Okay, I know I'm really late with this but better late than never right?

Cody

Strolling down the streets, the house wasn't too far away, which only made me more nervous. Today was the day that we exchange gifts for Christmas. Instead of everyone getting a gift for everyone else, Secret Santa seemed the most appropriate. We all agreed to meet at Tanith's home.

A little before Christmas, everyone received a name. PebbleTeen agreed to give it to everyone and texted everyone a name. Me? I got Sam.

With only three days to find the perfect present, I flipped out. Tearing Atlantis apart, I searched high and low for something that would be perfect for her. Now, though I wasn't sure about it, I had it, and I had no time left to switch it. I carried the simple rectangular box wrapped in colorful paper down the street until I reached the place. I hesitated before knocking on the door.

Sounds of someone talking became louder and seconds later, the door was yanked open and I was pulled inside.

"Finally! The palace isn't that far away and yet you're the last one here! Last minute wrappings or what?"

I let out a light laugh. "Yeah, yeah. I know but I just wanted it to be perfect." Grinning, the hybrid beckoned me to the living room. Already there, the Sneaky Sisters took up the couch. Professor was on a chair pulled up to the coffee table. With two others near where he was sitting, Tanith and I both chose a chair. All the other presents on the table, mine soon joined it.

"Right!" Tanith suddenly clapped her hands together. "Who wants to reveal them-self first?" Nobody spoke for a moment, then Professor finally decided to start it.

"Well if no one else will I guess I can. Here," Out of the many others, he picked out one in a badly wrapped trapezoid shaped one and handed it to the blonde mermaid. "I was Selena's Secret Santa."

Though she eyed it skeptically, she snatched it and started to tear it open, revealing a pink gun with black lightning bolts around it. There were matching clips to go with it. "I wasn't sure what to do so I made you a gun! It's semi-automatic, silent and has a lot of ammo as well. Do you like it?" Selena grinned wildly. "I love it!" She said shooting in the air. Everyone but her sister ducked as a result but seeing the mermaid giggled released all the tension in the air.

"Well, since Professor just gave a gift, it's only fair that he gets one!" The half snake picked out the smallest of the presents, a square shaped one with green wrapping paper over it. "I was his! Go on! Open it!"

Professor obeyed and soon found himself face to face with a small wooden box. Cracking it open, a yellow glow emitted from it and his eyes widened. Not waiting for a response, Tanith continued. "I've had it for a while and I was never sure what to do with it. Maybe you can find a better use rather than it just sitting in a box all day."

Mesmerized, he plucked it out of the containment, showing everyone a strange glowing crystal, no bigger than his finger. I shivered at the sight of it, like somehow there was a deeper and much darker power in the crystal that the Nexus didn't like. "What is it?"

"Magical for one thing! I stumbled across it by accident and just kinda kept it with me. The power radiating off of it always kinda felt strange to me so I didn't hang around it. I'd always get these vivid dreams when I fell asleep with it. Do you think you'll be able to do something or what?" He nodded without saying another word, but a sly smile never left him.

Sam cleared her throat. "If we're going in that order now, it's only fair that I give Tanith hers so," She handed it over. "There you go."

I didn't get a good look at the present before it was opened but I did see what was inside. "Selena and I do a lot of pranks so I often have tons of these laying around. I figured you could do something with them! The thing you're holding is Ghost Blocks and the rest in there is One Way Walls, kinda similar to what they use investigations but a lot more discreet. It's great for spying on people. I mean, not like we do that."

Tanith's eye sparked as if she had an idea. "Oooo! Cool!"

As the three people who already received their things admired them, I now realized that it was officially my turn. Gulping, I handed it over. Sam took her time but when she got to the end result, a little smile formed.

"Cody, it's beautiful." It was a bracelet made of purple flexible coral and one giant pearl in the middle. The dark haired mermaid slipped it on, seemingly happy. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and nodded. "T-thanks! I wasn't sure if it was good or not and I didn't know who to ask for advice so I just kinda went for it!"

There was only one person remaining. Me.

"Well, it's kinda obvious now who I had for Secret Santa but... I don't know, it's kinda stupid." Selena sighed.

I picked up the only thing left and teared away the paper, only leaving a long book. I rose an eyebrow and opened it up, only to find it was empty. "It's a huge journal?" I guessed.

"No! It's a scrapbook! You have to put your own memories inside like a picture or a small and mostly flat object. Maybe write down a few things?" I stared at it in silence. Selena let out a huff. "You hate it, don't you?"

I quickly shook my head and locked eyes with her, smiling as warmly as possible. "No, no! It's very sweet of you!" Looking back down on the book, my smile never faded.

"Looks like I have a whole life to record. I want to be able to look back on moments like these when I'm older. Hey! Wait!" Pulling out my phone, I snapped a picture of the moment as quickly as possible, getting everyone in the frame. "There! I can print it out later and put it in here! I'm going to have some fun with this!"

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Ta da! Happy New years! For some reason, to celebrate the new year, I choose to finally finish this! Sorry it took so long! I got caught up in other books!

I do want to say that this chapter, unlike the rest, WILL BE LINKED TO THE MAIN STORY OF SEA SERPENT. Basically, those gifts are most likely going to come up again but in the main series, or maybe this series too!

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this little short! It's only like 1000 words which is shorter than most of my chapters but it wasn't really suppose to be that long anyways... Whether I'll make a short for New Years or not is still being decided.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Be sure to comment what you think! Goodbye!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter