The Christmas Test (rough draft)

“Lizzy,​ ​Lizzy,​ ​wake​ ​up​ ​honey​ ​wake​ ​up.”​ ​Lizzy​ ​opened​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​and
realized​ ​that​ ​she​ ​fell​ ​asleep​ ​in​ ​class.

“Lizzy,​ ​you​ ​missed​ ​the​ ​announcements.​ ​Did​ ​you​ ​stay​ ​up​ ​reading​ ​again?”

“No.”​ ​“Sorta.”​ ​she​ ​mumbled.​ ​Lizzy​ ​began​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​guilty.

“You​ ​know​ ​your​ ​sister​ ​fell​ ​asleep​ ​too.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​doubt​ ​that​ ​she​ ​stayed​ ​up
reading.​ ​Did​ ​she​ ​do​ ​her​ ​homework​ ​or​ ​watch​ ​YouTube?”​ ​asked​ ​Ms.
Jwalker.

“Both.​ ​But​ ​I'm​ ​sure​ ​the​ ​reason​ ​why​ ​she's​ ​asleep​ ​is​ ​because​ ​of​ ​anime.”
Lizzy​ ​explained.​ ​Her​ ​sister​ ​is​ ​obsessed​ ​with​ ​anime.​ ​One​ ​time​ ​she​ ​rushed
through​ ​her​ ​homework​ ​to​ ​watch​ ​it.​ ​Lizzy​ ​was​ ​never​ ​able​ ​to​ ​understand
the​ ​way​ ​her​ ​sister’s​ ​mind​ ​worked.​ ​‘Anime​ ​this.’​ ​‘Anime​ ​that.’​ ​That's​ ​all​ ​she
ever​ ​heard​ ​at​ ​home​ ​when​ ​she​ ​proved​ ​Lola​ ​wrong.​ ​It's​ ​always​ ​all​ ​about
anime​ ​with​ ​Lola.​ ​Always​ ​anime.

All​ ​of​ ​a​ ​sudden,​ ​the​ ​bell​ ​rings​ ​and​ ​she​ ​started​ ​to​ ​gather​ ​her​ ​things​ ​to​ ​go
to​ ​the​ ​next​ ​class.

​ ​“You​ ​won't​ ​be​ ​needing​ ​your​ ​things​ ​you​ ​can​ ​leave​ ​them​ ​here​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to
meet​ ​Ms.​ ​Frank​ ​in​ ​the​ ​office.”​ ​said​ ​Ms.​ ​Jwalker​ ​.

She​ ​started​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​office.​ ​It​ ​felt​ ​weird​ ​for​ ​her​ ​to​ ​be​ ​walking​ ​in​ ​a
different​ ​direction​ ​as​ ​everyone​ ​else.​ ​It​ ​reminded​ ​her​ ​of​ ​a​ ​book​ ​she​ ​read
once.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​called,​ ​​Counting​ ​by​ ​7’s​.​ ​She​ ​remembered​ ​that​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cover
under​ ​title​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​her​ ​favorite​ ​quotes.​ ​“If​ ​you're​ ​​ ​lost,​ ​you​ ​might​ ​have
to​ ​swim​ ​against​ ​the​ ​tide”.

For​ ​her,​ ​every​ ​thing​ ​happening​ ​is​ ​just​ ​so,​ ​peculiar.
She​ ​hardly​ ​ever​ ​falls​ ​asleep​ ​in​ ​class,​ ​she​ ​rarely​ ​ever​ ​goes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​office
for​ ​anything,​ ​and​ ​why​ ​wouldn't​ ​she​ ​need​ ​her​ ​stuff?​ ​It​ ​wasn't​ ​like​ ​she​ ​was
going​ ​on​ ​a​ ​field​ ​trip​ ​or​ ​anything.​ ​She​ ​had​ ​so​ ​many​ ​questions,​ ​she​ ​felt​ ​like
her​ ​mind​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​explode.⛈​ ​When​ ​she​ ​got​ ​there,​ ​Lola​ ​was​ ​there
too.

