Book Club

-TWELVE-

FLORA'S POV

It's been over a month since the Halloween party. I still haven't found out who the mystery person way but Celia agreed to help me find out.

I've been looking for clues or signs but so far I have nothing. The only boy in our entire school that will talk to me is Danny. Besides Eliot who seems to only have eyes for Chloe.

I'm torn. My feelings for Danny keep strong stronger and my curiosity over the party is killing me. I can't sleep at night and I can focus during the day.

I've decided to ignore all these thoughts and feelings and put all my energy into something else. Maybe that'll help me relax.

"Does everyone celebrate Christmas?" I ask everyone once we've got all our drinks at Starbucks.

"No. I'm Jewish." Eliot says and I bite my lip.

"Would it bother you if we did secret Santa?" I ask him nicely.

"Santa is not at all related to the real Christian holiday and is simply a fake -and might I add creepy - character created by parents who like to lie to their children." Celia snaps. She's been in a weird mood since the party.

"Ok..." I don't know what to respond to that. "I'm sorry if I offended you?"

She scoffs. "I'm an atheist."

"No one cares Celia." Danny mumbles, taking a sip from his drink.

"Fuck off Daniel." She responds. I don't know what's gotten into her lately.

"Okay enough. Yes or no to secret Santa?" I ask, hoping to get everyone back on topic.

"Yes." Eliot says and Chloe nods her head, she hasn't said a word since we got here.

"Sure." Danny agrees and Celia just shrugs to show she doesn't care.

"Great!" I clap my hands together with excitement. "I brought some paper. Write your name on it with three things you want and put it in this bag." I explain and pass out the slips of paper.

"And write your name." I add when I see Celia and Danny smirking. Celia groans.

I write my name down and put the items Starbucks card, book, and cat underneath it. I fold up paper and toss it into the bag.

They hand me their papers and I put them in the bag. I check Celia's to make sure she actually put her name. I see instead that's she's drawn a stick person with a name tag that says Celia. Her stick person is holding a gun in one hand with the word nerf scribbled on it and a dog in the other hand. They're wearing a tøp shirt and sticking their tongue out.

"Very creative Celia. You get an A for art skills." I say and she bows in her seat.

"I try."

I shake the bag until I'm sure that the papers are all mixed. I close my eyes and pick out a slip of paper.

Danny.

My heart beats faster and I try to keep a neutral facial expression so I won't give it away. Though I'm sure Celia already knows it's Danny by the way I blushed immediately.