The Book

Andrew chooses "The Art of Transformation" for Kelly. He'd never be able to find a suitable gift for her anywhere else. She probably had never been to this store, so the book would be new.
"Actually the book is quite old, but one of a kind. Kelly will love it." The wizard has a slightly evil grin on his face. Andrew gives the wizard a suspicious look, and takes out his wallet.

"How much for it?"

"Thirty-Five dollars. Do you need that gift wrapped?"

"Will it cost extra?" asks Andrew, already taking two twenties out of his wallet.

"Not at all, and it will only take a moment," says the wizard smiling.

"Ok then. Sure thanks." Andrew gives the wizard the money and the book. The wizard then turns his back and Andrew hears the register clang. When the old man turns back around, the book is wrapped and the wizard has a five dollar bill in his hand.

"Have fun, and Merry Christmas, Andrew." The wizards smile grows larger as Andrew turns from the counter, the bell ringing as he left. "Kelly will be the one having the real fun." said the wizard, chuckling to himself.

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Andrew leaves the store and continues shopping. He quickly found gifts for the three remaining on his list. He went home and wrapped them. He would be seeing Zack, Melanie, Kelly and his girlfriend on different days. He'd see Melanie on the following day, Kelly two days before Christmas, Zack Christmas Eve, and his girlfriend on Christmas Day, before meeting up with his friends.

Andrew gives his gift to Melanie without a problem. She loves it.

Two days before Christmas:

Andrew knocks on the door of Kelly's house at 7:30 PM. He's there for dinner and present exchange.

"They door's open Andrew! Come on in!" Kelly yells from inside. He turns the knob and goes in. "I'm in the kitchen putting the ham in the oven. I'll be right there."

"You're cooking? Maybe we should just have take out?" Andrew asks, sitting on the couch in her living room. He's had experience with the book worm's cooking before. It was less than inspiring.

"No, it's ok," she replies, entering the room, "I only have to heat it, I'm not trying anything fancy this time," she says smiling shyly. Andrew takes in her image as she sits down. She's about 5'9" tall. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She wears thin wire frame glasses. She has a good size bust. She always dresses condervatively. A blouse and a sweater vest and a good length skirt are what she's currently wearing. She sits on the couch next to Andrew.

Andrew met Kelly in the library one day in High School. He had been doing a research project for a class and she had been in the reference section. He was having trouble locating the book when she intervened. From that time on, she was his study partner. She helped him with studying. Over the years they became close friends. She also became close friends with Zack. The three of them were like family. They had never gotten physical, and Andrew had never even entertained the notion, despite how pretty her face was.

"So, shall we exchange gifts while we wait for dinner?" asks Kelly, eyeing the package in his hand.

"Souds good," he says, smiling, "Merry Christmas!" He hands Kelly the package.

"You too," She responds, handing him a similar package. They both open them at the same time. Andrew opens his package and it is a book: "The Music of Football". Andrew smiles broadly and looks over at Kelly. She looks slightly disappointed.

"What's wrong?" asks Andrew, frowning.

"Huh?" she responds, "Nothing."

"Seriously, what's wrong? Don't you like it?" That damn wizard was wrong!

"Sure," she responds, "It's great. Just not what I expected." Andrew looks a bit lost, then suddenly he remembers that months ago she asked him to get her a specific book.

"Oh! Shit! That's right, you wanted me to get you that friendship scrap book for us, right? Damn! I'm so sorry I forgot."

"It's ok, it was nothing big." She doesn't hide her disappointment well at all. She's still looking at the book.

"Look, let me make it up to you, I'll finish with dinner for you and then we'll do something fun, alright?"

She looks at him and forces a smile on her face and then says, "Sure. That sounds great." Andrew is greatly relieved. He gives Kelly a hug and then goes into the kitchen, leaving her with the book.

Andrew serves dinner for Kelly and they talk amicably. They enjoy the meal, but there is a small barrier between them. Andrew knows he still needs to make things up to Kelly. So after dinner they go back into the living room and sit down facing eachother.

"Kel," andrew starts, using her nickname, "what can I do to make this up to you?" She sits pensively, staring into his eyes.

"I want to try something," she says finally. "It's something in the book you got me." Andrew gives her a suspicious look. "I really think it will work," she says. Andrew thinks about it for a second then she begs, "Please Andrew? You owe me." Looking into her big brown eyes, he can't resist.

"ok, Kel. Lets try it. What do we have to do?"

"Alright," she says, turning the pages in her book, "Lets start here with..."