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				Name: ALYSSA CARTWRIGHT Hometown: Cape Coral, FL Entry title: Emerald


	Emerald Emerald Kors touched the little box in her pocket and smiled, her green eyes shining brightly. Apollo told her not to open the box, and just to keep it in her pocket. Obviously, telling someone not to open something makes the person want to open it more. She kept wondering what could be in such a tiny box, since the only special thing that could fit in it could be earrings, a necklace, or a ring… But Apollo doesn’t have a girlfriend, so it couldn’t be any of those.. Unless it was a friendship bracelet? Nah, he’s not mushy that way.. Why would he not have her see it? Emerald groaned and flopped down on her bed. She pulled out the little white box for what seemed like the millionth time that day, still wondering what it could be, as she replayed the earlier scene in her head. At lunch that day ‘Emerald, I have something for you.’ Said Apollo. ‘Ooh what is it?’ She asked, excitedly. Apollo slipped her the white box. Emerald looked up and grinned as she started to open it. ‘Wait!’ Apollo shrieked. Emerald dropped the box on the table, surprised by his sudden outburst. ‘Sorry, its just special. You can’t open this until I say. Meet me at the Redmond park at 7 o’clock, by the swing set. Okay?’ And with that, he was off in a hurry. Back to reality ‘Should I open it?’ Emerald thought to herself. “No, Apollo told me not to. Guess I’ll just have to wait.. UGH!” Emerald tried to keep herself busy that day, so she wouldn’t think of the mysterious white box, but it wasn’t working too well.. First she tried homework, but the box in her pocket felt like it was burning a hole through her jeans, it tempted her so much. Then she tried settling down to watch some television, but she just couldn’t concentrate, so she went for a nice walk. After awhile, she glanced at her phone clock, and saw that it was 6:48, so Emerald headed to the park, where Apollo said to meet her. She sat down on the swings and waited for a couple minutes, until she heard Apollo sit down next to her. ‘Hey!’ She said and smiled. ‘Can I open it now?! It’s been driving me insane!’ ‘Go right ahead.’ He said, smiling like the Cheshire Cat! Emerald pryed the top off, and looked at the slip of paper in the box. She studied it for a moment, and tears welled up in her eyes. The note said ‘I never want to see you again. I don’t like you, I never have. Don’t bother meeting me tonight.’ Apollo stood up, and took her hands in his. ‘Why would you…?’ Emerald said. ‘This whole thing was a test to see if you cared for me enough to do as I requested. The reason I wrote that, is because I knew that if you opened the box and read the note, you would have followed the instructions. But since you came here, I know that you didn’t read it, and you truly are perfect. So here is what I really came here to do..’ Apollo reached into his pocket, and pulled out a locket on a gold chain, and handed it to Emerald. Emerald looked on the back, and inscribed were the three words every girl wants to hear; ‘I love you’.