353 Sharing a meal together (1/2)

Following them were Eric and Melanie, accompanied by Gigi, who kept glancing behind to keep a close eye on the remaining two, Giselle and Lillian.

Under Gigi's sharp watch, Giselle and Lillian couldn't talk freely, so they quietly walked next to each other. With Lia taking the front, it was only Giselle who kept Lillian company. Lillian was feeling grateful for the gesture and never tried anything unnecessary. Together, the group scouted the area for fun.

The school's yearly Christmas celebration comes with a variety of outdoor recreations. Ranging from game booths to food stalls, all matched to the holiday theme, thus, creating several hotspots scattered on the school ground to entertain kids and their families. Since the festival is a recurring event, the school board allowed people from the local community to set up food stalls while the teachers took care of the fun zone.

Carried around by her father, Lia gawked at every passing outlet, gleefully looking for a place to play. Eric and Melanie didn't bother themselves in choosing as they let their precious granddaughter pick for herself. Meanwhile, Gigi's only job at the moment was to be wary of her front and back as she walked.

After spending a while sightseeing, Lia finally chose the first place to visit. It was a simple game booth: The Reindeer ring toss: Two as a team participate where one wears the adorable antlers, and the other had to try tossing the ring onto it. Every team gets three chances to throw the rings, and if they succeed in all try, they will receive gifts.

Ethan and Lia naturally formed a team to play their first game.

The first try ended up aiming low, whereas, on the second try, the ring barely got caught to the left antler. On her final turn, she couldn't make it. Unfortunately, Lia and Ethan's team failed. Facing a defeat right at the start dampened the kid's bright temper.

The family who supported from behind all rushed to comfort Lia, including Lillian. Somehow being surrounded by such a warm crowd helped Lia overcome the disappointment.

Meantime, Lillian looked around to find the next spot that could help Lia cheer up. Several games popped into her sight, but they all lack the humor in it. Seeking for a place where Lia could get it out of her system, Lillian desperately searched when Gigi's voice intervened all's attention.

She pointed at an outlet, saying, ”Let's go to that one! Come on, Lia!”

Gigi's intentions were clear and triggered everyone to follow. Ethan lifted Lia again to his embrace, carrying her to the said spot when the rest of the family followed.

”Santa says... Jump three times!” the female host yelled through the microphone.

The crowd obeyed to jump thrice.

Lia and the family guessed correctly that this was the game Gigi pointed out to play next. Seeing the number of people engage actively distracted Lia from sulking any longer. The little girl gawked her eyes again to see if anyone disobeyed the command, long forgotten about the first failure.

”Santa says... Touch your head!”

”Santa says... Touch your shoulders!”

”Santa says... Touch your head!”

”Santa says... Touch your ears!”

”Santa says... Touch your head!”

The repeated commands carried the thrill as a few dared to slip and fail. The play continued until only three left. Those remaining ones followed the instructions intently, giving a tough fight to the host's effort into breaking them. Ultimately, the game ended with a winner, who received a surprise gift. Moving on, the staff prepared for the next batch of participants while the previous crowd dispersed. Since they conduct the play on the spot, anyone interested can give their names directly.

As expected, Lia glanced at her father as they received the message to announce that they will happily join this game, thanking Gigi for her great suggestion at the right time. The two rushed to enter their names.

Meanwhile, Gigi urged the others to join as well. Melanie's week knees warned her to stay away, and she did exactly. In her place, she sent her husband, Eric. Despite his age, Eric was still stronger than his wife.

The eldest daughter was happy to hear her father joining. She then asked Giselle and received a positive answer, which now leaves Lillian alone.

All this time, Gigi gave the cold shoulder to Lillian, refusing her presence grimly. However, right now, the same Gigi went out of her way to invite Lillian Grey.

”You should join us, too!” she said flatly.

Her dull tone, nonetheless of it, still lightened Lillian's mood. Adding Giselle's wild eye signals, Lillian agreed to participate.

For the next set, along with other kids and their families, Lia, Ethan, Eric, Gigi, Giselle, and Lillian Grey, enlisted their names.

Melanie stood by the side to watch, anticipating for a good laugh from her family.

...

The game began with an elementary level as the commands varied, making it easier to follow. Even so, Giselle faltered to fail first. She left her spot to join Melanie when another participant followed her footsteps. Seeing Giselle lose, Gigi voluntarily disobeyed the command, ended up exiting the play. She left her spot quickly to join her sister and mother.

”Thank god, you lost! Such a stupid game!” Gigi grunted as she appeared.

”It's a fun game!” Giselle argued, slightly taken back.

Gigi scoffed.

Seeing her reactions made Giselle suspect why Gigi would recommend such a game. Then it occurred that it was solely for uplifting Lia's downcast mood. Still, she inquired if Gigi had lost the game purposefully.

”Yeah, then where am I going to get a chance to talk to you like this- since she is following you closely,” Gigi grunted to reply.

”I invited Lillian. Lia invited Lillian! She is only joining us because we asked her,” Giselle responded, feeling slightly bitter from her sister's tone.

”Are you seriously taking her side right now?” Gigi raised her voice in frustration.

Melanie, their mother, singly glanced a look, and the two instantly fell silent. The sisters finally stood side by side next to their mother, in awkward silence. Gigi kept frowning at her sister. More than the game, she wanted to confront her sister privately when there is no one to interfere with them.

Gigi sighed loudly.

”I don't understand you, Giselle!” she began.

”What are you doing?”

”What is she doing here?”

Gigi now faced straight, meaning to learn why Giselle let someone from the past reappear again in her life, since it was due to her she got hurt in the first place.

”And Lia-”

Gigi gasped.