“Turns​ ​out​ ​you​ ​two​ ​have​ ​been​ ​chosen​ ​for​ ​the​ ​testing.This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​big​ ​honor
for​ ​our​ ​school.​ ​Only​ ​three​ ​kids​ ​in​ ​each​ ​country​ ​gets​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the​ ​testing.
The​ ​third​ ​kid​ ​lives​ ​in​ ​Flint,​ ​Michigan.​ ​His​ ​name​ ​is​ ​Owen.​ ​The​ ​three​ ​of​ ​you
will​ ​be​ ​dropped​ ​off​ ​today​ ​at​ ​D.C.​ ​They​ ​will​ ​be​ ​leaving​ ​you​ ​guys​ ​at​ ​a
house,​ ​that​ ​is​ ​where​ ​you​ ​will​ ​be​ ​living​ ​for​ ​the​ ​next​ ​week.​ ​Try​ ​to​ ​maintain.
Remember,​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​do​ ​well,​ ​is​ ​to​ ​work​ ​together.​ ​Your​ ​bus​ ​is​ ​outside
now.​ ​Good​ ​luck.​ ​Follow​ ​Ms.​ ​Sherbert​ ​out​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bus.​ ​She​ ​will​ ​be​ ​driving
you.”

After​ ​Ms.​ ​Frank’s​ ​speech,​ ​they​ ​went​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bus.​ ​Not​ ​long​ ​after,​ ​they​ ​both
fell​ ​asleep.​ ​When​ ​they​ ​woke​ ​up,​ ​Owen​ ​was​ ​getting​ ​on​ ​board​ ​the​ ​bus.
They​ ​were​ ​in​ ​Flint,​ ​Michigan!​ ​No​ ​wonder​ ​it​ ​was​ ​so​ ​cold.​ ​Lizzy​ ​thought.
Owen​ ​sat​ ​down​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Lola.​ ​Soon,​ ​Lizzy​ ​was​ ​asleep​ ​again.​ ​Not​ ​long
after​ ​that,​ ​Lola​ ​was​ ​asleep​ ​too.​ ​Owen​ ​almost​ ​fell​ ​into​ ​the​ ​aisle​ ​a​ ​couple
times​ ​when​ ​the​ ​bus​ ​turned.​ ​Lola​ ​was​ ​laying​ ​her​ ​head​ ​on​ ​his​ ​shoulder
and​ ​her​ ​back​ ​was​ ​up​ ​against​ ​his​ ​side.
They​ ​were​ ​dropped​ ​off​ ​at​ ​a​ ​house​ ​was​ ​high​ ​tech.​ ​They​ ​all​ ​woke​ ​up​ ​when
the​ ​bus​ ​stopped​ ​and​ ​flung​ ​them​ ​forward.​ ​They​ ​got​ ​off​ ​and​ ​went​ ​inside.
Turns​ ​out​ ​the​ ​president​ ​was​ ​there.

“Good​ ​luck.​ ​Though​ ​I​ ​doubt​ ​you'll​ ​need​ ​it.​ ​I​ ​hear​ ​you​ ​kids​ ​are​ ​very​ ​smart.
But​ ​remember,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​always​ ​get​ ​help​ ​in​ ​D.C.​ ​only​ ​if​ ​you​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​it.”​ ​the
president​ ​told​ ​them.​ ​He​ ​stepped​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​show​ ​the​ ​girls’​ ​parents
and​ ​an​ ​old​ ​man​ ​that​ ​resembles​ ​St.​ ​Nicholas.​ ​Their​ ​parents​ ​hugged​ ​them,
and​ ​and​ ​told​ ​them,​ ​that​ ​the​ ​first​ ​task​ ​was​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​open​ ​the​ ​door.

“But​ ​don't​ ​cheat​ ​honey.​ ​It​ ​doesn't​ ​start​ ​until​ ​tomorrow.​ ​You'll​ ​be​ ​spending
the​ ​night​ ​here​ ​to​ ​get​ ​comfortable​ ​with​ ​the​ ​situation.”​ ​Lizzy’s​ ​mom​ ​gave
her​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​paper.​ ​“Those​ ​are​ ​some​ ​of​ ​my​ ​recipes​ ​from​ ​home.​ ​There's
also​ ​cookbooks​ ​and​ ​food​ ​already​ ​in​ ​the​ ​house.”

