Belle’s Surprise

Powdery white snow dazzled and danced, slowly falling down to the ground. Busy people bundled up and cozy in furs, coats, and hats, children packed tight like wrapped presents in their winter outfits, big cars honked and traveled their way to unknown destinations. The town square was decorated with tinsel and garlands of red and gold, giant holly leaves and berries plastered around the windows of motels and apartments, light strands of colorful beaded holiday lights ran from pole to pole and street lights held large wreaths. Stores filled with dresses, sparkly and red, with fur coats and stoles of luscious whites and blacks, Christmas decor finished the scene. The big Christmas tree dazzled and glistened with lights and ornaments and on top, a crystal star. It was the most beautiful time to be out in the city. Belle sat on a bench, with a book in her hand bundled up in a trench coat and her riding boots. She shivered from the cold, she was waiting outside for Jared. He didn’t say where he was or what he was doing, He just dropped her off at the corner and ran into the store a couple of blocks away. Her black wolf nose twitched from the fridged cold. She wanted to be in the mansion, or in the limousine, or anywhere inside, but they instead walked, because Jared thought it was a ‘Nice day to be outside!’.

“Pfft! It would be nice if it wasn’t as cold as a-” She paused and shivered, it was too cold to even open her mouth. She sat back in her chair and growled, her fur raised on her ears and tail as if she was trying to make a predator fear her. She buried her face in her coat and tried to stay as warm as a fireplace.

“Hey, Bella, Bella, Bella~!” Shouted a familiar voice. A youthful, childish voice. Oh no, Denzel. He ran over to his fellow hybrid friend. Or so he thought she was. She never really liked him. He was annoying at times, other times he was frustrating. He ran over bundled up inside the biggest and fluffiest of coats, so fluffy he looked like a child bundled in their mother’s coat to keep warm. His pink face and big black dog nose stuck of the coat like a cartoon’s eyeballs popping out of surprise before getting hit by a bat. He giggled and ran over, it looked like a waddling penguin. He was a clumsy being. He was the easiest to pick fun of like picking off the meat on a bone. Easy and certainly a treat, according to Belle.

“Belle! Bell! Guess what guess what!” He cried jumping up and down continuously with extreme excitement. Must have had one too many candy canes and sugar plums.

“What do you want, D’zel?” Huffed Belle.

“I wanna know what I should get the Mrs.”

“How about a day to herself, away from you, oh, wait. That’s the thing I want from you for Christmas.”

“Well… Hey uh, wheres Jared? Is he here?”

“Yeah, he went to the store, he told me to stay, I’ve been here for an hour now, I’m tired and I want a bath.”

“well, maybe he is-” A honk interrupted Denzel midsentence.

“He’s what?” Asked Belle, she looked up and gasped, Denzel shortly followed after.

“Anyone want a ride? Jump in!” shouted Jared.

“Magnifico..” Whispered Denzel.

It was a beautiful black Rolls Royce, Shining in the deepest of blacks, like an obsidian stone. Both of the canines wagged their tails in shock at the magnificent black beauty of a vehicle. It glistened and glossed in the snow, it stood out like a black sheep. What a wonderful present.