The Greatest Gift

I never really celebrated Christmas. Well, that was before this year, at least.

We all had gathered in our club room. The telescope stood in the corner, ready to be used, but none of us wanted to look through it tonight. Outside, in the blue cold, snowflakes lazily drifted against the window. Even inside, where it was warmer and cozier, we were still bundled up. Tonight, the school was alive with the faint noises of Christmas parties, just like ours. And to me, this was the most precious thing of all.

"So, who wants some hot cocoa?"

Maria went around the table and got us all our favorite drinks - tea, coffee, cocoa, whatever it was. Somehow, she managed to not only to make them smell heavenly - notes of vanilla, cinnamon and other spices filled the room - but also decorated them like we were in a coffee shop instead of our regular club room. And with every cup she placed some cookies down, shaped like little Santas, reindeer, or presents, topped off with jam and chocolate. I was already stuffed, but reached for more of them. With that motion, my bag slid from the chair, falling on the ground.

"Ah!"

Quickly, I picked it up, peeking into it. Nothing broke, or so I hoped.

"Aaaah."

Erica set down her coffee cup, already empty, before she started her speech:

"My dear club members - thank you all for being here. While the honor of giving this speech should be on Pudding, our dear club leader has succumbed to the cookies."

She sighed, while the rest of us smiled. I don't think any of us had thought that Pudding would give this speech. And, of course, Erica had prepared something, just in case. And it was true: Pudding slowly ate another cookie, her form melting like chocolate.

"I'm glad we made it this far. As a club, but more importantly, as friends. I really couldn't imagine a better time than with you girls."

A soft smile appeared on Erica's face, before she coughed.

"So, let's enjoy this night together! Thank you, Maria, for your wonderful cookies and drinks. And thank you all for decorating this room, especially Arisu."

"No problem," Arisu grinned back at her.

She really had been the star of the evening with her help. Thanks to her hair arms, she put decorations everywhere, even on the ceiling, where now fairy lights glimmered in turn with golden tinsel garlands. In a way, it reminded me of the night sky. Arisu had taken her decoration duty so far that she took PURIRIN, after researching more about Christmas, and decorated her little alien companion like a miniature Christmas tree, complete with a glitter star stuck on its antenna. PURIRIN tumbled through the room, beeping occasionally.

"And with that, I would like to start with our main event tonight."

Erica drummed with her index fingers on the table, waking up Pudding.

"Our Secret Santa."

Slowly, with big smiles on our faces and anticipation glimmering in our eyes, we took out our gifts, carefully wrapped. I looked at my friends, and wondered what this evening would hold in store for us. There would be surprises, I was sure. My heart raced.

"Okay. I will start."

Erica coughed, again, before slowly sliding her gift towards me. So she's my secret santa?

"Here. I hope you enjoy this."

The gift, wrapped with a think, dark blue paper, stopped right before me. Erica had tied a cord around it, with more knots than necessary. At least, it was safely wrapped. But, because of that, as I started to pick at the knots, I struggled at lot. I was very much aware of my friends who bridged my silent struggle by sipping their drinks. Finally, I gave up.

"Does anyone have a pair of scissors?" I huffed.

"Oh. Here."

Erica seemed a bit embarrassed, but I shook my head.

"Thanks. I just don't want to keep all of you waiting."

I had to smile at myself. Look at me, getting things done without worrying about it! A true Christmas miracle. And after the cord fell down, I gently pulled the layers of paper aside, revealing a small, carved stone statue of a cat.

"I just thought of you and Lulu when I saw it, so I had to get it," Erica explained.

I nodded softly. It was great to know that my friends thought of me, even when I wasn't with them. I felt tears form in the corners of my eyes.

"Thank you," I managed to say.

I clutched the cat in my hand, as it slowly warmed up to my temperature. It was great to hold, with its smooth surface and good weight. What a thoughtful gift, I thought. I wonder if Pudding will like my gift as much as I like Erica's. I gently let go of the statue. I would find out in a bit. But right now, I simply enjoyed that Erica put so much thought in my gift, that she cared this much about me.

"Well, I guess it's my turn now."

