Matej je stal pred ljubljansko srednjo šolo.

Matej stood in front of a Ljubljana high school.

Bil je hit in mraz, sneg pa je počasi padal s sivega neba.

It was windy and cold, and snow was slowly falling from the gray sky.

Šola je bila polna prazničnih okraskov.

The school was full of festive decorations.

Na hodnikih je bilo veselo in glasno.

The corridors were lively and loud.

V razredu pa je potekal Izmenjava Secret Santa.

In the classroom, however, a Secret Santa exchange was taking place.

Matej je stiskal darilo v rokah.

Matej clutched the gift in his hands.

Bil je nervozen.

He was nervous.

Luka ga je trepljal po hrbtu.

Luka patted him on the back.

"Daj, Matej, ne bit takšen.

"Come on, Matej, don't be like that.

Nini bo všeč karkoli ji daš," ga je bodril Luka s širokim nasmehom.

Nina will like whatever you give her," Luka encouraged him with a wide smile.

Matej pa je bil zaskrbljen.

But Matej was worried.

V glavi je premleval, ali naj ostane pri darilnem bonu ali pa da Nini nekaj posebnega, kar je sam naredil.

He was mulling over in his head whether to stick with a gift card or give Nina something special that he had made himself.

Matej je imel v rokah svojo beležko.

Matej held his notebook.

Notri je bil njegov poseben skicir.

Inside was his special sketch.

Tako rad je risal.

He loved drawing so much.

A še nikoli ga ni pokazal nikomur.

But he had never shown it to anyone.

Ta sklic je bil za Nino.

This sketch was for Nina.

Vedel je, da bo z njim pokazal, kako zelo jo občuduje.

He knew it would show how much he admired her.

Matej je požiral sline in se odločal.

Matej swallowed his saliva and was deciding.

Ko je bila izmenjava daril, je Nina prišla do Mateja.

When the gift exchange came, Nina approached Matej.

On je tresoče izročil darilo, ki je bilo zavito v preprost rdeč papir.

He tremblingly handed over the present, wrapped in plain red paper.

V notranjosti je bila skica z napisom "Za Nino, ki sveti kot zvezda.

Inside was a sketch with the inscription "For Nina, who shines like a star."

" Srce mu je hitro bilo.

His heart was beating fast.

Nadaljevala je vrsto.

She continued down the line.

Nina je previdno odprla paket.

Nina carefully opened the package.

Osupnila je nad lepotom skice.

She was amazed by the beauty of the sketch.

Njene oči so se zasvetile.

Her eyes lit up.

Pogledala je proti Mateju, skočila k njemu in rekla: "Matej, hvala!

She looked at Matej, jumped to him, and said, "Matej, thank you!

To je čudovito.

This is wonderful.

Nisem vedela, da tako lepo rišeš.

I didn't know you could draw so beautifully."

" Matej je bil presenečen.

Matej was surprised.

Njena iskrena hvaležnost ga je takoj ogrela.

Her sincere gratitude instantly warmed him.

Ta trenutek je bil zanj pomemben.

This moment was important for him.

Matej se je počutil, kot da je naredil velik korak iz svoje lupine.

Matej felt like he had taken a big step out of his shell.

Počutil se je bolj samozavestno, kot da lahko izrazi sebe brez strahu.

He felt more confident, as if he could express himself without fear.

Šola je bila še vedno glasna in živahna, snežinke pa so plezale po šolskih oknih, prinašajoč zimsko magijo.

The school was still loud and lively, and snowflakes were climbing up the school windows, bringing winter magic.

Matej je vedel, da je naslednje leto polno možnosti – toliko, kot snežink na nebu.

Matej knew that the next year was full of possibilities—as many as the snowflakes in the sky.