Santo Klaus Is Watching

Lucas turns to me. “Nora… I’m absolutely terrified right now.”

“Yeah, seems like you’re not the only—”

As I scan the room, I catch Petra glancing at me, though she quickly looks away.

Everyone else in the room is frozen, unable to process what they’re witnessing.

Coldheart is… smiling.

GONG! GONG!

Everybody promptly flees the classroom.

“Have a lovely day, everyone!” Coldheart chimes, her voice unusually high-pitched.

I walk up to her desk.

“Why, hello, Nora! How may I help you?”

I beam. “I take it the date went well?”

She snaps the chalk in her hand. “I thought I told you it wasn’t a date!”

Welp, that didn’t last long.

“Well, I just want you to know that seeing you happy makes me happy. And if you want to tell me all about how it wasn’t a date… we could enjoy a little girl talk?

“I already told you, I was just dragging him around as my pack mule while shopping!

…

But… he may have complimented how I looked at the start.”

I gasp. “And then?”

“And then… we may have stopped at several street stalls while shopping… and then we may have stopped to have skewers for lunch…”

Coldheart's face and voice are increasingly colored with joy as she reminisces.

“And then he may have won me a prize at a street game! And then we may have seen a street show together! And then we may have gone for a walk in the park! And then we may have gone for some barbecue and alcohol!”

She’s so happy she’s practically drooling at this point.

“And then we may have—”

Coldheart pauses.

“Wait… what happened after that?”

Her smile is replaced with panic as she tries to remember.

“What the hell happened after that?!”

I gasp.

Her eyes widen and her face turns bright pink.

“Don’t.”

“But what if you two—”

“Don’t you say it!”

“—held hands!”

…

“Get out—”

“Okay.”

Before I walk out the door, I wave goodbye. “I’m glad you had a fun time Miss Coldheart, you have a really pretty smile! I hope I get to see it again sometime!”

Flushed, she turns away and scoffs.

As I exit the classroom, it dawns on me…

…wasn’t I supposed to be rooting for Vivian to win?

Oh gosh, I don’t know which one to help!

***

Since things resolved last week, Jane’s been eating lunch with me and Lucas. I’ve tried talking to Arthur, but… he just brushes me off now. I still want to be his friend, but… I’m not really sure how to fix things between us.

I can’t let it get me down though, not when everything else has been going so well!

“So, Nora,” Jane asks. “How’d the monster research go over the weekend?”

“I’ve never had so much fun in my life! It’s a dream come true!”

“Try not to forget about your other dream, Nora.” Lucas chimes in.

“Huh?”

“I’m glad you’re having fun and all, but you need to start putting more time into improving your combat skills so you can rise up the summoner ranks. You should start taking on duels too.”

“...I know. It’s just, the experiments I’ve been doing are so fun. Plus, I get paid so well too!”

“Uh… Nora, I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but please don’t start lending people money.

“Why not? I have so much of it now!”

“Because you’re too nice for your own good. People are going to take advantage of you.”

“Well, can I lend you money? I know you’ve been wanting to build some more expensive equipment.”

“That’s—uh—no! I don’t want it!”

“That look on your face isn’t very convincing, Lucas.” Jane remarks.

Suddenly, Olive and Petra walk up to our table.

I gasp. “Olive! Thank you for—”

A look of terror spreads across her face.

“I mean, uh—thank you for visiting!”

Petra gives Olive a suspicious glance, and Olive quickly looks away. As soon as Petra turns back toward me, Olive gives me the stink eye and motions for me to keep my mouth shut.

Lucas glares at them. “I hope you’re not here to harass us. The teachers know what’s going on. They won’t hesitate to suspend you like the rest of the rainbow squad.”

Petra rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m aware—

"…what did you just call us?”

“Your new crew name!” I chime in. “Because each of your hairstyles are different colors of the rainbow. Cool, right? It’s even starting to catch on! No need to thank me though.” I smile.

Petra slams her fist into the lunch table. “That was you?! I thought it was because of that stupid colorful crown of flowers my dad forced onto my head during martial arts class!”

“Oh! You got the crown I made you?”

She slams her fist into the table again. “That was you too?!”

“Oh… I’m sorry. I just thought you’d look really pretty in it. Did you not like it?”

Her face starts turning red as she grits her teeth. “Warriors do not need to look—”

She stops herself and takes a few deep breaths. Slowly she regains her composure.

“Wait… why did you come to visit?”

“I’m… I’m here to challenge you to a duel.”

“...I thought you were done bullying—”

“That’s not—”

She sighs.

“Look. You managed to beat four of my guys at once. They’re powerful. That’s a big part of why we hang out. We go around dueling others and each other so we can keep getting stronger.

I… I realize I may have jumped to conclusions, and that dumbass Rocco wasn’t exactly truthful about how your duel went. I talked to some people who saw it, and it sounds like you beat him fair and square. And that you weren’t trying to disrespect him.”

“I guess that makes sense… but Lucas was the real reason we—”

“He’s next.”

“...but I don’t want to be next,” Lucas mumbles.

“The only way I can become a true warrior is by testing myself against all kinds of opponents, and I hear you’re trained in all four spell schools. Well, I’m trained in all four martial schools. I can’t think of a better match up. I have to see which comes out on top. I guarantee you I’ll fight clean. I always do.”

“Then what was that in the hallway last week—”

“I didn’t mean for that to—”

She pauses, then looks me in the eyes with burning resolve.

“No funny business. I promise. Warrior’s code.”

“Wow… you’re surprisingly reasonable,” Jane remarks.

I think it over. “Well… Lucas did say I need to start doing duels—”

“Nora, I didn’t mean against one of the top-ranked—-”

“Okay! I’ll do it—

Petra pumps her fist. “Hell yeah—”

“Just as long as you apologize to Lucas for all the trouble you caused him.”

She laughs. “Yeah, not happening. I don’t apologize.”

“Oh, well, I guess I don’t duel then.” I smile.

“I’m asking you politely,” Petra growls.

Olive chimes in. “Trust me, I’ve known Petra and the others since we were kids. This is the most courteous I’ve ever seen her. You should really say yes.”

“Oh, okay—”

“Alright—”

“As soon as you apologize.” I smile.

“GRAH!”

She stomps off, Olive shrugging before following.

“Nora, I really don’t need an apology. Frankly, if this is going to turn into some big thing, I’m explicitly asking you not to make her apologize—”

“No! She has to learn to apologize! That’s what good girls do! Otherwise, how’s she supposed to expect to get any presents this year from Santo Klaus after being so naughty! Not getting any presents, that’s just too sad!”

“Nora, I dont…I don’t even know where to begin to unpack that. You do realize Santo Klaus is just—OUCH!”

Jane shifts in her seat. “Is just one man, and probably really appreciates your help.”

“Oh, okay! I’ll do anything to help spread a little holiday spirit.” I smile.

“It’s summer—OUCH!”

“That’s the right attitude, Nora. I, for one, think Petra could use a nice slice of humble pie. You gotta promise me you won't give in until she apologizes." Jane giggles.

“Okay, Jane!”

Lucas mumbles. “I’ve got a bad feeling…

“...and not just in my foot.”