CHAPTER SIX; The morning after
825 Words
"Some gifts are wrapped in paper. Others are wrapped in understanding."
Morning sunlight streamed through Davi's bedroom window, bathing the room in a soft golden glow.
Unlike most teenagers after a birthday party, she was already awake.
Her room looked exactly the way she'd left it the night before. Her books were stacked neatly on her desk, her curtains were half open, and the birthday gifts she'd received were arranged carefully beside her bookshelf.
She liked things that way.
Neat.
Predictable.
Familiar.
The noise from yesterday's celebration had faded, leaving behind the quiet she loved.
With a warm cup of tea resting on her bedside table, Davi sat on the floor and reached for the last unopened gift.
It was from Ethan.
The wrapping paper was simple—dark blue with a silver ribbon tied into a neat bow.
She smiled.
"That's so... Ethan."
Carefully, she untied the ribbon instead of tearing it.
Inside was a cream-colored Polaroid camera.
Her eyes widened.
"No way..."
She gently lifted it from the box, almost afraid to scratch it.
Tucked beneath the camera was a tiny snow globe.
Inside stood a small wooden house surrounded by gently falling snow.
It looked peaceful.
Safe.
Home.
At the bottom of the box lay a folded note.
She opened it.
Some moments deserve to stay exactly the way they happened.
That was all.
No long birthday message.
No signature.
He didn't need one.
Davi slowly shook the snow globe, watching the tiny flakes dance around the little house before settling again.
"It's beautiful..." she whispered.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
Before she could answer, the door opened.
Henry walked in carrying two bowls of cereal.
"I come bearing breakfast."
Davi looked up.
"I thought Mom said breakfast was downstairs."
"She did."
"So..."
"I'm having a pre-breakfast."
She laughed.
"That doesn't even make sense."
"It makes perfect sense."
He handed her one of the bowls before noticing the open gift box.
"Ooo..."
"What?"
"The mysterious Ethan gift."
"It isn't mysterious."
"It came from Ethan."
"And?"
Henry walked closer and picked up the tiny snow globe.
He turned it over in his hands before giving it a gentle shake.
Tiny flakes swirled around the little house.
"...Okay."
"What?"
"I actually like this."
"I thought you were going to make fun of it."
"I was planning to."
"What changed?"
He looked at her for a moment.
"It reminds me of you."
Davi blinked.
"Me?"
Henry nodded.
"Not the snow."
He pointed toward the tiny wooden house.
"The house."
She frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"You've always liked places that feel safe."
He looked around her room.
"You've had the same room layout since you were twelve."
"You always sit in the same chair during family movie nights."
"You even walk the same way home from school."
Davi smiled sheepishly.
"I like knowing what to expect."
"I know."
Henry shrugged.
"There's nothing wrong with that."
She looked back at the snow globe.
Maybe that was why she liked it so much.
It wasn't just pretty.
It felt...
Comfortable.
Henry then picked up the Polaroid camera.
"A Polaroid?"
She nodded excitedly.
"I've wanted one for ages."
"I didn't know that."
"You weren't supposed to."
He raised an eyebrow.
"But Ethan somehow did?"
Davi looked down at the camera.
"I guess..."
Henry smiled knowingly.
"He notices things."
"...He does."
A grin slowly spread across Henry's face.
"Although..."
"What?"
"He gives boringly good presents."
She laughed.
"Boringly good?"
"Yeah."
"That's not even proper English."
"It is in my dictionary."
"You have a dictionary?"
"No."
"Exactly."
Henry dropped onto the edge of her bed.
"So..."
She narrowed her eyes.
"So... what?"
"Do you like it?"
"I really do."
"Told you."
"You literally just found out what was inside."
"I know Ethan."
He shrugged.
"He notices stuff."
Davi gently ran her fingers over the camera.
"...He really does."
Henry puffed out his chest proudly.
"I trained him."
She stared at him.
"You trained your best friend?"
"Of course."
"You make him sound like a puppy."
Henry pretended to think about it.
"...A very responsible puppy."
Davi burst into laughter.
"You are never saying that in front of him."
"Oh, I absolutely am."
She shook her head.
"You're impossible."
"I've heard that before."
"From everyone."
"Exactly."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The morning sunlight filled the room.
It was quiet.
Comfortable.
Just the way Davi liked it.
Henry stood and ruffled her hair before heading toward the door.
"Come downstairs when you're ready."
She nodded.
"I will."
"And Davi..."
"Hm?"
He smiled.
"I'm glad we get to do seventeen together."
Her smile softened.
"Me too."
After he left, Davi looked at the Polaroid camera once more.
She lifted it and aimed it toward the window.
Click.
The first picture slowly began to appear.
A golden morning.
A quiet room.
The day after seventeen.
She smiled.
Maybe Ethan was right.
Some moments really did deserve to stay exactly the way they happened.
- Writer
