The Christmas Story

"It's freezing outside!" Brittany groaned.

Jeanette and I let out small giggles. "Well, it tends to get cold during winter." I pointed out.

"Well, this is California. It's not supposed to get this cold." Brittany continued to complain. Jeanette and I rolled our eyes. "Oh my gosh!" Brittany suddenly squealed.

"Oomph!" I choked out as I ran into Brittany's back.

"The Winter Ball is only a few days away!" She said excitedly.

I glared at her out of irritation and walked down the hall to my locker and found it jammed. "Oh, great." I mumbled.

"Hey."

"Ah!" I shrieked in surprise. My locker door suddenly flew open and I went tumbling down. I looked up seeing the caller was Alvin Seville, with brothers in tow.

I pushed myself onto my feet. "Are you okay?" Alvin asked, as he picked up my books and handed them to me. I smiled and nodded. I turned toward my locker to hide the pink tint in my cheeks. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning my head slightly, I noticed Alvin looking at me. "Are you sure?" He asked.

I nodded again. He smiled and walked away. I waved goodbye to Simon and Theodore as they followed Alvin to their lockers. I let out a breath and I began my walk to class. Am I really falling for Alvin? I laughed at myself for even thinking so. I walked into the classroom and took my seat. There was an assignment on the board that involved choosing a partner.

It had looked like everyone but me already had a partner in mind. My eyes landed on Alvin who had just barley avoided another tardy. He smiled at me when he read the assignment. I smiled back as he pulled a desk over to mine. "Don't worry about the fall;worse has happened." He reassured. "Imagine your pants ripping off, in front of hundreds of people, during a Christmas pageant."

"Who did that?"

Alvin looked around the room. "It was me." He whispered.

I began giggling. "You?" I asked trying not to burst into laughter.

Alvin frowned. "I didn't laugh at you. That was the most embarrassing moment of my life." He explained.

I eventually got my laughter under control and nodded understandingly.

He smiled back and wiped a stray hair from my face. My blush returned once again. Thankfully, not out of embarrassment. "Ahem!" We both turned to see the teacher watching us from her desk.

I spoke too soon. "We should probably get started on these worksheets." I suggested.

Alvin nodded in agreement and we both started our work. I got to know Alvin a little bit better. As more than the self-absorbed, obnoxious, glory hog I thought he was. I'm Eleanor Miller, and I'm officially crushing on Alvin Seville.

At the end of the day, I decided to get a head start walking home, so I could have time to think. I mostly thought about my feelings toward Alvin. The more I thought about them, the more my feelings grew.

My thoughts were interrupted by an out of breath Brittany running up beside me. "Eleanor!" She called. "You'll never guess what happened!"

"What?"

"Okay, guess who asked me to the Winter Ball." Brittany said eagarly. I shrugged knowing she'd probably tell me anyway. "Alvin!" She squealed.

My heart sank and the smile on my face quickly faded. "Alvin?" I asked quietly. Brittany nodded and began telling me all about it. I felt a lump in my throat.

I took in a deep breath, and quickly ran home. Tears of sorrow running down my cheeks. "Eleanor!" I heard Brittany call, but I kept running, and didn't stop until I reached the sanctity of my bedroom. I took quick gasps of air as I tried to regain my breath. I held my body in attempt to stop its constant shaking. Sliding down to the floor, I cried.

***

It was the day before the dance and, I had decided that I wanted to tell Alvin what I had been feeling lately. I spent all of yesterday, writing a note to slip in his locker, and I wanted to get the wording just right.

That morning I arrived at school early just to make sure no one saw me slide it in. Just as I was about to release my grip on the paper, I began to have doubts. What if I don't even really have a crush on him, and it's just my head messing with me? But what if he likes me back? What if he only asked Brittany because he thought I didn't like him? Ugh! Why couldn't this be easier? "Hey Eleanor."

"Ah!" I screamed releasing my hold on the note.

I turned to see Jeanette. She stared curiously at me, but did not question anything. "You left you're lunch on the kitchen table this morning. I thought I'd bring it to you." She said handing me the brown paper bag.

"Oh, thanks." I said nervously taking it. Jeanette nodded and walked toward her own locker. After she was out of sight and earshot, I let out a slow but painfully nervous breath. Turning back towards Alvin's locker, I sighed and thought about the note inside it. "No turning back now." I mumbled walking to my locker also.

