Nathanael opened the slip of paper he had took from the jar. A blush blossomed over his face when he read the name.
"So who'd you get?" Alix asked.
Nathanael looked up and saw everyone staring at him with curious looks he folded the slip of paper shielding it from eyesight
"Alix, you can't know it's called secret santa not everyone knows santa!" Alya chided her but Nathanael could see a curious twinkle in her eyes showing she obviously wanted to know.
"Eugh you're no fun Alya!" Alix complained making the whole class laugh.
Alya glared at Alix before shaking the jar.
"Right! Juleka it's your turn!" She held the jar out to Juleka.
"Oh I hope she gets me!" Rose chirped. Juleka giggled.
Nathanael took a step away from the crowd of classmates and looked again at the slip of paper reading the neat joint handwriting again.
Lila Rossi
'I got Lila! I can't believe it! But what am I going to get her?' While Nathanael was thinking this he didn't hear of notice Lila sneaking up behind him.
"So who did you get?" Lila asked loudly when she was right behind Nathanael shocking him.
Nathanael jumped and quickly stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket. Lila giggled "you still are so easy to scare"
Nathanael spun round to face her with an annoyed look. Lila just smiled.
"So come on, spill it out! Who did you get?" Lila asked, green eyes sparkling excitedly.
Nathanael blushed "your not allowed to know"
"Aw! Why not?" Lila asked.
"Because it's secret Santa and you'll end up accidentally telling everyone" Nathanael said, secretly wishing for her to give up trying to find out.
"Will not!" Lila argued but when she saw the stubborn look on Nathanael's face she sighed and pouted "fine, but I'm not gonna tell you who I got!"
"That's fine by me" Nathanael said.
Lila gave Nathanael a hard stare making him feel a little anxious "your acting weirder than usual" she commented. Nathanael shook his head. She gave a sigh and finally stopped glaring at him and said "well I'm gonna find out who Rose and Juleka got so see you later"
"Ok" Nathanael said as she walked off towards Rose and Juleka.
Once she was gone he began his inner panic again. 'Shit! What am I going to get her?' he pushed his hair back only for it fall over his eye again. 'what are you supposed to get for your best friend who is also your crush?'
"What are you panicking about?" A voice said breaking into his thoughts.
He gasped and turned to see Alix staring at him with both concern and also a bit of 'why is he so weird?'
Nathanael sighed "it's nothing"
Alix rose an eyebrow at that "Nathanael I've known you since we were five years old I think I know you're panicked face"
"I know that...if I remember correctly you were the one who hit me in the face with an apple when we were five" Nathanael said dryily.
Alix started laughing "oh yeah that did happen...I think I was aiming for Ivan but yeah you got in the way...you also wouldn't stop crying!"
Nathanael rolled his eyes at that comment.
"Anyway come on what's the matter?" Alix asked.
Nathanael shook his head "it's nothing I swear"
Alix sighed "fine be that way" she was about to turn and go when Nathanael called out
"Wait!"
She stopped and gave him a curious look.
Nathanael looked at the ground while asking "um you're a girl, right"
Alix smirked "yes, I was last time I checked"
Nathanael glanced back up "so um if you were to ask someone for a gift um what would you like?"
Alix's smirk grew wider "oh I see what's going on"
Nathanael eyes widen with anxiety and he gulped "you do?"
Alix nodded "yep" she smirked mischievously "you have a crush on me!" She teased.
Nathanael's face when red with both embarrassment and annoyance "I do not!"
Alix started laughing "I'm joking Nath!"
Nathanael glared.
Alix took a breath to calm herself from the laughter "So you don't have a crush on me but you do have a crush on someone else and you got them in the secret santa didn't you?"
Nathanael made no comment but looked away from Alix's direct gaze upon him confirming her suspicions.
"Hmm then I wonder who?" She muttered "is it Marinette?" She asked.
Nathanael shook his head and Alix knew he was telling the truth.
