Christmas Scavenger

*Basically I wrote this a few months ago. I hope people think it's good.*           

            The halls were barren, void of people, and void of sound. The scent of pine wafted through the air, arousing my senses, and making memories of Christmas past appear one by one.

All the lockers stood tall, some adorned with red and green ribbon, and others decorated with candy cane art, a school-wide tradition. The floors were coated in a fresh layer of wax, and the walls were freshly scrubbed.

            I stood in the middle of the empty halls, stopped at a single red rose petal atop a small yellow index card. Hesitating to pick it up, I reached my fingers out and grasped the paper tightly. I looked around, wondering who could have put this note down. Refocusing, I read the note in my head...

            "Go to room 179. Do not stop for any reason. Once inside, find what's missing."

As the wonder inside of me flurried around, there was an inkling of curiosity stirring as well. Why would the janitorial staff leave behind one rose and note card? They had to be behind this, right? And who was this meant for? Was I the first to come upon this?

Suddenly, a sound erupted from the direction of the science room. It was the Four Seasons by Vivaldi. A strange selection, but something I was raised listening to. Deciding to follow the direction left on the note card, I strode toward the music, taking my time. I hope for a small stir of music, but nothing came.

            175. 176. 177. 178. I stopped right in front of room 179, and swallowed the lump building in my throat. The door was closed, like all the others, yet the music still played. This must be a prank, I thought. Reluctantly, my palm stretched out and attached itself to the doorknob. With a single twist, the door flew open, and the music screeched to a halt.

            The room looked the same as always. "Find what's missing," the note had said. I quickly scanned the room until my eyes locked on a test tube rack. There was one missing. Most people wouldn’t have noticed, but I guess I notice things that others don’t bother to look at. I shuffled over to the supply closet where the extra tubes were stored at night. And as I suspected, there was another index card covered by two red rose petals.

            "Nice eye! Now room 206. Do not stop. Find the instrument that does not belong."

            Thinking for a second, a wave of fear washed over me. What if this was some kind of prank? What if I was heading right into a trap?

            I took a quick glance to my left, then right, and behind me. Nothing still. Oh who was I kidding? I was alone, and I was going to finish this.

            I arrived at room 206 two minutes later and figured out that in the percussion section there was a flute, along with a full long-stem red rose, and another note.

            “You made it to the final note card. To finish this journey, head to the school library, find the history section, and collect your prize.”

            I took the fastest route I could to the library and opened the double doors. The room inside was dark, but candles lined the walls and filled the desk. A pungent smell of roses approached me. And as I looked down, there was a small path of red rose petals that led to a section in the library. The history section of course. A smile spread to my face as I followed the path that lay ahead of me, avoiding stepping on the petals to keep them beautiful. Whoever this was, they did a great job.

            When I got to the history section, there was nothing there but a blue patterned blanket spread on the floor. And what else was there? A notecard sat atop an old book, a single white rose next to it. I pulled it off and read it aloud.

            “Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts beat as one.”

            Suddenly, two strong arms came from behind me and covered my eyes. I pivoted around to see Andrew laughing lightly and smiling.

            “Guess who, “ He spoke gently.

            “This was all you?” I questioned biting my lip.

            “Of course, and it’s all for you, beautiful.”

            Just then, he turned me around and slowly walked me back to the wall. Putting his arms directly above my shoulders, I was pinned there. That was when I noticed we were placed beneath a single bloom of mistletoe. 
            His right hand grazed my cheek, tucking a single strand of my blonde hair behind my ear. He smelled of lavender and mint, a smell I had grown familiar too. Getting closer, his lips reached out to mine until they met in harmony, as his arms slid to my middle back and pulled me close to him. The space between us was scarce, and I was perfectly fine with that.

            Breaking for a moment, he breathed, "Merry Christmas baby girl. I love you."

            In response, I took his left hand in mine and squeezed it tight. "I love you too." I released his hands and pulled myself even closer to his body, until the space between us had vanished. His lips met mine again, as we breathed as one. His right hand started to caress the small of my back, and I squirmed. Reflex.

            In this minute, I was completely happy. It was a feeling that nothing could match. In this moment, nothing could compare to the way I was feeling. This was complete happiness. This was true love.