buy gifts for your sister and I, will stress over your inability to find something, and then you'll say 'screw it' and decide to buy anything. But at the cashier, you'll feel guilty and give up on this idea, but you still don't know what to buy and despair will wash over you and you'll regret not taking me with you. Don't look so surprised, I'm your friend, after all."

"I..."

"Don't worry, I'll fake surprise at my gift, if that makes you feel better."

What can I say?

Anything, just please don't say "I told you so".

As you wish.

Thank you.

But I did tell you.

Ugh!

***

After Sierra dragged Reyna to a mall, she kept waiting for them to walk into one of the shops, however Sierra seemed happy to just walk around the hallways, which was testing Reyna's patience.

"Sierra?"

"Yes, my sweet little precious baby cake?"

That was enough to make her lose focus.

"Uh, what?"

"Do you want me to repeat?"

"Not really."

Sierra smiled slightly and reminded her.

"You wanted to ask something."

"Yes. How long do we have to walk until you say what should I buy my sister?"

"I'm not telling you what to buy her."

That made Reyna stop and pull her friend's arm to do the same.

"What?"

Sierra shrugged, while winking to a passing girl.

"That'd be cheating."

"But you said you'd come with me to help!"

"Yes, and without cheating."

"What's that even supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm going to teach you how to buy gifts."

Reyna scoffed, annoyed.

"I don't have time for it."

"Sweetie, pretty sure that now, for the first time in months, you have a lot of free time. Now, let's go, the class is about to start."

***

"That's it, now I need another petit gateau, thank you so much for that! By the end of today, you'll turn me into a diabetic!"

Reyna watched Sierra leave their table to go buy another sweet. She wasn't doing it on purpose, but obviously Sierra had overestimated her ability to learn how to choose gifts.

Why can't she just tell us what to buy? Don't answer.

Do you think we aren't trying hard enough?

I think her method is faulty.

"I'm back! Let's try this again, but from a different perspective. Try to define your sister in one word."

"One word? Is there a catch?"

"Not a catch, but a tip. For an example, how I would define you would be independent. And if you think about your life, you'll see that a lot of things you did or said show how independent you are. So, try to find something like that to your sister, a word that defines her."

Ideas?

Well, she's also independent.

I don't think Sierra won't call it cheating.

I don't know, serious. Strong.

Reyna repeated those to Sierra.

"Serious, strong, stubborn, energetic."

"I would expect you to have enough of a brain to know that's more than one word. But fine, let's see if this helps. In which current situation of her life you think those traits are more obvious?"

"Everywhere."

"Oh, c'mon. Work with me here, think a bit."

"I'm trying!"

"Ok, what your sister was doing yesterday while we waited for the pizza?"

"Working, as always."

"Exactly, so what is her word?"

"... Busy?"

"UGH! Workaholic! It shouldn't be that hard!"

"Maybe not for you."

"Be thankful we're in a crowd, or I think you'd already be dead and I'd be wondering where I should hide your body. Okay, workaholics. What kind of gift can you give to one? Don't say more work."

"Then I don't know the answer."

"You aren't even trying, are you? It's not possible you're that stupid."

"Maybe I am for that. What was the line between a fish and a tree?"

"Don't judge a fish stupid for not knowing how to climb a tree. Not really that, but I got your idea. Fine. Workaholics are stressed. Even if they say they aren't, they are. I have a workaholic dad, I know what I'm talking about. Then you need to give them something to relax, like salt baths."

"My sister doesn't have a bathtub. And even if she did, I doubt she would take time to fill it."

"It's a progress. So, we have to give her something to relax but doesn't take much time to prepare."

"Anything that takes her away from her desk for more than twenty minutes is too much time. She even eats in it."

"Ok, then something she could use at her work table and relax. I know just the store! But you're choosing what to buy."

***

Okay, one down, one to go. What to buy Sierra?

Should we ask her?

"Okay, now I'm out of here."

