The Misfits

“WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!” screamed Archie as he ran down the stairs.

I let out a groan and pulled the pillow over my face. I didn’t even want to know how early it was.

“THALIA WAKE UP SANTA CAME!” cried Millie. I felt the sheets ripped off my body and turned to see the smiling four year old jumping around the room.

“Let’s go check them out M,” Mackenzie said before scooping her up. The two disappeared as I sat up slowly and stretched my sore limbs.

“Come on Mae.” I pulled Maeve’s pillow out from under her and quickly dodged the swing I knew was coming. Maeve was not a morning person. “Before they rip open everyone’s presents.”

She let out a grown in response. I let out a laugh and headed downstairs, throwing my hair in a bun as I walked. Screams from my ecstatic siblings could be heard even all the way up here. The house always felt more like a zoo on Christmas morning, though I suppose you could argue that it felt like a zoo everyday.

“THALIA LOOK! THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!” The second I hit the bottom stair I was dragged into the living room by Archie and Leo. They pulled me over to where my haul of presents sat in a small pile. Once everyone had been woken up we dove into the gifts.

Every year we did a secret Santa exchange of presents as it was more affordable and the gifts were hilarious. This year my gift was from Hugh who had bought me a giant poster of One Direction and a yearlong subscription to their merchandise.

I had drawn Layla’s name and had given her a rock from New York as a gag gift – her face was priceless. For my real gift I had hand drawn a coloring book for her with inside jokes from the past year hidden inside.

“Well my dear, how is your Christmas coming along?” asked my mother as she took a seat next to me on the couch.

“Splendidly,” I smiled. I was briefly distracted as Archie made his toy dinosaur attack Millie’s new princess doll. After shooting him a disapproving look turned back to my mother. “Are we still going to the play tonight?”

“Of course!” It’s tradition!” She cried. She was smiling contently as she watched our family break into chaos. She may have never found a man’s love again, but maybe she never really needed it. Her heart belonged with my adopted brothers and sisters. Since I’ve been at Uni they’ve become her entire world.

My mind wandered back to my father’s invitation to spend Christmas with his family. I tried to imagine sitting in his small Irish cottage with only three little children screaming instead of twelve. For some reason it didn’t seem appealing.

“Hey look there’s a man at the door!” cried Luca. My mother and I both spun around to see a person in red step up to the front door. Who on earth was coming to our house on Christmas morning? The two of us shared a look of concern as Millie ran to the door.

“HAPPY CHR—woah.” She froze, staring up at the man and as I stood up it became clear why. Standing in the threshold was none other than Santa himself.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!” He boomed, his fake beard shifting slightly on his face as he attempted to let out a jolly laugh. “Is this the Kalfis residence?”

“Why yes Santa, it is,” beamed my mother. I shot her confused frown to which she responded with a small shrug.

“I have a few gifts for some good children,” He replied before dropping a large bag in the vestibule. I heard Maeve let out a laugh in disbelief. Who the heck sent this guy? Had my mom and Aunt done it as a joke?

Santa began passing out presents; ballet shoes for Millie and Layla. Soccer balls for Archie and Leo. A keyboard and sheet music for Tilly. A new ipod for Luca. Jersey’s and practice passes with professional soccer teams for Hugh and Jasper. Dance shoes for Kenzie, a guitar for Maeve, and a check to cover Elaine’s last year of school. Finally Santa held out a small envelope for me.

I took it hesitantly. The kids and somewhat settled down as they watched to see what other gifts One Direction had given. I knew it was them. There was no way my mother and Aunt could ever afford these kinds of gifts, and they're the only five people in the world who care about us this much. I whipped the happy tears that were streaming down my face before ripping open the envelope.

I let out a scream and nearly dropped both the present.

"What? What is it?" Cried my siblings excitedly.

Inside were three plane tickets to Greece along with about half a dozen brochures.

I held them out to my mother and Aunt Lucy, both burst into new tears of joy. Both of them started crying too. Their mother had been born in Greece and I knew it had been a life long dream of theirs to go track down their relatives and experience the country; however both had realized their financial situation would never allow it.

After a few more minutes Santa finally disappeared and the house went back to it’s usual chaos – though this time slightly more amplified. I heard my phone ring and looked to see a silly, curly headed brunette’s picture pop up.

"You're insane. You all are insane!" I yelled into the phone. I heard Harry laugh on the other end before I too broke into a smile.

