Take good care of my little friend, for he's your responsibility now. Have fun at the Yuletide Ball, or at least try to. Sincerely Yours, A. Nonymous." I didn't especially care who this A. Nonymous really was, but they could rest assured knowing that I would always take care of my treasure. Who could even think of harming such a handsome trinket?

Just then, music started blaring from the speaker behind me. Caught off guard, I jumped - and dropped my nutcracker on the floor. "I think the DJ's here," Herr squealed. No, I felt like saying, It's the magical Christmas fairy come to bring the gift of music at a stupid school dance. OF COURSE it's the DJ, stupid! I exhaled deeply and bent to pick up my present. Before I touched him, he looked fine. But when I lifted him up, his right arm fell out of its socket and crashed to the ground.

"Oh no," I gasped, and quickly retrieved it from the cold floor. I knew without asking that there was no glue anywhere in the vicinity, so I did the only thing I knew how to. I tore the hem of my dress off and wrapped it around my nutcracker's arms and chest over and over, then tied it in a neat bow on one side. It would have to do until I got home; I could only hope it was enough. "Hey, Clar, there's somebody I want you to meet, okay? He's at home so I have to pick him up, but I'll be back in a sec," Herriett said behind me. I nodded my head and waved her off, then, making sure no one was around, pressed my lips to the top of the nutcracker's head. "It'll all be okay now, I promise," I whispered to him.

Suddenly, I felt faint. My vision started blurring all over the place and I couldn't breathe. I fell to my knees, holding on to the nutcracker for dear life. Struggling to keep control of my senses, I took one last look at his shiny, lifelike green eyes, then gave in to