"Wait, what? You're leaving us?"

"Uh, yeah? I want your gift to be a surprise. Just use my tips and choose something. Love you, girl!"

Reyna watched walk away, just to turn after five steps and walk backwards, pointing to a guy coming in Reyna's direction while mouthing 'hot'. Reyna just shook her head and focused on Regina.

So, one word to Sierra?

Lively? Weird? Stubborn? Beautiful?

What does she like?

Anything that can give her the kicks.

She likes food as well.

You want to buy her a dinner?

I'm just trying to help.

Yeah, I guess she likes food, but she doesn't have a favorite one, she is willing to eat anything.

Reyna stopped walking, while an idea formed in her head.

So... you would say she's adventurous in the food department.

She's adventurous in anything. Why, what are you thinking?

I think I know just her gift.

SUNDAY

"Regina... Come on, love... you can do it..."

Reyna took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes, just to see Sierra's face twisted in agony less than two inches from her own.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!"

Sierra took a step back and laughed.

"You're one heavy sleeper. I was one step away from drenching you in cold water."

Reyna ignored her and placed a hand over her heart to calm down.

She almost gave me a heart attack!

Well, you aren't the only one.

This is one of the times I ask myself why I'm friends with her.

And what did she mean with 'heavy sleeper'?

"Get up, chop chop! We're kinda late."

"What time is it? Late for what? Open the gifts?"

"It's 6am, and we're late to make lunch. We're letting the gifts for after it."

"Wait, who's making lunch?"

"You and I. Well, your sister too, if she can drop her phone for more than two minutes."

"Can you cook?"

"Can you?"

"I know enough not to starve, but Christmas stuff? Never."

"It's more than I do."

"Then why..."

"It's Christmas! Let's work together, give grace, yada yada. I thought we should start early in case, you know, something goes wrong."

By 'somenthing' goes wrong, I think it's safe to say EVERYTHING.

***

"HILDA! GET IN HERE!"

Regina's sister dropped her phone and ran to the kitchen. She had barely stepped inside when she heard Sierra's voice.

"WE NEED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER!!"

Reaching for the one under the sink, she yelled.

"Get out of the way!"

When both girls cleared the path, she directed it to the stove, which was covered in fire. When it finally settled, they stayed for a minute in silence.

"What in the... HOW did you put fire everywhere?"

"We tried to flambe the dessert... Regina's idea."

"What!? YOU were the one who insisted on it!"

"Of course not, I said it was dangerous."

I can't believe she's actually trying to blame us for it.

"That was ME! You were the one saying that everything would work out and got the bottle. I tried to stop you."

"Which means you made me spill alcohol everywhere. You know, from my perspective, it's your fault."

Hilda interrupted what promised to be a pointless argument.

"I don't care whose fault it is! Just clean it. And don't you dare go near my stove again!"

When she left, Sierra raised one of her eyebrows.

"Unbelievable, where is the gratitude? And I thought it was impossible to exist anyone moodier than you."

***

After eating a weird combination between the food they manage to save from burning, and frozen meals, Sierra steered the sisters to the living room, threatening to hide Hilda's phone if she picked any call before they were done with the gifts. Sierra said she would start, first handing each sister a small package.

"It's just some biscuits. I told Debbie I was coming, she didn't know what to give you, so she just sent some biscuits. I tried to protect it, but I fear some might have broken inside my suitcase."

Hilda accepted it, though she looked puzzled.

"Wait, who is Debbie?"

"My friend's mom. She's a lovely woman. Now, let me check the gift she gave me. I promised her I wouldn't open until today."

It was a colorful tablet case, made with patchwork. After making Reyna take a dozen pictures of her kissing, hugging, presenting, gushing over the case in general, Sierra gave the sisters her own gifts. Hilda opened first, a desktop vacuum cleaner.

"Well, I thought you had that nasty habit of never leaving your desk for meals, so why not keep it clean? Reggie, this one is for you."

Reyna opened the package and found a simple white tank top folded.

