Short Stories

Secret Santa, Secret Feelings?

I apologize in advance for the cliché-ness of this one-shot. I also apologize for the title.

UNEDITED

"Nelson"

   I stared at the paper for an extended amount of time, the name written on the small strip seemingly taunting me. 'Him?!' Don't get me wrong, Nelson is nice, and he's one of my friends, but he's quite shy and timid, so I didn't get the chance to be close to him.

   Two weeks from now is our class' Christmas party, one of the events most students look forward to because after it, our winter vacation starts. Some also look forward to it because of the gifts they'll get and because of the actual party itself. I, myself, am looking forward to it due to the party because our class president, and also my current best friend and crush (cliché i know), Nathan, is hosting it.

   'Oh gosh, what should I give him?' I sifted through the limited ideas in my head, all of them failing to prove their worth. 'It's not like I can just straight up ask him. But if I ask the others, what will they think of me? What will Nathan think?'

   Nathan is Nelson's older twim brother, and for as long as I've known them, he's always been overprotective over him. It's probably because of their contrasting personalities. Despite being twins, they had a handful of differences with their looks and behaviors. While Nathan is the older, outgoing, lively one, Nelson has always been the shy, timid one who can barely keep up a conversation with people.

   I discreetly glanced over at Nelson's direction, who was looking down at his paper with a thoughtful face. 'Hm, what would he like I wonder?' Hmm, I could always hang out with him and find out that way, but wouldn't that be too obvious? I like the secrecy of secret santas, and I prefer to keep that element until the very end. Soon enough, the bell rang, and students rushed over to their destinations. I looked down at my desk, organizing my things.

   "Hey Pat, who did you get?" I immediately transfered my gaze over to Ali, who was clutching her paper in her right hand. "Not telling, it's supposed to be a surprise." Upon hearing my response, she let out an exasperated huff. "Oh come on! Since when did anybody keep this thing a secret?"

   I looked at her with lidded eyes, my mouth forming into a straight line. "Oh, right, you do." And I have been doing it for as long as I remember. "You goody two shoes, when will you ever loosen up?" I shook my head, stuffing the paper strip in my sling bag. "It's called SECRET Santa for a reason Ali, I wouldn't want to spoil the whole purpose of this tradition. If I did, what's the point?" I replied, stuffing my school things in my bag.

   She let out an amused smile, crossing her arms. "Alright, alright Miss Uptight, I get it, I get it." ... I had a feeling that she doesn't. "Well, the bell rang, so let's go to lunch already. The twins are probably waiting." I nodded, retrieving my lunch bag from under my chair.

   I stood up, following her out of the door and into our usual spot under the tree beside the cafeteria. "Hey! Took you guys long enough!" A familiar voice called out. Looking at the bench, I saw the short haired president send us a smile. "Hi!" The quiet voice of the curly haired student chimed in, his light blue eyes flickering towards us and his closed lunchbox.

   "Sorry bout that, I was trying to ask Patricia here who she got for the Secret Santa thing, but you know her." We sat down beside the two as Nathan chuckled. "You should know that there's no use in trying to pry the info out of her. She has always been a stickler to the rules." I let out a small smile, retrieving my lunch from its bag.