“Thanks​ ​mom.​ ​And​ ​Merry​ ​Christmas.”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​She​ ​felt​ ​bound​ ​and
determined​ ​to​ ​ace​ ​this​ ​test.​ ​Then​ ​her​ ​mom​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​Lola.

“Honey,​ ​I​ ​know​ ​that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​hard​ ​for​ ​you​ ​to​ ​do,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want
to​ ​ace​ ​this​ ​test,​ ​you're​ ​going​ ​to​ ​have​ ​to​ ​bear​ ​with​ ​them​ ​and-just​ ​listen​ ​to
your​ ​sister​ ​ok?”

“Oh.​ ​That​ ​sounds​ ​pretty​ ​hard​ ​Mom.”​ ​said​ ​Lola.

“Hilarius.​ ​But​ ​I'm​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​my​ ​pillow.”​ ​Lizzy​ ​replied

The​ ​next​ ​morning,​ ​Lizzy​ ​got​ ​up​ ​around​ ​noon.​ ​Though,​ ​she​ ​didn't​ ​want​ ​to
get​ ​up.​ ​Turns​ ​out​ ​the​ ​reason​ ​why​ ​she​ ​woke​ ​up,​ ​was​ ​because​ ​her​ ​sister
was​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​pull​ ​her​ ​out​ ​of​ ​bed.

“Go​ ​away.”​ ​she​ ​moaned.

“But​ ​Lizzy,​ ​I'm​ ​hungry!​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cook.​ ​You're​ ​probably​ ​the​ ​only
person​ ​here​ ​who​ ​knows​ ​how.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​a​ ​gourmet​ ​kitchen​ ​here.
Gourmet!​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​use​ ​a​ ​stove.​ ​You're​ ​the​ ​one​ ​you​ ​taught​ ​me
how​ ​to​ ​use​ ​a​ ​microwave!”​ ​Lola​ ​complained.

“Funny​ ​thing​ ​is,​ ​the​ ​last​ ​part​ ​is​ ​true.​ ​But​ ​don't​ ​forget,​ ​I​ ​also​ ​taught​ ​you
how​ ​to​ ​use​ ​a​ ​toaster.”​ ​said​ ​Lizzy.​ ​It​ ​really​ ​was​ ​true.

“Lizzy.​ ​Please!”​ ​Lola​ ​was​ ​begging​ ​now.

“Fine.​ ​What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​want​ ​for​ ​breakfast?”​ ​Lizzy​ ​said​ ​annoyed.​ ​But​ ​she
then​ ​added,​ ​“Oh.​ ​Wait.​ ​I’m​ ​making​ ​breakfast​ ​so​ ​I​ ​get​ ​to​ ​choose.”​ ​Lizzy
loved​ ​doing​ ​that.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​fun​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sisters​ ​angry.​ ​But​ ​then​ ​Lizzy​ ​started
to​ ​wonder,​ ​‘Where’s​ ​the​ ​kitchen?’

Lola​ ​waited​ ​impatiently​ ​as​ ​Lizzy​ ​made​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​buffet​ ​of​ ​bacon,​ ​eggs,
french​ ​toast,​ ​butter​ ​bread,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​cereal​ ​display​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​the
table.​ ​Lizzy​ ​told​ ​her​ ​that​ ​she​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​check​ ​and​ ​see​ ​if​ ​Owen​ ​was
awake​ ​yet​ ​and​ ​that​ ​it's​ ​not​ ​polite​ ​to​ ​eat​ ​before​ ​others​ ​and​ ​that​ ​she​ ​also
had​ ​to​ ​wait​ ​until​ ​they​ ​say​ ​grace.​ ​But​ ​she​ ​didn't​ ​care.​ ​Lizzy​ ​left​ ​and​ ​Lola
wanted​ ​to​ ​eat​ ​so​ ​much​ ​but​ ​she​ ​didn't​ ​touch​ ​a​ ​bite.​ ​She​ ​knew​ ​Lizzy​ ​would
be​ ​disappointed​ ​and​ ​since​ ​Lizzy​ ​was​ ​the​ ​responsible​ ​one,​ ​she​ ​has​ ​been
a​ ​motherly​ ​figure​ ​since​ ​she​ ​was​ ​five.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​Lizzy​ ​was​ ​two​ ​years
younger​ ​and​ ​a​ ​foot​ ​shorter.

