Every Christmas with my family is rarely simple. We go all out for the holiday, with decorations, dinners, and gifts. Nothing is ever missed and everyone is responsible for doing something to help.

My role this year is to assist with the cooking, which is probably my least favorite job, but I know it'll pay off when time comes around to eat. Two of my cousins that are my age are also helping with the cooking, while a few of my younger cousins are running around the house with wrapping paper to help the adults with the gifts. They can't be trusted around open flames so they get an easier job that's also fun. Perks of being young I guess.

My cousins, Samuel and Valeria, are twins and I'm sure everyone can tell. They finish each other's sentences and up until they were 10, they would coordinate with similar outfits. They don't leave me out of their random conversations though, which is nice. Right now, they're talking about cars, something I don't really know much about. They ask me for my opinion between two models, and I tell them that I'm not sure. I ask them, "what colors are they in?"

Sam chuckles as he says, "Priscilla, you make good jokes."

Valeria knows I'm not trying to be funny though, and she laughs at Sam who thinks she's laughing with him at me. Sam can't expect me to know too much though, I don't own a car. And my parents just got whatever was the best deal financially, and we've had that same red vehicle for the past five years. My cousin works at a car repair shop though, and he expects everyone to know everything about cars just because he does.

That's how Valeria knows that much about cars, she likes listening to all that talk about that kind of stuff. I find it all boring and confusing. I can't keep up with that many cars.

Valeria finds it interesting as she even adds in, "that actually all reminds me. I was talking about this with one my friends in class the other day—"

And Sam interrupts her to say, "is this about something math related again? I can't deal with this."

Sam is less respectful of Valeria's interests, and she scoffs as she tells him, "you're just jealous because you can't understand."

She might be right. Whatever she's about to say is probably something I wouldn't understand either. Valeria has always been this genius when it comes to math, and she got a scholarship to one of the state schools for her math degree. Whenever I check her Instagram stories, she's somehow always posting about one of her newest victories. A few months ago, it was her scholarship. Last week, it was her newest internship for some fancy organization in the city.

I think my only win has been my scholarship for an English degree, not much else. I try to act like I understand what Valeria is saying as she goes on a short rant about cars and various mathematical concepts.

Surprisingly, I think I do understand a few parts of it. It must sound familiar from one of the hard science classes I did this past semester, one I somehow managed to pass when few rarely do. Nina's boyfriend didn't even pass and I always thought he would. Wait, I guess I can consider that another victory?

When Valeria finishes speaking, Sam pretends to be sleeping as he leans against the silver refrigerator behind me. She notices, and then whacks him with one of the large spoons we're using to work with. That instantly 'awakens' him, and then he starts chasing after her around the small island of the kitchen. She runs surprisingly fast, and despite some stares from some family members in the living room, they don't take a pause.

I finally yell at them to stop, and Sam laughs as he tells me, "okay, mom!"

Valeria tells him he's dumb, and that almost makes him want to run after her again. But he doesn't. He stays put and gets back to work on the food in front of us, mixing some of the ingredients as Valeria pours a half cup of water in.

They look like a team that's united, not two children who are a second away from attacking each other. They look extremely similar, same brown shaped eyes, and same thick black hair. The only they don't have in common are their heights. Valeria's really tall while Sam is. . . Sam. It's one of those insecurities that guys don't like to be called out on, but it's something Valeria mentions when Sam says he can't reach for a pot on the highest shelf in the kitchen.

"I will chase you around this entire town, " Sam warns as he pulls a chair over to get some help on reaching for the item.

He gets it on his own, and no threats are carried out as Valeria wordlessly accepts the item. The rest of the morning passes by without any big fights, and by the time the afternoon comes around, our jobs are all wrapped up with.

I watch as my gifts are placed neatly below the tree by my parents, and I head over to put down the ones I got them. It's a tradition for everyone to watch as we open our gifts.

I had gone through some trouble a few days ago to get my mom a perfume she had mentioned in passing she wanted and the small tool set my dad had said he needed for a few months. When I went to the mall nearby to get their presents, I had stumbled, literally, into my ex-girlfriend from high school.

Augustine wasn't happy to see me, so the feelings were shared. I tripped into her after I tried to jump off the last two steps of the stairs, which I failed miserably. She, thankfully, at least caught me before I fell on my face.

I'm surprised she was kind enough to do that.

I was also shocked that she was even in town, considering she had announced back in high school that she was going to move to France once she graduated. She could be back in town for the holidays I guess though, like I am.

She just said, "be careful" before quickly walking away from me.

She had given me one long look with her green eyes, and that was all she needed. Her blonde hair had been put in a very neat bun, and she still wore the same ruby earrings she always wore to celebrate her birth month. Her long brown coat almost reached her knees, and I had noticed her hands were still adorned with several gold rings. The same ones from last year but with two new additions. She always loved having jewelry, always wanting to look like she had money and a special touch.

Her long brown boots looked new, and her black leather handbag was one I just wish I could own one day. By the time I would be able to afford it though, I would probably be able to imagine Augustine saying how "so last season it is."

She looked great and pretty and like she knows everything. She would probably say the same things to describe herself, and would likely add that she's also "better than me at writing." That was always a sore subject for her.

We parted ways right away, but the sudden meet up left a strange mark on me. I made the purchases for my parents with that feeling that Augustine could appear at any moment with a harsh stare from her bold green eyes.

And then she followed me on Instagram the next day.

I don't know why she would do that.

I try to brush off the questions that I know will come up with that as I get ready to serve the food at the dinner table.

My aunt had to rent an extra table and chairs just for everyone to have somewhere to sit. So, I go around the dining room and living room as I greet various family members that I haven't even seen last year yet who claim they've loved keeping up with me. I guess once a year is enough for them, but I also think it's something all older people say.

That evening, we all enjoy the special meal together. Some pray in Spanish before they eat, while the younger crowd just digs in right away. This only takes place once a year, but it's sacred to our family.

I love that my family is close and that we've managed to keep this tradition alive since I was a child. My mom, who is sitting next to me, randomly says to me, "I appreciate you, Priscilla" and gives me a gentle kiss on my cheek.

They're both particularly emotional this year, likely because it's the first time I've been so far away from them for so much time. I'm emotional too, I just try to hide it.

When we open gifts that night, I'm surprised with an upgraded computer from both of my parents. I almost scream and squeal out loud like a child, but I just settle for hugging them both instead. I can't even imagine how long this took for them to save up for, and I'm shocked in the best way possible. My old laptop that I've been used since I was 11 can finally be laid down to rest. I think my long college papers will thank me for that.

This Christmas is special, and there's nothing else like it.