Rush Of Blood

An Unwanted Gift

     I stood still, the darkness completely taking over my sight. “Where am I?” I asked, desperately trying to look around for some source of light. “Why is it so dark?” “Because then you’d see me.” The strange voice completely shocked me. “Who are you?” “Why so many questions little bat?” I looked around, trying so hard to see him. “Who the hell are you?” I growled, still looking. The darkness slowly faded and I could see again. “You’ve heard of me.” A cloaked figure stood in the distance. I stared at him confused, starting to take a few steps forward. “Who are you.” I said bitterly. “My name is-”

     “It’s Christmas!” Emily shouted, having swung our bedroom door open. She raced back outside to the living room. Damien sat up a bit, leaning over and capturing my lips in a soft morning kiss. “Merry Christmas sweetheart.” He whispered, rubbing my cheek softly with his thumb. “Merry Christmas...” I replied, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Come on!” He sat up, lifting me in his arms and walking over to the door. He let me down outside the door and I felt a wave of childishness flow over me. Presents laying under the tree, the smell of a warm breakfast, and my closest friends all sitting on the couches made me feel right at home. “Well good morning every one!” Damien cheered, pulling me over to the couch as well. I’d never seen him like this, all this spirit. “Merry Christmas!” Krista said, smiling as Michael hugged her from behind. I smiled at the cheeriness of the scene, and found my seat beside Damien. “Alright who goes first?” Emily asked, looking at the presents. “Ladies first.” Seth said, smiling as he planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “Alright!” Emily passed out presents to the guys from us girls, each a different size. Seth was the first to tear into his gift, smiling at the result. It was a pocket watch that was engraved with their initials. “I got it since I know you really like pocket watches for some reason.” Emily said, a bit of tease in the last sentence. Seth just laughed, kissing her gently. “I love it.” “My turn!” Krista shouted, poking Michael. He tore at the wrapping paper, opening the box carefully. Inside was a brown leather jacket, and although it was a simple jacket, he was beaming with happiness. “Where the hell did you find this?” He asked, pulling her in an excited kiss. She pushed back to answer, giggling, “I have my ways.” He laughed, hugging her tightly. “My turn.” I said, smiling. Damien opened his box and found a locket on a key ring. He opened it and found a picture of each of us on each side of the locket. He looked over at me, and as I was about to explain my reason, he kissed me softly. “Here.” Bella gave Colten a small box, and inside he discovered was a chain with a small stone on it. “It glows differently according to your mood.” She said, smiling. He stuck his tongue out at her, laughing. “Alright, now it’s our turn!” Seth shouted, tossing each guy the gift they bought. “Close your eyes.” Michael said, smiling. As Krista closed her eyes, he slowly linked the necklace around her neck. As she opened her eyes and saw the necklace, she turned to face him, kissing him gently. “It’s amazing...” She said. He smiled at the reaction he got, looking over at Seth. “Seth?” Seth turned to face Emily. He gave her a small black box, getting a couple gasps from the girls in the room. His face lit up red as Emily opened it. Inside was the ring, a plain band, so she knew it wasn’t what everyone thought it was. She pulled it out, examining the inscription. Finding she’d recognized it to be a wolf phrase, she smiled widely. “I love it!” She exclaimed, putting it on her finger as it fit a little loose but morphed to fit her finger at the last second. Only she felt it, so only she knew. Damien looked over at me, handing me the wrapped box. As I opened it, I found it was a book with blank pages. “I saw the sketches on your desk, figured you needed a place to draw?” He smiled nervously at me, and my only reaction was to hug him tightly. “You know me way too well.” I said, giggling. Colten handed Bella a small long box. “For you.” He said, smiling. She opened it, a silver chain was in it with a small silver heart on it. The heart had a B engraved in red. She smiled at the gift, leaning over and kissing his cheek softly. He smiled, hugging her tightly. “Ahh...seems bat boy’s got a heart.” Michael teased, chuckling. Colten glared in his direction with a soft smile, knowing he was playing.