Noelle's Naughty List

The California coastline came into view as Noelle's heart fluttered with excitement and apprehension as she followed the contour of the land. "If Father won't help every person on Earth, then I will," she declared, her voice gaining strength as her initial fears faded.

The sleigh descended through layers of warming air, the chill of the Arctic giving way to the gentle kiss of a Californian day. Noelle loosened her cloak, feeling its heavy fabric flutter behind her like a banner of her newfound determination.

The world below sharpened into focus. San Diego unfolded beneath them, a tapestry of palm trees and sprawling cityscapes basking in the early light. The sun caressed Noelle's face; the warmth was something she was not used to. She delighted in the beauty of the lush green land.

The sleigh touched down not on a blanket of snow but onto lush farmland, landing a jarring dance that sent clouds of dirt swirling. Noelle gripped the reins, steadying herself and the reindeer, a tinge of embarrassment for the less-than-graceful landing.

Once the dust settled, she hopped out onto the warm soil. The reindeer, unaccustomed to the heat, panted heavily. Noelle soothed them, stroking their coats and offering carrots and water. "You've done well," she cooed, watching their eyes close in contentment.

With some Christmas magic, she concealed the sleigh and her companions. "Rest here, my friends."

Stepping into the California sun, Noelle felt its heat press down on her, beads of sweat forming on her brow. She shed her heavy coat and mits, relieved as the sun warmed her skin.

A sign in the distance caught her eye: 'Welcome to San Diego University.' Each step towards the campus was a stride into the unknown, toward taking her first step to take on the role of Santa.

The streets of San Diego were alive with movement and sound, not quite the orderly magic of the North Pole. People hurried by, their curious glances lingering on Noelle's unusual attire. She felt out of place, her cheeks warming from the heat and the attention her presence garnered.

Seeking a change of clothes, Noelle entered a pawn shop, the cool air inside a welcome respite. The clerk, initially skeptical, eyed her attire with growing interest. "Can I help you?" he asked, his tone hinting at an opportunity.

"I need something less... warm."

The clerk's demeanor shifted as he assessed her unique garments. "You're not from around here, are you?" he remarked.

"No, I'm from... up north."

"A Canadian, well, I think we can work out a deal," the clerk said. "Your clothes are... unique. I could offer you an exchange. Your clothing for a few outfits more suitable for SD."

Relief washed over Noelle, "Thank you, you are kind."

In the changing room, Noelle faced a reflection she barely recognized. Her traditional, elegant North Pole attire was gone. The tiny shorts and t-shirt felt foreign yet liberating, the high heels a challenge of balance and grace. She observed her transformed appearance and realized she had only ever dressed this way in Santa's hot tub, never out in public. She was embarrassed as the shorts barely covered her butt, the t-shirt exposed her midriff, and a hint of her ample cleavage deepened her blush.

She stepped out of the changing room with a deep breath that raised her confidence. The store clerk paused, his gaze appreciative, and blew a low whistle. "Lookin' good, Sweetheart," he said with a huge grin. Noelle offered him a timid smile before thanking him and leaving the store.

The gates of San Diego University loomed ahead, as did the unknown. She was ready. She was going to make sure no Christmas wish was missed this year!

Noelle was slowly making her way across the sun-drenched San Diego University campus when she noticed a group of students gathered around a large, decorated tree. They took turns writing on small pieces of paper and then hanging them on the branches. Curious, she approached the crowd.

"What's this?" Noelle asked one of the students, gesturing towards the tree.

"It's our 'Stress Tree,'" the student replied with a smile. "Finals are coming up, and the tradition is to write down what's stressing you out and hang it up. Sort of like giving the stress over to the tree."

Fascinated by this quaint ritual, Noelle took a paper and pen from the basket. "Back home, we just tell our worries to the Northern Winds," she mused aloud as she scribbled down, 'Finding Priya and making her Christmas wish come true.'

The student raised an eyebrow. "The Northern Winds, huh? Is that like a meditation thing?"

Noelle chuckled. "More of an old family practice." She tied her paper to a branch, the words fluttering like a tiny flag in the breeze.

As she continued on her quest, Noelle couldn't help but smile. Perhaps this university had its own kind of magic.

^^^

In the quiet sanctum of the university lab, Priya was engrossed in her classwork. The outside world faded into insignificance as she was in her element.

