~Mark

         We all agreed to go to a nearby Chinese buffet restaurant for lunch after spending several hours skating, our legs aching and wet from falling on the ice. I didn't even realize how cold I was until I stepped inside, the warm air blowing in my face. We were taken to a booth in the corner of the small restaurant, all of us ordering Mountain Dew before going out to get our plates. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jack mouth "I ship it" as he filled his plate with egg rolls. I flashed him my middle finger, only Amy caught it. She rolled her eyes at me as she put rice on her plate. When  we all sat down to eat, it was quiet at first, but it was a comfortable silence. No one seemed to know what stay to each other. I was about to go back up for seconds when Amy excused herself, mouthing that she was being called before going outside. "You love her, don't you?" Signe leaned forward. "Uh-well-I  mean-" I stuttered. "C'mon." He nudged me in the ribs with his elbow. "I-yeah, I do." I realized. I thought it was crazy to love someone you've only met a day ago, yet here I was falling for Amy, feeling like I've known her for years. "Here's the plan. Sean, you take her to go see a movie or something while I go with him to find something for him to give her for Christmas." Signe decided. "Ye sure that's a good idea?" Jack's cocked an eyebrow. "I mean, wouldn't it make more sense if ye went with Amy while I went with Mark?" "Do either of you know anything about girls?" She countered. We both remained silent. "So it's settled, Sean'll go with Amy and keep her distracted while I help Mark choose a gift for Amy." As if on cue, Amy re-entered the restaurant, her face a light pink hue due to the cold. "What'd I miss?" She sat down by me. "Just talking about boring YouTube stuff." Jack lied smoothly. "I gotta get going, see you guys later!" She smiled and waved as she started walking out. Only I noticed that something was wrong. Her smile seemed forced and she was walking quickly, nearing a jog. "What's the rush?" I gently grabbed her arm. "I-I just have to go." She tore her arm out of my grip before leaving. I watched her leave, feeling like there was something she wasn't telling me. "Is she okay?" Signe followed my gaze to her retreating form nearly out of view. "I don't know..." I trailed off, wishing I knew. "Ye know where she lives, right?" Jack asked. "I know what hotel she's staying in and the room number." I nodded. "Good. Let's go." Signe excitedly dragged me out of the restaurant as I finished paying for the meals and a generous tip.

         "Have any ideas?" I felt lost as we entered the mall. There seemed to be millions of people here, and an endless number of stores to go into. We went to a candy store, mainly since Jack wanted to pick up a box of every flavor beans. Nothing there seemed right for her. I wanted something...special. Something she could hold onto for forever. "Ew, why ear wax?" Jack made a face, handing the box to Signe. We went to a toy store next, where Signe seemed to have her heart set on a giant white teddy bear. I considered it, but I honestly had no idea if she liked stuffed animals. In the end, we left without buying anything. The process continued of hours, searching and searching, but not finding what I thought would be the perfect gift. Until we reached a jewelry store. It was on the top floor, and the crowd there was small. I looked at the rows of necklaces, starting to feel discouraged until I spotted the perfect gift in the display case. "Ye sure about getting her that?" Jack frowned as I paid for it. "Definitely." I grinned as we exited the store, heading back out to the car so I go home.