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[img]https://i.imgur.com/qbHm9Pp.jpg[/img]
[sub][i]"To find yourself, think for yourself."[/i][/sub]
[/center][indent][indent][hr][hr][/indent][/indent][indent][indent]There was always something about Christmas music that instantly put Diego Rivera in a good mood. Maybe it was the melodic voices of Mariah Carey and Nat King Cole that lifted his spirits, or maybe it was all of the good childhood memories he had associated with the songs that put him in temporary states of nostalgia. As the young man danced around the kitchen, flipping burgers and singing along to [url=https://youtu.be/gmUW2pVAopc]Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town[/url], he couldn't help but think back to how he and his mother used to celebrate the holiday. As soon as Halloween was over, the pair would instantly flip from spooky mode and into the Christmas spirit; they'd decorate their little apartment with whatever decorations they could get their hands on, and blast the festive music as much as they possibly could before the new year. 

Things were a lot different now that he was an adult, but that didn't stop him from indulging in one of his guilty pleasures. His singing grew louder and he dropped a basket of fries into the deep fryer; he only ceased when his Aunt entered the kitchen with her hands on her hips and a knowing smile plastered across her face. "If only your singing was as good as your cooking," the older woman teased as she turned down the music, "maybe then we wouldn't be getting as many [i]complaints[/i]."

Diego simply offered her a smile and shake of his head as he continued to assemble burgers; Monty's diner was never too busy around that time of day, but Diego still preferred not to fall behind on orders. [color=#E7DBCB][b]"Ah, come on. You know you love my singing."[/b][/color] Soon, the song had finished, and the radio station had once again paused their holiday song rotation. Usually Diego ignored the hosts and their chatter, much preferring to listen to the music than whatever stupid segments they had in between; he was just about to switch over to another station when the mention of a familiar name caught his attention.

[color=#E7DBCB][b]"Ayo, Tía,"[/b][/color] Diego called after the woman as she walked past the kitchen door once more, [color=#E7DBCB][b]"You heard about Dalton? They're saying that his body was found by the lake."[/b][/color] Although Diego was never really close with the retired sheriff, he did know that his aunt and uncle had been a couple of his long-term friends. A somber expression took over Aunt Charlene's face as she reentered the kitchen and began to listen to what the radio hosts had to say. It was then that Diego checked his cell phone for the first time since he'd come into work and saw the news plastered all over his social media feeds. [color=#E7DBCB][b]"I'm... really sorry for your loss, Tía. I know he was a friend of yours."[/b][/color]

"Thank you, baby..." Charlene said slowly, her eyes still fixated on the radio. It wasn't long before she snapped out of her trance and began to head back out of the kitchen. "I have to go talk to your Uncle," she called over her shoulder as she walked, "Do you mind taking these out to their tables when you're done? It's just me and Sarah working the front today..."

[color=#E7DBCB][b]"No problem,"[/b][/color] Diego replied as he picked up a few plates, but his Aunt had already left the room. 
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