The Giver Novels & Stories

Cainan handed his presents to Ada, Jasmin and Simi and Jasmin presented her gifts to Lisa and Cainan, and the others shared their presents with each other. Everyone departed to the bedrooms to open their gifts, with each having at least one Christmas present and Ada having five presents, which made her the highest receiver of the year. Cainan and Jasmin first opened the presents they got from others before focusing on the ones they gifted each other. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting you to get me anything.” Cainan's surprise was obvious as he lifted the small, squared box, wrapped in red to his ears, shaking it like a little kid trying to figure out what she had gifted him.

he said with sarcasm, but there was no heat behind his words. He felt nothing but sympathy for the young girl. He carefully slid his hands beneath her legs and back and lifted her into his arms, barely able to detect her undernourished body against his own. “What’s your name?” she asked as she rested her head against his chest. He felt his cold heart heat up at the sound of her trusting voice. “I’m Darius King.” “I’m Britany Felton. Thank you for saving me,” she said before she passed out in his arms.

I pulled the computer stand closer to me, shifted back to the beginning of the story, and began reading. It was titled Down in Flames by Martha Baimbridge. It opened with a shy teenage girl named Chelsea who, when invited by a popular boy in school to go on a trail ride with him and his friends, had been thrown from the horse and left paralyzed from the waist down. I read on.

Elijah peers over Trinity’s shoulder, looking down at a dainty chain of pure gold. Poppy open’s Antony’s bundle, finding an ornate box made of jade, the inside softened by silver velvet. Isaac’s gift is a locket with mirrors inside. I look around, watching everyone stare at their strange gifts. What does any of this mean? And do I feel like these random presents obviously packed during her last days mean something much more than just goodbye? I look down at the book in my hands, flipping through the pages as Maddox picks up the bundle with the name Ella written on it.

But I know they belong to Mr Taylor. Reward the book with your gems :)

Forced to go to high school for the first time, Grey had to wake up exceptionally early. He leaned against the brick wall in front of the school, waiting for the girl. The other students laughed and talked as they pushed their ways inside. Wishing he could just go home and give up, he pulled his jacket closer around himself. It was almost winter, and the freshly-cut grass was covered in a sheet of frost. As more time passed, the more the number of people outside began to dwindle. When they had all entered the building, Grey wondered if she was even going to show up. She didn't seem like the type to skip school, he thought, though he knew judging people on their appearances often backfired.

Abby interrupts, coming out of nowhere, extends her hand, will introduce herself, “Abby.” “Jonathan.” He accepts his hand. "I know." Abby repeats, removing her hand from her. Gus approaches me from the side and whispers: “Does that mean you've already forgiven me?” I deny. “I told you it would cost you.” “He hasn't given you my gift yet,” he shares a look with my mother, “it will be the best gift in the entire universe.” “Wasn't the record case your gift?” I whisper in surprise. “Here between two, it was a bribe a… persuasive detail.”

No one here remembered the girl who had been trafficked into town all those years ago. I used my savings to buy a modest house and settled in. I became a teacher at a nearby elementary school. The people here were warm and kind. The children here were naive and genuine. The pain I carried began to fade as I spent days with them. A week later, I turned on my phone and found it flooded with countless messages from Shane. [Indy, where are you?] [Indy, please come back!] [Indy, I’m sorry. Please give me another chance.]

"What's truly a shame is that such a wonderful man ended up with such a terrible wife. If you ask me, Edwin belongs with Esme. They're the perfect match." Esme blushed, nudging Mom shyly before sneaking a glance at Edwin. He lowered his head and sipped his wine. He neither refuted nor agreed. But his answer came during the gift exchange. He presented Esme with a ruby necklace. It wasn't just any necklace. It was his late mother's heirloom. He had told me about it, promising that he would personally place it around my neck on our fifth wedding anniversary. Now, he was placing it around Esme's neck. I watched without a trace of emotion, my heart completely hollow.

“Where did you get it, Ava? Tell me. Because it sure as hell wasn’t from serving coffee or answering phones.” “I told you, I got the money. I helped a wealthy family with something, and they paid me well.” Her voice was steady, but her eyes darted away from his face. “They gave me some things. It’s just… gifts. Gratitude.” “Gratitude.” Parker repeated the word like it was a curse. He stepped closer still, invading her space, and she could smell the familiar scent of his shampoo. He reached out, and she flinched slightly, but he only grabbed her bag from her hand.