“Merry Christmas to you too babe,” he chuckled. “Get anything good from Santa?

“I can’t believe you did that.” I continued, still beside myself at the gifts he had given.

“Did the kids like their gifts?”

“Did they—Yes Harry of course they liked them! They’re beside themselves! Millie's running around in her new Ballet shoes and Archie's already broken a vase."

"Sorry about the vase, we can repla-"

"Harry Edward Styles you are not buying this family anything else ever again," I cut in.

"Hmm, you're not going to like what's under the couch cushion then."

"Under the-Harry what are you going on about?"

"Go look under the couch cushion!"

"This is ridiculous," I muttered to myself as I walked over to the couch. Tilly, Layla and Leo turned to watch me dig through the couch cushions until I found a thick envelope. I stuck the phone between my shoulder and ear before beginning to rip the package open.

"Read the letter aloud," he instructed.

"So bossy," I mused before clearing my throat. "Dear Kalfis family. We all hope you've enjoyed your Christmas so far but we have one last surprise for you-"

"What!" Cried Archie, as the other kids let out shrieks of excitement.

"Enclosed are some very important items that will grant you access to the biggest and best gift we've ever given. Hold on tight, keep your hands and feet inside the rides at all times and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam, and Zayn."

As my siblings screamed excitedly around me I dug my hand further in the envelope and found a stack of cards.

I let out a scream and nearly dropped both the phone and present. "Oh my god..."

"WHAT? What is it?"

"Tell us Thalia!"

I held out one of the cards and the room exploded with screams and laughter. The boys had sent 14 passes to Disneyland.

"Harry I...how did…This…” I stuttered. "This is-this is the nicest thing anyone has ever..."

"Ha! Look at that! He's left her speechless!" Laughed Hugh.

"Harry Styles you officially have the families blessing," cried Maeve. Harry laughed once more and I dipped into the other room so that I could speak with him alone. I could tell he was smiling despite not being able to see him. This is what Harry lived for, doing things for others.

"You know you're the most amazing person ever right?" I asked? Wiping away more tears. "Have you opened my gift?"

"Yes I have!" I had given Harry a book of sketches that I had done while I was with One Direction. I had images from the charity game, interviews, studio sessions, and even our time in New York. "How did you have time…it’s like my own little scrapbook.”

“I’m glad you like it, though it isn’t nearly as extraordinary as your gift….”

“Thalia it’s amazing,” He replied, scolding me for comparing the gifts. But how could I not compare them? Harry had given gifts to each member of my family, and then my family collectively. And they were fantastic gifts too. How the hell did I get so lucky?

-

“Nate!” I cried, pulling the curly brunette into a tight hug. A mixture of cigarettes and weed hit my nose as he nearly broke my ribs.

“How are you doing Thals?” he grinned. Hugh had appeared at my side, pulling on my bun and waiting for Nate to supply him with his happy pills.

“Ready to be back in London,” I answered honestly. It was one day before New Year’s Eve and Nate and our other friend Scopes had come to take us back to London. “I need to get out of the house. I miss London.”

“Don’t you mean your boyfriend?”

I froze. Are you fucking kidding me? I shot a glare at Nate before hissing, “Why the fuck is he here?”

“Humor me Thal,” replied Nate. He turned his attention on Hugh but not before whispering. “He’s getting better. They have him on meds now.”

No. I didn’t care if they had given him a new brain. I didn’t want anything to do with this boy. Could they not see how psychologically disturbed he was? I turned to head back inside. I would take the train back to London.

“Thal wait a sec.” Calhan had caught my arm, though it wasn’t rough like before. It was gentle. “Can we talk? Please?"

“I don’t think we have anything to ta-"

“I’m begging you. Please I need to explain,” he pleaded. I turned to look at his stormy grey eyes and saw they were laced with concern. He seemed genuine. Maybe if I let him get whatever it was off his chest he would leave me be.

I let out a sigh and started the opposite direction towards the park. The cold hair hit my skin, fueling the emotions that had begun to stir in the pit of my stomach. Calhan jogged to catch up and was at my side a moment later. “You have five minutes. Go.”

“Thalia, I want to apologize…for everything. I-I didn’t mean all those things I said. I was just angry. I was angry you chose him.”

“Well if it were up to Harry you would be in jail right now.”

“I know…Thalia I’m so sorry.” Hold on a second, was he…crying? Calhan wiped his eyes with his coat as we walked in silence for a moment.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I finally blurted out. “Calhan you-you’ve made my life hell these past few months do you know that?”

