Page 16 of Oh Christmas Tree
“That’s weird…”
They hum, and we stay out on the blanket until I start shivering.
“We should get you inside,” they say and rise easily, pulling me into their arms.
When we enter the cabin, my family is already asleep. We don’t say a word; our emotions are too overwhelming to speak. I try to stay awake as long as I can, but in the end, I lose the battle and fall asleep to Ced whispering, “I love you.”
New Year’sDay is a sad day. I try to keep a brave face for my family, but my Grandma pulls me apart just before sunset.
“You know, Baeye and I didn’t talk much, but he told me about a legend amongst Dryads. I don’t think Ced knows this, because they are so solitary, but Baeye said to me that if a Dryad finds their love and that love is reciprocal, it can feed the magic and keep them from slumbering.
I blink before I look at her. “Are you saying that because Ced and I love each other, they could wake up any second?”
She looks outside, then winks. “Well, it is sunset after all, so theoretically this is the time they always wake up.”
I don’t waste time putting on a jacket, I just yank open the sliding doors and run towards the spot where Ced was taking root.
“CED! CED!”
When I arrive at the spot, it is empty.
“Ced?” I turn around to look for them, but I do not see them anywhere.
“Chloe?” Their voice sounds behind me, and I turn around.
They look confused when I jump into their arms. “Has it been a year already?”
I’m crying happy tears now. Grandma was right. “No, it’s only been a day.”
“But how? I don’t feel weak at all!”
I sniff. “It’s our love. Our love is feeding your magic and keeping you here with me.”
Their grin is wide and joyful before they kiss me softly. They cup my cheek and look me in my eyes. “I love you, Chloe. I hope it will never fade.”
“Me too,” I say, blinking my tears away.
There’s hollering behind us, and we look back to see my family at the back door, shouting in unison.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
