Two weeks till Christmas

“I hate Christmas.” He did not just say that. “It’s just a pathetic excuse to overindulge and spend way too much money.” Oh my god, had I been magically transported into A Christmas Carol or something?

“Thank you Mr Pringle, please take the desk beside Miss Palmer.” Oh great, now I had to sit next to Scrooge. He strode down the aisle to his seat, the entire female population of my class watching his every move. He stopped in front of his desk and looked right at me, his eyes shifted to my Christmas pudding shaped earrings and he scowled.

“Jeez, trust me to get seated next to the elf.” I heard him mutter under his breath, thumping his bag on the ground.

“Excuse me?” I hissed, spinning round to glare at him.

“You heard me Rudolph.” He smirked, turning his mossy gaze to the front of the class, purposely ignoring me. I stared after him open mouthed, my cheeks flushing red with anger.

“Miss Palmer, if you could kindly tear your eyes away from our new arrival and pay attention, I’d be much obliged.” I quickly faced the front, hearing the class erupt into laughter. I can’t believe Miss Bell thought I was scamming on that twerp.

“Now class, turn your textbooks to page ninety-three.” I absent-mindedly flipped the pages and sighed, I’d had such high hopes for the new boy.

I had first encountered him this morning, I’d slept in as usual, still dressed in my pyjamas I headed directly for the breakfast buffet, only to find nothing more than a mouldy cornflake. This was a typical breakfast at Sharpes Academy, a historic boarding school on the outskirts of the Lake District, basically a place where nothing interesting ever happened. My Grandfather had insisted I was sent there, it was a family tradition, one I was keen to break.

Unusually hungry this morning I stared sadly at the empty platters and patted my belly, poor stomach, it was going to be a long wait till lunch.

“Nice Pj’s.” I heard a voice say behind me. “Do you want my eggs?” I turned round to see an unfamiliar boy offering forward a plate of fried eggs.

“Um thanks.” I smiled, looking down at my Eiffel tower print pyjamas. “If you don’t mind?” Please don’t let him mind.

“Enjoy.” He smiled, turning away to leave the dining room. I stared after him feeling slightly stunned, that was very chivalrous for a boy from my school.

“Hey, who‘s that guy?” I pointed with my fork, taking a seat at my usual table. Claire, Kate and Charlie followed my gaze with interest.

“Ooh isn’t that the new boy?” Kate cooed, twirling her ponytail. “He’s pretty buff.”

“I know! I wouldn’t mind having him for breakfast.” Claire chimes in, making a claw like a panther. Charlie rolled his eyes.

“Girls.” I laughed and shook my head, I had to admit we made a strange group of friends a self confessed swot, a man-eater, the school heart-throb and me, Holly Palmer AKA The Nutcracker Princess. I’d earned this nickname my first Christmas at Sharpes, when the festive season came around, I was the at forefront of spreading Christmas cheer.

“Well, he seems like a nice guy.” I replied thoughtfully, shovelling a forkful of eggs into my mouth.

Oh how wrong I was.

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It may be a while to xmas, but here is the beginning to my christmas story...It will run from now until Christmas Eve! Enjoy:)