Chapter Two: Wishes Granted

Madison now walked through the dark, snowy streets of Readington. She could have been driven to Sakura's house, but she preferred to be outside. She starred at the snow falling all around her. Madison loved the snow. She then stopped, and stretched out her arms, letting the snow cover them. Then, she lifted up her head, and let the snow touch her face as well. She smiled. Madison had always loved winter. She thought it was the most beautiful season of all. And…. it was Sakura's favorite as well.

Sakura. At the thought, Madison let her head slowly fall down, as well as her smile. How could she possibly tell her how she felt? She knew she had to do it soon. The feelings inside her were welling up, and they seemed to grow stronger every day. One day, she would lose control of these feelings, and they would come out in a burst of emotion. Then, Madison was sure that any friendship that she had with Sakura would undoubtedly be no more. But, then again, if she did tell Sakura, the same result could happen.

Madison shook her head in dismay. This was her only wish, for Christmas and every other day. She wished for the love of Sakura. She wished to be able to stare into her eyes, with the look she had feared to show Sakura; to be able to wrap her arms around her, and not fear that she would run; to be able to whisper three words she had wished to speak into her ear, and perhaps hear her say the same. But, even if this was her only wish, she knew it was a great wish. It was greater than any wish she had ever made. And, it was one that quite possibly could not be granted.

Madison then lifted her head, and began to walk forward. A lone tear ran down her cheek, and fell to the ground, freezing on contact. She would wait until the time was right. Then, and only then, would she tell her, even with the risk. Until then, all she could do was dream. She then continued he walk to Sakura's house.

About fifteen minutes later, Madison stood at the front door of the Avalon household. She then lightly knocked on the door. It was immediately answered by a cheerful Sakura. But even as cheerful as she was, an even happier expression came over her face as she saw her best friend at the door. " Madison!" she cried, throwing her arms around her. Madison blushed as she wrapped her arms around Sakura as well. Sure, they were hugging, but not in the way Madison wished. A moment later, Sakura let go of the hug. " I'm glad you could come." She said, smiling. " How could I not come?" Madison asked. " I could never say no to an invitation like this." The two then walked inside.

As they walked to the others at the party, Madison looked around at the Avalon home. It was a small, quaint home. Many would say that Madison's mansion-like house put this kind of house to shame. And yet, Madison starred around as if she envied its owners. The house was completely decorated for the holiday. There were ribbons strung from the walls, mistletoe in every room, wreaths in all the windows, and a Christmas tree covered in ornaments. Madison liked the house because instead of being fancy and rich, it was simple, and yet still beautiful. And, of course, there was also the fact that it was Sakura's house.

Then, Madison was greeted by the rest of the people at the party. There was Tori and Mr. Avalon, the one's who also lived at the house. There was also Julian. He was there mainly because of the strong relationships he had made with the family. He was the best friend of Tori, and, as well as a friend, was Sakura's other celestial guardian when he transformed into Yue, her winged moon-guardian. And, of course, there was Kero. Even after all the cards were captured and transformed, Kero decided to stay with Sakura and her family. Besides, he had never gotten pudding when he stayed in the book. These days, he was always in his smaller form, unless he wanted to impress Sakura's friends.

He only gave a quick hello to Madison, mainly because he was gorging himself with an early Christmas present: a large bowl full of his favorite chocolate pudding. But a few moments later, he pushed the bowl aside. He would eat the rest as his desert after dinner.

Now, everyone sat at the dining room table, ready to feast on the food before them. After a quick prayer, Mr. Avalon raised his glass, causing everyone to look at him. " A toast." He stated. " A merry Christmas to us all. And a special thank you to all who have come to celebrate this joyous holiday with us." " Especially Madison!" Sakura added. Madison blushed at that. " Indeed." Mr. Avalon said. " May all our lives be happy and merry, as they are right now." And, with a clinging of everyone's glass, they began to eat.

After the dinner, Madison participated in an Avalon tradition. On every Christmas Eve, each person at the Christmas party would choose one gift under the Christmas tree to open early. It surprised Madison to see that there was at least three presents with her name on them. After a careful inspection, she picked out a small, square present. It was a bit flat, signifying it could be a framed picture. It was then that she felt Sakura's eager eyes looking over her shoulder. She then began to open the present. When she was finished, she made a wide smile.

It was a picture of Sakura, dressed in what Madison had told her was her favorite costume she had made. But, that was only half of the present. It was then that her fingers fell onto what felt like words inscribed on the back of the frame. She then turned it over, and found a note written in the metal backing of the frame.

To the greatest friend I know,

or will undoubtedly ever know.

Thank you for giving me the

one thing I cherish the most.

Our friendship.

With the dearest of love,

Sakura

After reading this, Madison was brought to the brink of tears. She then looked up to see Sakura, with the happiest smile.

" Sakura," Madison said, trying not to cry. " Thank you. This is the greatest gift anyone has given me." " You deserve it." Sakura said.

" Besides, you are my greatest friend. And, in all the years to come, I'm sure no friend will be as great as you." Then, Madison walked up to Sakura, and wrapped her arms around her, letting the tears run down her face. Sakura wrapped her arms around Madison as well. It was then that Madison knew that if she could not love Sakura, the friendship would be more than enough.

