(Almost) Waiting for Santa

Sarah watched the flickering lights on the tree outside her window, hugging her reindeer plushie to her chest as she waited. Every year, she always fell asleep before Santa arrived, but this year, she was determined to see the man in the red suit. Her parents had told her that he wouldn’t come if she was watching, but that would only be if he knew, right? She had kept her room dark, with her blankets piled around her, so it would look like she was in bed. After all, someone must have seen him at least once, or else how would anyone know that he was a jolly fat old man in a red suit, with a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer?

Minutes ticked away towards an hour. Sarah repressed a yawn. It was late, and there was still no sign of Santa Claus or his sleigh. Not even one flying reindeer. Then again, Santa had to deliver presents to the entire world and there was nothing to say that her house would be near the top of the list.

It wouldn’t hurt to shut her eyes for a little, would it? She wasn’t going to fall asleep, of course, and she should hear his sleigh, right? Everyone knew that the reindeer had jingle bells on their harnesses, so she’d hear them coming, and then she could get up and watch them arrive. She snuggled under her warm covers. She’s just lie here, pretending to sleep, so that Santa would come and then…

Sarah? Sarah, are you… oh well. I guess there’s always next year.

Inspiration: By the age when we were young enough to want to wait up so that we could see Santa… and too young to manage to pull it off

Word Count: 265