Autumn Showers

31- The one with the Secret Santa

I raise an eyebrow as Scarlett comes skipping over to our table wearing a Santa hat, her grin so bright it's almost blinding.

'Happy December first, you beautiful angels!' She sings as she takes a seat next to Toby.

The blonde-haired boy next to her laughs softly before flicking the bobble at the end of her hat, 'Someone is feeling festive.'

'I'm always festive Tobes!'

I hear a familiar groan before a large figure plops down next to me, 'You've got your Santa hat on which only means one thing.'

'Secret Santa!' The pink haired girl squeals, 'And this year, we get to add an extra name to the hat!'

I watch as Sammy awkwardly walks over towards us all, his cheeks flushing when he realises that the only empty spot is next too Toby.

'So, you guys do this every year?'

Scarlett nods proudly, 'We do, I love it! One of my favourite activities is actually gift-giving.'

Toby nods in agreement, 'She's really fucking good at it too.'

Her cheeks blush slightly, 'I really, am! I'm kind of hoping I get you Autie, it's our first Christmas as friends!'

Lucas turns to me with a smirk on his face, 'I've just got a feeling, you are really shit at picking out gifts.'

I narrow my eyes before scoffing, 'Yeah, like you would be any good at it, you probably just give people a pack of cigarettes.'

He shrugs, 'Well, we will have to see, won't we?'

Scarlett grabs small, folded pieces of papers out of her pocket, she takes off her hat before putting them all inside and shaking it around, 'The rules are you can't get yourself, if you get your own name, you have to go again. And you can NOT, I repeat NOT, tell anyone who you got!'

'When do we exchange gifts?'

Sammy speaks up, 'We usually do it at Toby's Christmas Eve party before anyone gets there.'

'Now, I only think it's fair that our lovely newcomer, gets to go first!' Scarlett says as she shoves the hat an inch away from my face.

I blink, 'Thanks Scar.'

I bit my lips before I rummage around the hat picking out a piece of paper, I hide it underneath the table as I glance on it. Written in cursive, with sparkly pink gel pen, read the name:

Sammy

I try my best not to automatically look at him as I snap my head back up, I glance around the room awkwardly.

'You want to look at the person you've got, don't you?' 

I roll my eyes at the boy sat next to me, 'No, I don't dumbass.'

'Yes, you do.'

'You really irritate me.'

He laughs, his laughter causing a warmth in my stomach, 'No, I don't princess. You love me, admit it.'

'I'd rather drop dead.'

'I'll carry your casket.'

I laugh slightly, 'Thanks, I really appreciate it.'

I watch as one by one everyone picks out a name, I try and study their faces to see if I can figure out who has my name. But it was useless all their expressions were stone-cold.

Scarlett claps excitedly, 'So, we all have our names, I love this tradition so much!'

Toby turns to look at her warmly, 'And we love you for organising it every year.'