Lizzy​ ​knew​ ​what​ ​she​ ​had​ ​to​ ​do.​ ​She​ ​found​ ​envelopes​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mail​ ​slot
and,​ ​turns​ ​out,​ ​they​ ​had​ ​to​ ​open​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​and​ ​pay​ ​the​ ​bills​ ​too.​ ​She
needed​ ​to​ ​find​ ​a​ ​job.​ ​And​ ​fast.

“Lola.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​in​ ​serious​ ​trouble.They​ ​expect​ ​us​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​the​ ​bills​ ​for​ ​the
house​ ​to.​ ​I​ ​sure​ ​hope​ ​you're​ ​up​ ​for​ ​babysitting,​ ​cause​ ​I've​ ​never​ ​failed​ ​a
test​ ​in​ ​my​ ​life​ ​and​ ​I'm​ ​not​ ​gonna​ ​start​ ​now.​ ​You​ ​said​ ​this​ ​was​ ​a​ ​high
technology​ ​house​ ​right?”​ ​Lizzy​ ​asked.

“Yeah.​ ​Why?”​ ​Lola​ ​replied.

“Follow​ ​me.”​ ​Lizzy​ ​insisted.​ ​She​ ​walked​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front​ ​door.​ ​‘There​ ​must​ ​be
a​ ​voice​ ​sensor​ ​around​ ​here​ ​somewhere.​ ​If​ ​this​ ​is​ ​as​ ​high​ ​technology
house​ ​I​ ​suspected,​ ​then​ ​there​ ​must​ ​be​ ​a​ ​button​ ​on​ ​the​ ​wall​ ​to​ ​activate​ ​a
voice​ ​sensor​ ​that​ ​activates​ ​the​ ​automatic​ ​open​ ​and​ ​close​ ​system​ ​clearly
seen​ ​on​ ​the​ ​door.’​ ​she​ ​thought.​ ​Turns​ ​out​ ​the​ ​button​ ​was​ ​the​ ​door​ ​mat.

“Unlock​ ​door.”​ ​she​ ​demanded.​ ​She​ ​then​ ​heard​ ​the​ ​loud​ ​chink​ ​of​ ​the​ ​door
when​ ​it​ ​unlocked.

“Now,​ ​open​ ​door.”​ ​she​ ​demanded.​ ​The​ ​door​ ​started​ ​to​ ​slowly​ ​swing
open.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​how​ ​they​ ​were​ ​going​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​work,​ ​and​ ​pay​ ​the​ ​bills,​ ​and
go​ ​on​ ​to​ ​the​ ​next​ ​task.

“We​ ​opened​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​now​ ​what's​ ​the​ ​next​ ​task?”​ ​asked​ ​Lola.

“Getting​ ​jobs​ ​and​ ​paying​ ​the​ ​bills​ ​Let's​ ​eat.​ ​I'm​ ​starving.”​ ​she​ ​said.

“Me​ ​too.”​ ​Lola​ ​agreed.​ ​“For​ ​the​ ​last​ ​seven​ ​hours!”

The​ ​next​ ​morning,​ ​Lizzy​ ​got​ ​up​ ​early.​ ​She​ ​heated​ ​up​ ​some​ ​stuff​ ​from
breakfast​ ​yesterday,​ ​and​ ​made​ ​some​ ​calls.​ ​She​ ​found​ ​a​ ​family​ ​perfect​ ​for
Lola​ ​to​ ​babysit.​ ​She​ ​starts​ ​her​ ​job​ ​today.​ ​Lizzy​ ​also​ ​found​ ​a​ ​job​ ​at​ ​a​ ​store
nearby​ ​for​ ​child​ ​entertaining.​ ​He​ ​starts​ ​today.​ ​She​ ​found​ ​some​ ​money
stashed​ ​away​ ​in​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​drawers​ ​of​ ​the​ ​kitchen​ ​the​ ​day​ ​before,​ ​and
she​ ​was​ ​planning​ ​on​ ​using​ ​it​ ​on​ ​buying​ ​craft​ ​supplies​ ​and​ ​tables.​ ​She's
gonna​ ​start​ ​an​ ​art​ ​class​ ​program.Every​ ​day,​ ​each​ ​class​ ​is​ ​two​ ​hours
long.

