I really hadn't expected to turn this into a chapter but I thought I should.

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Chapter 12

For some reason I had been very obsessed with my schedule for college. I would go up to my room and glance at it from time to time. Almost like I didn't believed I was actually enrolled. I was going to college. Maybe my life wasn't a total waste after all. Though, the thought brightened my mood, I was still scared out of my mind. I didn't even know why. College had just always seemed like something in the distance; always in front of me, but just out of reach. I definitely wasn't looking forward to having to study again though. I knew that would suck, but maybe this time I would try. Who knows, maybe I'll even learn something.

There was now only two weeks left until Christmas. Mrs. Michalchuk had sent Mr. Michalchuk and me on a mission to find the perfect Christmas tree. We excepted without hesitation.

"Don't worry Maggie, Alex and I will get the prettiest tree in all Canada." He reassured her.

"Whoa, hold on there." I said, "There are a lot of trees in Canada and I'm not prepared to inspect every single one."

"Well Maggie, when we come home with a short ugly tree...we will know who to thank." Mr. Michalchuk said giving me a stern look. I knew he was only joking.

Mrs. Michalchuk rolled her eyes at our playfulness. "Well hurry up you too before all the good trees are taken." She said as she shooed us out the door.

"So, what kind of Christmas tree did you have as a kid?" Mr. Michalchuk asked when we were in the van driving to the lot.

"Oh, the kind that was small enough fit in a plant pot." I said

"What? You mean to say you've never had a Christmas tree?" He replied looking a little amazed.

"No, never had the room for one or the money."

"Well then, we are just going to have to make sure this one is really special then." He glanced at me.

I smiled.

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The Christmas Tree Lot was packed full of trees. It was like a tree farm. They were all lightly covered in snow and most of them were taller than me. I almost couldn't believe that for the first time in my life I was actually going to have a Christmas tree.

"Well, which one pumpkin?" I heard Mr. Michalchuk say from behind me.

"What?" I turned around. I wasn't sure what he meant.

"Which tree do you want?" He said again taking a step beside me and putting his arm around my shoulder brining me closer to his warmth. I had never noticed before, but he must have been a good foot taller than me. He kissed the top of my head. "Pick one." He said. I looked up to see him smiling at me. I returned it. I then looked out at the Lot.

"Hmm...well..." I said scanning the area. There were so many trees and all of them were so beautiful. Mr. Michalchuk kept me under his arm as we strolled the lot looking at all the trees.

"How about this one?" He said.

"Uhh..It's a little bent over." I replied tilting my head.

"You're right." He smiled and we both laughed.

Finally a sales person noticed us and came over to help.

"Can I help you?" He asked. He looked very cold. I was still under Mr. Michalchuk's arm I couldn't help but be thankful he was sharing his warmth with me.

"Well," Mr. Michalchuk began, "Actually I am looking for the perfect tree for this nice young lady right here." He looked down at me and I smiled.

"Ahh." The sales man continued, "All right, well, let's look here." He guided us over to the end of the patch. "We just cut these down today. Some of our best finds." He said rubbing his shoulders for warmth. He was shivering. I put my arm around Mr. Michaluck's waist and he tightened his grip on me. I had never felt so warm.

"You guys should be able to find a nice one here." The sales man said.

"Thank you very much." Mr. Michalchuk replied.

"Alright, when you find one, I'll be right over there." He said and walked off.

"Alright then." Mr. Michalchuk said scanning the trees.

"They are all so beautiful." I said. "I don't know which one to pick."

"Well, if we had the room I'd let you take them all."

I laughed looking around again. Scanning each tree individually. I finally came across a tree that caught my attention. It didn't stand out from any of the other trees but I was drawn to it. It was a little fatter than the rest and its branches stretched out like it was trying to touch something that was just out of reach. I grabbed on to the hand Mr. Michalchuk had around my shoulder and lead him over to it.

"How about this one?" I said.

He scanned the tree up and down, "You know what. I like it. It's perfect." He said nodding his head. "You definitely picked the best tree in Canada." He kissed my forehead and I smiled. I looked at the tree again. It was perfect.

Mr. Michalchuk waved the sales man back over and he came running.

"Did you find what you want?" He asked.

"Yes we did." Mr. Michalchuk replied, "This one right here."

"Awesome." He said. The sales man helped strap the tree to the top of our van. As I was getting into the car I over head Mr. Michalchuk and the sales man talking.

"Well, Alex picked it." I heard Mr. Michalchuk say.

"Well, your daughter has good taste in trees." I head the salesman reply.

"Yes she does."

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When Mr. Michalchuk and I returned home with the tree Mrs. Michalchuk had a whole batch of Christmas cookies waiting for us. The tree itself was so beautiful. I almost didn't want to decorate it, but Mrs. Michalchuk had insisted. The three of use spent the evening putting on the lights and ornaments for the tree. Mr. Michalchuk even helped me up on a chair so I could put the star on top. I finally had my first Christmas tree. It was the most amazing thing. I even made sure to take pictures of the whole event. Afterwards we all spent the evening listening to Christmas jingles and drinking hot cocoa. We sat by the fire Mr. Michalchuk had built for us, admiring the tree and watching the snow outside the window fall.

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I hope you liked this chapter. I'm still working out how I'm going to write the next few chapters but I know where I'm going with it. They should be up soon. And I wanted to say another thank you to all those who reviewed my story. It really helps inspire me. Thanks again everyone!