It was 12:30 am on a crystal clear night, the people of Chicago, all either tucked up in bed, or asleep, or just going to bed. Why, you ask? Oh, it's simple. It's Christmas Eve, you see.

One elf stood wide awake though, his job had just begun. He watched from behind the chimney, occasionally flying off to find a different spot. Watching people was really something he enjoyed. He was once a human too, but well, he couldn't remember a thing about that. Or so he told me. I can't really know for sure, all I can say is what Tobias told me.

But I digress. Let's get back to Tobias.

He stood there, watching some families happily set off for bed. His heart ached a bit, he had longed for a family for as long as he can remember. For the past 13 years, working for Santa had been an experience he wouldn't forget. But for once, he wanted to feel that love too.

He floated away once more, to the park this time, and grabbing his sack of presents he had to deliver tonight. It was going to be a busy night.

He swooped down the chimneys, dusted himself, placed presents below the tree, sometimes, grabbed a cookie. Then flew up the chimney again, and dusted himself, again. Just the job of an elf on Christmas Eve.

"Alrighty, this is the Hope family, one main present for their daughter, and two small ones for the parents," Tobias muttered to himself. He was about to swoop down the chimney again when he slipped. Slipped on the cold thin ice.

Down he fell, into the chimney. Like Alice had, when she fell in the rabbit hole. Except that the journey down the chimney was not pleasant like the one down the rabbit hole.

Tobias tumbled down, his hands and face covered slightly with soot. "Whatever the elf. This wasn't fun." Muttering this to himself, Tobias looked up, only to stop dead in his tracks.

Cherylene was sitting in the room, with a book in her hand which Tobias assumed she was reading, complete with wide eyes and open mouth.

"It's not what you think!" Tobias tried to explain, "I mean, it is what I think. Uh...you think! Argh, what am I even saying? I mean, please don't scream!"

Cherylene didn't move, she stood as still as a statue. Then quietly spoke up, "You really are an elf? I thought elves were short?"

Looking at Tobias, nobody could say he was an elf. He was 5'7" tall, just how a 15-year-old boy would be. But his ears, oh his ears! They were pointed like that of any other elf.

"Well, yes, but actually no. Not all elves are short. I was a human once, so I still have human traits in my elf form. Like, my height. But wait, I'm not supposed to be talking to you! You're not even supposed to be awake!"

"But well, now I am awake." Cherylene shrugged it off like meeting an elf was no big deal.

"You're taking this too lightly, Missy. You need to go to bed!" Tobias said, floating slightly in the air as he said so, which made Cherylene's eyes go wide again.

"You can fly?" She shyly asked.

"Yes, all elves can. Now would you please go to bed?" Tobias was persistent in sending her to bed, but Cherylene really wasn't ready to listen.

"You know what, I'm out of here!" Tobias announced, his hands up in the air, as he floated towards the chimney.

"Wait!" Cherylene called out, lunging forward, and grabbing Tobias' leg before he could float away. "Take me with you, please?" She asked him.

"What? An ELF? Take a GIRL with him? No way, not gonna happen." Tobias immediately dismissed the idea. This was against the code. Elves were not even supposed to be seen by humans. Well, technically he was a human once, but no, he's an elf now.

"Please?" She begged, her eyes pleading with her voice.

Tobias couldn't resist the charm of this young girl and gave in. "Fine, I'll take you with me. You'd have to fly too though."

"How do I fly though?" She eagerly asked.

"All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust," Tobias stated, with a wink. One that initially made Cherylene's cheeks flush, but immediately turned into a smile.

"An elf quoting Disney? Didn't see that coming."

"Or is it Disney quoting us elves?" Tobias replied, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"What..." Cherylene began, but cut herself off as she saw Tobias' grin. "Anyways, you have the pixie dust?"

Tobias nodded his head. Then from his pocket, took out a tiny jar, labelled 'pixie dust', and sprinkled a handful on Cherylene.

Her feet lifted in the air, and her head bumped against the ceiling. She was stumbling around until Tobias grabbed her by the hand.

"Easy there. Flying isn't too simple for beginners." He calmly guided her up the chimney, and they stopped to dust themselves off.

"Cherylene, try floating again."

Cherylene did as Tobias instructed, and kicked her feet off the ground. She floated, but still stumbled around. "Help! I can't do it!"

Tobias flew up to her, saying, "You just need a bit of faith in yourself, and a bit of trust. You already have the pixie dust. That's all you need to fly." He held her hand once more and looked into her hazel eyes.

"Come on, I'll show you." He whispered as he took Cherylene up into the sky with him, still holding her hand, and taking the sack of the remaining presents in his other hand.

"You still haven't told me your name, you know," Cherylene mentioned when they were up on a chimney, delivering the presents.

"Oh, I think I assumed you would know. Just how elves know the names of the humans they deliver presents to. I'm Tobias."

"Well, you already know my name, Tobias." Cherylene laughed. Then, holding his hand once more, they flew off to the Central Park, which was decorated for Christmas, with a big Christmas tree, and décor all around.

"Honestly, this has been the best Christmas of my life." Cherylene softly spoke, taking Tobias' hand in hers again.

Tobias' face was red, just like his cap. His heart was beating fast, how was it that this girl, who was just a year younger to him, had such an effect on him? He smiled, suppressing his fluster, as he replied, "It has been one of the most fun for me too, I got to hang out with a human for the first time that I could remember."

"You said you were a human before? Why are you an elf now?"

"Well...it's a long story. Santa takes orphan children from around the world and magically turns them into elves. That's how I became an elf, at the age of 2. Santa is the only one whom I call my family."

Cherylene was in disbelief as she heard this. "I'm sorry." She cried out, as she reached forward to hug the elf.

Tobias was taken aback by this gesture, but he softened up and returned the hug. Something about having his arms wrapped around this girl...it felt like home.

Cherylene looked up, pulling away, and said, "Oh, did you make your wish tonight?"

"Wish?"

"A Christmas wish, upon the North Star. I didn't make mine either."

"That's a tradition I haven't really heard of," Tobias mentioned.

"Well, it's something I used to do ever since I was 5. I just forgot to make my wish today because of my reading."

Tobias smiled. Being with Cherylene had really made him the happiest in 13 years. He knew what he would wish, even though it would be really selfish of him. Or well, rather elfish of him.

"Let's wish upon the star then." He stated, and once more, looking into her hazel orbs.

Cherylene stared back at him, closed her eyes, and then opened them a moment later. "I made my wish, it's your turn."

Tobias knew this might be bad, but he couldn't help but let his teenage hormones get in the way of things tonight.

He closed his eyes and silently made his wish, but before he could open his eyes again, he felt something on his lips. Without a doubt, he knew what was happening. He kissed her back, softly, slowly, and shyly.

Cherylene pulled back, with flushed cheeks, and looked at Tobias, "Thank you for tonight, you've made me the happiest in ages." She got up, pulling Tobias with her, and added, "I'll be waiting for you next year. Till then, goodbye, Tobias!"

She kissed his cheek one last time and heard Tobias whisper, "Goodbye Cherylene. Until next year."

At least both of their wishes came true this Christmas.