Flipped Into Place

Secret Santa

Juli's POV:

The end of year events were here. This is a new week and also the last of school year. The Principal announced that since there were no classes taking place, each day would be cut short. We would be dismissed at 1:30 instead of the usual 4:00.

Monday, all students, were told by our class advisors before they went back to the meeting, to write our names and wants, (so we won't have a problem) drop them in a box and randomly pick someone out of the box for Secret Santa. It had to be inside per grade so I didn't have to worry about picking a senior which would be very awkward. Our advisor also said that the maximum price of the gift must only be up to $10, since it was just a friendly exchange gift.

I wrote down my name and what I wanted to get. Hair accessories like a hair tie or a headband since I loved styling my long brown hair.

I dropped the piece of paper in the box.

I crossed my fingers, hoping I'd get Bryce, maybe even Dana or Daven.

Nope, I got Kenny Bentons from my History class.

Bryce and I were sitting next to each other on the floor of our Math classroom, since the tables and chairs are moved to the corners already, along with our other classmates.

"Who did you get?" Bryce asked me after he took a peek of his.

"Shouldn't the Secret Santa be an actual..
Secret? I mean, duh that's basically the whole reason for this," I said and laughed.

"Right you are but we did promise no secrecy in this relationship, didn't we?" he said as if it was an unbreakable vow.

"Nope, I don't remember that promise ever taking place," I played hard to get to.

"Okay then let's do it now."

"Do what?"

"The promise. To never let secrets drift us apart. I mean, we do trust each other with our lives don't we?" he was so cute.
I nodded.

He then stood up and held out his hand. He pulled me up and led me to the back of the classroom.

He sat me down before he did.

He faced me. With one hand, he locked his fingers in mine and raised them up close to our faces, blocking up until our noses.

He looked into my eyes before saying, "I, Bryce Loski, promise to never keep a secret to my girlfriend, Julianna Baker. I swear to understand her as much as possible, and never leave her side no matter what."

I smiled as he lightly twisted our hands for mine to face him and kissed it.

I loved the fact that he didn't promise to love me, but to understand me and be with me even in my darkest hours. That alone brings love. I understood the fact that he meant that he would love me for me.

Now it was my turn.

"I, Juli Baker, promise to never hide secrets to my boyfriend, Bryce Loski, and to give him my full trust. I swear that I will stay by his side and always choose him."

He smiled. Then I twisted our hands for his to face me and kissed it too.

"Promise," he said before kissing it longer, looking at me. Waiting for me to do it too.

"Promise," I said before kissing it too.

It was our pinky promise.

"Done. Now, tell me you're my Secret Santa," he said excitedly.

"I wish. I got Bentons. Kenny Bentons."

"Darn! Well, I wasn't lucky enough to get you either. I got Carrie Martina. Oh well," he shrugged.

I looked at the small piece of paper and it read, 'Hey! I am Kenny Bentons. What I love to receive for Christmas is a pair of Half-Finger Biking Glove.'

"What did Carrie want?" I asked.

"A pinky shade of lip gloss. Huh. I don't know a single thing about lip gloss. Aren't they the same with lipstick? Or what about that lip tint? And what's the lip balm?"

"Lipstick is like the actual make-up. Lip gloss is to make your lips glossy, hence the name. Lip tint is to just add shade to your lips. Lip balm is what you apply on chapped lips. Got it?" I explained, and giggled.

"That's just so confusing. Aren't they all the same?" he scratched his head.

I let out a little laugh as I shook my head no.

"I know what you mean though. Why do you need gloves for biking? And what did he mean for a Half Finger?"

"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you help me shop Carrie's and I'll help you with Kenny's."

"Great! Let's invite the others to come along. Maybe they need help with their gifts too."

Later during lunch, we met up with Daven and Dana.

"Hiya you two lovebirds!" said Daven as they approached us.

As we ate, I told them what we had in mind for later afternoon. We agreed to go home and get changed first before going to the mall.

"Meeting place in the Retro Cafe, at 2:15. Sound good?" I said and they all agreed

As the bell rang for dismissal at 1:30, we went straight home.

Bryce and I parted ways at the middle of the road, across our houses.

My household was empty. My brothers were out and my parents still at work.

I quickly changed into my fitted shirt, tucked in my tight jeans and figured I'd threw in Bryce's varsity jacket before I left. I knew it'd be cold in the mall. I put my hair up high in a messy bun. I still had my earings on so I took my necklace and wore it.

I applied powder on my face and glossy lip gloss. It looked like I had make up on but a natural look. I never liked make up as much as the next person but I use them on occasions.

I looked at the mirror. Good to go.

I grabbed a little sling bag and filled it up with my wallet containing my egg pocket money, a pack of tissue, comb and powder. I brought $30 with me in case we'd eat.

I heard someone pound on my window. I jumped in a shock.

"You scared me!" I frantically said before sliding my window open.

He sat in my windowsill, laughing. Unbelievable.

"You're helping me arrange my bed!" I still had to arrange my bed since I woke up late this morning and didn't get the chance to.

He went in with a smile on his face.

"What?"

"You look cute when you're mad," he winked.

I blushed lightly before saying, "I know. Now get over here."

I went to one corner and he took the other. I fixed the mattress in its place and Bryce arranged my pillows. Then we both lifted my heavy comforter and nicely smoothed it out on my bed. Bryce sat down at its foot while I put on his jacket which was on a hanger a while ago.

He scratched his head with a smile.

"What now?" I said sarcastically.

"You're rocking my jacket," he smiled before wearing a serious face and said, "Keep it on, it says you're a taken property," he then got up and took my little bag.

See? What did I tell ya?

Boyfriend material.

We went out the door. As I locked it, Bryce went to my garage and took my bike since we decided to ride to town instead. He took my bike out on the side of the road beside the fence.

He placed my bag in my basket. I got down the few steps and out the front yard. His own bike was already out, leaning on my fence.

As I got on my bike, Bryce rode his and I saw him glance over across his house, waving at Chet by the window.

I did too and I saw him smile back.

Then, we set off for the mall. I bet Dana and Daven were already waiting at the Cafe.