The lab door hissed open, but Priya overlooked the newcomer. It wasn't until the shadow fell across her workstation that she glanced up, her eyes meeting the visitor.

She stood there, slightly out of breath, clutching a campus map turned inside and out multiple times. Priya had never seen this girl before and was annoyed by her intrusion, even if she was gorgeous.

"Hi," the woman began, "I'm looking for... well, I suppose I'm looking for you."

Priya blinked, taken aback, "Me?"

"Yes, you're Priya Singh." her tone was hopeful, her gaze earnest.

Priya's brow furrowed, "Do we have a class together?"

"No, nothing like that," she said with a chuckle. "I've come a long way to find you," the woman replied, a hopeful glimmer in her eyes. "My name is Noelle, and I'm here to help you... with your Christmas wish?"

Priya's heart skipped a beat, "My Christmas wish?" she echoed, her voice shocked. The idea was ludicrous.

"I'm Noelle," the woman said again, extending her hand with a warm, reassuring smile. "And I believe we have some important things to discuss."

"You're here to help me... with my wish?"

"Yes, that's exactly why I'm here."

"Why exactly are you here to help me?" she asked, her tone edged with wariness.

"Because I'm Santa's daughter. Making Christmas wishes come true is what our family does."

Priya raised an eyebrow, "Santa's daughter? That's quite the story, but I don't have time for games or pranks," she said dismissively, ready to return to her studies.

Undeterred, Noelle eagerly reached into her bag. "It's not a prank, I promise. Look at this." She pulled out a small snow globe, inside which a miniature sleigh orbiting a tiny, glittering Christmas tree. She shook it, and the snowflakes swirled in a mesmerizing dance. "This is real magic from the North Pole," she insisted, her eyes reflecting the globe's twinkle.

Priya glanced at the globe, impressed despite its intricate design. "It's a charming gadget," she conceded patronizingly. "But you don't expect me to believe this?"

Noelle's expression remained undaunted, "It's more than that, Priya. Let me prove it to you." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The star you named after your Paatti, Anjali. It's beautiful."

Priya's skepticism crumbled momentarily, replaced by a startled vulnerability. The mention of Anjali, a star named in a private childhood moment, was knowledge she had never shared with anyone. "How could you possibly know about that?"

Noelle's smile softened, "Because I'm Santa's daughter."

In that moment, Priya's world of logic and reason collided with the inexplicable. Her mind raced for a rational explanation, yet none came. With a resigned sigh, she met Noelle's hopeful gaze. "If I agree to this, will you leave me be afterward?"

Noelle nodded, her smile unwavering. "Of course, if that's what you want."

"Then let's see you make my wish come true," she challenged.

"A Nightmare Before Christmas"

Back in Priya's dorm room, the two girls sat amidst remnants of Courtney's lively social life. Concert tickets adorned the corkboard, clothes sprawled haphazardly on the bed, and photos of smiling faces papered the walls.

Priya, perched uneasily on her desk chair, eyed Noelle with hope and exasperation. "So, how exactly do you plan to help me?" she asked, her hands fidgeting nervously with a pen.

"Well, this is my first time doing this," she confessed with a hopeful shrug. "But you want to feel desired, right? To experience pleasure? You want some... hot sex?" She pondered, her eyes lifting as if searching for answers in the mundane ceiling tiles. After a pause, she ventured, "Have you tried... just asking?"

Priya's expression morphed into disbelief. "Asking? Like, 'Hey, want to fuck?' That's your plan?" Her voice climbed an octave, "Are you kidding? How is that supposed to help?"

Unfazed by Priya's reaction, Noelle's composure remained intact. "Communication is key, right? But don't worry, I'm a Claus. We have a knack for making things work."

Priya let out a sigh that seemed to deflate her. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, dropping the pen with a clatter. Noelle's naiveté, though endearing in its own way, was starting to grate on her nerves.

"No, it's not," Noelle insisted, "I'll figure it out. You are beautiful; we'll make your wish come true."

Before Priya could voice another word of protest, Noelle's attention was captured by the pink Polaroid camera sitting on Courtney's cluttered nightstand. She picked it up with childlike curiosity, her fingers brushing over the surface. "This is nice!" she exclaimed, aiming the lens at Priya.

"What are you doing? No, don't—" Priya's objection came too late. The camera flashed, immortalizing her frown of consternation.

Noelle plucked the developing photo from the camera, shaking it lightly as she'd seen in movies. "A memory for us," she said with a smile, placing the camera back on the table.

