"CHRISTMAS IS TOMORROW, CHRISTMAS IS TOMORROW!" Simon bellowed down the hallway, skipping around like he didn't have a care in the whole flipping world.

Rachel joined him, laughing loudly, acting as if free- ice- cream- for- life coupons from Maggie Moos had just been handed out to everyone in the world. Which would be awesome... But since it wasn't really happening, I was getting ticked off.

"Why, dear God? Why did you punish me with these monkeys my parents call "my siblings"?" I muttered, slouching over my oatmeal at the table we had quickly set up with boxes for seats.

Rachel and Simon squealed for no apparent reason, other than to be annoying, and I bit my lip hard, clenching my fist around my spoon. Obsidian is missing, and they're running around like apes raised in captivity then set free to be chased by lions!

"Be careful, you two! The tree is up and I don't want you knocking it... over..." Mom trailed off, just as the two unleashed an unearthly scream of joy.

I slammed my head into the table repeatedly, enough to hurt my forehead pretty bad.

"Melody, stop it. You're going to hurt yourself. MELODY, WHY DO YOU INSIST ON BEING SO DRAMATIC!" Dad boomed from where he was wrapping presents for the relatives in the living room, lifting up his long legs so that Simon could sprint past him.

I turned slowly to look at him, imagining my eyes were lasers. "Oh, no reason. MAYBE BECAUSE MY CAT IS FREAKING GONE, DAD, AND I CAN'T DO A THING ABOUT IT! AND IT WAS SIMON'S FAULT! I can't believe I'm even talking to you people." My eyes began to sting, and that made me angrier.

Yesterday, I had began screeching at my family after their preposition I had over heard about getting me a so-called dog for Christmas. The nerve these people had... My best friend was missing, alone and scared out there somewhere. And here they are, talking about getting ME, of all people, a MUTT! After my fit, they won't be considering that anymore.

"It was no one's fault, Melody Sue Riller," Dad scolded in a condescending tone, and I rolled my eyes but kept quiet. "And I don't appreciate the tone you're taking with your mother and I. We are doing all we can to find Obsidian. Honestly-"

"Oh yeah, because sitting around all day waiting for news is definitely doing "all we can". Dad, she's my only friend! I need her home! You people are driving me crazy, and I just want-"

"Christmas is tomorrow! What do you want us to do? We've put up missing posters, contacted everyone we know in the area, put up some more signs, sent out questions on the Lost Pets website, and PUT UP MORE SIGNS! We had to postpone moving because of this. Don't act like you're the only one who is upset. This is affecting everyone." Dad has a way of giving it to you straight. Mom just kind of eases her way into a conversation. They're polar opposites. How the heck did they even fall in love, actually?

I scratched at my eye, trying with all my might not to let the tears come. I wanted to go back to my room and resume my ceiling staring, but there was no getting out of this.

"And you've always been dramatic. We want you to be happy, Mel. That's why we got you Obsidian. But maybe it's time you make other friends. Ones who aren't felines... Or at least expand your species interaction."

I glared at him, my jaw clenched and my blue eyes sparking fire. "When did this conversation turn to me being a social recluse, again?"

Dad sighed, running his fingers through his shaggy blonde hair. Mine looks the same, with its light streaks and thin hairs. I have Mom's blue eyes though. Anyway. Off topic.

"I'm just pointing out. With Obsidian missing, it's upsetting and awful, and I'm sorry that you have to go through it. But your mother and I have realized that your only friend is that cat. And... That hurts us, to think about you being alone."

I spun to face my mother, who was shrugging. "YOU WERE IN ON THIS TOO?!" I squealed, the lump back in my throat.

"So... About our conversation last night..."

"NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO." I shoved my fingers into my ears, singing loudly.
Not a dog. No. No. No. NOT A DOG! I SWEAR! This was going to be their idea to help me make more friends? WITH A DOG?!?!

Even Simon and Rachel were silent, sitting on the floor and watching us all with wide, innocent expressions.
Now here you're probably wondering when something eventful is going to happen. And here'sss that part...
As if a blessing sent from heaven, a terrifying crash startled us all, and I met Simon's green, confused eyes. We all bolted up to the window, our hearts pounding. And there it was. Great.

Alright, here it is! Thank you for reading this, you're the best if you stuck with it!