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I picked it up and read the name tag, curious as to who would abandon a present. There was only one person I could think of, and my heart fluttered in anticipation. But anticipation turned into a touch of disappointment.
To the greatest girl in the world. Sorry I couldn't be there.
Love, McKee
I opened the long, wide box that was wrapped in fire engine red paper. It was a new sketch book with oil pastels. In that instant, I felt a pang of regret for how I had treated McKee in the past, especially now that I fully understood how someone's cold demeanor could break your heart.
At least now I knew he was okay.
I went back inside and put my new sketchbook away. While I was in my room, I heard a familiar voice that I had been missing.
"Happy birthday, love."
I whipped around quickly to see the face of the Irish boy grinning. Jared.
I rushed to hug him, throwing my arms around his neck. He wasted no time wrapping me up in his arms and lifting me from the ground. I've spent months worrying about him and the way we left things.
"I've been so worried about you," I groaned, not letting him go. "Gear told me how dangerous the mission you were going on was. I've felt so horrible about that night. I'm so sorry about—"
He silenced me by pressing a finger over my lips, cutting me off mid-apology.
"I'm fine." Slowly sliding down, my feet found the floor again, and he hesitated to continue. "I heard about lover boy and the nearly fatal kiss. I also heard about the new threat and all the drama you've been dealing with. I figured you needed a friend right now. That's what I promised to be in the beginning. I let myself get caught up, and I knew better. It wasn't just your essence, but it was you that drew me in. I shouldn't have stormed off like I did. It was immature, and you didn't deserve that. I just came back to be here for you."
I hugged him again, feeling mounds of tension flee from me. "Thank you," I croaked, wishing my voice sounded stronger.
He grinned sweetly as he handed me a dark blue, canvas bag. I gave him a quizzical look. He smiled a little bigger as he spoke. "Open it."
I did as told, and then I pulled out a
bottle of sand. Um...
"What's this?"
He took the bag from me and pointed to the bottle as he sat down on the ground. "That is sand from the Arabian deserts—all of them."
He patted the ground beside him for me to join him, which I did willingly. Then he pulled out another bottle that had water in it as I crossed my legs. I put the bottle of sand down so I could take the glass bottle of water.
"That's water from an Alaskan glacier." Then he handed me a bag with tea leaves. "That is tea from London." Then he handed me another bag with what appeared to have rubble inside. "These are some crumbs from the great wall of China."
I was stunned and confused, but mostly so impressed with all the places he'd been.
He smiled a little bigger as he pulled out the next present. It was a framed four-leaf clover. “This is my favorite. It's a four-leaf clover from Ireland."
The smile that spread across my face was almost painful.
"This is amazing. What made you think to do such a thing?"
He looked down bashfully as he responded. "We had to travel a bit during our last mission. Everywhere I went made me think of you. I thought you might enjoy having a few pieces of the world. Let me tell you, though, finding a four-leaf clover in Ireland is ridiculously hard. The tourists are beasts up there. A woman in her eighties almost tackled me for this thing. I barely got away unscathed."
I chuckled while shaking my head, and he grinned that sweet smile that put me at ease. I looked back down at all of my worldly wonders. I couldn't help but find myself wondering if Tallis would show up as well.
Jared noticed my sudden change of thought. Instead of asking questions, he pulled me to my feet in one, swift and graceful motion. Then he put all of his incredibly thoughtful gifts back in the bag.
He took my hand and led me back to the rest of the group, twirling me once, and prompting me to giggle. Everyone was still dancing by the fire.
"Let's dance. It'll take your mind off of things."
I just smiled at him as he took my hands and slid them around his neck. I clasped my fingers together while looking up, way up. Jared really was almost as tall as Tallis.
