Chapter 9

Evangeline looks at herself in her parents' mirror, she wants to make sure she looks good. Why? Because today is her sixth birthday and her parents are throwing her a party. Sally made a dark purple dress with a matching headband to pull her hair back. Evangeline is nervous cause not only the citizens of Halloween town will be there, but also the holiday leaders. All of the other girls are so much prettier than Evangeline.

"Evangeline?"

She looks up to see her mother enter the room, "Hi mommy."

"Why are you still up here?"

"I'm just seeing what I look like in the mirror."

Sally notices how sad Evangeline looks, "What's wrong sweetie?"

"Am I pretty mommy?"

"Of course you are Evangeline."

"Even though I look different from the other girls?"

"That's what makes your beauty stand out more."

"Really?"

"Yes Evangeline, its ok to be different. If we weren't different then we would all be the same."

"That's no fun."

"You're right, so that's why we're all different. Do you understand?"

"Yes mommy!"

Sally kisses her forehead, "Ready to go?"

"I am now!"

Sally smiles and takes her hand and they walk out of the room. As they descend down the stairs, Jack waits for them.

"There's my beautiful girls."

"Oh Jack," said Sally as she blush.

"Ready Evangeline?"

"Yes daddy."

"Ok, let's go."

Everybody parties as hard for a six-year-old, meanwhile Evangeline talks to her guests like a good princess. She becomes sad when she doesn't see Daniel.

"Hey princess! Why the long face?"

Evangeline turns around, "It's you Lock!"

"Of course it's me," he said as he twirls his pitchfork.

"Don't forget us!"

"Yeah, we're here too."

"Shock and Barrel! I'm glad you guys came to my party."

"We won't missed it for the work," said Shock as she wraps her arm around Evangeline.

"Yeah, it's a great time to pull pranks," said Barrel but receives a slap from Lock.

"You dummy! You weren't suppose to say that."

"Who you going to prank?" Evangeline asked innocently. She knows they won't prank the Pumpkin King's daughter, that'll be asking for a death wish.

"You won't tell right?" Shock whisper.

"No."

"Good, anyways just keep eyes and ears open on the mayor."

"Ok," Evangeline said with a smile.

"Hey squirt you didn't answer my question," Lock said all the sudden.

"I'm not a squirt. And what question?"

"Why were you sad earlier?"

"You were sad?" Barrel asked.

"My friend isn't here yet."

"What?!" they all yelled.

"My best friend is not here. I hope he gets here soon."

"Don't worry princess, everything will be fine. So stop moping and enjoy your party."

"I'll try Shock."

"Well princess we got business to take care off," said Lock and winks at her.

Evangeline giggles and watch them blend in the crowd. She talks to more of her friends but Daniel is still not here. Her eyes keep staring at the door, hoping he'll come. Evangeline sighs then feels something touch her shoulder. She turns her head to see her daddy

"Come on Evangeline."

"Where?"

"It's time for cake."

"No daddy! Not yet!"

"What's wrong?"

"Daniel isn't here yet."

"I see."

"Can't we wait a little longer?"

Jack watch as Evangeline's eyes begin to water. He couldn't say no to that face. "Alright Evangeline, we'll wait a few more minutes."

Evangeline hugs his legs, "Thank you daddy."

Jack pats her head and goes to the other holiday leaders to see where Sandy is. Evangeline continues to stare at the door and waits for him. Jack discovers that Sandy's daughter is very ill. He goes to Sally and tells her the news. They stare at Evangeline and frowns form on their faces.

"She's going to be so upset," Sally said.

"I know, if I would have known earlier then I would have picked Daniel up. I'm a terrible father."

"Don't say that Jack. You're a wonderful father."

"Thanks, but Evangeline needs to know."

"I'll go tell her."

Before Sally walks to Evangeline, Jack grabs her hand. "Lets do it together."

They walk to their daughter and crouch to her level. They couldn't decide how to tell her, but she'll be upset either way. Jack decides to tell, he takes a deep breath.

"Evangeline, there's something you need to know."

She looks away from the doors, "What is it daddy?"

'I'm so sorry sweetie,' he thought. "Well…You see….Daniel won't…"

Before he could finish, Evangeline's eyes widen and a smile forms on her face. "Daniel!"

