My Secret Santa ~ Chapter 2

The next day, I was really excited. I was practically bouncing off the walls. Literally. My friends were trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with me, but they had no clue. I wanted to tell them so bad, but I figured I shouldn't since I didn't want to make them feel bad about not getting anything.

I tried avoiding their questions all day, but it was really hard since they asked me every chance they got.

"OH! MY! GOD! BUNNY! Just tell us already!" My friend Danielle exclaimed, annoyed, while we were at lunch. "Why won't you tell us? Is it like, really bad? OhEmGee! Is it about me? You'd better tell me right now then."

I giggled and blushed. "Nooo, it's not about you. It's just...I don't know..." I ran a hand through my feathery auburn hair.

Suddenly Dani's eyes widened as large as a doe's and she gasped, then squealed, "It's about a guy isn't it!"

This took me by surprise and I couldn't speak. Dani smiled triumphantly and giggled. I tried to defend myself. "No, it's not about a guy. I mean it could be, I don't know yet but..." I thought about the gift. No guy could be that romantic, right? It had to be one of my friends. Could it even be Dani? I wondered.

Dani looked baffled. "How can you not know what it's about? Ahhh, I'm so confuuused!" She held her head in her hands as if giving up.

To say at the least, I was glad she stopped asking questions. I was pretty tired from being interrogated all day. Plus I had the Secret Santa thing on my mind. And on top of all things I had to worry about, was Brett.

Brett was one of the most popular guys in school, and he had his eyes on me since day one of Freshman year. Of course, like most popular guys, he was handsome, sporty, funny, and basically total boyfriend material. But the problem was, I just wasn't interested.

Now, don't get me wrong, I liked Brett. We could talk for hours on the phone and never run out of stuff to talk about, but he was just a good friend. Sometimes I wished I could like him like he liked me. But I just didn't feel the same way. Plus I liked another guy.

The guy I liked was very mysterious. He was a very quiet person, and very seldom spoke. But when he did speak, he spoke very intelligently and thoughtfully. This is what I admired most in him- he was a very deep person. I only had one class with him, so I didn't get to see him often, but when I did see him it made me really happy.

I've never actually talked to him before, so there wasn't a very good chance that he liked me too. Not that I didn't want to talk to him, but I just never got the chance to- or knew how. How can you start a conversation with someone so intelligent and mature for his age?

There was also a third guy I didn't mention. His name was Malcolm. Malcolm was kind of a nerd, and not liked by others that much. The first time I met him, I thought he was gay. But apparently he wasn't, and he liked me a lot. He said that I was the prettiest, smartest, girl he'd ever met. Now, before you think that's sweet, consider this. When he confessed he liked me and asked if I felt the same way, I said no. But apparently he didn't take no for an answer.

He started saying that I was his girlfriend, and that I was obsessed with him. Then he said he had to break up with me because I was so obsessive.

He just wouldn't believe me when I said I didn't like him, and spread rumors about 'what we did together.' I NEVER did anything with him. Of course no one believed him thank God. But it was still the most embarrassing week of my life. Everyone felt sorry for me. I don't talk to him anymore.

I pondered these things and who could be my Secret Santa as I sat down in my 7th Period Physical Science seat. I pretended to study my notes while Brett walked over to my desk.

Go away, I silently prayed. Go away, go away, go away, go away. But he still came over, kneeled on the floor, and rested his arms on my desk.

"Sup?" he greeted casually, his sky blue eyes exploring mine. I gestured towards the notebook. "Ahh, I see. Such fun." I nodded. This was one reason I didn't like Brett. He didn't take education as seriously as I did.

He noticed I wasn't in the mood to talk so he didn't say anything. But he was still leaning on my desk when the bell rang.

"Mr. Brett I suggest you get to your seat before you receive a detention," Ms. Kraft scolded him while looking at me as if to say 'No PDAs allowed.' Ugh. I hated when teachers thought we were going out. But Brett didn't choose to be defiant today so he swiftly got up, winked at me and grinned, then shuffled over to his seat.

Science was torture. It always was. I already knew the material, since I was studying it a few minutes ago, and Science just bugged me. All the equations and random signs just reminded me of Math- my worst subject.

But soon enough, class was out, and we were free. My stomach had butterflies as I raced to get my stuff packed up, and rushed to the courtyard.

It was bitterly cold that day and some snowflakes were starting to gracefully fall. I looked all around as to where my gift would be. Suddenly, a burst of white from the rose bushes, and I only got a glimpse of what it was before it disappeared into the air.

Two white doves and the partridge from yesterday flew out into the sliver sky, quickly racing away. I watched them until they were only dots of white, scattered among the falling crystals.