Lizzy​ ​made​ ​some​ ​eggs​ ​for​ ​Lola​ ​and​ ​Owen​ ​so​ ​Lola​ ​wouldn’t​ ​gripe​ ​about
not​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​cook.​ ​She​ ​went​ ​in​ ​the​ ​bedroom​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​them​ ​that
breakfast​ ​was​ ​ready​ ​and​ ​that​ ​they​ ​better​ ​get​ ​up​ ​soon,​ ​and​ ​when​ ​she​ ​did,
Owen​ ​got​ ​up​ ​walked​ ​into​ ​the​ ​hallway.

“I​ ​need​ ​a​ ​glass​ ​of​ ​water.”​ ​he​ ​said,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​passed​ ​out​ ​right​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle
of​ ​the​ ​hallway.​ ​Lizzy​ ​didn't​ ​know​ ​that​ ​until​ ​she​ ​came​ ​back​ ​with​ ​his​ ​glass
of​ ​water​ ​though.

“Wake​ ​up​ ​sleeping​ ​beauty.​ ​We’ve​ ​got​ ​a​ ​big​ ​day​ ​ahead​ ​of​ ​us.”​ ​said​ ​Lizzy
as​ ​she​ ​dumped​ ​the​ ​glass​ ​of​ ​water​ ​on​ ​him.​ ​He​ ​woke​ ​up​ ​once​ ​the​ ​water​ ​hit
him.

“Follow​ ​me.​ ​It’s​ ​time​ ​to​ ​eat.​ ​I​ ​made​ ​breakfast.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​like​ ​eggs?”​ ​she
said.​ ​He​ ​followed​ ​her​ ​into​ ​the​ ​kitchen​ ​and​ ​sat​ ​down.​ ​He​ ​ate​ ​almost​ ​all​ ​the
eggs,​ ​nine​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​bacon,​ ​two​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​butter​ ​bread,​ ​five​ ​pieces​ ​of
french​ ​toast,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​bowl​ ​of​ ​cereal.

“Not​ ​surprised.​ ​You​ ​never​ ​woke​ ​up​ ​yesterday.”​ ​said​ ​Lizzy.​ ​“You​ ​need​ ​any
water?”

“No​ ​I'm​ ​fine.​ ​But,​ ​what​ ​do​ ​you​ ​mean​ ​I​ ​never​ ​woke​ ​up?”​ ​Owen​ ​said
surprised.

“You​ ​were​ ​sleeping​ ​all​ ​day​ ​yesterday.”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​“Oh​ ​yeah.​ ​How​ ​are​ ​you
with​ ​kids?”

“Fine,​ ​I​ ​guess.​ ​Why?”​ ​he​ ​asked.

“You​ ​now​ ​have​ ​a​ ​job​ ​at​ ​WAL-MART​ ​to​ ​dress​ ​up​ ​as​ ​Santa​ ​and​ ​entertain
kids​ ​while​ ​their​ ​parents​ ​are​ ​shopping.​ ​You​ ​start​ ​today,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​shift​ ​is​ ​in
two​ ​hours.”​ ​Lizzy​ ​explained.​ ​‘I​ ​hope​ ​he​ ​does​ ​well.’​ ​she​ ​thought.​ ​‘Cause,​ ​I
do​ ​not​ ​want​ ​to​ ​fail​ ​this​ ​test.’

Lola​ ​walked​ ​in​ ​and​ ​got​ ​herself​ ​some​ ​chocolate​ ​milk.​ ​Lizzy​ ​explained​ ​to
Lola​ ​about​ ​the​ ​job​ ​and​ ​everything.​ ​Then​ ​they​ ​all​ ​took​ ​showers.​ ​They​ ​all
left​ ​for​ ​work​ ​and​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​day,​ ​they​ ​all​ ​came​ ​back​ ​with​ ​a​ ​bunch​ ​of
money.