Jack and Sally look at the direction that Evangeline is looking. They see Daniel as well as Sandy enter through the doors. Evangeline runs to them and hugs Daniel.

"I'm so glad you're here," she said.

Daniel hugs her back. "Yeah, sorry it took me so long."

"We're glad you're here," said Sally.

"To tell you the truth, Daniel wasn't suppose to come," said Sandy.

"Why?" asked Jack.

"As you must know, my daughter is very ill. It's nothing deadly, but she's very weak. The doctor said that it could affect our boys so Mrs. Clause didn't want them to leave the house. Daniel keep telling us that he wants to come and he feels fine. It took us so long cause the doctor was giving Daniel a checkup. I apologize."

"No need, Evangeline is happy that he's here now."

Sally pulls Evangeline away from Daniel, "Ready for cake now?"

"Yes mommy!"

The lights went off and everybody surrounds the table with a big birthday cake. Everybody begins to sing while Evangeline thinks.

'Mommy and daddy tells me that before I blow out the candles to make a wish. But what should I wish for?' The song gets close to the end, Evangeline looks around the room and sees how happy everybody is. 'I'm glad everybody is happy.' Evangeline feels something grab her hand, she looks to see Daniel's hand holding hers. The minute the song ends, Evangeline knows what to wish for. 'I wish that Daniel, my family, and friends will stay by side forever.'

She blows out the candles and everybody claps. Sally pass out slices of cake and they watch as Evangeline unwrap her presents.

"Thank you everybody for coming to my party!" Evangeline yelled. "And thank you for the gifts! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening!"

After that said Daniel grabs Evangeline's arm, "Can we go somewhere private?"

"Sure, but I better let my mommy and daddy know."

"Ok, but where can we go?"

"I know just the place."

"Wow! So this is what a cemetery looks like," said Daniel as he follows Evangeline. "What's that?"

She looks at the direction he points and smiles. "That's Spiral Hill."

They continue to walk and sit on the top of Spiral Hill. Their eyes stare at the beautiful lights in Halloween Town.

"It's nice up here," said Daniel.

"Yeah, sometimes me and my parents will just sit here and watch the town." They stay quiet. "So Daniel, why do you want me to be with you alone?"

"I didn't want anyone to see you open this."

He hands her a small beautiful wrapped box, she stares at it and carefully unwrap it. Inside is a black velvet box with a red bow on top. Evangeline opens the velvet box and she gasps, inside is a sliver bracelet.

"Oh Daniel, it's beautiful."

"It's not complete."

"What?"

"I've made the bracelet with my father's help. It's a magic bracelet."

"A magic bracelet?"

"The bracelet will become a charm bracelet. I'm going to give you a charm when I can. This is the first one."

Evangeline grabs it, the charm is a pumpkin but she flips it over and it's a christmas tree. "Daniel, it changed."

"Yeah, it represents our two holidays."

"You're amazing!"

"Thanks." She notice that he's blushing, she gives a small giggle. "Do you like it?"

"No." Daniel's eyes widen in fear. "I love it!"

Without thinking Evangeline gives him a kiss on the cheek. Daniel blushes even more, which made Evangeline giggle more. He sees this then grabs her chin with his hand so their eyes face each other.

"That's not how it works."

"What?"

"The guy is supposed to kiss the girl. Not the other way around."

"Well we can't turn back time."

"No, but I can do this."

Daniel leans in and kisses her on the lips. Then they separate with their eyes widen but smiles form on their faces. Evangeline's bracelet begins to glow, Daniel takes her hand and squeezes it. She squeezes back and they stare at the full moon.

"Daniel?"

"Yes?"

"We'll be friends forever right?"

"Of course we will! You and me, we have a special bond. No matter what happens we'll always be together."

"Together forever and ever."

"Always."

Unknown to the two young children, Jack and Sally watch from a distance.

"That hill sure does bring a lot of romance," said Sally.

"Indeed, but I better keep an eye on that boy."

"Oh Jack, as long as he makes Evangeline happy. That's all that matters."

"You're right." Jack said and pulls her in his arms. "I wonder what the future holds for those two?"

"I guess we'll see in time."