Christmas Magic Never Ends

What happened to the magic of Christmas? When we were kids and it was all amazing? All November we would wait impatiently as the days went by, getting a taste of magic on Thanksgiving. Sure our bellies were full, but a craving for magic and splendor would come about us.

Ethan Volfield was eight when he stopped believing. It wasn’t because of popular belief. It wasn’t because his parents told him. However it did have to do with his parents. His parents were never home for Christmas. So in the morning he would find one or two presents under a tree from his grandparents.

At eight he realized if Santa was real he would get tons of presents like all his friends did. It has been eight years since Ethan stopped believing. Its Christmas Eve and we join him now.

Ethan sat outside of the local shopping mall as snow started to fall. Christmas shoppers are nuts. Why don’t they buy the presents before the big rush? Do they really think they will find anything in stock? Ethan was wondering why he even questioned the last minute shopper’s reasons. He did it every year, it didn’t exactly amuse him, and it was just away to pass time.

By now your probably thinking, Ethan is a very boring fellow. He’s one of those guys that you can say “All he does is play World of Warcraft… friggen lowlife.” Sorry Ethan doesn’t play World of Warcraft. He has plenty of friends and isn’t exactly unpopular. Christmas is just a real downer for him. It would be for you to if you parents weren’t home for Christmas.

“Oh what’s this?” A girl’s voice said, Ethan looked up and met a pair of brown eyes. “Getting ready to mug a last minute shopper?” The girl asked laughing in a strange high pitched way.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ethan asked he examined the strange girl. She looked like a normal girl his age. Scratch that, she had the face of an ordinary girl. But her outfit was not fit for the weather: a normal white sweatshirt and a pleated blue skirt, her normal attributes was her hair, eyes and face. Ethan couldn’t decide whether the red bow in her hair was normal. Even though he was contemplating how the heck she wasn’t frozen since it was snowing outside, he found the girl awkwardly cute.

“You look like your ready to mug an un-expecting shopper!” The girl said excitedly. She pulled Ethan up and pushed him into the crowd of shoppers, “Go on I will cheer for you.”

Ethan realized this girl wasn’t exactly sane as he walked out of the crowd or surprised people. He walked passed the girl who turned around and followed him. “What do you want?” Ethan groaned.

“You’re unhappy!” The girl stammered walking behind him.

“Yeah? So?” Ethan asked.

“It’s Christmas Eve! Everyone is supposed to be happy!” The girl told him.

“Easy for you to say.” Ethan sighed, “Leave me alone.” Ethan said.

“Now that’s not nice.” The girl told him, “My name is Chloe! And it is my wish for people to be happy on Christmas!”

“Is that why you wear a skirt when it’s freezing outside?” Ethan asked and took Chloe a second to get it. When she finally understood what he was implying she went red and hit him with a harisen.

“Pervert!” Chloe yelled.

“I was just saying.” Ethan said, “You could make some old perverted geezer happy.” Ethan laughed, but got hit again with the harisen.

“I just wanted to make you enjoy Christmas!” She stammered.

“Try me, give it your best shot… um… what was your name?” Ethan asked.

“Chloe! And you are?” Chloe asked.

“Ethan…” He replied.

“Okay Ethan, get ready for the happiest Christmas ever!” Chloe exclaimed and grabbed his hand.

Chloe is one of the most awkward girls around. She has been completely obsessive about Christmas since she was three. Her parents also weren’t around on Christmas very much. Instead of mourning over not getting anything under the tree Chloe made sure that homeless children and others got plenty of Christmas love and warmth.

Chloe although cute and nice, was very unpopular. No one understood her so she didn’t have friends. This year Chloe still did her Christmas giving, but also she wanted something for herself this year, just this one time.

Anyways, Chloe dragged Ethan along with her to different places.

Area 1: Shopping Mall

I hate the mall, it’s packed! How am I supposed to be happy here?! Ethan thought. Chloe walked in front of him with her long brunette hair trailing behind her. As they walked she googly eyed stuffed animals and other “cute” stuff in the different shops.

“What are we supposed to be doing? You’re not going to ask for something?” Ethan asked narrowing his eyebrows.

“Of course not! How would that make you happy? You would be wasting your money on a girl you hardly know!” Chloe said turning her head and smiling, Ethan shrugged in reply.

“Don’t try and buy anything for me. I don’t want anything.” Ethan sighed. How long am I going to follow her for? Then little kid came up to the two in tears.

“What’s wrong?” Chloe asked bending down and putting her hand on the kids shoulder for comfort.

“Have you seen my mommy?” Asked the kid and Ethan rolled his eyes, he really didn’t want to deal with whining kids.

“He probably got separated from her in this crowd.” Ethan said, “Sorry kid we-!”

“Ethan!” Chloe interrupted, “We can’t just leave him alone.”

Ethan groaned, “You don’t really think were going to find his mom in this crowd do you?” Chloe ignored the question and took the little kids hand. The kid described his mother and began to look around. They walked all around the mall looking high and low.