Lizzy​ ​made​ ​spaghetti​ ​that​ ​night​ ​for​ ​dinner.​ ​While​ ​they​ ​were​ ​eating,​ ​Lizzy
said,​ ​‘You​ ​know,​ ​if​ ​tomorrow​ ​and​ ​the​ ​day​ ​after​ ​that,​ ​is​ ​as​ ​good​ ​as​ ​today,
we’ll​ ​have​ ​enough​ ​money​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​the​ ​bills,​ ​buy​ ​a​ ​Christmas​ ​tree,​ ​buy
stalkings,​ ​buy​ ​some​ ​Christmas​ ​lights,​ ​buy​ ​any​ ​other​ ​decorations​ ​to
Christmasfy​ ​the​ ​house,​ ​buy​ ​presents​ ​for​ ​each​ ​other,​ ​buy​ ​a​ ​turkey​ ​for
Christmas​ ​dinner,​ ​and​ ​buy​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​Christmas​ ​specials​ ​to​ ​watch​ ​on​ ​the
fifty​ ​inch,​ ​flat​ ​screen,​ ​blu​ ​ray,​ ​smart​ ​tv​ ​in​ ​the​ ​front​ ​room.​ ​Think​ ​I'm​ ​gonna
have​ ​the​ ​kids​ ​painting​ ​ornaments​ ​tomorrow.”

The​ ​next​ ​two​ ​days,​ ​same​ ​thing​ ​happened.​ ​Except,​ ​one​ ​little​ ​girl​ ​wanted
to​ ​paint​ ​a​ ​butterfly​ ​it​ ​was​ ​time​ ​to​ ​put​ ​the​ ​paints​ ​away.​ ​When​ ​they​ ​all​ ​got
home​ ​from​ ​work,​ ​they​ ​payed​ ​the​ ​bills​ ​then​ ​they​ ​all​ ​went​ ​shopping​ ​for
Christmas​ ​decorations.

Lizzy​ ​got​ ​a​ ​present​ ​for​ ​Lola​ ​and​ ​a​ ​present​ ​for​ ​Owen.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​so​ ​excited.
Tomorrow​ ​was​ ​Christmas​ ​Eve​ ​​ ​and​ ​she​ ​had​ ​never​ ​had​ ​Christmas​ ​without
her​ ​parents.​ ​But,​ ​there’s​ ​a​ ​first​ ​time​ ​for​ ​everything.​ ​It​ ​took​ ​about​ ​two​ ​hours
to​ ​get​ ​it​ ​done​ ​but,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​totally​ ​worth​ ​it.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​hard​ ​for​ ​her​ ​to​ ​sleep​ ​that
night​ ​because,​ ​she​ ​fell​ ​off​ ​of​ ​a​ ​chair​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​put​ ​the​ ​star​ ​on​ ​top​ ​of​ ​the
tree.

The​ ​next​ ​day,​ ​she​ ​woke​ ​up​ ​around​ ​noon.​ ​She​ ​went​ ​to​ ​the​ ​kitchen​ ​and
ate​ ​a​ ​bowl​ ​of​ ​cereal.​ ​Lola​ ​and​ ​Owen​ ​already​ ​got​ ​the​ ​TV​ ​set​ ​up​ ​for
watching​ ​Christmas​ ​specials.

“Did​ ​you​ ​check​ ​the​ ​mail​ ​yet?”​ ​she​ ​asked.

“No.”​ ​said​ ​Lola.​ ​Lizzy​ ​went​ ​to​ ​the​ ​mailslot​ ​and​ ​grabbed​ ​the​ ​mail.​ ​There
was​ ​a​ ​Christmas​ ​card​ ​from​ ​her​ ​parents,​ ​a​ ​Christmas​ ​card​ ​from​ ​Owen’s
Grandpa​ ​Clause,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​Christmas​ ​card​ ​from​ ​the​ ​president!​ ​​ ​She​ ​gave
Lola​ ​and​ ​Owen​ ​their​ ​Christmas​ ​cards.

She​ ​ran​ ​into​ ​the​ ​front​ ​room.​ ​“Check​ ​this​ ​out​ ​guys!​ ​We​ ​got​ ​a​ ​Christmas
card​ ​from​ ​the​ ​president!”

