A/N: I had planned to have this done and posted long before New Years, but it didn't happen. Sorry! But since some schools here in the U.S. might still be coming back from Christmas/Winter break, I think this still is up in time. Also, I know Connor and Evan don't like that close to each other, but just go with me here. This story was somewhat inspired by personal events, so I hope you enjoy! 3
It had been a few months since school had started, and only a few short months since Evan had gotten punched underneath the tree at recess. It was a day that Evan was positive that he would like to forget. But, it was also a day that he would never forget for an absolutely different reason. That was the day that Evan made a connection with someone in his class for the first time and, a new friend. It was also the day that Connor Murphy started school.
Connor had been slow to warm up to Evan, and vice versa of course, but once the two of them had spent nearly every recess under, what they called, "their tree", neither boy had looked back. Of course both boys had their days where they didn't want to talk, and be left alone, but that was nothing a few days of alone time, and a chocolate brownie couldn't fix. Then, they were back to their normal, but slightly strange friendship.
That was why, as Christmas and Winter break approached, Evan was growing more and more anxious. He hadn't told anyone why, not even Connor, and instead sat worrying, rubbing his hands against the legs of his pants so hard, that his palms would get red and raw. Of course Evan was looking forward to spending Christmas with his Mom, that would be nice, but Winter break also meant, time alone, doing nothing. Time to think…and for Evan that meant too much time to think. Evan also had a new worry about this Winter break; what about Connor? Would Connor forget about him? Was all this friendship just some joke, and was he going to come back to school, and find out that Connor didn't want to be his friend after all? Maybe someone had dared Connor to be Evan's friend. These thoughts had plagued Evan for weeks leading up to the school break, and he couldn't remember the last time he had had a full night sleep, without waking up when it was still dark outside, with Connor and their friendship, on his mind.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Connor had asked
"Yeah, yeah sure. Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Evan had stammered back
It had all been lies of course, but Evan hadn't been brave enough to tell Connor just exactly why he had been so nervous lately.
Until, Evan came up with his good idea!
When it came to Evan in the middle of the night, he had literally jumped out of bed, turned on the light on his nightstand, and was so excited, that he fell out of his bed with a thud. He had paused; making sure that his Mom didn't wake up, and had hurried over to his bookshelf where his piggybank sat nestled between his books and other treasures he liked to collect. Standing up on his tiptoes, he pulled his bank off of the shelf, and sat down, his legs criss cross on the floor, his piggy bank in front of him.
Evan liked to do chores around the house, and because he did, he was often rewarded with a quarter or two from his mother. For Evan, getting to make his bed, set the table, and get the paper was a reward. And that was why, when his Mom sent him out of the house to ask his neighbors if they needed help, he didn't mind too much. Evan wasn't sure how long he had been collecting his quarters, but as he watched the silver coins spill from the bottom of his pig, his eyes grew wider and wider the larger his pile of coins grew. He would have to ask his Mom to help him count his money in the morning, but if he had just enough money, and could convince his Mom to take him to the toy store, Evan knew just how he and Connor could keep being friends over the school holiday.