While they looked Chloe explained why she took the time. “It’s not like I expect anything in return.” Chloe said, “You have to learn to give and not get. Your reward will come in something better then a gift.”

“What like the Grinch and ‘it came with out ribbons, it came with out tags! It came with out boxes or bags.’ Or however he says it?” Ethan asked.

“Exactly! Plus it’s just the right thing to do.” Chloe explained.

“So you are not just doing this because it’s Christmas Eve?”

“Of course not! I would do it anyway, but I was just saying that Christmas is about giving and not receiving.” Chloe said.

“Oh please, everyone likes receiving more.” Ethan told her.

“Depends on how selfish you are.” Chloe replied at that moment the little kid started jumping up and down and then ran over to a lady. The lady turned out to be the kid’s Mom and was just as scared as the kid was. Ethan smiled as he watched Chloe explain to the Mom where they found him.

Chloe returned to Ethan, “What are you so happy about?” She asked smirking.

“Huh?” Ethan said surprised and flushed when he realized he was staring at her, “Nothing… that just felt better inside than I thought it would.”

“See I told you I could make you happy!” Chloe giggled. She then got a weird look on her face, “Um… I will be right back… I have to go to the bathroom!” She said, “Don’t move!” Chloe commanded and ran to the bathroom.

Ethan thought about how he could leave, he wouldn’t have to follow this crazy girl anymore. I guess I will stay, there’s no one for me at home.

Chloe returned and looked at Ethan. “You could have left.”

“I know.” Ethan said.

“What’s with the bag?” She asked noticing a large shopping bag.

“Ah, just bought a little something for myself.” Ethan told her.

“Well it’s on to area two!” Chloe said happily.

Area 2: Arcade

Ethan and Chloe played different games. One that they played a lot was: Highway Fighter 22: Rise of Takamichi.

Ethan couldn’t believe he was losing to a girl. Girls never beat him at videogames, or even play them for that matter. Ethan lost for the twentieth time and he hit his head on the controller. He was down eighteen to twenty; he couldn’t let Chloe win another one. Because they bet that if she won twenty one times he would have to buy her dinner. Why it was twenty one and not just twenty Ethan didn’t know, but now he was thankful.

The game started again Chloe’s character was already winning from a starting combo. Ethan had to make up for the health lost; he noticed he had enough magic power to go into a special move. He moved in and clicked the special move button. HE MISSED! His character was open, Chloe moved in and knocked Ethan into a combo killing Ethan’s character. Ethan (the real Ethan) fell to the floor.

“I win!” Chloe said putting her foot on Ethan in triumph, “You owe me dinner!”

“I can’t…” Ethan said his voice muffled from the floor. Chloe released her foot.

“Why not?”

“I don’t have any money…” Ethan groaned, “I ran out from the arcades and the thing I bought.”

“Then take me to your house and we’ll have a Christmas feast!” Chloe said.

“I can’t cook…”

“That’s alright; I will cook it for you.” Chloe said.

Ethan unlocked the door and let Chloe into his house first. Chloe lifted up her arms soaking in the warmth. “Why were you wearing a skirt out there anyways?” Ethan asked.

Chloe got an annoyed look, “Why does it matter?”

“I don’t know it’s just really cold outside…” Ethan said.

“I didn’t really have anything else to wear.” Chloe told him, “For a guy I didn’t think you would be complaining.”

“Um… I wasn’t…” Ethan said. Chloe laughed and gave him a playful punch in the arm.

“You blush easily.” She said.

“What do you expect? You’re a cute girl.” Ethan said.

Chloe looked away, “I wish everyone thought that…” She said quietly, “Anyways, where’s your kitchen?”

“Over here.” Ethan said.

“Good, I assume you have enough stuff to make a good Christmas Dinner?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah plenty, my parents always send it to me just incase I want to attempt at cooking.”

“Awesome!” Chloe exclaimed and ran into the kitchen to get to work. Ethan smiled. She’s a nice girl, a little odd in the head, but nice.

The smell of ham filled the air in Ethan’s house. Chloe kept coming out with assortments of foods. Finally she sat herself down with her own plate. “I feel bad.” Ethan said.

“Why is that?” Chloe asked.

“You’ve done all this for me.” Ethan exclaimed, “How can I thank you?”

“Just enjoy Christmas for once, it only comes once a year.” Chloe said.

later

Ethan and Chloe watched the different Christmas lights flicker as they leaned on the wall of the house’s balcony. “What made you not like Christmas Ethan?”

Ethan sighed, “Its not that I don’t like it, its just my parents are never home. So no one puts presents under the tree, so I couldn’t believe in Santa. There was no magic in Christmas.”

“My parents were never home either.” Chloe said quietly, “So I made sure that no other kid suffered from not being loved by anyone on Christmas.” Chloe said, “I found the magic from giving and not receiving, I found my family in the less fortunate.” Chloe looked at Ethan, “You probably think I’m weird for being so charitable.”