She scanned her eyes over the classmates consideing who it could be when her eyes fell on Lila who was talking with Rose and Juleka. She smirked.
When Nathanael saw that smirk he gulped anxious to hear who she thought it was.
"It's Lila isn't it!" She exclaimed.
"Shhh! Keep your voice down!" Nathanael said glancing over at Lila in panic.
Alix started to laugh "I knew it!"
Nathanael blushed and looked sadly at the ground "so you gonna tell everyone now?"
"Of course not!" Alix assured him "I'm not Chloe now am I?"
Nathanael gave a small smile "no...thank goodness"
Alix smiled "so you need ideas for what to get Lila and it needs to be good as she's your crush"
Nathanael nodded.
Alix eyes glazed over as she stared at the ground in thought
"What about... jewellery?"
Nathanael shook his head "not good enough"
Alix sighed and went back into thought "umm...Books?"
"She already has too many her bookcase is near bursting" Nathanael said.
Alix nodded "I'm sure she would disagree but okay….how about…clothes?"
Nathanael sighed "I'm not fuelling her clothes addiction anymore than she already is"
Alix rose an eyebrow "clothes addiction?"
Nathanael nodded "yes she's a shopaholic, she has to buy new clothes everyday and sometimes she'll buy the same thing in heaps of times but in different colours. She also doesn't listen to me when I tell her that's just stupid"
Alix laughed "glad it's not me... though I do have an obsession with buying sneakers"
"Anymore ideas?" Nathanael asked.
Alix glared "why do I have to do all the thinking? Maybe you should try!"
Nathanael sighed "it's kinda hard to think of gift ideas for a girl who has everything!"
Alix let an exaggerated sigh "ugh fine, just get chocolate!"
"No! That's too cliché!" Nathanael exclaimed.
"Nothing is ever good enough for you!" Alix complained.
"It has to be perfect for Lila" Nathanael said.
"What has to be perfect for Lila?"
Both Alix and Nathanael jumped in shocked. A pair of sky blue eyes looked at them.
"Ahh! N-Nothing! I d-didn't even say L-Lila! Right Alix?" Nathanael stumbled over his words in a panic.
Rose tilted her head to side confused and concerned for Nathanael.
Alix sighed "Nathanael got Lila in the secret Santa thing and he also has a crush on her and he needs to get her a gift but apparently is nothing is good enough for her"
Nathanael glared at Alix and hissed "traitor"
She rolled her eyes.
Rose clapped her hands gently "oh this is wonderful Nathanael!"
"I-it is?" Nathanael asked, rising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Yes of course! I'll help you of course to convey your feelings if love to Lila!" Rose said with sparkling eyes.
Nathanael blushed while Alix sniggered.
"We don't need to go that far, Rose! Nathanael chuckled anxiously.
"We do! Now straight after school I'm taking you shopping... Juleka will distract Lila and Alix you may come with us if you want?"
"thanks but I actually have a life so I'm staying as far away from this disaster as possible" then she quickly walked away.
"Oh. Okay, looks like it's just you and me Nathanael! It'll be such fun!" Rose smiled excitedly.
Nathanael wondered if there was any hidden cameras watching them because right now he felt like looking in one like they did in the office.
Nathanael and Rose were currently in the main shopping centre of Paris. Nathanael was still having bad luck trying to pick a present for Lila.
"What things does Lila like?" Rose asked, her eyes scanning over the shops goods.
"She likes...foxes, the colour red and old time movies.
"Really? I never knew Lila liked black and white movies" Rose said.
Nathanael nodded "Yeah you wouldn't think it but she does"
They began walking on down the shop.
"What about this?" Rose asked pointing to a fox mug.
Nathanael stared at for a second before shaking his head. "no...it doesn't seem good enough"
Rose pouted for a second before fixing a smile back on her face undeterred from her mission to help Nathanael.
"Okay, maybe the perfect present isn't in here...let's try the shop next door!" Rose grabbed Nathanael's sleeve and pulled him down through the aisles and out the door.