"Thanks."

"That's not it, silly. Go try it."

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

Reyna sighed and left to the bathroom. Removing her shirt, she put the new without paying too much attention. Only when she raised her eyes to the mirror she noticed the print under her left breast. In purple ink, bold letters spelled Super Powerful Queen Regina. The words aligned so you could read SPQR in the vertical.

I can't believe she did this.

Don't tell her, but I really liked it.

Me too. I might even get one of those when I get home.

Chuckling lightly, she switched back to her shirt and got back to the living room.

"You didn't try it?"

"I did."

"Then why you didn't let me see how it was?"

"It fit well."

"Did you like the print?"

"How did you come up with it?"

"All modesty aside, it was pretty smart of me, don't you think? I saw you writing SPQR in some of your notebooks and thought about using it for your gift. I googled it and some things came up, mostly something from the Roman empire. Nothing was good enough, so I chose my own definition."

She's observant.

She always was.

Do you think that's a risk for us?

Since Reyna didn't step up, Hilda chose to go next. To Sierra, since she wasn't expected, Hilda gave her a simple gift card from Amazon. To her sister, it was book about how to swear in different languages. She gave it with a wink.

"I guess that if your temper is half of mine, this book might come in hand."

I can see myself knowing all the curses and swears in this book in less than a year.

I guess it'll come in hand.

Kinda hard to curse someone in Spanish and they know what you mean because of classes. Now, uh... check the index.

Lithuanian? Afrikaans? Finnish?

Wait, Finnish has other curse worlds than perkele?

Perkele?

I met a Finnish girl once. I think of all the words she spoke, half of it was perkele.

Since she was the only one left, Reyna handed over her gifts. Sierra knew what she was giving Hilda, but pretended curiosity, as her sister opened the foot massager. Decided to torment her, Reyna took her sweet time to give Sierra her gift. Only when she thought her friend was one step away from murder, she gave in. She had bought an assortment of exotic candies. Some couldn't possibly be good, but Regina wanted to watch Sierra spit and gag with the weird tastes.

After watching short parts of classical Christmas movies, which became funnier and creepier with Sierra's special dubbing, Hilda surprisingly passed out on the couch. After putting a blanket over her, Reyna went to bed, followed closely by Sierra. When they were finally in bed, Sierra pulled a small box from under her pillow.

"What's that?"

"Niel's gift. It's so small it escaped from my arms when I carried all the gifts to the living room. Come here, let's see what he gave me."

"Isn't it private?"

"You're my best girl, Reggie. Come."

Reyna sat beside her and watched the wrapper reveal a small jewelry box. Inside it, a small charm, mostly likely to add to Sierra's bracelet, which was already full of those.

"An apple?"

Sierra squinted her eyes, watching it closely.

"Trust me, I'm just as puzzled."

"Why?"

"He wouldn't give me something without a meaning."

"So, the apple has a meaning?"

"It should, but we don't have anything with apples."

"Well, I'm going to bed..."

"Ah!"

"What?"

"It's not about the apple. Clever boy..."

"What is it?"

"See this?"

"A dent?"

"A worm."

"So?"

"It's not about the apple, it's about the worm. The apple was just the way he was able to give me a worm charm."

"What is the meaning of worms?"

"Gummyworms. It's an inner joke."

Shrugging and yawning, Reyna went back to her own bed.

"Reggie, heads up!"

She quickly turned to catch what her friend threw in her direction, looking curious at the small package.

"What is this?"

"Adam's gift. Don't look so shocked, I told you I met with him to get it. And it's just something small, he promised me."

I had forgotten about it.

Me too. I'm a little afraid to open.

Well, I doubt it's a bomb or something, so...

Inside the small box, she found buttons with pins. One had a crown, and it didn't take them long to associate it with their name as queens; the others portrayed an eagle, SPQR, obviously for her references to the roman empire. But their favorite turned to be the other five, all with nebulosus, via lacteal and galaxies in general. Smiling, they fell asleep.  

