Black Chocolate

Nathan's going to love my present. I wrap the bar of chocolate in waxed paper and snap some rubber bands on. It's messy and I frown at it. It should be all proper and straight. Otherwise it won't look right. But Mommy was still at work so she can't help me wrap my present.That's okay, 'cause it's supposed to be a secret anyway.

I spent the whole of last week finding and picking up and saving coins so I could buy the chocolate. The bar was so big I had to hold it with both of my hands. It smells so good! But I won't sneak a bite. It's supposed to be a present for Nathan. Presents are no good if someone's taken a bite out of it. Like the time Mommy got me a doughnut for a surprise. But all the frosting was missing 'cause someone else ate it. I didn't want to eat it then. Mommy was mad at me for that. She said something about me being"ungrateful" and "spoiled".

I fiddle with the wrapping to make sure it's straight as I can get it. Then I put it in the front pocket of my overalls and go to get the spare key under the dead flowerpot. I put on my beat-up, dirty sneakers and leave the apartment. I make sure to lock the front door and tuck the key under the door mat. Our mat says "Welcome". Mommy said it's there to welcome the guests in. I'm not sure why we have it though, 'cause we never get visitors anyway. It's always just me and Mommy.

Our apartment is right next to the stairs. This is good, so every time I sneak away to go visit Nathan I won't have to take the elevator. Riding the elevator is fun, but if I take it I might run into Mrs. Wesson. She looks like one of those old grandmas who stays inside sitting on her rocking chair and knitting sweaters. If she saw me without "adult-supervision" she'd drag me back to Mommy and go on and on about how she needs to "pay more attention to me" and "keep a better eye on me". And then Mommy will scold me and I won't get to see Nathan. Mommy is away at work, but that doesn't mean Mrs. Wesson won't give me an earful and make me stay at her apartment.

I hop down the stairs two at a time. Everyone says you shouldn't do that 'cause you might fall, but I've never fallen before. 'Sides, if I do it this way, I can get down the stairs much faster. And the faster I go, the faster I can get to see Nathan. I hope he'll like my present.

Nathan is my special secret best friend. He's much taller than me, 'cause he's a teenager. I really like Nathan. He's nice tome and always believes me when I tell him about the fairies that live in Mrs.Wesson's balcony garden and the scary shadowy monsters that hide under my bed and in the closet. Mommy doesn't do that. She always says it's just my"imagination".

I reach the bottom of the stairs and zip through the parking lot. It's full of rusty, beat up cars. No one living here has a shiny car. Beyond the parking lot is the park. It has a playground with a really tall slide and a red swirly slide. The plastic has lots of graffiti all over it though, and one of the swings is broken. I don't mind. This is where Nathan and I always go to meet. It's our secret meeting place, just like in a spy movie.

I see pale brown hair and a grey sweater. It's him!

"Nathan!" I holler, waving my arms. My heart goes thump-thump-thump. I'm so happy to see him!

"Faye!" he calls, spinning around and spreading his arms wide. I leap into them and he twirls me around until everything turns blurry.

"Put me down, put me down!" I laugh. "Nathan, I'm all dizzy!"

Nathan grins and sets me down. The world tilts and spins and I plop on my bottom.

"So, how's my little faerie?" he teases. His smile is wide, showing off pearly whites. Nathan is very handsome. He's got feathery brown hair that reaches the bottom of his neck. His eyes have long lashes and they're a nice minty green, just like one of my broken crayons. I've seen the girls who pass by blushing at him. Sometimes they invite him to go for a date. But Nathan always says no 'cause he says he wants to spend time playing with me.