Priya's irritation was now tinged with bewilderment, watching as Noelle seemed unfazed by her annoyance. "You can't just come in here, disrupt my life, and take pictures as if it's all some game," Priya scolded, but Noelle was already heading for the door.

Left alone, Priya slumped back, enveloped in the sudden silence that Noelle's departure left behind. A whirlwind of confusion, annoyance, and an unbidden curiosity churned within her. Could Noelle actually be of any help? Was she actually the daughter of Santa Claus? Or was this all some big embarrassing hoax?

As the door clicked shut, Priya's gaze drifted to the window where the evening stars were beginning to twinkle. "Well, Anjali," she whispered to the star named after her grandmother, "At least, she is pretty hot."

^^^

Priya sat cross-legged on her bed, putting together the pieces of today's mystery. The door swung open abruptly, breaking the quiet. Courtney strutted in, her keys jangling as she tossed them onto the desk. "Hey, what's up with that quirky brunette girl?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "She's been wandering around campus, asking some strange questions."

Priya's heart skipped a beat, a sense of dread creeping in. "What brunette girl?"

Courtney flopped onto her bed, oblivious to Priya's growing discomfort. "Just some girl. She's been polling people about what they find sexy, then showing them your picture and asking if they'd have sex... with you!" she laughed.

Priya felt a flush of embarrassment and anger surge through her. "She did what?"

"Yeah, it's the funniest thing!"

This was not how Priya had envisioned things happening. Without a word, Priya bolted out, leaving a trail of confusion behind.

Priya's cheeks were ablaze, not from the cool evening air but from humiliation and frustration. She navigated through the crowds, scanning for Noelle.

"Where are you, Noelle?" she muttered, her pace quickening with each step. She needed to find her, to stop this madness before she could never show her face on campus again.

Priya's wish, far from coming true, was spiraling into a nightmare. The only solution was to confront Noelle and end this. How could she have let things get this far? How could she have trusted someone so disconnected from her reality?

"Elf"

Tinsel stepped off the Candy Cane Express, its peppermint swirls fading into the warm California air. The magical train had vanished as silently as it had arrived, leaving Tinsel alone in San Diego. His eyes were full of wonder at a world so vastly different from The North Pole, the only place he had ever known.

Snow and pine trees had been replaced by warmth and palm trees, but what really kept his eye was the bikini-clad women walking by.

Adjusting his cap, Tinsel reminded himself of his mission. "No time for distractions," he muttered, although his eyes betrayed him, lingering a tad too long on a shapely Latina girl with a fantastic ass in a revealing red bikini. He shook his head, feeling a warmth that wasn't just the California sun. "I'm here to protect Noelle."

As he navigated the streets, Tinsel employed a dash of Christmas magic to blend in. It was a subtle enchantment that allowed him to weave through the crowds unnoticed, just another in a sea of faces.

As he reached the campus, it was alive with laughter and chatter. It was almost as chaotic as Santa's workshop. Focusing on the large group of students, he found Noelle in the center. However, this was a Noelle he had never seen before, as she was dressed in a tight, tiny pair of shorts and a shirt revealing a lot of her delicious pale skin. He had to focus to catch his jaw from dropping off. Protect her, he thought, she'll be so grateful after that, maybe... He quickly shook his head and remembered Satna's words about only interfering if necessary.

From his concealed vantage point, Tinsel watched as Noelle confronted students of various genders and ethnicities, asked them a few questions as they laughed at her, and then held up a Polaroid photo. The situation seemed to spiral, and Tinsel felt a protective urge rise. He knew how dedicated Noelle was, but he also knew how naive she was and that she had no idea she was being mocked.

The students' laughter grated on him, each chuckle a jingle bell of mockery. Tinsel's fists clenched involuntarily. He longed to leap out, defend Noelle's honor, and be her knight, her shimmering Tinsel. He trusted Santa, though, so instead, he watched over her.

In the background, a student in a "Santa's Favorite Elf" t-shirt walked past, oblivious to the real elf in their midst. Tinsel smirked at the irony, slightly relieving some of his anxiety.

The elf's attention returned to Noelle, her face a picture of confusion as she tried to comprehend the students' reactions. She was failing in her task, and though it pained him, Tinsel remained where he was, cloaked in the Christmas magic. "You can do this, Noelle," he whispered, his voice carried away in the breeze, an unheard cheer from the sidelines.