MONDAY

Reyna wasn't surprised to see Hilda come to the breakfast table in a suit.

Working as always.

Like you're the one to say.

What do you mean?

"I have to go to my office today. Do you wanna come?"

Sierra, almost asleep until then, bolted awake, answering before Reyna could decline the invitation.

"Yes!"

Is she insane? Why would we want to go?

Reyna narrowed her eyes, but Sierra just shrugged and leaned to whisper low enough so Hilda wouldn't hear.

"I promised to help you get close to your sister again, and that's what I'm doing. She reaches to you, you reach back to her, that's how it works."

***

When they first got into the car, Sierra complimented the fact Hilda drove her own car, instead of having a chauffeur. When questioned by the sisters, why of her distaste to one, she just said 'nosy little fellas that know too much'. It was only when Regina suggested that this might have something to do with her father that Reyna understood. With the roads cleared from the holiday and Hilda's taste for speed and narrow turns, they arrived in less than 15 minutes. Hilda made both girls go through security to get their visitor cards before they went to her office. Once inside there, a young woman in a dark suit was waiting inside, and smiled at the girls after nodding to Hilda.

"Girls, I have a meeting in... right now, so I got you a guide. This is Munk. She'll walk you around and make sure you don't get lost. Anything you need, just ask her. And don't get near any stoves!"

So she is our babysitter.

Sierra already have an angelic smile on her face, which made Reyna suspicious, but Munk just smiled back.

"I have a question."

"Ask away."

"We just passed by a VERY handsome guy, blond hair, brown eyes. Can you get me his number?"

***

After a small tour around the building, with Sierra making small talk, they left to get pastries in a very busy bakery on the outside. This time, was Reyna who started the conversation, turning to Munk.

"You're not from here, are you?"

"No, I'm not."

"So where are you from? I've been trying to place your accent for the last two hours."

"I'm from Mongolia. I went to university in England, however I'm guessing most if my accent is Mongolian."

"Is your name really Munk?"

"My name is Munkhtsetseg."

Reyna cleared her throat from the sugar with a sip of water before speaking.

"I don't even know how to write that. I'm not sure I can pronounce it correctly."

"Exactly why I adopted Munk, it's similar enough and easier to english speakers."

In that moment, Sierra finished chewing and decided to join the conversation.

"I once watched a documentary about life in Mongolia. Do you have a pet eagle?"

Snorting with laughter, Munk shook her head.

"No."

"Did you ride a horse to go anywhere?"

"No."

"Do you live in a tent?"

"That's called a yurt, and no."

"So... you aren't Mongolian?"

Reyna sighed in exasperation with Munk.

"I'm Mongolian. My family just happen to live in the city."

"It might sound like a stupid question, but are there any big cities in Mongolia?"

"Although we still have a large portion of nomadic citizens, almost half of the population live in the capital, UB. Truth be told, some live in the outskirts of the city, inside their yurt. I have some relatives living like that, but my father and two of his brothers made a lot of money with mining, so we went to the city. I never lived in a yurt."

"Wait, the capital is called youbee? That's easy."

"It's Ulaanbaatar. UB is just the nickname, so to speak."

TUESDAY

Because of the cold wind and Sierra's cramps, the girls stayed home while Hilda left to work. Reyna took a book out of Hilda's enormous collection that she never read. After some chapters, she turned to see what Sierra was watching, and was a bit surprised to see a documentary about voodoo dolls. When she was about to ask Sierra why this channel, she saw the other girl sleeping in the other couch with the remote still in her hand. Too lazy to get up and retrieve it, Reyna decided to get comfortable and watch a bit, before either her stomach or bladder forced her to get up. Of course, Regina's next words caught her by surprise.

I once tried to make a voodoo doll.

... of who?

My father. He was... unpleasant.

I can imagine.

