Writing stories with The Word Artist Website

    ”Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…” Justin hummed along to the cheery Christmas tune that was being played from the shopping mall’s speakers as he collected items stated clearly on his gift list. 

    “Okay, so Aunt Marie wants a handbag…” Justin was muttering to himself, eyes scanning the sheet of paper like an eagle when he was interrupted by the ringtone of his phone. ’Mum’ his phone screen read. He pressed the ’pick up call’ button as he put the phone to his ear.

    “Justin?” His mother asked on the other side of the phone.

    “What, Mum?” asked Justin, his voice with a slight hint of annoyance. Why, of all times, must his mother call him when he is obviously busy? Couldn’t she just wait? However, Justin had no time to complain about the abrupt timing of his mother’s call.

    “Where are you?” His mother asked. Justin checked the department store’s map and replied idyllically, “In the Handbag section. Do we have to go soon?” He asked. 

    “Oh. Okay then. I will finish the rest of the Christmas shopping tomorrow. Go find your sister,” came Justin’s mother from the other side of the call. 

    Next thing,  Justin quickly hurried to his mother’s meeting spot as he had to go home as soon as possible.

    On Christmas Eve, Justin was greeted by the happy faces of his relatives, family, and friends as they sat down to eat dinner. And the food! It was simply delectable. 

    To top it off,  Justin received SO many presents! Big ones, small ones, long ones, weird shaped ones…Just the sight of Christmas presents made Justin want to open them. 

    “Mum, can I open them now?” pleaded Justin, eyeing a rather peculiar-shaped present. It was square, had red wrapping paper, and was tied with a shiny, golden ribbon. It was so appealing to the eye that Justin had to force himself not to open it immediately. 

    “Of course…”His mother had just said when Justin’s eyebrows shot up like rockets. His eyes twinkled like the stars in a night sky. Justin just managed to mouth, “Oh yeah…” when he was cut off by his mother. “…not!”

    Justin’s grin flipped upside down as he realised this. “Wait till Christmas morning, then! Can’t you just wait one day?” His mother replied. Justin sighed in utmost disappointment before leaving  the room sadly. 

   At night, Justin tossed and turned in bed, thinking about the peculiar present. He whined softly, then sat up. He just thought of a good idea. Without even bothering to put on his bedroom slippers, Justin tiptoed through his bedroom door.He walked down to the living room, and saw the Christmas tree. His eyes immediately darted to the presents below its leaves. Carefully, Justin searched among the piles of the gifts of his family members, flipping over the gift tags to read the receiver’s names. After several minutes of hasty searching, Justin found his presents. Looking at each of them, he stole a look at the staircase leading to the bedrooms one more time. He turned back to the presents, grabbed the peculiar present, then glanced at the “From” section on the tag. It had no name. Justin shrugged and untied the ribbon. Justin stopped when he realised the present was shaking suspiciously. Cocking his head to one side with curiosity, he continued untying. When he had finished, the box was almost going to fall off the side. Justin narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything in case he woke his family. Gently, he lifted the top. Out of the blue, the present started pulling him in! He struggled with the present, trying his best to pull himself out, but to no avail. He yelled in a flurry of panic as the top started closing in. Justin was sucked into the present, and the cover of the present shut.