Niel’s eyes shot open.Today's Christmas Eve isn’t it. Niel descended from his bunk and shook Ricky “Ricky wake up, It’s Christmas Eve”

Ricky jumped out of bed. ”It’s Christmas!”

Niel threw a pillow at his head “Christmas Eve dummy”

“Oh! Okay” Ricky cheerfully headed to the bathroom to get ready.

“Did you get your secret Santa gift yet?”

Ricky popped his head out from the bathroom. “No, have you?”

Niel shook his head “I’m gonna head out today and get it”

Ricky brushed his teeth and spit into the sink. “I’ll go with you”

Sue and Minah were eating breakfast in the library. “Whatcha making Sue?” Minah asked while peering over her shoulder.

“Just decorating my secret Santa gift.” Sue held up two homemade cake pops.

“Why did you make two?”

Sue held her finger over “It’s a secret”

Minah sat in front of her. “I just got Ricky a nerf gun”

“Oh he’ll love that!”

Minah glanced at Sue’s cake pops. “Do you have any more of those?”

“How about this one?” Niel held up a pink dress. “Is this good?”

Ricky laughed. “I’m pretty sure that’s for old ladies.”

Niel put the dress back. “What do girls like anyway?”

“Maybe you should get her some chocolate?”

Niel shook his head “No that’s lame. Chocolate is gone once you eat it. I want Sue to have my present forever.”

“You’ll know what to get her when you see it.”

Niel browsed around the store until he reached the jewelry section.  He looked into the glass box.

“Do you see anything you like?” A woman asked him.

Niel looked up. “Nothing yet”

The woman smiled. “Maybe you should look over here” she pointed to the necklaces.

Then Niel saw it, the perfect present for Sue. It was a simple necklace with a heart shaped charm. “Mam, I’d like to buy this one please”

The woman opened the case and grabbed the necklace. “Good choice. Would you like me to wrap it up for you?”

“Yes please”

The woman put the necklace into a box and tied a ribbon on top. “Here you go, your girlfriend is very lucky.”

Niel blushed. “She’s not…” but the woman was already gone.

Ricky appeared with a shopping bag in his hand. “You ready?”

“What did you buy?”

“It’s a secret.”

“I got my gift too let’s head back”

L.Joe met up with Sue and Minah in the cafeteria for lunch. “Hey where’s Changjo?” Sue asked.

L.Joe shrugged. “He snuck out early this morning.”

“Weird” Sue and Minah agreed.

Then Niel and Ricky walked in. “Hey what’s for lunch?” Ricky asked.

“Ham and cheese sandwiches. Better get one before they run out!” Sue pointed to the almost empty tray.

“NO!” Ricky quickly grabbed a sandwich and chopped down on it.

Changjo ran into the cafeteria.

“Hey man where have you been?” L.joe asked.

“Everyone follow me” he walked out of the cafeteria

 Everyone reluctantly followed him down the hall.

“Where are we going?” Sue asked from the rear.

“Just keep up” Changjo replied.

He led them through the building to the science classroom.

When Minah walked in dropped. The room was covered in Christmas decorations, there was a tree in the corner covered with lights and ornaments and there were lights surrounding the enitre classroom. On the teacher’s desk hung a stocking that said everyone’s names and there was six sleeping bags placed on the ground in the back.

“This is amazing!” Sue yelled.

“When did you do this?” Niel asked.

“We have stockings!” Ricky commented.

Changjo was satisfied with everyone’s expressions. “It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree and stockings.” He walked over to the sleeping bags. “I put out sleeping bags so we can all stay together and sleep by the tree.”

“Thank you Changjo” Minah gave him a big hug.

Changjo blushed. “You’re welcome”

“This calls for hot chocolate. I’ll go get some” Sue offered.

That night everyone got into their pajamas and drank hot chocolate by the tree.

“Guys tomorrow is our last day of break” Ricky pouted.

“Don’t remind me” Niel whined.

When it got late everyone got into their sleeping bags. Everyone fell asleep except for Minah. She turned over and faced L.Joe who was sleeping next to her.

He looks so peaceful when he’s sleeping

After a few more moments of unsuccessful sleep Minah got up and snuck out of the classroom. She thought walking around might tire her out.

Minah stopped and sat down in the hallway. “Minah!” someone whisped.

She looked over to see L.Joe walking towards her. “Is that you?”

“Yeah it’s me”

L.Joe sat down next to her. “Can’t sleep?”

Minah sighed “Guess not”

L.Joe pulled out a gift from behind him.

“What’s this?” Minah asked.

L.joe put the gift on her lap. “A present from me”

Minah pushed the gift back to L.joe’s lap “It’s not Christmas yet”

“Actually its 1:00 am” L.joe pushed it back “Merry Christmas”

Minah slowly pulled the ribbon from the box and opened it.  Inside the box was a stuffed bear wearing a tennis uniform holding a little tennis racket. “It’s adorable”

“Just like you” L.joe coughed and caught himself “I meant the bear looks like you”

Minah blushed. “I love it”

Minah was then able to sleep thanks to the bear given to her from L.Joe