Christine

I waved to Mr. Destler before entering my building. The warmth immediately met my freezing body. I dismounted my hood, brushing off some snow.

Walking to the elevator, Victor stopped me. "Oh, Christine. Wait just a sec."

I stopped in my tracks, turning towards him. "Yes?"

He jogged towards me, holding a package in his hand. "This came for you."

A smile appeared on my lips. "Ooh. This looks pleasant."

"Yeah. Funny thing. It just came for you," he explained.

"Who is it from? Did he give a name this time?" I asked curiously.

He chuckled remembering my other gift that was sent to me. "No. It wasn't the same guy. He gave the name of, De' Chagny."

The sound of that name shocked me, bringing back memories of my childhood. I could barely hear Victor still talking to me.

"Anyways, he said you would know who he was. Oh by the way, the package says, To Little Lotte. Is that you?"

"Little Lotte," I mumbled. "The last time I heard that name, my father was leaving for the air force."

That terrible memory of my father's leave came back. Before any tears could form, I blinked back to reality, taking the package.

"Thank you Victor. I appreciate it. Merry Christmas," I said before heading to the elevator.

The package was light in my hand, and the writing on the card was so familiar.

As a child, I had a huge imagination and wished to go everywhere. Nothing in my life had changed. My best friend gave me the nickname as a kid.

I arrived at my penthouse, meeting Merlin behind the door. "Hello boy. How are you?"

He barked in response, jumping on me.

"OK boy. I'll feed you." I dropped the box and bag on my dining table and poured some dog food into Merlin's bowl. Once he was satisfied, I parted the curtains of my balcony doors.

Snow covered my balcony, and my doors were covered in a thick sheet of frost. My heater was off, making my home freezing. I turned on my heater, hearing my callbox. "Christine, your friends are here with the Christmas decorations."

"Great, send them up please," I answered him.

It was the day my friends were going to help decorate my home for the holidays.

Jesy entered first with a large box in her hands. "Hey, Merry Christmas, Christine."

I took the box from her, setting it down on my dining table. "Merry Christmas, Jesy. Where is everyone else?"

"They are trying to get the tree up here," she explained. Her phone rang. "Oh, they're coming right now."

All decor was brought up, and we began decorating. I was working on the tree while Ray was working on the train, not having much luck.

"Ray, are you almost done?" I asked putting some finishing touches on the branches.

"Almost. Just a few more modifications," he stated from under my feet.

I furrowed my brow at the tangle of wires. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Psh. This is cake. Alright, done. People, prepare to have your mind blown." He flipped the on switch, and the train began to move. But it suddenly short circuited, falling off the track.

We all giggled together. "Correction, prepare to have the circuit blown," teased Ella.

My callbox buzzed, grabbing my attention. "I'll be back in a minute." I rushed to the callbox, answering, "Yes Victor?"

"Your friend who sent you the present is here. He is coming up now."

My excitement began to rise. "Really?"

"Really," said a voice I hadn't heard in years. "Hello, Christine."

I turned around, meeting the eyes of my childhood sweetheart. "Raoul! You're here!" I threw my arms around him as he spun me around.

"It's so good to see you again, Christine," he laughed setting me down.

The biggest smile appeared on my lips. "Raoul, it's been so long, too long actually."

He smiled warmly, "I have missed you so much. I can't wait to share my adventure in Paris."

Merlin ran over, jumping excitedly all over Raoul. "Merlin, get down from him," I held him back.

"Who's this hairy thing?" Asked a chuckling Raoul.

"This is Merlin. He is one of my best friends," I explained.

Someone suddenly cleared their throat. My friends were standing together, watching Raoul and I.

My mind caught up with the moment. I had forgotten my manners. "Oh, everyone, this is my friend, Raoul."

They all waved, sending him warm smiles. "Hello."

"He was my childhood sweetheart. When I was seven, he moved to Paris. Um... Raoul, this is Jesy, Ella, Ray and Cory."

Raoul greeted each one, nodding to each one. "Plaisir de vous rencontrer tous."

They exchanged confused glances. I helped them out. "Sorry, he knows french like I do. He said, It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

Nods of understanding were shared.

"Well, now that we're all acquainted, Raoul, would you like to help us decorate for Christmas?" I asked, hoping he would say yes.

"Of course. That's why I came, to be with my girl," he answered, pulling me into a side hug.

For the next few hours, Raoul and I mostly caught up with each other. I had finally gotten the Christmas wish I had wanted for years.

Christmas practically flew in sooner than we had expected. The present Raoul had dropped off weeks ago wasn't to be opened until Christmas day. My sixteenth Christmas was going to be the best one yet.

