VIP: Vibes of Celebration Anthology

Something for Nothing by JEHallows

Getting to know JEHallows:

J. E. Hallows is a twice featured wattpad author of chicklit, horror, fantasy and fanfiction. An avid reader, Crazy-Book-Lady, fairytale enthusiast and English Literature & Photography graduate, she lives in the UK with her nose in a book and her thoughts on the fictional characters in her head.

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My first Christmas with Cathy was one I'd never forget.

I'd put a lot of time and effort into her present, wanting to create the right impression. I had finally decided on a pair of beautiful diamond earrings that cost me a small fortune. Sacrifices had had to be made, including forgoing lunch for three months. But it was worth it, for Cathy. I hoped she'd see the value as a token of my love, of my devotion. Our relationship had gone way beyond casual. We'd started as roommates and were now... Well, I was in it for the long haul. Maybe forever.

When Cathy retrieved my perfectly wrapped present from beneath the tree on Christmas morning, I was quivering with excitement. She sat on the sofa beside me, her eyes avid as she carefully unwrapped my gift.

Her face lit up when she opened the box. "Oh, Steph, these are gorgeous," she exclaimed, a tear welling in her eye.

She immediately went to stand in front of the mirror above the fireplace, admiring the diamond glitter as she fastened the earrings into her ears.

"You look beautiful," I told her, feeling a lump of pride stick in my throat.

She turned to me with a smile. "Now it's time for your present."

I bit my tongue, eagerly curious for what I was about to receive. Cathy brought a box out from under the tree, a box large enough that she needed to cradle it in both arms.

My gift to her suddenly felt insignificant.

"Cathy, you didn't need to..."

She shushed me. "Just wait til you open it. Go on. I want to see your face."

With my hands shaking, I unwrapped the parcel and took the lid from the box.

Nothing.

I frowned. "Erm, Cathy...?"

She was biting her bottom lip, watching me nervously.

I shook the box, turned it upside down.

Nothing.

I was instantly disheartened. Whatever my girlfriend had wanted me to have just wasn't there. Whoever she had bought it from must have made a mistake.

I tried to smile, not wanting her to feel too let down. "I'm really sorry, Cathy. Something must have happened. But don't worry, it's the thought that counts."

Cathy squealed and clapped her hands.

She was grinning ear to ear. "I knew you'd understand, Steph. Don't you like it?"

"I...um..." I was utterly bewildered.

"It's a metaphor," she said. "Material things don't express our affections. So I got you a box filled with my love."

I looked down into the bleak emptiness of the box.

Cathy leaned closer and kissed me on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Stephanie."

I'd spent my entire year's meagre salary on the present for Cathy, gone hungry for three months. For her. For us. And what had I got?

Nothing.