: the one when lisa is finally jennie's secret santa
.....
"alright now, settle back into your seats!"
lisa could register her class adviser's growing voice mixed with the buzzing noise coming from her chaotic classmates rummaging back to their seats, like what ms. dara ordered. everyone is either whispering to their best friends or squealing in the midst of the chaos or just like her, who's already seated back into her seat, silently staring at the small folded paper clenched into her right hand. as the seconds grow, her anticipation doubles. her heart is starting to pace its beating, looking sharply at the thin paper, miracolously hoping she actually has laser eyes that could sneak a peek at what's written on the paper-- rather, who.
well, right now, she can practically be the only obedient student who waits for ms. dara to officially announce that they can all open the small papers already... because she's nervous. very nervous, on what or rather who's name is written on that slowly crumpled piece of paper she's holding.
"looks like everyone couldn't wait. i said we'll open the papers we picked all together, but oh well, you little ones are that stubborn so..."
the whole classroom laughed as ms. dara added a smirk on her little speech.
"so now that we've officially known the names written on the papers we picked, you as little secret santas are now responsible to give the perfect gift to your naughty... or nice mañanitos and mañanitas. (a/n: i honestly don't know what else to call the people you give gifts to, so excuse my filipino ass 😂)
"remember, no spilling on who's who, it'll ruin the surprise kids. we'll all know our secret santas soon." ms. dara pointed her finger then winked. "i have already reserved a space on the bulletin board for everyone to write their wishlist for their secret santas, so go ahead kids."
but on the far right corner of the room is someone named lalisa manoban that is still seated on her seat, staring at the same folded, crumpled paper that's supposed to be opened minutes ago.
honestly, she couldn't get herself to open it. she's absolutely nervous. probably too nervous to find out that she's failed again, she wishes for her luck every year. and in her last year in junior high, she wishes that this time, luck is finally on her side.
this is my only chance to talk to her, to even get near her. her thoughts said.
she finally closed her eyes and breathed deeply, she's now ready to open the paper. it would be a lie if she says she's not expecting for the best, because damn right, she is.
please be her. please... she prayed under her breath.
the seconds seemed longer than usual as her trembling hands started to open the folded paper. it's like her breathing stopped at the momentum. and as her eyes are shut close in the being, the brown haired wished for exactly what she wants for the last time on the very last second.
and when she opened her eyes and its sight darted on the opened paper with the two words written on the middle, lisa's world seemed to stop.
her heart beats faster.
her mind started to spin around her head.
is this for real?
i'm not dreaming, am i?
she immediately blinked twice, not believing what she's seeing on the paper.
jennie kim
her breath hitched. she shakes her head. she pulled the paper closer to her face, making sure she read what's written on the paper right.
