Secret Santa

Chapter 1

It was December 22nd and all of Paris was getting ready for the holidays. The city was covered in a thin layer of snow and it was cloudy outside, but luckily Marinette remembered to dress warmer. Even though it was cold, Marinette was happy. She loved the snow and was looking forward to the holidays.

"Okay class." Ms. Bustier announced. "I'm going to stop the lesson early so we can talk about the holidays."

Everyone quickly packed away their textbooks, happy to hear more about the season.

"So class, does anyone have any ideas of what we should do to celebrate?"

"Oh." Alix shouted, raising her hand.

"Yes, Alix."

"We should go ice skating." Alix suggested. "I'm the best ice skater here and I would love to show everyone my skills."

"You couldn't be better than me." Kim challenged.

"Is that a challenge?" Alix asked, walking over to Kim and slamming her hand on the desk.

"Yes." Kim grinned.

"You're on!"

Everyone started to take sides and cheer for them and their competition.

"Okay, okay." Ms. Bustier said, calming the class down. "Does anyone else have an idea?"

"I have one." Alya announced, shooting her hand up.

"What do you have in mind, Alya?" Ms. Bustier asked, leaning back on her desk.

"We should do a Secret Santa thing." Alya smiled. "You know . . . we each draw a name out of a hat or bag and we get that person a gift without telling them who we are."

Everyone smiled at the idea and started to murmur.

"That's a great idea, Alya." Ms. Bustier said. "Is everyone okay with a Secret Santa?"

Everyone continued to murmur, but nodded their heads.

"Okay than it's settled. We'll do a Secret Santa."

"Ms. Bustier!" Chloe shouted, raising her hand. "My daddy told me to tell everyone that we're having a Christmas party at our hotel on Christmas Eve. And unfortunately everyone here is invited."

"Thank you Chloe." Ms. Bustier said, turning back to the class. "How about you guys give your Secret Santa their present before the party and then at the party, you'll reveal your Secret Santa identity?"

"Remember. You don't have to come." Chloe remarked. "You can always stay home and do something else."

Like usual, everyone just shrugged their shoulders and nodded.

"Then it's settled." Ms. Bustier said, sitting down at her desk.

Ms. Bustier started writing everyone's names down on small pieces of paper and placed them all in a brown bag.

"Okay, Alya." Ms. Bustier called. "Since it was your idea, you get to pick first."

Alya jumped up from her seat and ran up to Ms. Bustier's desk. She closed her eyes and reached inside the bag. She pulled out a folded piece of paper and looked down to read it. She ran back to her seat as Ms. Bustier told Chloe to come up and pick a name.

"So who'd you get?" Marinette whispered to Alya.

"You know it's SECRET Santa." Alya said, giving Marinette a look. "But I'll tell you anyway since I didn't get you." Alya smiled. "I got Alix." She whispered.