“No not all.” Ethan said.

“Really? I don’t have much friends, because I’m to busy with other people.” Chloe said.

“You’re wrong Chloe, everyone you gave to is your friend. Everyone you make happy is your friend.” Ethan paused, “And I’m your friend.” Chloe blushed and turned away.

“You hardly know me.” Chloe said quietly.

“Do I? I feel like I’ve known you forever.” Ethan said, “If I don’t know much about you then I want to find out.” A chilly wind blew. “C’mon it’s cold and dark. Let’s go inside.” Ethan suggested and Chloe nodded. In front of a lit fireplace the two played cards and sipped hot cocoa. They bet marshmallows for their hot cocoa.

“So start Chloe, what do I not know about you?” Ethan asked.

“Well my nickname was Chlo-YEE when I was in grade school.” Chloe said stressing the yee to make it sound like a scream.

“Why is that?” Ethan asked.

“I don’t know, nobody likes me.” Chloe said behind her cards.

“You’re a cute person; I don’t see why they would mock you like that.” Ethan said.

“Would you stop calling me cute?” Chloe asked with sarcasm. Chloe sighed, “I’ve been completely infatuated with Christmas for as long as I can remember. I hate cruel people and war. I don’t have any friends at school and I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

“See I knew most of those things just by your personality. Obviously you would hate war!” Ethan laughed.

“Well I bet you’re easy to read.” Chloe said, “You have a large group of friends and have had at least one girlfriend. Holidays aren’t really important to you. You hate doing something that wastes your time. The only things that don’t waste your time are stuff you find fun. Like videogames.” Chloe said.

“Okay most of that was right, my group of friends isn’t large it’s moderate. I’ve never had a girlfriend unless you count a date to the prom. Holidays aren’t always unimportant, its just nothing happens with my parents always away.” Ethan said. Ethan yawned and checked the time, “Whoa, its late.” Ethan exclaimed as it was almost midnight, “Do you want a ride to your house or what?”

Chloe looked at the time and back at Ethan. “Can I stay for a bit longer?” Chloe asked. Ethan nodded, they continued to play cards. Time passed and Ethan felt his vision blur. He looked up; Chloe had fallen asleep behind her cards. She breathed softly; Ethan found it a calming sound.

Can’t take you home now, I don’t know where you live and I don’t want to wake you up. Ethan picked the girl up and took her to his room. He placed her on his bed and put blankets on top of her.

Ethan took one lat look at Chloe. He realized something, she was beautiful. Cuddled up under the covers of the bed she seemed like a helpless child. He just wanted to scoop Chloe into his arms and hold her tight.

Morning

Ethan’s eyes fluttered open. Its Christmas isn’t it? Ethan thought. What is this feeling? Something’s missing. Ethan thought. Chloe! Ethan thought. He jumped out of bed. He ran to his room, but Chloe was gone. There was a note.

Hey Ethan,

I just wanted to say, it’s been fun. You made my wish come true; I wanted to make a really good and close friend. I thought it wouldn’t be selfish of me if I wanted just one thing. But Ethan there was one more thing I wanted. I left you a present under the tree. It’s a hint to what I want.

Love,

Chloe.

P.S. Open the present quickly!

Ethan looked at the letter as he walked to the living room. He looked up at the present in front of him. It was huge! Big enough to hold a… Ethan’s eyes widened as he quickly unwrapped the present he opened the top of the box and laughed when he looked inside. …A person… Chloe was smiling right back at him.

She jumped up and pressed her lips on to his. Ethan put his arms around her as she gave him the kiss. She released the kiss and Ethan picked her up out of the box. She through her arms around him and said “My new Christmas wish was for you to love me.”

“You got your wish Chloe and I got mine. All I have been thinking about is you.” Ethan said. I have something else for you; it’s in the shopping bag. Chloe skipped over to the large bag that contained the purchase that he got at the mall. She pulled out a large teddy bear. “Looks like you got a gift and a large reward for this Christmas, Chloe.” Ethan laughed, “You deserved it.” Chloe was filled with joyous tears. She kissed Ethan again. “Now,” Ethan said, “Let’s go enjoy the entire holiday atmosphere outside. Snow fell hard last night!” Chloe and Ethan ran outside hand in hand.

They made snow men and snow angels. Laughing and playing they knew it was the most magical and best Christmas they and they knew that next year they would still be together and they would never be lonely again.

So when do we lose the magic of Christmas? We don’t. As a kid we get the magic from the love of our parents and the surprising gifts. As a teenager we know exactly what we are going to get so it loses the surprise and we haven’t fully matured to give like parents do.

However when we find someone to spread our joy to then magic once again fill us. For Ethan, he had no one to get from or give to. This created the illusion of the disappearance of magic. When Chloe entered his life he received a lot from her, but he wanted to repay her also. Although he didn’t know of her wish he granted it and love of Christmas spread between he two.

So don’t think the magic of Christmas has left you. Just wait for your turn to give, and you will feel the surprise flow back into you.

The End