Non-Denominational Secret Santas

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Higher Ground characters or locations. The only thing I made up was the plot.

Chapter 9: David Ruxton

[EZRA]

David knew from the moment he drew Ezra's name that this would be a wonderfully fun project, and he would enjoy it fully. Such opportunity placed directly into his hands! How could he not make full use of it?

The first thing he did was begin hinting that he had drawn Daisy's name. Ezra fell right into it, and it was obvious that the little insinuations drove him insane. It provided a source of endless amusement and David grinned now, just thinking about it. He had no idea who actually had Daisy's name, but for now, Ezra was welcome to assume that it was David.

This new form of harassment, along with all of his old pesky and practical joking habits to keep up on, and the Horizon chores/schoolwork kept David quite busy during the month of December. It wasn't until December twentieth that it really hit him. He had to have a meaningful gift for Ezra by the next day.

Not panicking, David moseyed on into the arts and crafts room during free time on the twentieth. It was not the most popular place to hang out, and David only saw one other Cliffhanger. Juliette. He wandered over. She was sitting on a stool in the back, papers strewn across the table in front of her.

"Hey, lover-girl."

She jumped and hastily covered her project. "Get a life, David."

Grabbing a stool, he plunked down next to her. "What're you up to?"

"None of your business."

"What's all this?" He reached over and tried to uncover the papers, but she snatched them away and held them protectively behind her back.

"I said it wasn't any of your business." Juliette stood up and backed away, leaving the room.

"Right!" he called after her. "Fifteen minutes after lights out, on the dock! Got it!"

Juliette didn't reply, but her pace quickened and the door slammed behind her. David chuckled and surveyed the supplies she had left behind. Scissors, glue, markers, paper, glitter, a hole puncher, and yarn.

Well, David thought. Here are my supplies. Now all I have to do is make something meaningful for Freakin' out of them.

He was interrupted by the arrival of Sophie. She came into the arts and crafts room and looked around, checking on the students who had chosen this as their free time destination. She caught sight of David and came over.

"Doing some art, David?"

"Secret Santas," he mumbled, waving a pair of scissors around to show that he was indeed working on something. Sophie ducked.

"You know that the gift exchange is tomorrow, right?" Sophie asked.

"Yep," David replied. "That's why I'm doing this now."

"We need to work on planning ahead," Sophie said, almost to herself.

"I am planning ahead," David protested. "This is due tomorrow, and I'm doing it today."

"All—all right," Sophie said hesitantly. "But remember, David. Be appropriate."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." He smiled charmingly at her. "Broken record. You and Peter. Appropriate, appropriate, appropriate. When has that even been a problem for me?"

Sophie gave him a warning look. "I mean it."

"Sure," he said. "It is appropriate. My gift. It's great. You'll be jealous."

"Uh huh." Sophie raised her eyebrows. "Group in twenty minutes out by the gazebo."

"Got it."

She left, and David played with the glitter container. He had no idea of what gift to give Ezra. He didn't know what would be both great and appropriate, at least, great and appropriate by Peter and Sophie's standards. Sighing, he put his head down and tried to think.

Ezra liked Daisy. From what David had heard from the other Cliffhangers, before Daisy had come to Horizon, Ezra had liked Shelby. And then there was that new crush Shelby had mentioned in that conversation outside of the kayak barn. And as far as David knew, Ezra had yet to score.

Delighted, David let out a guffaw that caused all of the other students in the room to look over curiously. Not noticing his spectators, he reached for the supplies. One meaningful gift for Ezra, coming right up!