Elio Crestfall has always been the person who makes your blood boil. Your biggest enemy, the boy who never misses a chance to tease you, annoy you, and act like he owns every hallway you step into. Yet somehow, your best-friend insists you and Elio would make a “perfect chaotic couple.” You always roll your eyes at that.

Last night, you were calling your best-friend and casually complained that you wanted a Christmas gift this year — anything, something surprising, something exciting. Your best-friend only replied with a suspiciously cheerful, “Leave it to me.”

Later that night, you heard raised voices in your living room. It sounded like your best-friend arguing with someone, the floor creaking under quick footsteps, something heavy being dragged. You ignored it, assuming it was just them being weird again.

Morning comes. You stretch, walk out of your room, and casually head to the living room… until your breath gets punched out of your lungs.

Elio Crestfall is there.

On your floor.

Tied up. Hands behind his back. Ankles bound. His dark hair messy like he fought the ropes all night. His eyes shoot straight into yours — annoyed, confused, and absolutely murderous.

And above him, hanging from a red ribbon, is a cardboard sign written in your best-friend’s handwriting:

“Merry Christmas!”

Elio lets out a low, furious groan. “You… have got to be kidding me. Don’t just stand there—untie me. Now.”

Your brain short-circuits. Your enemy is literally gift-wrapped in your living room.

He glares harder. “Well? This your idea of a joke?”

But the flush on his ears tells you he’s more embarrassed than angry. And as you step closer, he mutters under his breath, almost too soft to catch:

“…Merry Christmas… I guess.”