Chapter Three: Secret Santa Chaos
753 Words
Julia stared at the sign-up sheet taped to the classroom door, her pencil hovering nervously above the blank line. Secret Santa. The idea made her stomach twist. Every year, she ended up spilling something, tripping over decorations, or forgetting the gift entirely. She’d sworn off holiday events years ago, but this year, she had no choice
“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” said a cheerful voice. Julia looked up to see Liam leaning against the wall, hands shoved into his jacket pockets
“Easy for you to say. You’re always… everywhere,” Julia muttered, biting her lip
“Everywhere?” he raised an eyebrow, smiling. “You mean saving you from disaster every five minutes?”
Julia groaned but couldn’t stop a small laugh. “Maybe. It’s exhausting being me”
“Then I volunteer as tribute,” Liam said dramatically, bowing slightly. “I’ll make sure you survive Secret Santa unscathed”
Julia rolled her eyes but scribbled her name on the sheet. “Fine, but don’t get your hopes up. I’m a walking calamity”
Later that week, the classroom buzzed with holiday energy. Lights twinkled, paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling, and students whispered excitedly about who their Secret Santa might be. Julia clutched the small gift she had carefully wrapped, convinced it was already destined to go wrong
As the exchange began, chaos erupted immediately. A student sneezed near the display table, sending a small cascade of ornaments onto the floor. Julia’s hands flew to catch a rolling snow globe, nearly dropping her own gift
“Need a hand?” Liam appeared beside her, steadying both the globe and her package
Julia blinked, cheeks warming. “You’re everywhere today,” she said, exasperated but secretly grateful
“Or maybe it’s just fate,” he said with a playful smirk. “Or that thing in your pocket,” he added, nodding toward her sweater
Julia’s hand instinctively touched the charm. “I’m pretty sure it’s just a charm,” she muttered, feeling it pulse softly
One by one, students handed out their gifts. When it came time for Julia, she awkwardly approached her recipient, tripping slightly on the edge of the rug. Liam’s hand shot out, steadying her once again
“See?” he whispered. “Survived another disaster”
Julia flushed but managed a small smile. “Thanks… I guess I’m lucky today”
Then it was her turn to receive a gift. She opened a small, neatly wrapped box and gasped. Inside was a miniature snow globe with a tiny couple skating under twinkling lights. A note read: “For the girl who deserves a little magic this holiday”
Her eyes widened. She looked up, heart thumping. Liam was standing a few feet away, giving her a shy smile
“You—this is… you?” she stammered
“Maybe,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Maybe it’s from someone who knows a little about magic, luck, and surviving chaos”
Julia felt her cheeks burn. The charm in her pocket felt warmer than ever. She glanced at Liam, really looked at him, and felt a flutter she couldn’t explain
The rest of the exchange passed in a blur of laughter, teasing, and playful mishaps. Julia spilled cocoa on a table, and Liam was there to help clean it up. She tripped over a chair leg and he steadied her again. Each time, the charm seemed to hum softly, and Julia began to wonder if it wasn’t the charm or Liam—it was something in the space between them
By the end of the day, Julia left the classroom with a smile she hadn’t felt in a long time. Liam walked beside her through the snowy courtyard, carrying his backpack and a mischievous grin
“So,” he said casually, nudging her with his shoulder, “think the magic is real, or is this just my flawless timing?”
Julia laughed, bumping him back lightly. “Maybe a little of both. Or maybe…” she hesitated, feeling her fingers brush the charm again, “maybe this year, luck is finally on my side”
Liam’s grin widened, and for the first time, Julia didn’t feel unlucky, clumsy, or doomed. She felt warm, light, and a little bit magical
And as they walked through the snowy streets together, Julia realized something important: maybe bad luck wasn’t permanent. Maybe magic—and love—was just waiting for the right moment
- Writer