The shop next door was a jewelry and accessories shop. Rose skipped into it excited to see the jewellery while Nathanael trailed behind looking fed up.
"Ohhh this one's pretty!" Rose said, holding a bracelet gently in her hand. The heart shaped emeralds on it sparkled in the light.
"Do you think Lila would like this?" she asked.
"Maybe…but don't you think it may be a bit too much?" Nathanael asked anxiously.
"Don't worry Nathanael I'm sure there's something better than this for her!" Rose said encouragingly. "Now I'm gonna get this one" she put down the emerald bracelet and picked up a golden topaz bracelet "for mylene...I got her for secret Santa by the way"
Nathanael chuckled "I was kind of guessing that"
Rose smiled "wait there I'll only be a second"
Nathanael stepped to the side out of shoppers way while he waited for Rose.
When he saw Kim and Max entered the shop. They also noticed him.
"Hey, Nathanael what are you doing here?" Kim asked.
"Obviously he must be getting a present for whoever he got in secret santa, the same as you, Kim" Max said, fixing his glasses by pushing them back towards his eyes.
Nathanael nodded "yeah I am...who did you get for secret santa?"
Kim smirked "Alix"
Nathanael rose an eyebrow in confusion "you got Alix?"
Kim nodded while Max smirked know what Nathanael would say next.
"And you thought jewellery would be a good gift for Alix"
A look of doubt passed over Kim's face.
"I said the same thing he didn't listen" Max said.
"Well, it's hard getting a gift for a girl! There so picky!" Kim exclaimed.
"for once I actually agree with you, Kim" Nathanael said with a sigh.
Kim looked happy to hear that "finally someone understands"
"Why? Who did you get?" Max asked.
A small blush spread over Nathanael's face "Lila" he answered.
"I see and you have a crush on Lila don't you?" Max said with a nod.
"Wait he does?" Kim asked looking between the two boys confused.
Nathanael's face went as red as his hair "what?! No! Of course not!"
Then Rose came up to the group "Hello Kim and Max" then she saw Nathanael looking like he was going to faint.
"Nath, are you ok?" She asked worryingly.
Nathanael shakily nodded "Uh yeah I'm totally fine!"
"We found out he has a crush on Lila...well Max already knew but he never told me" Kim said.
"Boys! Stop teasing nathanael!" Rose said.
"We're not!" Both said defiantly.
Rose glared at them "Well, it's none of your business who Nath has a crush on...or doesn't! Also your not to tell anyone do you hear that Kim?!"
"Why just me?" Kim exclaimed
"Because your the biggest gossip in the class" Rose said.
Max laughed while Kim rolled his eyes.
"Now are you ok Nathanael?" Rose asked turning a concerned gaze on Nathanael.
Nathanael gave her a small smile "yeah, thanks Rose"
"Anyway we better get going I need to get Ivan something" Max said. Him and Kim walked back out of the shop.
Rose turned to Nathanael "So where to next?"
Nathanael smiled "actually Rose I've had a better idea of what to give Lila"
Rose smiled excitedly "what?"
Nathanael shyly told Rose his idea. She nodded and bounced on her toes happily "wow that's a great idea, Nath!"
Nathanael blushed humbly "I'm glad you think so...I hope Lila thinks so too"
"Oh I'm sure she will" Rose said.
Nathanael got all the supplies he needed and started to make Lila's present. He got out his green, white and red paint and started to make smooth brush strokes over it.
Finally he when he finished all he needed to do, he got his wrapping paper and wrapped it up, securing it with sellotape and a golden ribbon tied in a bow and lastly adding a tag that said to Lila.
Nathanael gave a sigh of relief now he was done "I hope she likes it" he said out loud to no one in particular.
Then he went to push his hair out of the way forgetting his hands were still covered in paint. He felt the paint smear over his face he gave a loud sigh of annoyance 'shit... better go wash it off'
The day of present giving arrived. Everyone sat in class waiting excitedly to see what they got. Nathanael was waiting nervously to see Lila's reaction to his gift.
