The Untold Story

Christmas

The long-awaited winter holidays has arrived. It was a real snow fairy tale outside. The streets were strewn with silvery snow, and the buildings were already glowing with colorful lights that created a festive atmosphere. A magnificent Christmas tree stood in the centre of city, decorated with a garland and Christmas toys. And next to it every year a Christmas market was held, where real fun reigned. Children's laughter and congratulations were heard from all sides.
Ezra spent the holidays with Elodie and her parents, helping them prepare for the holiday. The children immediately volunteered to decorate the Christmas tree in the living room. It seemed to them a very responsible thing to do. Besides, it wasn't easy to do it every time. After all, Elodie had a dog named Elvis. He was always running around the children, wanting to play with them and thus preventing them from decorating the Christmas tree. So one of the children had to distract him while the other hung up Christmas decorations. Ezra and Elodie went sledding every morning and didn't come back until lunch, unless they started throwing snowballs at each other on the way home. Then their homecoming could be delayed indefinitely.
Waking up this morning, the children were already looking forward to the festive fun. They spent the whole day outside, having fun with the other children. And in the evening, after a long walk, Ezra, Elodie, and the rest of the family sat around the festive table, congratulating each other and wishing them all the best. At the end of this magical evening everyone gathered began to sing a Christmas song, it was their family tradition.
After the festivities Ezra and Elodie sat in the living room by the fireplace and shared their impressions.
"That was unforgettable!" - exclaimed Ezra, laughing - "Especially when you hit Emma on the sled".
"Stop it, I didn't want it. Besides, I apologized to her later. Thank God she didn't hurt herself too much" - Elodie scowled and poked Ezra's shoulder with her fist - "You actually hit a policeman with a snowball" - she grinned mischievously.
Ezra just snorted in response.
"Yes, I had to apologize for a long time".
And they laughed together.
"Ezra..." - Elodie hesitated a little, wondering whether to continue, and still asked - "How did you live in the orphanage?"
Elodie immediately regretted her question.
Ezra's face immediately changed. He frowned and turned away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I shouldn't have brought it up at all" - Elodie began apologizing.
"No, it's ok. You have every right to ask me that" - Ezra said immediately. He didn't mean to be rude. He trusted Elodie completely. It just hurt him to think about that time. But he still decided to open up to her - "As I told you, I never had any friends before I came here. I was shunned by everyone, other children considered I was strange, abnormal. Unusual things have always happened around me, because then I did not even know that I was a Wundersmith. So my only friends were books. I liked to immerse myself in different stories and travel with the characters to different places, imagining that one day I would do amazing things. Before I went to bed, I always thought about what my parents looked like, what they loved, what they did and why they left me. I always wanted to have a real and loving family. I wanted to be useful to someone" - he paused for a moment. Then he looked at Elodie and continued, smiling a little - "And now I have it all. Family and friends. I'm so happy that I can't put it into words. I am very grateful to all of you. For accepting me for who I am and not turning away. You have become the closest and dearest people in the world to me, Elodie" - Ezra finished with tears in his eyes. It was the first time he had spoken on the subject, and he was glad that he was finally able to speak out. He looked at Elodie and saw that she was crying too. Before he could say a word, she hugged him. At first he was very surprised, but then he hugged her back.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through this. You're not alone anymore. We'll never leave you, I promise" - Elodie whispered, hugging the boy tightly.
"I know. I will never leave you either" - Ezra replied, hugging his friend. Tears were still rolling down his face, but he was beginning to calm down.
"Thank you, Elodie" - he said, pulling away and thanking her.
"You have nothing to thank me for, Ezra" - she smiled back, wiping her tears on the sleeve of her pajamas - "If you need to talk, I'm always here to listen to you".
Ezra nodded gratefully.
"I think it's time for us to go to bed. It's getting quite late" - Ezra remarked, looking at the clock - "And you're already nodding off" - the boy chuckled, looking at Elodie.
"Yes, I think you're right. Good night. And Merry Christmas, Ezra!" - she kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Oh, good night. And Merry Christmas to you, Elodie!" - Ezra stammered, blushing. He was very surprised, but at the same time he was pleased. They went to their rooms. When Ezra got into bed, he touched lightly his cheek, where Elodie had kissed him, and smiled happily: "After all, Elodie is the best in the world!" He would never forget this Christmas.