Chapter 53
Stephanie
Stephanie
I close the door to my dorm room, ready to crash for the night.
I’ve studied for hours for my exam tomorrow.
I’ve literally done all I can do. Somebody knocks on the door.
“Come in,” I call out since my roommate isn’t around.
I figure it’s someone for her; she’s much more social than I am.
“Hey,” Ashley says as she comes inside the room. “How’d the studying go?” she asks.
I drop my bag next to my bed. “We’ll see tomorrow.”
“You’ll do great,” she encourages, taking the seat at the desk. “I brought you something.”
I glance over at her in surprise. “Yeah?”
She hands me a small red gift bag. “I was going to give it to you before Christmas, but things got crazy and I didn’t give it to you before break.”
“No worries.” I don’t open it, though. “I feel terrible; I didn’t get you anything.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s just something small anyway. Go ahead, open it.”
I pull out the tissue paper and pull out a small white cardboard box. I pull the lid off and take in the pretty silver chain. It’s simple but elegant. “That’s beautiful.”
Her eyes light up. “You like it?”
“I do. It's simple and elegant, just what I like.”
“Oh good.”
I start to put it on my wrist, but she stops me with a hand on my arm. “I think it would fit better on your ankle; it’s a little longer than I thought it would be.”
“Okay.” I kick my shoes off and slide the bracelet over my foot and onto my ankle and admire it a moment. “It’s perfect, Ashley. Thank you.”
She smiles. “You’re welcome. It looks great on you. Don’t take it off,” she says with a teasing smile.
I grin. “Never. I will always wear it.”
“That’s what I like to hear. All right. Well, I’ll get out of your hair. I know you like to get to bed at a good time.”
As if on cue, a yawn overtakes me. “Night, Ashley. Thank you.”
She smiles. “The pleasure is all mine.”
I start the process of getting ready for bed.
Finally, I’m ready to crash. Right before I climb into bed, I notice my bracelet on my ankle.
I bend over to take it off, so I can go to sleep.
But I remember her parting, teasing words not to take it off.
It makes me smile, and I end up wearing it to bed.
I fall asleep with a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart for good friends and simple gifts.