"Nombre de Dios!" I cursed vehemently. After rushing to the village, yet again, I had flown back, tired and I stumbled to the tree. My mouth dropped at the ravaged box. Foil was everywhere, and smeared with chocolate. The ones that had been left untouched had melted into the box, like sand in a bucket. The tin cover was painted in chocolate, as if Picasso had passed through and decided to paint. I cursed again. What the heck happened here? The bright wrapping fell limply to the floor, complaining as it unrolled. Groaning, I covered my eyes with my hands and massaged my temples. No way. This is a dream. I pinched myself. It hurt. Finally, I sighed. At least the book still there. That thought. That innocent thought triggered a couple of more thoughts. Wait- the book. I whirled around, scanning the ground for the book. It wasn't there. Lifting leaves and objects in my panic, I glanced around. The book wasn't there. Panic swept through my veins. If Kimiko found that book, I'd be so embarrassed. She'd never look at me again. I walked frantically, like a man half starved, my eyes probably looking crazed. Eventually I bumped into Omi, who ( I sighed with relief) was carrying the blue striped book, reading intently from it. I snatched it away from him.
"Giiive it back!" he shouted, "It is moooost interesting!"
"No." I retorted, "You're too young for these things." His face visibly darkened, and he walked away, talking under his breath about "the dignity". With the book back in my hand, I visibly relaxed. Immediately, I ran over to my room and hid in under the futon beneath my pillow. I stood back to admire my work. You couldn't even see any bumps. Clay soon called me to dinner, wondering why I was staring at my futon.
"Wishing I had a bed," I complained, "My back still hurts every night." When Kimiko arrived, I took a deep breath. She couldn't know about the book. I acted very casually, hoping every time she looked at me, that she wouldn't guess.
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