8. Santa Comes Early

                                    

                                          
              Planning parties for her friends is one thing Regina would never deny she loved doing. She bought chips, popcorn, juice, soda, pretzels, candy, and basically any other substance that her parents told her never to eat too much of. Regina was glad that the boys let her and Myrlande host it at their house because otherwise, she'd have to redecorate whatever space they chose. Their humble abode was decked out with vibrant Christmas cheer. White lights edged the ceiling in every room, stockings graced the top of the fireplace, and they had a Christmas tree that would've rivaled anything Mrs. Claus could've created. There were wreaths or bows on every door, custom Santa hats for each of her friends on the couch, and a classic nativity scene with some additional moving reindeer on the front lawn.
All the preparations were going well, and Regina was extremely excited to end the semester with a bang. She felt blessed to have such an amazing friend group and was more than willing to expand it to accommodate one more. Regina's initial impression of Geum Jan-di made her feel pity. However, after seeing and hearing all the amazing things Thomas had to say about her, she was looking forward to getting to know the person he spoke so highly of. All the preparations were coming to a close and the party was now only hours away. Regina couldn't help but think about her impending gift instead of researching for the Anti-Ferm project with Myrlande like she was supposed to.
"Hello? Earth to Regina." Myrlande said, trying to snap her friend out of her daydream.
"Sorry, I'm just so excited for tonight. I can't wait to see what everyone gets for each other." she replied.
"I am too. I'm looking forward to seeing what my Secret Santa got me, whether or not everyone stayed within budget, and my person's reaction to what I got for them." Myrlande told her.
"I'm not gonna lie, I'm fully expecting your gift to be a book or writing related in some way. I don't see how they could avoid it, and it's by far the safest choice." Regina joked.
"Whatever. You guys act like that's all I am. As if there's nothing more to my personality than the novels I read." Myrlande responded, rolling her eyes.
"Well..." Regina said, letting her voice trail off.
"Oh shut up. You're so annoying." Myrlande replied, as they both started laughing.
"You, me and the boys all know that there's so much more to the mystery girl who's the real reason we're all friends now. Without you having the need to be playful and make getting to know Zach an adventure, the Anti-Ferm Research Group would've never formed. You're as layered as they come, you're an onion." Regina said, trying to keep a straight face.
"K. First, you butter me up, and then you compare me to a vegetable that's notorious for making people cry." Myrlande said, happy with her friend's response.
"Yes I did, and your face is telling me that I was spot on. I love how you care for all of us, but also somehow manage to be cold and calculating on command. You're definitely the group's mom, and it's so cute seeing you call out Soji and Thomas on their terrible eating habits." Regina teased her friend.
"Eww, don't say that. I have no intentions of being anyone's mother anytime soon." Myrlande said, shaking her head in disgust. Regina chuckled at her reaction.
"Yea, you're right. You'd much rather be his girlfriend than his mother, wouldn't you." Regina joked. Myrlande choked on the eggnog she was sipping after hearing what came out of her friend's mouth.
"Not this again. I thought we went over this. We're just friends, and while I'm not totally ruling out the idea, I have no need for a boyfriend right now. It would be nice in theory, but I haven't put too much thought into it, and I don't intend to without being given a reason." Myrlande said.