Alya took out the box, she had been keeping everyone's gifts, from the store room. Handing it over to Miss Bustier before walking back to her seat.
Miss Bustier sat the box down on her desk and looked at the class with an excited smile "okay, class so now is the time to get your gifts! Now remember I don't want any rudeness towards each other"
The class nodded. If anyone was going to be rude it would be Chloe but seeing as Adrien had got her gift it would be unlikely of that happening.
Miss Bustier picked up the box again and went around delivering each present to each classmate.
Nathanael gulped when Lila took hers from Miss Bustiers hand with a smile and a quiet thank you.
Then Nathanael was handed his present it was wrapped in green and red paper and tied with a white bow. He checked the tag and saw the swirled writing spelling his name he knew instantly it was Juleka's writing.
"So Nathanael you going to open your gift?" Lila asked, sitting beside him.
He looked and saw she had yet to open hers. He wondered if she had noticed it was his writing on the tag. He said nothing.
"You haven't open yours yet either" He said.
Lila giggled "nope, I want us to open the gifts at the same time, it's more fun that way!"
Nathanael smiled "okay, let's open them!"
Lila recklessly ripped the paper open while Nathanael opened his a more neater and slower way.
Lila gasped in delight when she saw her gift. "Wow! This is amazing!" she held the wooden photo frame in her hands. Nathanael had painted it to look like the Italian flag. She gasped again when she saw the drawing inside.
It was a drawing of her. She knew instantly who this gift was from she glanced at the tag that had her name on it and nodded when she saw the writing. 'that explains why he was acting so weird that day I asked him who he got'
"Nathanael this is amazing, thank you!" Lila said with smile.
Nathanael looked at Lila in shock a blush spreading over his cheeks "W-why are you thanking me?"
"I know you're the one who got it, who else has such amazing drawing skills" Lila giggled.
Nathanael ducked his head bashfully but a small smile was on his face "umm well there's no point me lying…" he muttered.
Lila shook her head before glancing at Nathanael's gifts "what did you get"
Nathanael looked up and smiled "oh, Juleka got me some art supplies"
"How'd you know it's Juleka" Lila asked.
"I know her writing" Nathanael said.
Lila nodded. Then Rose came skipping over "Lila! Thank you for the gift!" she hugged the pink teddy alpaca to her chest
Lila smiled "How'd you know it was me?"
"Juleka told me" Rose giggled and then said with sparkling eyes "anyway thank you again I'm going to call him sir lovesalot"
Lila and Nathanael smiled at that. "Sounds lovely" Lila said. Rose nodded before skipping back over to Juleka.
Then the bell rang for the end of class all the students started to rush out the door excited to go home for the Christmas holidays.
Before Nathanael could walk out the door Lila gently grabbing his arm "wait Nathanael!"
He stopped and looked at her. "Is something wrong?"
She shook her head a blush in her face "no I just wanted to thank you properly for the gift it was really sweet of you"
Before Nathanael could tell her it was no problem. Lila pressed her lips slowly but determinedly on his cheek. Nathanael felt a small gasp at the base of his throat. He feel himself getting hotter as a blush appeared, the same colour as his hair. The kiss ended as as quick as it had happened.
"Thank you again" Lila said before rushing out the door with a obvious blush across her face.
Nath stood there frozen from shock He felt a hot blush appear over his face. 'she kissed me...Lila kissed me…' Nathanael couldn't really believe it. He pressed his hand to place she had kissed.
He shook his head out of his daze. Before walking out of the classroom a happy smile on his face.
Btw I don't know if you care but this is who got who:
Nathanael- Lila
Lila- Rose
Rose- Mylene
Mylene- Sabrina
Sabrina- Alya
Alya- Adrien
Adrien- Chloe
Chloe- Nino
Nino- Marinette
Marinette- Kim
Kim- Alix
Alix- Max
Max- Ivan
Ivan- Juleka
Juleka- Nathanael