I took a deep breath, quickly brushed my tears away, and turned to Pudding. Out of my bag, I took my gift, the metallic paper reflecting the golden lights from above. I had glued a big bow on top, in the same pastel shades that I knew from her room.

"Uwaaaa... thanks, Sara..."

Pudding yawned and stretched before she carefully took the gift in her hands. With a big smile, she unwrapped it, and even stuck the bow on her head.

"Oooooh!" Her eyes started to sparkle. "Again, thanks. This is awesome."

She held the tiny organza bag of keyboard caps into the light, so the others could see their pastel cuteness. It was just a few of them, as I couldn't afford more, but Pudding seemed to really appreciate them. She tumbled from her chair and engulfed me in a hug.

"Thaaaaaaaaaank you......"

"Aw, I'm so glad you like them."

My smile only grew wider when I hugged her back. Seems like I made the right choice.

"I'm so glad for all of this," I mumbled.

"Same here," she whispered back.

Then, she let go of me and walked over to Arisu.

"Here. For you."

I smiled at my friends, but silently wondered. How was I so caught up that I didn't notice she brought her present with her?

"Ooooh, what's this?"

Carefully, Arisu opened the gift box Pudding handed her, and took out a big bag of colorful necklaces, bracelets, and hair pins.

"I thought you might like some variety in your collection," Pudding said with a soft smile, "especially some authentic, Earthling ones."

"Uuuuh! They are great, thank you!"

She started to put them on right away, layering them over her existing accessories. Her hair twirled with excitement as she looked at herself, before she turned to Maria.

"Okay, I'm next!"

She rustled through her hair, where she had stored her gift. PURIRIN landed on her shoulder, beeping with excitement. Sometimes I really wondered if it felt her emotions, and shouted them out into the world. Or maybe, it just needed a little break from flying through the room.

"Here, Maria, for you!"

She gave her the neon pink gift.

"Thanks, Arisu," Maria laughed.

With delicate motions, she opened the gift, at no point ripping the wrapping paper. That was a skill in itself. Then, she gasped.

"Oh, it's so cute."

She gently held a small plush teddy bear, adorned with a pink pinafore skirt, in her hands.

"Right? I knew you'd like it!"

Maria snuggled the bear, before she gently placed it next to her cup. Then she stood up, and walked over to Erica.

"Hey, seems like you're the last one."

Erica smiled at her.

"Seems like it."

And with a smile, Maria handed over her gift, carefully decorated. Not only had she used Christmas-themed wrapping paper, she used a big, organza ribbon with an intricate bow to decorate it, and had even slipped a small fir branch between the paper and the ribbon as decoration.

"Thank you. This looks beautiful."

Erica started to open it, as carefully but efficient as she could. And when the first part of it came into view, her eyes grew wide.

"Thank you," she repeated softly.

In her hands was a book, with a sturdy, matte cover. Nothing special. Or that's what it looked like, at first.

"Open it, the first page," Maria guided her, gently.

Maria really had thought of the most thoughtful gift, a collaboration from us all. With a shrug, Erica opened it, but as her view danced over the page, she got close to tears. With a sniff, she looked at all of us.

"You girls... I..."

"You don't have to say anything. Happy sketching, and merry Christmas."

Erica nodded, brushing away her tears. She wasn't the only one close to crying. I had been the last one to doodle on the page myself, writing 'You can do it! ☆ Best Artist! ' underneath it, alongside the other girls' drawings and encouraging messages. We had all worked together the last few days so she would get the perfect gift. Without Erica, this club wouldn't be the same, even more so than for any of us others.

"We really appreciate you," I said, my voice thick with tears.

"Girls..."

She sobbed, clutching the sketchbook. Apparently, she wanted to say more, but no more words came out of her as we went over and engulfed her in a messy, half sobbing, half laughing group hug. I don't know how long we stayed like this, but as we slowly stepped away again, I felt tired, but in a good way. Slowly, we returned to our places, and I rested my head on the table, Pudding-style. How does she make it look so easy and comfortable? Even though I'm tired, I'm still awake... Next to me, I heard - and felt - Arisu's head hit the table.

"Ow."

Thanks to that, the night ended with laughter, and no more tears, as the snow silently fell outside.