Year 7: Santa

As the week before Christmas vacation came, the second graders were busy on various christmas projects to take home at the end of the term. While Taylor and Troy were busy on one table making Christmas cards, Sharpay, Ryan and Kelsi were sitting at the back of the classroom, making tree decorations. Sharpay was making a musical note, despite their teacher trying to explain to her that it wasn't very christmassy, while Ryan was making a present, and Kelsi a Christmas tree.
"My trees really bad." Sighed Kelsi, colouring in the main part of the tree with a green pen.
"Yeah, it is." Sniffed Sharpay, rudely. "Mine decoration is much better, isn't it Ryan."
"Sharpay, stop it." Said Ryan, turning to Kelsi. "It isn't bad, it'll be better when you finish colouring it in." Kelsi smiled at the encouragement, and carried on.
"Ryan, we need to practise our song." Reminded Sharpay, as she coloured in her musical note. "I've told mom and dad we're putting on a show for them after our Christmas lunch, and I don't want you to mess it up.
"Mm. Okay." Muttered Ryan, trying to put Sharpay's voice to the back of his mind. The three of them sat in silence for a while longer, before Jason joined the table to make an ornament.

"So Kelsi." He said, borrowing a pair of scissors from her. "What are you getting for Christmas? My dad said he's going to get me a basketball hoop, so I can practise."
"I don't know. I gave my list to Santa when he was at the mall, so I have to see what he can get. I asked him for a piano, and he said he'd see what he could do." At that, Sharpay suddenly started laughing loudly.
"Oh my god!" She laughed. "I can't believe you just said that!"
"Sharpay, why don't we ask Miss to put the Christmas CD on, so we can practise our song..." Said Ryan, nervously. He had a feeling about what was about to happen, and he had to stop Kelsi getting hurt.
"No! Kelsi did you just say you gave Santa your list!" laughed Sharpay. Kelsi looked hurt, and nodded.
"Yeah...why? I do it every year, and every year he buys me one big present..." Kelsi said.
"Sharpay, we really need to practise our dance! I can't get it right..." Ryan carried on, standing up and pulling Sharpay by the hand.
"You're so stupid Kelsi! There's no such thing as Santa, he doesn't exist! He's just your mom!" Sharpay laughed loudly. Kelsi stared at Sharpay, annoyed.
"It's not true! Santa is real, otherwise I wouldn't get my presents!"
"No he isn't! When we were five me and Ryan left cookies and milk for Santa, and then later on we went downstairs to get a glass of water, and we saw our mom and dad eating the cookies! They told us so, didn't they Ryan!" Sharpay looked at Ryan for support, but he could only stare at Kelsi.
"...Sorry." He muttered, and Kelsi burst into tears.
"Now we can practise our song, Ryan!" Said Sharpay, this time pulling on Ryan's arm.
"But..."
"I'll tell mom and dad you're not helping me!" Threatened Sharpay, and Ryan sighed, following Sharpay over to their teacher.

When Ryan and Sharpay got home, Ryan refused to talk to Sharpay. He had tried to talk to Kelsi earlier in the day, but she said she was too upset to talk to him, so sat on her own working on her ornament instead.
"Hey mom." Ryan sighed, entering the lounge where his mom was sitting.
"Oh duckie, what's wrong? You look so sad." Said Mrs Evans, patting the seat next to her. Ryan sighed.
"Sharpay told Kelsi that Santa isn't real, and she cried, and I think she's mad at me for not saying. I don't know how I can cheer her up."
"Well why don't you buy her a nice present? You can tell her Santa delivered it for her. No harm in her believing it for a few years yet, is there? I'll get your father to talk to Sharpay, and me and you'll go out shopping to find her something, okay?" Ryan nodded, and hugging his mom, he rushed to get his coat on.

At the mall, Ryan spent an hour or so wondering around the shops trying to find the perfect present for Kelsi. He had already bought her a present, but knew this one had to be extra special.
"Why don't you just buy her another hat?" Asked his mom, holding onto his hand as they looked around.
"No, that's not special enough." He argued. Suddenly, he spotted Kelsi and her mom in a music shop, and quickly he pulled on his mom's hand to hide behind a wall. He peaked round to see Kelsi crying.
"But mom, why can't I have the piano! I know Santa doesn't bring it, you do! So why can't I have it now!"
"Kelsi, if you had it now, it wouldn't be a christmas present."
"Well why couldn't I buy those beginner teaching books!" Mrs Nielsen sighed, and hugged her daughter.
"Kelsi...the piano isn't that cheap, that's why it's the only present I'm going to be able to get you this year....I really am trying, sweetheart. We'll get you the book when I get my next paycheck, I promise. Can you wait until then?" Kelsi sighed, and nodded.
"I'm sorry mom." She said, hugging her quickly, before they headed out of the mall. Coming out from behind the wall, Ryan pulled his mom into the shop.

After all the Evans family had opened their presents on Christmas Day, there was a phonecall.
"Ryan, it's for you!" Called Mr. Evans. Ryan rushed out of the lounge where they had been sitting around the tree, and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Ryan, Sharpay lied! I just had the best christmas present from Santa!"
"Oh? What was it?" Asked Ryan, faking shock.
"He must've known mom was gonna get me a piano! He bought me a collection of piano books so I can teach myself to play!" Ryan could almost hear her smiling down the phone.
"That's great, Kels. Sorry I couldn't get you a present as good as that....Did you like the hat?" Kelsi laughed.
"It looks like the one I bought you."
"Yeah, lets make sure we don't wear them the same day."
"Total clash." Kelsi said, laughing. They both talked for a while, before Kelsi had to go for her Christmas lunch.
"I'll talk to you soon, Ryan." She said. Just as she was about to hang up, she quickly added "and thanks for the books. I like having my own personal Santa." Then the line went dead.

From that year on, Ryan always bought Kelsi two presents. One from him, and another unlabelled one from her personal Santa.