"Deck the Halls"

Priya marched across the university quad. Each step was fueled by her frustration. "How could Noelle think parading my picture around campus was a good idea? How could she ask all these random strangers if they wanted her?" she huffed.

Spotting Noelle laughing with a group of frat boys, Priya's resolve wavered. Noelle's infectious enthusiasm seemed to charm everyone around her. As the group dispersed, one of them shot Noelle a wink, eliciting a carefree giggle from her.

"Noelle!" Priya called out, not bothering to hide the exasperation in her voice.

Noelle turned around, her face lighting up at the sight of Priya. "There you are!" she exclaimed. "I have great news!"

"Great news?" she echoed skeptically.

"Yes!" Noelle beamed. "We've been invited to a holiday party tonight!" Noelle continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've been learning so much, too! I think I know what people want now. It's the perfect chance to make your wish come true. We should get ready!"

Priya was dumbfounded. A frat party? She had never been to one, had never even been invited. Despite herself, her curiosity was piqued. "I... We've been invited?" she stammered, struggling to process this unlikely social breakthrough.

Noelle nodded vigorously. "Absolutely! It's the best place to mingle and... you know, be noticed." She linked her arm with Priya's as they returned to the dorms.

Walking beside Noelle, Priya's initial anger melted away, replaced by a surreal sense of anticipation. She was actually going to a party. A party with Noelle, Santa's daughter. Maybe, just maybe, there's something to magic, she thought, a part of her daring to hope. Either that, or she was setting herself up for the biggest embarrassment of her life.

"Screwed"

The festive atmosphere on campus was palpable as they approached the largest frat house for tonight's holiday party. Priya's discomfort was evident in her every step. Priya, whose usual wardrobe was based more on function over fashion, donned a slutty Santa's helper outfit. The short, tight green dress was complemented by a playful Santa hat perched atop her head. Noelle was in a sexy version of an Elf costume right up to the fake pointed ears. Noelle had assured her the costumes were 'perfect for the occasion.' Glancing at Noelle, Priya took in the hot body of her friend, embarrassed by her attraction to her.

"Do you even know what you're doing, Noelle?" Priya asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. The idea of going to a frat party was daunting enough, but doing so in such revealing clothes was something else.

"Just trust me, Priya," Noelle replied with a grin. "Remember to smile, laugh, and maybe don't get too intellectual with the guys."

Priya frowned at the advice. "You want me to act stupid?" Noelle responded with a reassuring smile before rushing them both forward.

Music and laughter spilled into the night as they neared the fraternity house decked out in festive lights and holiday decorations. Noelle's eyes sparkled with excitement as they approached. "Are you ready for this?" she asked, her enthusiasm infectious.

Taking a deep breath, Priya settled herself. "As ready as I'll ever be."

With a final, shared look of camaraderie, they stepped up to the entrance. The door swung open, revealing the lively party within. Noelle entered confidently while Priya stepped in tentatively, her fate for the evening resting in the hands of her unlikely companion.

"They're all staring," Priya murmured to Noelle.

Noelle, however, was undeterred. "Of course they are," she replied, beaming with pride. "You look amazing, Priya. This is your Christmas wish coming to life. They're staring because they desire you!"

Moving further into the party, Noelle's fascination with the decorations became apparent. She marveled at the strings of lights and the mistletoe hanging strategically in doorways. Suddenly, she stopped short at a Santa display.

"They have made a serious mistake. They've got Cupid where Blitzen should be." Noelle exclaimed a bit too loudly. A nearby frat guy overheard and chuckled, giving her a bemused look.

Meanwhile, Priya's eyes landed on a guy across the room. He was laughing with friends, casually leaning against the wall. "He's... wow," she breathed out, not realizing she'd spoken aloud until Noelle nudged her.

"Go talk to him! Remember, laugh at his jokes, and don't make him feel dumb."

Priya hesitated, but Noelle's gentle push moved her forward. She took tentative steps towards the guy, each a battle against her natural inclination to retreat.

"Hi, I'm Priya," she said, her voice laced with a nervous giggle.

"Hey, I'm Chad. You're hot."

Taken aback by his boldness, Priya was nervous but tried to keep the conversation light, following Noelle's advice. She laughed at his jokes, even though they weren't amusing. But then, Chad casually said, "I mean, most of this science stuff is just funded by big pharma, you know?"