The story revolves around two different families. In the first family, a young boy is excited to play a new video game with his friends but is disappointed when his plans are cancelled because his older sister, Jasmine, is coming home from school for the holidays. Jasmine arrives with her boyfriend, Jessie, who is part of a punk rock band. The family is initially surprised but welcomes Jessie. The brother is a bit jealous of the attention his sister is giving her boyfriend and feels left out.
In the second family, a boy named Carl brings home a pet snake, Roxy, from school to take care of over the weekend. His mom is not thrilled about the snake but tries to be supportive. However, things take a turn when Roxy escapes from her box, causing chaos in the house. Carl's mom is worried and angry, and Carl is in trouble for not taking better care of the snake. The story ends with the snake being found, but not before causing a commotion.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A boy is excited to play a new video game called "Rocket Blaster" with his friends.
2. The boy's mom says he can't go to his friend's house for a sleepover because his sister is coming home from school.
3. The sister is attending a fancy school where she studies fashion, music, and art.
4. The sister has a full scholarship to the school and lives in a dorm.
5. The sister brings home a boyfriend named Jessie, who is also her bandmate in a punk rock band.
6. Jessie is going to stay with his grandparents, who live nearby.
7. The family is decorating a Christmas tree together.
8. The boy is disappointed that his sister doesn't want to play with him anymore.
9. The family is planning to drive to their cabin in the mountains for Christmas.
10. There is another storyline about a boy named Carl who brings home a class pet snake named Roxy for the weekend.
11. Carl's mom is not happy about the snake being in the house.
12. The snake escapes from its box, causing chaos.
13. The snake is eventually found, but not before causing trouble.