Anyway, there was an old homeless guy in our neighborhood and he would speak to himself most of the time, sometimes yelling at people passing by. Sometimes he would disappear, now I think maybe he got arrested, but sometime later, he was back at his corner. Once I saw him yelling at a woman, threatening to get her hair and make a voodoo doll. I had no idea what it was. I tried searching about it on my own and wasn't successful. So, I sneaked out of my house and went to ask him.

How old were you?

Seven, I think.

That was...

Stupid, I know. Not as stupid as him teaching a 7yo how to make a voodoo doll.

He taught you!?

I don't remember much. However, I remember doing the doll and the only thing missing was a piece of my father's hair. I waited until he was asleep and approached him. Hilda caught me before I could touch him and dragged me away. At first, she yelled at me for being stupid, that I should enjoy the time he wasn't... chasing us and not wake him up.

She didn't know about the doll?

Well, she did when I told her. Then she yelled at me for being stupid and messing with things I didn't understand. And before you ask, no, she doesn't believe in voodoo.

Then why...?

She said that she didn't believe it, however, if it WAS real, and it got out of control, neither of us would know how to deal with it. She said that are too many things in this world we aren't familiar with, and we shouldn't play with things we don't understand. She made me promise never to try to make a voodoo doll again. The threat that she would make me eat a bowl of garlics every day for three months if she ever caught me doing it again helped me remember the promise.

***

Opening her eyes in alarm, it didn't take Reyna much time to recognize she was in her sister's apartment. Along with that, she registered a sour taste in her mouth, most likely from sleeping. She turned her head to check the clock and groaned.

Why in the name of the gods am I awake at 3am?

Regina didn't answer back, and on the other bed, Sierra was sound asleep, so it was probably her own body's fault. Moving naturally silent, she left her bed and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Putting the bottle back in the fridge, she stopped mid-action when she heard the noise of a door opening. Since the kitchen light was on, she waited to hear for Sierra or her sister asking who was awake. When no one said anything, she quickly turned off the light and grabbed a knife. It was highly unlikely someone had broken into Hilda's apartment, but one can never be too prepared. Quietly leaving the kitchen, she held her breath and trained her ears searching for a noise. She heard nothing for a while and almost though she had imagined it when she heard a step, followed by a crash and someone muttering.

"Blyad! Chordo!"

Quickly reaching for the light switch, she found Sierra on the floor, next to the coffee table, holding her foot and massaging it.

"What are you doing here?"

"Why do you have a knife? Argh, that really hurts!"

Reyna looked down to the knife, almost surprised to see it there.

"I thought someone had broken in."

"That's why you turned off the light? I tripped in the dark because of you!"

"Why didn't you turn on the lights by yourself? Or even called out to me asking for it?"

"Because I was trying to scare you!"

"Scare me? Of what?"

Sierra opened her mouth twice to answer, but closed it back, settling to gesture to the knife in Reyna's hand.

"How about you put that away and help me back to the bedroom?"

"Fine, you crybaby. But what did you say when you fell? I wasn't able to understand."

"Ah, easy. It was Russian and Indian. I've been looking at your book Hilda gave you."

WEDNESDAY

Claiming to want to know the town, Sierra dragged Reyna to the outside. Hilda had left before they were awake, so they had no idea where she was. Walking down a busy street, Reyna tried to focus on Sierra's speaking, while wistfully looking at a guy walking three hounds on a leash, missing her own dogs.

"I mean, how do you even... AAAAHHHH, NO! LET GO OF MY PURSE! HELP!"

Reyna took a step back to avoid Sierra's body, who was twisting and screaming, not letting go of her purse; and walked back in when she saw an opening, grabbing the guy's wrist and elbowing his torso with her other arm. When he let go, she twisted his wrist. She felt the bone crack at the same time he yelled. Letting go of him, she watched him ran away, deciding not to chase, but had to move fast and grab Sierra, who was ready to go after the guy, letting go a list of profanities.

"You coward! We're not finished with you!"

"Sierra, let go."