Owen​ ​turned​ ​around.​ ​“Really?​ ​What’s​ ​it​ ​say?”

Then​ ​Lola​ ​turned​ ​around.​ ​“Yeah.​ ​Read​ ​it!”

Lizzy​ ​read​ ​it​ ​out​ ​loud.

.​ ​Dear​ ​kids,

​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​I​ ​am​ ​amazed​ ​at​ ​how​ ​you've​ ​done​ ​on​ ​this​ ​test.​ ​You​ ​three​ ​are​ ​by​ ​far,​ ​the​ ​fastest​ ​at
acing​ ​the​ ​test.​ ​How​ ​on​ ​earth​ ​did​ ​you​ ​open​ ​the​ ​door​ ​so​ ​quickly?​ ​You​ ​opened​ ​it​ ​within​ ​24
hours​ ​of​ ​the​ ​test.​ ​Normally​ ​it​ ​would​ ​take​ ​at​ ​three​ ​days​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​it​ ​out.​ ​I'm
surprised​ ​you​ ​took​ ​the​ ​hint​ ​for​ ​the​ ​second​ ​task,​ ​working​ ​and​ ​paying​ ​the​ ​bills.​ ​Usually
they​ ​think​ ​‘Huh.​ ​I​ ​guess​ ​who​ ​ever​ ​owns​ ​this​ ​place​ ​hasn't​ ​payed​ ​the​ ​bills​ ​yet.’​ ​and​ ​they
leave​ ​the​ ​paper​ ​on​ ​the​ ​counter.​ ​That's​ ​where​ ​almost​ ​everyone​ ​else​ ​fails.​ ​Nice​ ​job.​ ​You
guys​ ​passed​ ​without​ ​knowing​ ​what​ ​the​ ​third​ ​task​ ​was.​ ​The​ ​third​ ​task​ ​was​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it
real.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​live​ ​in​ ​a​ ​house,​ ​you​ ​would​ ​get​ ​it​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​Christmas.​ ​You​ ​did​ ​that​ ​by​ ​your
selves.​ ​Amazing.​ ​You​ ​guys​ ​are​ ​the​ ​first​ ​to​ ​pass​ ​this​ ​test​ ​since​ ​I​ ​passed​ ​it​ ​over​ ​40​ ​years
ago.​ ​Since​ ​you​ ​passed​ ​it​ ​so​ ​quickly,​ ​we’re​ ​letting​ ​you​ ​go​ ​home​ ​early​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​Christmas
with​ ​your​ ​families.​ ​Keep​ ​up​ ​the​ ​good​ ​work,​ ​and​ ​one​ ​of​ ​you​ ​just​ ​might​ ​take​ ​my​ ​place
some​ ​day.​ ​For​ ​I​ ​would​ ​be​ ​honored​ ​to​ ​to​ ​work​ ​for​ ​any​ ​of​ ​you.​ ​For​ ​once,​ ​instead​ ​of
America​ ​having​ ​a​ ​First​ ​Lady,​ ​​ ​America​ ​might​ ​have​ ​a​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​having​ ​a​ ​First​ ​Man.
Merry​ ​Christmas​ ​and​ ​Happy​ ​Hanukkah​ ​​ ​to​ ​all​ ​of​ ​you.


​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​President​ ​Barack​ ​Obama


“Hey!​ ​My​ ​Grandpa​ ​Claus​ ​is​ ​comin​ ​to​ ​town​ ​tonight.​ ​Maybe,​ ​we​ ​could​ ​hitch
a​ ​ride​ ​to​ ​your​ ​house​ ​and​ ​surprise​ ​your​ ​parents!”​ ​said​ ​Owen.

“Yeah!​ ​According​ ​to​ ​our​ ​Christmas​ ​card,​ ​Mom​ ​and​ ​Dad​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​we
are​ ​coming​ ​home​ ​early!”​ ​Lola​ ​agreed.

“So​ ​who​ ​is​ ​your​ ​Grandpa​ ​Clause​ ​anyway?”​ ​Lizzy​ ​asked.