After everyone got to open their choice of presents, Mr. Avalon decided that it was time for everyone to get some shut eye. So, after a few quick showers, the two girls put on their P.J.s and went to Sakura's bedroom. The two then climbed into Sakura's bed, covering themselves in warm winter blankets. This of course always made Madison nervous, sleeping in the same bed as Sakura. But, she always kept her emotions at bay. So, after a quick goodnight from Mr. Avalon, the two laid there silently.

Then, Sakura broke the silence. " So," she asked. " Did you have fun tonight?" " Sakura," Madison answered. " They're has never been a greater night than this one." Sakura smiled at that.

" Well," Sakura continued, turning her head to face Madison. " Do you think that every present you could ever want is under your family's tree?" Madison made a sad smile, and said, " No, Sakura. I don't." " What do you mean?" Sakura asked, sitting up. Sitting up as well, Madison answered, " Sakura, not every wish can come in wrapping, or in a box. Sometimes, it comes from another person." " Oh, I get it." Sakura said. " You mean the love of another person." Madison still smiled sadly as she heard Sakura.

" Well," Sakura continued. " Actually, that is one of my Christmas wishes."

" Oh no." Madison thought. " She love's someone, and I bet she's going to tell me who it is. What if it isn't me? Somehow, I'll have to keep myself from becoming an emotional wreck. Otherwise, the one thing I cherish the most will hate me."

" Really?" Madison asked, not showing her nervousness to Sakura. " Yes." Sakura answered, making a blissful smile. " I do believe I am in love." " Well," Madison said. " Tel me about it." " Well," Sakura began. " This person is one of the most precious things in my life. They're kind, caring, and intelligent, to say the least."

At that moment, Madison noticed that the smile on Sakura's face was replaced with one of the saddest expressions she had ever seen. " Sakura?" Madison asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

" What's wrong?" Sakura shook her head sadly, and answered,

" It's just that…. even though I feel this way, if I expressed this love, not only would the person I love hate me, but I would be known as a freak to society." " What?" Madison asked, surprised.

" What do you mean? Why would everyone think you were a freak?" It was then that Sakura began to cry softly. " Madison," she said. " I don't just love just any person. This person is very special. If anyone, including this person, knew how I felt, they would think of me as a freak of nature; someone to be hated and despised. Even…. even you would not like me anymore."

This was almost an insult to Madison, hearing Sakura say that there was a way to get her to hate her greatest friend.

" Sakura," Madison said. " I don't know how anyone else would feel, but there is one thing I'm sure of. There is nothing in this world that could possibly make me not like you, let alone hate you." And yet, Sakura still cried, starring into Madison's eyes sadly. " Madison, you don't understand." Sakura cried. " Why, if you knew how I felt, you would hate me the most." " Are you saying," Madison asked. " That if I knew who the person you loved was, I would hate you?" " Yes!" Sakura exclaimed, trying desperately to get Madison to accept what she was saying. " Well then," Madison stated. " Who is it that you love, and how can they cause our friendship to end?" " Madison, I can't tell you!" Sakura pleaded. " I can't risk our-" " Sakura!" Madison exclaimed. " I don't care. I am already surprised enough that you could think that there was something that could make me hate you. So, tell me already. Who is it?!"

Madison could see that Sakura knew her attempts to keep her lover's identity secret were in vain. It was then that Sakura looked up one last time to answer. But, Madison could not believe the expression on Sakura's face. It was of not only defeat, but also of the truest misery. " Madison," Sakura said softly. " It's you. I love you."

Madison's heart skipped a beat as she heard Sakura speak. Had she been dreaming? Had Sakura really spoken the words she had longed to hear all her life? " E… excuse me?" Madison asked nervously. " Wh… what did you say?" " You heard me." Sakura said quietly. " I love you, Madison. I've always loved you." She had spoken the words. She loved her. Ohh, feelings of relief and joy ran through Madison. But, before she could show them, Sakura turned away in shame.

" Oh Madison!" she cried. " I'm sorry, I really am. I tried to fight these feelings. I knew they were wrong. But, I just couldn't. I couldn't deny my true heart's desire. And, because of my wretched heart, I've lost the greatest thing I had in my life. I'm so, so sorry Madison. I…. I'll not stop you if you want to leave." But, Madison did not leave. Instead, she smiled. She then gently brought her hand to Sakura's face, and turned her head so that she faced her.

" Sakura." Madison whispered. " You haven't lost anything. In fact, you've gained something; something I've wanted to give you all the time I've known you." As Sakura heard this, her eyes widened, realizing what Madison was saying. " You… you mean…" she stammered. " Yes." Madison answered happily. " I love you too, Sakura. I have since the day I knew you."

Sakura was now frozen in shock. But, Madison was not about to stay still now. She then pulled Sakura's face towards hers, and gave her a gentle kiss; a kiss she had wanted to give Sakura for many years. In a moment, Sakura became calmer, and wrapped her arms around Madison. They stayed like this for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting this heavenly, long-awaited moment to end.

Then, when Madison let go of the kiss, she starred into Sakura's eyes. " Sakura," she said. " I'm so sorry I never told you. I always thought that you wouldn't feel the same way." " I know how you feel." Sakura agreed. " But, I guess we both don't have to have that fear anymore." " I just want you to know," Madison said. " That you have granted my only, let alone greatest, Christmas wish." " And you, Madison," Sakura whispered. " Have done the same for me."

The two then laid down. And, instead of lying side by side, they slept in each other's arms. And so, they stayed this way for the remainder of the night. And, even in the future, this was known to be the two's greatest Christmas, for it was then that the truest of Christmas wishes were granted.

THE END