11/13/11

HOLIDAY BLOG HOP

Hello fellow bloggers.  First of all I'd like to thank all of you for all your well wishes and emails.  You are all too awesome for words!!!




Now on to the blog hop.
Jenny from  Jenny's Imaginary World is having this blog hop.  I'm posting this a little early.  It's not till the 15th.  250-words of a cute holiday story.  I cheated, couldn't get my top muse to shut up.  And I try not to butt heads with Helen.  Anyway, I'm close to 500-words, which kinda disqualifies me, but this is for fun, to meet new bloggers, and to encourage everyone to check out Jenny's blog.

Anyway, nothing spells warm and fuzzy like family, friendship, and kids.  And because I just couldn't help myself, I tossed in a fantastical twist.  Hope you all like it.





Devin leaned against the window sill while fingering the rim of his baseball cap, his sole focus the sound of the children outside.  There were three girls about his age, playing hide-and-seek.  One of them laughed, and the sound evoked a similar bubbling in his throat.  Her two friends ran and hid as she counted.  He held his breath, waiting for her to give chase and aching to join them.  More than anything, he needed a friend.

"Dad, why did we move?"

The older man fussed with the pages of the morning paper before setting it down on the table.  "Devin, you've asked me that question every day for a month.  And my answer is still the same.  You're ten now, and that means you're starting to show.  We have to keep the secret.  At least here we have a chance at a fresh beginning, with new people."

"But we're so alone."

"Just give it time, son.  Look, the season is changing.  Soon we'll see snow on the ground and the holidays will be upon us.  They celebrate something called Christmas here.  You get presents and..."

Devin tuned out the rest of the conversation because the redheaded girl laughed again, a musical sound that reminded him of his big sister--before she was captured.  He had to meet her.  Placing the baseball cap on his head, he crammed down his antennas.  Then he hurried outside, running smack into the girl and sending the baseball cap flying.

He watched her lips part with surprise.  A million thoughts raced through his head, but no excuse or lie could cover the dangling proof of his ancestry.  Maybe they could make her forget like they did the others.  It was a simple procedure.

"Oh, you're one of us," the girl said.

"What?"  He searched her head for signs of antennae, but there were none.  "You look nothing like me.  You're not even green."

"But I am like you."  With delicate fingers she brushed fine crimson locks aside, revealing a set of pointed ears.  "After a year we transform on this planet.  This is all that's left of my antennas."

"You're a darkling too?"

She smiled, revealing two rows of pearly-white teeth.  "The natives call us fairies." 

A knot formed in his throat.  "I'm Devin," he said, lifting his hand to touch her. 

She reached out her hand and brushed the tips of his fingers.  "I'm Ivy."

The other two girls came out of hiding.  They studied the pea-colored boy on the ground and sent their friend matching inquisitive glances. 

Ivy laced her fingers with Devin's and said, "These are my sisters, Axia and Nola."  To her sisters she said, "This is Devin, my new friend."

They bunched around him.  Their proximity enveloped him like a cozy blanket, reminding him of home.  Ivy hugged him.

And his heart grew wings.


Happy Holidays to all my blogger friends who help give my heart wings!

49 comments:

  1. That was my dream when I moved to the town I presently live. No such luck though. I envy Devin, antennae and all! Welcome back, Laila. You were missed!

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  2. That's so touching and sweet. I loved it!

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  3. Hide the other two girls came out. They studied the color of peas on the ground to send their boys and friends, match curious eyes.

    appointment setting

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  4. What a great story. So full of innocence and childlike feelings. Enjoyed that. Great writing.

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  5. Devin sounds like he'll be busy for awhile. Very cute story. :)

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  6. Awesome, thanks for sharing! Glad your muse couldn't "shut up." ;)

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  7. That was pretty cool! And as always, well-written.

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  8. Very well written! I loved the fantasy twist.

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  9. Ah! That was wonderful. Made me teary. Devon found friends just like him. What a wonderful story, Laila, and so perfect for the holidays.