That morning, I had risen early and made everyone hot chocolate, and lit a toasty fire. Everyone had slept over, and rose early. Raoul had returned home, but decided to spend Christmas with us.

We sat on the couches, handing out presents. Raoul wanted me to open his first.

"What is it?" I asked curiously, setting it on my lap.

"You'll see," he said with a smile.

My excitement took over me. I untied the ribbon, lifting the lid. Inside, something I thought I had lost long ago. "My red scarf. But I thought-"

"-That you had lost it? When I was departing from the harbor, on the day I was leaving for Paris, I saw your scarf in the sea. I dove in and saved it for you," he explained. "I was soaked to the skin."

Tears formed in my eyes. "You jumped into the sea to keep my scarf safe. This is the best gift ever. Thank you, Raoul."

We shared the longest hug together, when we suddenly noticed Cory watching us. "Aw, what a cute couple."

I smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Cory, do you mind?"

He snickered, striding to his original place. "Sorry." He suddenly started making kissing faces.

Raoul and I didn't care. We felt something for each other then. I can still remember the feeling of the connection between us.

My callbox buzzed. I let out an annoyed sigh. "Excusez-moi, Raoul." My feet shuffled towards the annoying machine.

"Oui? What is it?"

"A present has come for you. It is from your secret admirer," said Victor.

"A present? Please send it up. Oh, and please let anyone else know that I wish not to be disturbed." It was Christmas day, and I didn't want constant interruptions.

A moment later, the present arrived. It was a small box, a small note written in that familiar writing.

"Guys, another one. It's from my secret admirer."

Raoul shot up like a lightning bolt. "A what?"

My nerves sensed the jealousy slowly filling him. "Oh um... Someone seems to have eyes for me."

From the look in his eye, I could tell this was not appealing to him. "Well, open it."

My fingers slipped the note from its sleeve. It read,

Christine,

Nobody tells fish to swim, birds to fly, cows to moo, dogs to bark- they just do. Just like nobody tells me to love you. I just do!

Merry Christmas my love. I noticed your admiration towards this artifact. Enjoy it.

Yours truly,

Secret Admirer

A smile caressed my lips. "Gee. My secret admirer knows how to flatter a girl," my lashes began to bat.

Raoul took the note from me, reading it over. "How long has this been going on?"

The jealousy stuck out like a screech from a violin in an orchestra. "Not all that long. This is only the second time I have heard from him."

Ella ran over to me. "Open the box! Let's see what he got you."

I opened the lid, finding the necklace I had wanted. A silver locket with a treble clef charm. "This is the locket I wanted."

Everyone gathered around to admire the piece of silver. Raoul even seemed to be intrigued.

I took it by the chain, lifting it gently. "He must really like me."

"When could he possibly have seen you admire that? You hardly leave your crib during the frost," stated Cory.

"Well, I did pass it once. Before you all came over to decorate, I ran into Mr. Destler, and we walked through the city toge-" I was interrupted by Jesy.

"Mr. Destler! You passed the store with Mr. Destler didn't you?" She exclaimed.

"Well, yes but-" my shoulders shrugged.

"Mr. Destler must be the one!" Ella's eyes grew wide.

This came as a shock to me. "What? No, that's not possible. I'm too young."

Ray hit my arm lightly. "Come on Chris. Age doesn't matter to some people."

Jesy slipped in front of me. "Yeah, and that is also not appropriate when a grown man is dating a teenager. I am sure, Chrissy, would be very uncomfortable with this. Besides, we're not even sure if it is, Mr. Destler."

Cory went behind me, swinging an arm around my shoulders. "Hey, we all know that, Mr. Destler likes her specifically because of her music talent. It could be more than that."

I set down the box, linking the chain around my neck. The charm dangled nicely. "It's perfect. I wish I could thank the one who gave this to me."

Later on that Christmas night, I lay in bed, watching the snow drift over the city. It was still lit with lights and cheers in the air.

My hands twiddled with the locket around my neck. No picture was held within, only emptiness. However, I knew what to put in its content.

The thought of Mr. Destler being my secret admirer still played in my mind. It was true that he admired my talent in the musical arts, but I wasn't completely sure.

It most certainly was a possibility. But I didn't and still don't feel that way for him. To me, he is merely a teacher, a fantastic one at that.

This absurd idea began getting to my head. The more I thought about it, the more I began to believe it.

The thoughts made my head spin, but it almost made sense that Mr. Destler did admire me more than just as a student. He began the standing ovations after the numbers I was in during Night on Broadway, and treated me to starbucks, and was the only one who noticed me admiring the necklace. Was it possible?