The Christmas 🎄

In a sleepy little town nestled between snow‑capped mountains, winter had draped everything in white. It was late at night, and the frosty air whispered through the pines as Elina sat curled up under a blanket, wrapping paper scattered around her like fallen leaves. She wasn’t crafting a birthday gift—no, this was something _bigger_. Tomorrow was Christmas, and her school had organized a Secret Santa exchange… and she’d drawn _her_ best friend’s name. She smiled to herself, imagining the look on her friend’s face when she opened the carefully chosen gift. What would it be? A cozy scarf? A book she’d been eyeing? A tiny snow globe? Elina had spent weeks browsing stores, hunting for that perfect thing that said, “I know you.” But here’s the twist: the rules were strict. Nobody was allowed to reveal whose name they’d pulled—not even to the recipient. Only the principal knew the matches. So while Elina dreamed of her friend’s delighted squeal, she had no clue what _she_ would be receiving in return. Would it be something funny? Sentimental? Wildly impractical? She grinned, tucking the wrapped present under her pillow. “Merry Christmas, Secret Santa,” she whispered, already imagining the magic that tomorrow would bring. —