On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

Addie Singer opened her locker with a sigh. It was the end of a long and stressful day, and she wanted nothing more than to enjoy a brand new blueberry blast smoothie from Juice with her boyfriend and two best friends. Just as she was about to reach for her biology book, a pair of hands wrapped around her face, obscuring her vision.

"Guess who!?" a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

Any other day she would have played along, joking about the cute boy in her Math class, or pretending to think he was Geena, but Addie was far too miserable today.

"Jake!" she whined, pulling his hand from her eyes.

"What's happened? You sound upset." He slipped his hands into his pockets, and casually leaned against the locker next to hers.

Sighing again, she turned to look up into his friendly brown eyes. "I've just got so much work to do. I thought school wasn't meant to be this hard until high school."

"Worried about that essay for English?" Ms Best, their English teacher had assigned them a two-page essay due the first day after winter break.

"That and my lab report for biology, my other essay for history, and my presentation for ITC." Addie pouted dramatically, prompting a chuckle from Jake. "So it looks like my winter break will be less for a holiday and more of a study break."

"Well, it sounds like you could do with some cheering up, and I think I've got just the thing. Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Close your eyes, it's a surprise."

"Alright, alright." Addie obediently closed her eyes. Absentmindedly twisting a piece of hair around her finger, she heard the sounds of Jake rummaging through his backpack.

"Okay, you can open them." Addie opened her eyes to see her boyfriend standing in front of her, holding two candy canes, one in each hand.

"Candy canes!? For me!?" she squealed, bouncing on the tips of her toes excitedly.

"I wasn't sure if you liked the mint or the fruit ones, so I got you both." Jake replied, chuckling slightly at his girlfriend's antics.

"Aww! You're so sweet, Jake." Quickly checking for teachers in the hallway, she leaned up to kiss Jake softly on the mouth. "Where did you get candy canes at this time of the year, anyway? It's not even December yet."

"I saw them last night when I was out grocery shopping with my mum. I guess the supermarket wanted to celebrate Christmas early this year."

Grabbing the last of her books, Addie gently closed the door to her near-empty locker. Slipping her hand into Jakes, she led the way to the schools entrance.

"Thanks Jake, you were right – that did cheer me up. I can't wait for Christmas." She grinned up at him, and then rested her head on his shoulder.

"You're welcome. And winter break won't be a complete bore – we can snuggle up in front of the fire and study, together. Zach and Geena can join us too."

"Sounds perfect."

…two candy canes.