I sat outside the cafeteria that day, away from any place someone could see me. I heard the cafeteria door open, and immediately knew who it was. "Thanks for meeting me out here, Alvin." I said looking at him.

He nodded sat beside me. "Yeah, from the note you left in my locker it seemed pretty important." He said concerned.

I felt tears well up eyes, and a lump increasing size in my throat. "Alvin," I whispered, my voice cracking slightly. I paused to try to swallow the swelling in my throat. "I like you." I confessed.

Alvin furrowed his brow in confusion. "I like you too Eleanor." He said.

"No!" I said suddenly, causing him to jump. I slowly turned towards him, looked him straight in the eyes as I shifted my weight onto my knee to slowly leaned in and kissed him. I gradually pulled away, not wanting to stay in that awkward position. "I really like you." I clarified.

Alvin smiled at me, but not a happy smile. "Eleanor, I like you, but..." But? There wasn't supposed to be a but. "But only as a friend." I swallowed again as a tear ran down my cheek. Alvin reached over to wipe in away, but I avoided his touch. Alvin sighed. "Can we still be friends?" He asked sincerely.

I glanced up at him, and quickly wiped away a tear that threatened to escape. I nodded slightly and put on a false smile. Alvin smiled back and patted me on the back, before walking back into the lunchroom. The smile on my face fell as more tears found their way from my eyes.

Everything seemed downhill from there.

I was on my way out of the school door when Theodore stopped me. "Eleanor, do you have a date for the ball yet?" He asked.

I sighed. "I'm not going to the ball. I'd much rather stay at home that night. There's supposed to be a Christmas special on ABC." I lied.

"Oh," Theodore said with a hint of disappointment. "I was just wondering, because I wanted to ask you." He said quietly.

I stopped dead in my tracks, and my eyes widened in realization. "Oh, my gosh. Theodore-"

"It's okay, Ellie. I understand." He said walking towards his own home. "Have fun."

I wanted to say something to him, but what could I say? I had a crush on your brother, but he doesn't like me, so I'm just not going to the ball? I threw my head back and groaned. Why? Why me!? After receiving no answer, I continued my walk home.

***

The night of the dance had come. It looked as though Theodore was going to the ball anyway. When everyone left for the ball, Miss Miller went to go hang out with her friends The Thrillers. After she left I sat down in front of the fire with a book. Suddenly there was a rush of cold air and the fire went out. I cocked a brow in curiosity. That's strange. I suddenly saw two black boots dangling from inside my chimney.

I backed up slowly, as the mystery person was finally revealed. He was adorned in red, had a white fluffy beard, round, with rosy cheeks, and a nose to match. "Santa?" I asked cautiously observing him.

He rose to his feet and let out a hardy laugh. "Yes, Eleanor." He answered, obviously amused by my question.

I just stared for a moment. "I'm calling the police." I finally responded quickly making my way toward the phone.

"No, I'm really Santa Claus."

I placed the phone down deciding to play along.

"All you want for Christmas this year, is a happy ending." I arched my brow, indicating for him to move on. "I'm here, to give you your wish." He said smiling.

"How?" I finally asked.

"HO HO HO!" He laughed again. Him laughing every time I asked a question was getting irritating. "You're going to the ball." He said reaching back into my chimney.

I sighed in frustration. "I don't want to go to the ball. Sorry you wasted your time coming here." I said walking back over to my book.

"We both know that you want to go to the ball." He continued. "If you go, you won't be sorry."

I turned around to see him holding a beautiful gown. "Wow," I smiled up at him, "You really are Santa Claus?" I asked.

He bellowed another laugh, before disappearing.

***

I took a cab to the dance. I wasn't about to walk in heels. I had a crush on Alvin, I wasn't insane. I walked up the steps and stood in front of the door. What was I doing? Going to the dance after convincing myself, and everyone else, that I didn't want to go and then just show up, because Santa Claus told me to? Maybe I was insane. I turned around, but suddenly someone opened the door and stepped outside. "Eleanor?"

I turned back towards the school and saw Theodore standing there. "I thought you said you didn't want to come."

"I didn't, but I changed my mind." I responded.

There was an awkward pause as we both just stood there. "You want to dance?" Theodore finally asked.

I smiled slightly and nodded. Theodore smiled back and led me to the dance floor. "Theodore, about yesterday..."

Theodore shook his head. "It's okay, you're here now." He said smiling down at me.

I smiled back and wrapped my arms around his neck. He held me tighter as we swayed. I'm Eleanor Miller, and I'm in love with Theodore Seville.