Bubbles sat in his shed with tears rolling down his cheeks beneath the thick lenses of his glasses. It was the Christmas season again. An unopened box sat in his lap, festooned with curly ribbons. A cat mewled softly and rubbed against his leg leaving long white hairs on his pant leg. Ricky was in jail again, Julian was being an asshole and he still couldn't open the box. It was from his parents. Every Christmas he waited to see if his family would show up. Then he could finally open it.

Wiping his cheeks and his quickly fogging glasses, Bubbles pushed the box aside. It slid across his thighs and fell with a soft 'whump' onto the blankets of his bed. The cat pawed at his shin, mewling for attention. Bubbles bent swiftly to scratch its ears before leaving the shed. The sharp winter wind cut at his face. He walked around to the door of Julian's trailer. He knocked half-heartedly. Julian was probably out peddling stolen presents, trees or lights. Something. As long as he could make some money, Julian would be out pushing it on people like a hard drug. Especially at this time of the year.

To his surprise, the door swung open. Julian was bundled in a warm looking jacket. A black toque was pulled over his head. His earring glinted coldly like the look in his eyes. "Yeah?" Bubbles wedged his foot in the door like he'd seen salesmen do. "Can I come in?" Julian glanced away furtively. "Yeah... Come in." Bubbles shuffled in, sliding past his friend.

"Bubs, hey, I gotta head out for work soon. You wanna come?" Julian thumbed at the door. Bubbles huffed through his nose. "Julian! It's Christmas! Are you seriously going out to steal presents?" Julian cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah. Cory and Trevor are helping, but you know they're dumbfucks. I could use some extra help."

"Fuck, Julian!" Bubbles growled. "While you're making money, you're ruining other peoples' Christmas! What if you get caught? Then you'll end up in jail with Ricky and I'll be all alone on Christmas again! And then what?" Tears welled up in his eyes again. Julian put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey Bubbles. Hey. Don't cry, man. C'mon." He tugged him into a one armed hug. "But look, I gotta go, ok?" Bubbles shrugged him off. "Fuck you," he spat before storming out.

Julian watched him stalk away back to the shed. The doors slammed shut, cutting Bubbles from view. Julian rubbed his forehead, letting out an exasperated sigh. He glanced at the expensive watch that adorned his wrist. He was five minutes behind schedule. He locked the trailer's door and went to start the car. Getting in, he glanced back at Bubbles' shed one more time. A twinge of guilt stabbed his heart. Maybe he'd stop at the pet store on his way home and pick up a kitten for him. A purebred kitten with big eyes and papers certifying its pedigree. That'd make him feel better.

Sitting alone in his shed, Bubbles was holding the wrapped box once again. The cat had fallen asleep, curled up on his pillow. He stroked its ears, murmuring quietly to it. What a shitty Christmas.