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  10. That was magical. I loved the ending!

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  11. What a lovely little story. I loved how his heart grew wings. Aww.

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  12. You... you... you mean... they walk amongst us?! [*SHUDDER!*] The creepy li'l things!

    Ha! I jest...
    ...don't know what else t'say.

    Maybe... "MERRY FAIRY!"(?)

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  13. Aw, cute. And why am I not surprised aliens made it into your holiday story? :D

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  14. Awww! Lovely story. So...is that what happened to you, Laila?

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  15. Ahhh....love this story. You tell it so well. Is there any truth to it, is this your story?? :D
    Good to have you back, you were missed.

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  16. Cute! I love stories told from the pov of a little boy. So adorable!

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  17. Fairies and Christmas :) I love it!!!

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  18. Hugs are the best fuel for wings! Glad I have my family for an endless supply.

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  19. This is too awesome! I love it. And I'm so glad I was able to find your blog through this hop. I was instantly in love with this blog the moment I hopped over. I'll definitely be back for more.

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  20. This story is so creative, and heart warming. Thanks for not cutting it short. I love it. Oh, I want to be a darkling. ;0)

    Thanks for participating!

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  21. I'm going to think of Faries in a different light now. great story! Hope you and your family are doing well :)

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  22. Beautiful writing. I felt the connection between Devin and the girls.

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  23. Aww, sweet! They moved planets, not towns! I did not see that coming. I don't think I've heard of fairies from a different planet - what a great twist! Well done!

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  24. I'm glad you didn't cut anything out. Now, I want to find out what happened to his sister and what comes next. Great story Laila!

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  25. So if random dude picks your name, which book do you want?

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  26. What a cute story! Thanks for visiting over at my site. How rare to "meet" a sister in name. I would have thought you spelled yours a bit different. Normally they do abroad. Do you have family in Norway?

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  27. It made my heart grow wings too! Totally adorable and I can see why you needed the extra words. Thanks for participating in the Hop. I hadn't seen your blog before and will definately be back.

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  28. LOVE the last line! And what a nice twist on what starts out to be an "ordinary" story. :) Good job.

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  29. That's such a charming story :). I am sure you already have a pair of magical wings carefully hidden underneath your skin, you just need to spread them wide.

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  30. Sweet story. Very nicely done, Laila.

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  31. This is so sweet, heart warming and fantastical, Laila. Thanks for sharing it.
    xoRobyn

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  32. I could have kept reading. This was great! I'm so glad Devon had a happy ending:)

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  33. Lovely story that tugs at the heart. You've captured one of the most precious things to a young child -- friends like himself, or at least friends that accept you for what you are.

    It doesn't seem too long to me. . . I agree with you about that.

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  34. This is so cool. Like an intelligent "Teen Wolf." "And his heart grew wings." Thanks for this.
    How do I get in on this blog hop?

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  35. Awh I love the line that sums up the story ending that his heart grew new wings. Lovely.

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  36. What a lovely tale, you had me smiling! Thank you for visiting us and complimenting the catboys..they just love it. We are going on recess, we are off to see my mom and my in-laws are going to be cat herders...this will be interesting. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and all blessings! and best wishes to your husband as well. Hope to see you in December xx

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  37. Cool blog...NEW FOLLOWER.

    Elizabeth

    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

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  38. aw, that's such a sweet story. I loved the way you ended it too.

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  39. Awesome! I love the idea that faeries are aliens! Great story! Happy Holiday Blog Hop! :D

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  40. That opening picture is GORGEOUS. I love photos like that. :)

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  41. So here I was with a fresh cuppa and wondering around and thought, hmmm, what's going on over in the untroubled kingdom today?

    A warm holiday story, aww.

    So, I usually post holiday short stories the last two weeks of December. Don't suppose you'd like to write me one? I need some stories.

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  42. You may want to check out my blog today. I announced the winners for the blog hop. ;)

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