To A Sacred Heart

A Special Gift.

 Rai was fast asleep on the mesquite tree. Since her sixteenth birthday two months ago she hung around more often. Today was my seventeenth birthday and just outside the window was the mesquite tree. She was wearing a new white dress which draped down. Her long hair was in curls. I looked at my sketchbook. It was alright, but I couldn't get the lighting soft enough on her face.

My mom opened the door. "You're always staring out that window. What's got your attention so much?" She asked.

I closed my book and hid my irritation with her barging in. "Nothing. Just spacey. Its so pretty outside. The mesquite is a really great tree. i'm amazed with how long it's been alive. I never thought It would make it past our first winter here. "

Mom nodded. "Neither did I. Honestly, I told your dad we would loose it soon, but I don't know how it's pulled through with some of these weather changes." She placed a box on my bed. "This is for you. There's no return address, so I'm not sure where it's from."

I looked at the box and walked over to the bed. "Who do you think sent it?" Mom just shrugged before giving me a kiss on the cheek and walking out of the room. She knew I wasn't fond of people in here. I grabbed my pocket knife and opened the mysterious package. Inside I found a note with familiar scribbling on it. I raised an eyebrow and read the not to myself.

"Hi Shawn, please don't be mad. I saw this and thought of you. I know you said I shouldn't worry about getting you a gift, but I really liked this one so I made sure to get it to you. Don't worry, Eric doesn't know. -Love, Rai" I grinned and felt my cheeks flush when I read her signoff. "What did you get?" I asked aloud and looked over at her still sleeping soundly. I decided to wake her up. I knew she loved watching people open presents. I leaned forward and opened my window. Quietly I whispered, "Rai!"

She stirred ever so and sat up. I watched reverently as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. When she looked up I smiled and she grinned making my heart speed up. I showed her the note. Sleepiness left her and she flew over excitedly. "I thought it wouldn't arrive until later!"

I laughed. "Sooner that you thought?" She settled to my bed avoiding the floor and i went on and put some Celtic music on. It was what we listened to when we hung out. We always talked about Ireland and she would tell me the occasional story. It was also a good way to explain my talking to thin air. I pulled out the bubble wrap and saw a green bow-tie and a white shirt. I looked at her suspicious.

"You'll see!" She sounded so excited and was practically bouncing in anticipation. She was so cute with her curls and bright eyes. I placed the shirts and bow-tie to the side revealing a watch with stars and numbers and a crescent moon for the 12. It was a fancy leather grip. Next to it a pair of new black dress shoes and socks. "There's more." I laughed and removed those and found a folder.

"Papers?" I asked her. She nodded and waved me on. When I opened the folder, inside was a picture of a husky puppy. I laughed and flipped to the next page. they were adoption papers. "You didn't." I got excited and looked at her. She nodded. "How!?" I asked smiling.

She winked. "I know a few good samaritan's who convinced your parents that you needed a pet." I hugged her with happy tears. "You should thank your parents first." She laughed.

I kissed her cheek. "I will." I ran down stairs excitedly. "Mom! Dad! Is this for real?" I asked as I got into the kitchen. Both looked at me laughing.

"Yes sir. You got yourself a puppy." Dad pointed to the living room and I ran finding a huge cage covered with a blanket.

I kneeled and slowly moved the blanket. Inside was the pretty red coated puppy curled up in a small blanket. The cage was huge, but i knew She would grow into it. She woke up and started wagging her tail and whining. I opened the cage and picked her up. "Hi. You're so pretty." I cooed at her. She squirmed around a bit and started licking my face. I was laughing and crying at the same time. "I love her!" Mom and dad watched on and played with her. I decided to name her Kira.

I also told Mom and Dad about the clothes and shoes. they loved it because it fit with the suit they bought me. "Was that all you got?" Mom asked.

"I think so. I should empty out the rest of the box." Mom and dad nodded. "I'll go do that now and i'll be down to help set up for Caroline and Ricky." I got up and motivated the Kira to follow. It took some time to get up the stairs, but once we were inside, I found Rai sitting on my bed with her knees curled up to her chest. She looked a bit nervous. "Thank you so much Rai." I smiled and ought Kira up.

"No problem." She replied happily. I was about to ask why she was acting so shy when I realized I had kissed her cheek just before I ran down stairs.

"Sorry, i was really excited." I blushed. I was, but I didn't regret kissing her cheek. Though I wish I had paid more attention to it. I'll have to sneak other kiss from her later.

She relaxed and started petting Kira who was all over her. "It's alright." She was smiling. "There is one more thing in the box."

I reached in and found a smaller envelope. In it were two tickets. They were glowing dimly. She started to explain, "They're tickets to a ball." She tucked her hair back. "It turns out that I can have you attend with me since you're who I connected to. I just have to convince them that I will erase your memories of the night."

I felt my heart burst. "Wait wait wait. Are you asking me to go on a date with you?"

Her brilliant eyes widened. "I mean it doesn't have to. After all we only have a year left." She was blushing. "It's just a dance for the summer."

"Sure, but on one condition." I smirked.

She looked confused. "What?"

I blushed knowing this was bold, but I wanted this so badly. "I get to take you on a date next month. The week before school starts." She stared at me and nodded. "Good. When is it?"

She grinned. "Tomorrow night." Kira curled up on her lap.

"Alright, It's a date." I didn't hide how excited I was. I finally had a date with her. Even if we only had a year left before she had to vanish, I wanted her to know exactly how I feel. That could wait just a little longer though. 

The rest of my birthday was amazing. I loved the suit and I was over the moon with Kira. Ricky and Caroline got me some new dance shoes and a t - shirt saying "I'm Twinkle Toes". I laughed and promised I would wear it to the gym. It was black with dirt bike writing so I thought it was hilarious. Mom and Dad made a small snack bar for us and we gorged and watched a movie. Then we played outside with the water hose as is tradition in the family. My friends didn't stay the night, but they sure stayed late. Not that I minded. The entire time Rai was there listening to us and making some rather funny comments.

When I finally went to sleep all I could think about was the dance the next day. I wonder what it will be like.