“You​ ​wouldn't​ ​believe​ ​me​ ​if​ ​I​ ​told​ ​you.​ ​My​ ​whole​ ​school​ ​thinks​ ​I'm​ ​a
lunatic​ ​because​ ​one​ ​kid​ ​asked​ ​the​ ​very​ ​same​ ​thing.”​ ​Owen​ ​mumbled.

“We​ ​won't​ ​think​ ​you're​ ​a​ ​lunatic.​ ​Your​ ​talented.​ ​Your​ ​the​ ​reason​ ​why​ ​we
were​ ​able​ ​to​ ​pass​ ​the​ ​second​ ​task​ ​Owen.​ ​All​ ​that​ ​money​ ​you​ ​got​ ​from
parents​ ​giving​ ​you​ ​tips​ ​for​ ​acting​ ​so​ ​good​ ​on​ ​top​ ​of​ ​your​ ​original​ ​salary.”
said​ ​Lola.

“Well,​ ​let's​ ​just​ ​say,​ ​you'll​ ​find​ ​out​ ​when​ ​he​ ​gets​ ​here.”​ ​he​ ​replied.

“Ok.​ ​We’ll​ ​just​ ​wait.​ ​And​ ​in​ ​the​ ​meantime,​ ​which​ ​movie​ ​are​ ​we​ ​watching
first?”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​A​ ​few​ ​hours​ ​later,​ ​an​ ​overweight​ ​man​ ​with​ ​a​ ​long​ ​beard,
a​ ​big​ ​sack,and​ ​a​ ​red​ ​coat​ ​with​ ​a​ ​matching​ ​hat.

“It​ ​took​ ​you​ ​took​ ​long​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​get​ ​here.”

“Sorry​ ​Owen.​ ​But,​ ​the​ ​sun​ ​hasn't​ ​set​ ​yet​ ​so​ ​I​ ​had​ ​to​ ​do​ ​invisible​ ​mode,
and​ ​I​ ​had​ ​no​ ​idea​ ​what​ ​button​ ​I​ ​was​ ​pushing.​ ​So​ ​I'm​ ​here​ ​to​ ​send​ ​you
guys​ ​as​ ​gifts​ ​to​ ​your​ ​parents​ ​because​ ​that's​ ​what​ ​they​ ​wanted​ ​for
Christmas​ ​and​ ​they​ ​happen​ ​to​ ​be​ ​on​ ​the​ ​nice​ ​list.​ ​So,​ ​let's​ ​get​ ​ye​ ​into
your​ ​packagin’​ ​so​ ​we​ ​can​ ​leave.”

“Don't​ ​worry.​ ​I'll​ ​get​ ​the​ ​packaging​ ​grandpa.”​ ​Owen​ ​ran​ ​into​ ​the​ ​kitchen
and​ ​came​ ​back​ ​with​ ​three​ ​huge​ ​boxes​ ​with​ ​matching​ ​lid​ ​hats.​ ​“I've​ ​been
planning​ ​this​ ​all​ ​week!​ ​These​ ​are​ ​our​ ​costumes.​ ​We​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​to​ ​put
them​ ​on​ ​until​ ​we​ ​get​ ​there,​ ​though.”

All​ ​night,​ ​they​ ​were​ ​Santa’s​ ​helpers.​ ​Because​ ​there​ ​were​ ​three​ ​of​ ​them,
plus​ ​Santa,​ ​they​ ​got​ ​it​ ​done​ ​three​ ​times​ ​faster​ ​than​ ​normal.​ ​They​ ​went​ ​to
Lizzy’s​ ​house​ ​last,​ ​so​ ​everyone​ ​could​ ​get​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​the​ ​surprise.​ ​The
parents​ ​came​ ​in​ ​and,​ ​the​ ​lights​ ​went​ ​off​ ​blue​ ​lights​ ​came​ ​on,​ ​and​ ​elves
and​ ​Santa,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​kids​ ​in​ ​an​ ​awesome​ ​music​ ​number​ ​about​ ​Christmas
and​ ​surprises.

Lizzy​ ​and​ ​Lola​ ​popped​ ​out​ ​of​ ​their​ ​packaging​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“Merry
Christmas.”

Then​ ​Owen​ ​popped​ ​out​ ​of​ ​his​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“And​ ​Happy​ ​Hanukkah.”

​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​The​ ​End