No Guidelines

Chapter 17-2

24, Dec. 2015 Thu
Audrey

  Audrey threw on her go-to outfit and put on her red cardigan. She was nervous but excited for the gift exchange they were doing. It was going to be a secret santa but Natalie insisted on getting everyone a gift. Personally Audrey felt Natalie had given her enough this year but Natalie was stubborn when it came to generosity.

  Audrey couldn't afford anything fancy. But what she decided to do was write a small book for each of them. Small samples of her writing work that she would finally share with people. They would each chronicle a moment she shared between her and the gift recipient. Fill it with what she liked about them and how they helped her and meant the world to her. They were simple little pamphlets made out of construction paper and printer paper. There was 8 in total. Even one for emma.

  She was scared to share them. Never has anyone ever seen her writing minus Adrian on a couple of their writing sessions together. He was the exception. Even her best friend since elementary, Sam hadn't seen any, nor Looz. So the idea of someone she didn't really consider a friend reading something she wrote frightened her to death.

  At first she considered making it look like everyone elses and just write Merry Christmas with a gift card but she figured Emma would find it insulting to receive a gift card. Besides if Audrey was going to be friends with her in the future she'd have to show emma who she really is.
The sun was setting lower and the cool wind grew colder. Audreys Grandmother sat in the living room watching old christmas movies.  Soft light sparkled around the room and the tree. A ham was roasting in the oven and smlelt of honey. Truly a christmas setting. She went over to the door and looked out the glass. She didn't see anything but the dark neighborhood and the sky that was fading from blue to a dark purple.

  "You're heading out sweetie?" Her grandma asked.

  "Not yet Grandma, waiting for a friend."

  Her grandma got up and walded her way to the kitchen. She turned on the lights and ruined the soft glow the Christmas lights gave. "Will you be eating over there or here? The ham should be ready soon. I'm baking those christmas cookies you love too."

  She was referring to the store bought sugar cookies with little christmas trees on them. Audrey loved those ever since she was a kid.

  "Thak you grandma, But I'll east when i get home."

  "Okay darling," She said as she grabbed the ham from the oven. Audrey could hear the sizzle and the smell was amazing. Hert grandma carefully placed it on the stovetop andremoved her mittens. "Don't forget to take the house keys incase you get back late," she said.

"Where are they?"

"I placed them on the table by the entrance."

  Suddenly the doorbell rang. He's here! She opened the door to Adrian. He had a small plastic bag with what looked like christmas cards. Audrey smiled and was grateful at least she wasn't the only one that couldn't afford much.

  "Hey Audrey! Why are we meeting up here?" He asked. Audrey pulled him inside and closed the door.

  "I'll be in my room grandma, be right back!" She said as she rushed Adrian to her room. She wasn't sure how her grandma would react knowing a boy was in her room so she wanted to make it quick. She went over to her desk where she had the colorful handcrafted books. She grabbed the top of the pile which was a book slightly thicker than the rest. A red book with Adrians name on it.
He was sitting at the edge of her bed, Seated much more comfortable than she thought he would be. He was leaning back but sat up when audrey handed him the book.

  "What's this?" he asked.
Audrey moved her desk chair and positioned herself in front of him.

  "Read it."

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