Chocolate

"Thanks Aunt Pam!" I said as I ripped off the pink wrapping paper and uncovered a teddy bear. "I love it!" I forced out, hiding the look of disgust from my face. Honestly, I was in the eighth grade and she was still buying me birthday gifts from Baby's R Us. What would a 14 year old do with a teddy bear? I was hoping I would get money or maybe a new cell phone for my birthday but it looked like Aunt Pam had missed that memo. I held out the bear as she snapped my picture. "I knew you would love it, Isn't it cute?" she replied. "HA. cute?" I thought to myself. I cant believe she had gotten me a teddy bear. As I set it down my mom handed me a few more presents from my grandma which consisted of clothes, a new cell phone and a DVD player. Finally, something I can use. After unwrapping my gifts I carried them upstairs. I connected the DVD player up to my TV, hung my new clothes in my closet and threw my new teddy bear on my bed. It's brown fur stuck out on my bright pink comforter like a sore thumb. It was a little smaller than my pillow and had a navy sweater that said 'AE' on it. Its eyes were glossy and it had a cute little nose and a small smile. Later that night I was laying in bed watching The Ring on my new DVD player when the face of a dead girl popped up on the screen. I yelled and grabbed the teddy bear I had just gotten. Its fur was smooth and soft which was perfect for hugging. I held it up close to my face to cover my eyes from the terrifying movie. It smelled like my aunts house and reminded me of my family. The bear fit perfectly in my arms and I was surprised to find that it actually made me feel safe. Later that week I had slept with that teddy bear so I wouldn't have night mares from the movie. I also found is useful as an extra pillow since it was so soft and I began sleeping with it every night. I started to refer to the teddy bear as Chocolate and I brought him everywhere with me, on family vacations, sleepovers and even to summer camp. I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed the teddy bear I had received from my Aunt on my 14th Birthday. Chocolate is still sitting on my bed today and every time I look at him I am reminded of my loving family.