Yo-Yo No-No

Nicola Shortreed

Tumbling, leaping, jumping, galloping down the spiralling staircase. Bouncing around like a bunny on caffeine. I couldn't get out of bed and swoosh to the tree quick enough.

Although I had foggy morning eyes, the gleaming, twinkling parcels and lights shone out of the door and my glaze suddenly lifted before I knew it one of those beautiful parcels was ripped to shreds to uncover the amazing wonder beneath. Again and again boxes and soft parcels were torn apart and the surprises underneath treasured briefly in turn for the next gifts unveiling.

Soon the floor was no longer apparent and in its place was a covering of wrapping paper and packaging. This is the day I had been waiting for all year! Well, not all year as my birthday was 6 months before and that was pretty exciting! So I had been waiting for this very day five months. Five because it takes precisely a month to get tired with the tantalizing toys and presents that are given.

I'm going to admit it right here and now, of course I didn't want only one present but the present I am referring to is the one that I want THE MOST. Sure, every seven year old wants all the toys, all the new gadgets, all the best presents for that year but everyone has to have a favourite present. And my present would be the best ever.

The long awaited moment finally came. The suspense, unbearable. The finish line was within my reach, as I went on to my final batch of presents - a big red sack encrusted with my name, a very special delivery off the man himself, St Nicholas.

The giant sock slowly deflated as did my optimistic spirits. Gift after gift but still no sign of my most wanted present, I couldn't see it anywhere. A light up pen, a terry's chocolate orange, an abnormally shaped snowman mug filled with marshmallow, but still no sign of THE present. Not even a flicker of the wrapping paper encompassing it.

Then, something glinted in the corner of my eye. I knew this was it! It had to be! The thing I had been longing for, for at least 5 months of my life. The precious gift. The thing that would most completely, utterly make my entire day! No, my year! I knew it, deep down, this was the present. The one I had clearly stated on my wish list to Santa Clause, the one I had written in block, black, capitals at the very top of the list. The one I had drawn an illustration of, a very impressive one for a seven year old may I add. The one I had boasted to all my friends I was going to bring in to school the first day back and show them my amazing new tricks and stunts with. I would be so ashamed if I didn't get it now.

This is when a thought rushed into my mind, 'Don't do it Nicola, save the best present till last!' So I listened to the little voice in my head and gleefully picked up the next present, shaked and felt it in a feeble attempt as to have a guess of the secret contents. It was a lovely gold, real gold by the way, necklace. It was beautiful, I loved it. But time couldn't wait I needed to move onto the last two so I could get on to the final present of my dreams.

Ahh, a sigh of relieve, the time had come. It was now or never. I had to open it. I saw it staring up at me from the bottom of the sack, screaming 'Open me! Open me!' I obliged but with great caution, I didn't want to spoil this moment. The silver package glided up and was right there, in the palm of my hand, gleaming into my eyes making them brighter than ever. My fingers clasped around the object brought it up to my ear for a shake then brought it back into view. I couldn't feel them anymore; I was on complete auto-pilot. They slowly peeled back the silver and the silver gradually turned into silver tinged with orange, silver and orange, then just orange. I didn't know they made them in orange. It hit me then like a speeding car. Imposter!! This in no possible way could be my present! It's disgusting! I threw it to the floor and stood back. Oh my god. How could this happen top me? How could I not get given a yo-yo when I implicitly asked for one? How could St Nicolas live with himself ruining a child's dream?

That was it. The day I got not what I wanted. The day I got a Satsuma wrapped in kitchen foil.