Sitting across the room she gazes at him from afar. If only she could tell him what was in her heart. How much she loves him with all her being. For years they have been “best friendsâ€. However, from the moment she first gazed into his soulful brown eyes, it was “love at first sight.†All these years that she has silently pined for him, tried a million and one times to tell him how she feels only to lose her nerve before she could get the words out. What could he possibly see in her? He is so intelligent, far smarter than she. He is so funny and charismatic, always with a flock of admirers around him. She is shy and timid, always afraid of saying the wrong thing and making a fool of herself. He is oh so handsome, tall and fit. She is not ugly by far but she is very short, on the heavy side and always ashamed of her weight. So, as she has for oh so many years she watches him from afar, cherishing their treasured best friend moments. He is the greatest of best friends. When she talks about her hopes, dreams, and fears he really truly listens, and he always gives good sound advice. And the times that he has taken her in his protective arms and held her when she cried over one thing or another…Even through her tears, she would get warm all over and pray that he never let go. Pray that one day he would hold her in his arms and bestow the sweetest of kisses upon her. Her dreams are just that though, silly girlish dreams. Bright and early Christmas morning as they have done for years they meet at their special spot to exchange their gifts. This year as in past years, not knowing what to get the person who has it all, she simply picked the perfect card and inside there was a gift certificate to the mall. Arriving at their spot, she immediately sees him. But something seems to be wrong. He seems closed off to her for the first time in their friendship… Had she done something wrong? Was he going to tell her he had outgrown their friendship? As she gets closer she notices he has a small box, brightly wrapped and tied with a shiny red bow. Now curious at his behavior she cautiously walks closer, his name coming out in a terrified whisper. Finally looking up and noticing her approach her looks at her, his chocolate brown eyes making her heart skip a beat. Smiling at her, almost what she would call shyly… Her curiosity about the box piqued now. With a shy smile of her own, she hands him her lovingly chosen card. Showing timidity she has never seen in him before her hands her the small box and card. Excited as she always is by his well thought out gifts, but careful not to destroy the paper and bow, she kept those in a box tucked safely under her bed, for they always smelled slightly of his cologne. Opening the box, she is stunned, for inside nestled in a bed of red tissue paper is a beautiful polished pink quartz heart that just sits in the palm of her hand perfectly… Softly he urges her. “Open the card…†Opening the card she sees a printed handmade card. On the front is another heart beautifully decorated with glitter, ribbons and rhinestones. Inside, in his adorably boyish scrawl is written. “This year for Christmas I give you my heart. For years I have admired you from a distance, never wanting to ruin our friendship with my feelings. I cannot keep them inside any longer. Please take my heart, giftwrapped with care. Please take my heart and be gentle, for although it may seem strong even it can be broken…†With tears of happiness running down her cheeks, she looks up at him finally able to allow her love to shine in her eyes. Walking towards her he takes her in his arms and tilts her face up to him, gently kissing her, as her heart races madly. Sometimes, dreams do come true, and sometimes they are even gift wrapped in love… I was inspired by a teenage love I had, and embellished the tale to fit the theme. WORD COUNT 731