“I know Thalia I-"

“You scare me Calhan."

He stopped walking abruptly. I continued slowly ahead, forcing myself to stay strong and not glance back. He didn’t respond so I continued angrily on my rant. “You yell, you threaten, you do everything in your power to make me feel like shit—"

"Will you just let me talk!" He cried. I felt him catch my arm once more and I was unwillingly pulled to a stop. “Look Thal I thought you had died. When you got in that accident...I-I thought I had killed you."

He looked completely broken as he wiped away the tears that were streaming down his face. However I found myself unsympathetic.

"You didn't kill us Calhan," I sighed.

"I might as well have! I was the one who outed you!"

"They would have come regardless Calhan, he's Harry Styles."

"I know who he is," he growled. I paused, waiting for his mounting anger to explode. I had seen it dozens of times had I really been that stupid to think it wouldn't be me he hurt one day?

But he didn't explode. He didn't hit. He didn't yell. Instead, he took a deep breath and looked down at me.

"I was so angry when you left... I was angry because you had finally figured out that I was a fuck up-"

"No." I reached out and grabbed him before I could stop myself. "No Calhan that wasn't what happened at all! I-Harry and I...we just clicked...I never, ever meant to hurt you.”

Was that really what this was all about? He thought I considered him some low life fuck up? Well I did…but only after he stalked and harassed me.

“I’m getting help Thal,” He whispered. “For my anger. Nate and Mae talked me into seeing a shrink.”

“That’s good Cal.” I gave him a small smile and we began walking back towards the house. Psychological help was good, at least someone else knew how bad he had really become. But I was surprised he had even agreed to see a shrink. Calhan hated talking about his feelings.

“I swear to you I will never loose it like that again. You don’t have to be afraid anymore Thal. And if it’s what you want I will stay out of your life forever.”

I didn’t know what to say. I’ve honestly missed Calhan. Not the ass he had turned into - but the hilarious goofball that I had met two years ago. But he had only turned into that asshole because he was hurt. And Calhan can’t handle hurt so he turned it to anger. Before Harry he had never laid a finger on me. Before Harry he had been the only guy in my life who cared. Could I really just turn my back on him now?

I shook my head and Calhan let out a sigh in relief. We continued to walk without talking for a few moments as I attempted to collect my thoughts and what had just happened. Ten minutes ago I was ready to call the cops on him and now I"m asking him to stay. Thalia, are you thinking clearly?

But I knew I was. As long as Calhan and I were on good terms I wouldn't have to be afraid. I mean, he had already proved that he had changed by seeing someone about his anger issues. And if I were being honest with myself, I felt guilty. I should have just told Calhan how I felt about Harry from the start and then none of this would have even happened.

I realized we had been walking in silence for a while now. But even in the silence I could tell we were both thinking the same thing…if Harry hadn’t come along, Calhan and I would still be together.

"Does he know?”

I was thrown off guard by the question. "Know what?”

"Does Harry know how lucky he is to have you?" Calhan asked. I blinked, not really knowing how to respond. “You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met Thal. Truthfully. After all the shit I’ve put you through how can you still care about me?”

“Calhan, you were my best friend for the past two years-”

"And I will do anything to earn that title back," he pleaded. "I’ve missed you in my life Thal."

"It's going to take some time Cal," I replied hesitantly. Harry's going to murder me for this.

"I know. I just...thank you for listening Thal. And thank you for giving me a second chance. I won't let you down. I promise."

We had made it back to the house and from the corner of my eye I could see my sisters, Nate and Scopes all watching us. I gave Calhan a small nod knowing full well it would take a miracle before I could ever trust him like that again.

Calhan and I would be acquaintances. Nothing more. He would get to know the bare minimums of my life, but he would never again know my secrets. Maybe, just maybe, in a few years we could go start down that path of friendship again…but I doubted it.

I had trust issues to begin with and was also a harsh judge of character. My trust, once lost, is lost forever.

Notes

Hi.
So...judging by the comments I think I'll be writing that sequel!
I've already got a few chapters started and you are going to kill me. You'll never see it coming. It's gonna be great.
And just want to say - you guys have been amazing and thank you TONS for sticking with me throughout this story.
Hard to believe there's only one more chapter left!!!

Now. I know many of you hate Calhan...how did you feel about Thalia's rationalization of the situation?
How do you think Harry will react?