"He tried to steal my purse! This is an original Chanel! From some many seasons ago, true, but still!"

"He's long gone by now, let's get going."

"Fine. And I hope that leaves a bruise."

"What?"

"What you did with his wrist."

"It'll leave more than a bruise, it's cracked."

"Are you sure?"

"I felt the bone cracking."

"Ouch. Anyway, it's well deserved. Jerk. I guess it's safe to say those Krav Maga classes are paying off"

Oh no, please don't.

You think she will...

Oh yes.

"So... about Adam..."

"No."

"I just want to know..."

"No."

"Come on, I have the right to know!"

"No."

"We need to work on your conversational skills."

THURSDAY

Taking a day off, Hilda invited her coworker Kim to spend some time with them. It took Sierra almost an hour, but she convinced the others to make Puerto Rican foods, to celebrate the sisters' inheritance. After almost two hours shopping to find the right spices, they set to work. Claiming the proximity to Christimas, Hilda said she was in charge of coquitos, the Puerto Rican version of eggnog. At first, for containing rum, Reyna and Sierra were forbidden to drink, but after a couple of glasses and Kim's soft words, Hilda relented. With the alcohol from the beginning, and the lack of cooking skills from all the women, the food turned out terrible, so in the end it was only coquitos, chips and peanuts, while laughing at funny stories about costumers' reviews. After some time, it turned to personal life, and Hilda had memories about Regina that Sierra was very interested in listening.

"You wouldn't believe it, but Regina was really cute as a kid."

"I would've loved to see this, I can barely believe she was once a kid!"

Reyna just rolled her eyes, playing her part as Regina, even if she was curious as well.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny."

"It's true. Unfortunately, I lost all our old pics, not that there were many, but first, she wore pigtails."

"Really?"

Really?

I would have burnt those pics if they still existed.

Because you were using pigtails?

No, because they were terrible and don't have many good memories associated with it.

Why?

My father?

Ah.

"Until she was 5, her hair barely grew, for whatever reason. But once it did, she would ask me to make pigtails. And later, two braids."

Sierra turned thoughtful to her friend, tapping a finger over her chin. She kept that long enough for Reyna to become uncomfortable.

"What?"

"I'm just thinking..."

Oh, no, don't even think.

"If you're thinking of braiding my hair in two, you can stop it right now."

Hilda was lost in her own memories.

"She had her mean moments, like when she was sad, and I would sing to her, only to have her laughing of my bad singing."

"If I remember correctly, I'd laugh because you wouldn't stop tickling me."

"Lies. Who do you believe, Sierra?"

"You, Hilda, obviously. Just to be sure, Regina is ticklish? Teach me your ways, because I can barely make her smile."

"She WAS ticklish. However... it had been a long time since I tested it."

When both turned to Reyna, she gave them her best wolf stare.

"Don't bother, I won't laugh."

***

"You know, your sister isn't so bad. A bit workaholic, but I think you have potential to become close sisters. Maybe not touchy, hugs-and-kisses sisters, but closer than before, for sure."

Reyna didn't answer, just pretended to sleep, until Sierra fell asleep.

Maybe she's right. However, Hilda will need to work for it.

I think she's already trying, talking about moving to stay with you.

Us.

She doesn't know I exist.

Just because you don't know something, it doesn't make it less real. Like the monsters in your world. Humans don't know about them and they are still real, right?

A lot of people forget that. Not believing doesn't make you safe, only blind.

And that it's okay to change your belief if you see an evidence. I mean, I'm sure Galileo once believed Earth was the center of the universe. And now people believe the same Earth is flat. I despise stupid people.

Hahahahahahaha.

A/N: I'm sooooo sorry I was away that long. A lot of stuff was happening, and when last month I was almost finishing this chapter and suddenly it erased HALF of it, I was too depressed to rewrite (I still am a bit, I didn't rewrite the new year. But HELL YEAH, I'M IN ITALY!!! And Fonzies are real.