The next day, I awoke to my phone buzzing. With a groan, I grabbed it. When I flipped it open, I couldn't help but smile.

I hit "Open," and a simple message appeared.

"See you in ten!"

I sat up then, feeling aweful. I had a slight hangover, although I hadn't drank much. Getting up, I took the fastest shower of my life and quickly jumped into red skinny jeans and a green long-sleeved shirt. Slipping my feet into my high-tops, I dashed downstairs as the doorbell rang.

I was met by a grinning Alfred. He had his hands behind his back, and his eyes glittered with excitement. I looked at him questioningly, and I was met with a wink. I stepped aside, letting him inside, and he was sure to keep his hands hidden from me at all times. I sighed, my curiosity eating at me.

"Merry Christmas, Artie!" He cried after an extremely long (for him) pause. He held his arms out, a green wrapped box with a thick blue ribbon twisted intricately around it in his hands.

"A-ah," I blushed, not knowing how to respond at first. "O-oh!" After a second, I realised. "W-wait a second!" I ran to the christmas tree, reaching into the neatly stacked gifts (which half of them weren't there the day before, I'm sure). I pulled out a box, wrapped in green as well.

The red ribbon tied around it fluttered as I thrust my arms toward him. "Merry christmas, Alfred!" I exclaimed, blushing and keeping my head down. My eyes were closed. I heard his giggle, and he slipped into my arms between I and the box.

His finger lifted my chin upward, and I looked into his eyes. I felt my face redden further. He closed the gap between our lips, a small sigh escaping and his arms wrapping around my waist. I kissed back, feeling my heart rate accelerate ten fold. After standing like that for at least thirty seconds, we broke apart and stood staring at one another. He slowly smiled, and I did the same.

We handed each other our gifts, agreeing to open them at the same time. Seating ourselves on the couch, we looked at each other.

"One," I began.

"Two," He followed.

"Three." We said at the same time.

We tugged the ribbons off, watching them unravel. Slowly and meticulously tearing the wrapping paper open, we both opened our gifts.

"Uwahhh!" Alfred cried. He carefully pulled out one of the objects I'd packed away. "Three Days grace tickets? No way!" I smiled, watching him remove the other items. He squealed as he removed three DVDs, each of them a movie he'd drooled over weeks before. He then pulled out the last thing I'd placed in the box.

"Aw, Artie..." He whispered softly, holding up the rawhide string before him. The guitar pick dangling from it glinted in the light. "I love it." He tied it around his neck, smiling at me. "Thank you so much!" He reached out, hugging me tight. I hugged him back, feeling glad he liked the gifts.

Next I opened my box. I reached in, pulling out two canisters. They were decorated in blue and white snowflakes. Curious, I opened one. Inside the cover was a sticker, which described the tea inside. I drank in the sweet scent, smiling at the familiarity. Gently placing it on the coffee table, I opened the other. It had a new scent; one I hadn't yet experienced. I made a mental note to try that one before bed. Pulling out the next item, I couldn't help but smile.

"Alfred, this is... Adorable!" The stuffed dog sitting in my lap stared up at me with its sparkling blue eyes. Its ears were red and white striped, along with its tail, and its body was blue with white stars decorating it. Its top hat was red and blue, with a large white star on the front. The red, white, and blue collar around its neck held a heart shaped charm. the name engraved on it was "Freedom."

I stroked its silky fur, unable to help myself. I held it in my lap as I pulled out the other item in the box. It was a simple, red envelope. I opened it, pulling out the card inside.

The front was decorated with a christmas tree, the ornaments and tinsel dabbed with glitter. I opened it to find a handwritten message.

Dear Artie,

I think I shud tell ya. I still remembur ya. (I mean, who could fergot those eyebrows? -laugh-) We waz neibors, back years ago. I had to move to here though, cause ma mom missed Mattie and my aunt in uncle. I neva thought wed see eachuther again! But then ya moved in nextdoar, and I waz so happy! But then ya din' remembur me... I wantid ta tell ya right when I saw ya agin, but I got scared. I waz all "What if he dun remembur me?" so if ya dint remembur me, I jest told ya. if ya did, well i feel dumm.

Sinserely, Alfred F. Jones

As I finished reading (and wincing at all the horrible spelling), I noticed there were small, dark spots on the paper. Only then had I realised I was crying. Looking up at Alfred through watery eyes, I saw him grow worried for a second. Setting aside Freedom and the card, I jumped on him and held him tight. He snaked his arms around my waist, and I pressed my face into his neck.

"Oh, Alfred..." I sniffled pitifully. "I... I thought I'd lost you, all those years before... I'd never dreamed we'd meet again, like this!"

After gathering my wits, I pulled out of his embrace and smacked him on the arm. He winced and looked at me, confused.

"What was that for?" He whined, rubbing his arm.

"That was for leaving me." I gave him an unhappy look. But then I grabbed him, pulled him close, and kissed him. After letting go, I murmered into his ear: "And that was for coming back to me...~"

His arms came back around me, hesitantly lifting my chin and looking into my eyes. Our lips met once more. As we pulled apart, a smile came across my lips. He stared at me blankly.

"You got your braces off!"

~~!~~

On New Year's eve, I was growing tired. It was only ten, but I'd been running around all morning with Alfred. He'd wanted to try out his new RC helicopter, and those damned blue eyes got me.

Lounging on my couch lazily, I closed my eyes. Alfred was beside me, watching the tele but being mindful of my rest.

After a moment, he tugged on my sleeve. I looked at him through half-lidded eyes, feeling really sleepy. He smiled softly, sliding his arm around my waist. I inched a bit closer, and he held me. As my eyes sank back shut, he guided my head to his lap. I shifted, getting comfortable, and gave a small sigh of contentment. He began stroking my hair gently, humming a tune we both knew well.

"When I was... Seventeen... I had wrists... like steel..." I sighed quietly. I was already falling asleep.

"Artie...~" A voice floated through my dream what seemed like minutes later. My eyes opened slowly, looking up at Alfred.

"Hnn...?" I sighed quietly, blinking and yawning. "Wh...at time... is it...?" Alfred gestured to the television, where a crowd was screaming. I sat up, watching intently. Slowly the camera zoomed out. As it did, a giant glittery ball on an impossibly tall shaft of metal appeared. We sat, watching as the crowd started screaming louder.

The adults entered the room, standing behind the couch. We all watched as the ball began to drop.

"Five...! Four...! Three! Two! ONE!HAPPY NEW YEAR!" They hollered. Alfred's parents kissed, my mother came and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I hugged her, smiling. Then the adults exited the room, returning to the kitchen.

"Nee nee, Artie-chan?" Alfred said in a childish voice. I turned to look at him.

"Hmm~?" I began, but before I could turn entirely he'd grabbed me.

"Ah~...!" I gasped slightly. His lips captured mine, his arms coming around me tightly. I felt myself beginning to blush. I kissed him back, my hands finding his hair. As his lips pressed harder, so did mine. His tongue prodded my lower lip, and I hesitantly opened my mouth. His tongue made its way in, poking around carefully.

Hearing footsteps, we broke apart. Alfred quickly changed the channel and pretended to watch. I leaned my head back, praying I wasn't blushing. My mother entered the room, offering glasses of kool-aid. I accepted, as did Alfred, and we then excused ourselves.

Just a quick followup to Chapter 9 ;D I'll have chapter 10 up tomorrow...

If I get reviews *evil laugh*

Bye-ni!