Tom strolled through the mall, his varsity jacket tightly hugging his broad shoulders. He was a striking figure, with his muscular build and short black hair, drawing glances from passersby. As he reached the center of the mall, his attention was caught by the sight of a mall Santa, surrounded by eager children. The Santa, with a twinkle in his eye, motioned for Tom to approach.
Mall Santa was an older man with a genuine beard and a jolly demeanor. "Hey there, young man. Could you do me a favor?" he asked, his voice as warm as his red suit.
"What's in it for me?" Tom responded, curious.
"How about twenty bucks? Just sit here and cover for me while I take a break," the old Santa proposed, handing over his oversized coat.
Tom watched the families pass by, his thoughts drifting to his upcoming wrestling match. Minutes turned into half an hour, and still, the old Santa did not return. With a sigh, Tom decided that the man must have quit. He left the mall, the red coat still draped over his shoulders.
That night, Tom tossed and turned in his sleep. When he awoke the next morning, something felt different. He glanced in the mirror, shocked to find his reflection altered. His face now sported a short beard, and his muscles seemed larger, yet softer, beneath a layer of unexpected bulk.
He grabbed a quick breakfast, but each bite seemed to make his belly swell. By the time he reached the wrestling room, his weight had jumped dramatically. His coach, however, seemed pleased, eagerly moving Tom to a higher weight class.
Tom was confused, his reflection in the locker room mirror showing an older, wider version of himself. His muscles were still there, but now hidden beneath a growing belly. He donned a larger singlet, feeling it tighten around him as he prepared for his match.
His matches came and went, each victory bolstered by his sheer mass. Yet, with every bout, his body seemed to change further. By the final match of the day, his hair had turned gray, and his belly had grown cumbersome.
Tom struggled through the last round, his once-powerful frame now hindered by his transformation. Defeated, he retreated to the locker room, where the mirror showed him a face that was unmistakably Santa Claus.
Inside was the red Santa suit, perfectly tailored to his new form. With no other clothes that fit, Tom donned the suit, the fabric settling comfortably around him. As he did, the world around him shimmered, the locker room fading away.
Suddenly, Tom found himself at the North Pole, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and the bustling activity of elves preparing for Christmas. He was Santa Claus now, with all the responsibilities and magic that entailed.
Tom looked around, a sense of awe and acceptance washing over him. The elves greeted him warmly, their eyes sparkling with admiration for their new leader. He realized that this was his destiny, a chance to bring joy to the world.
"Ho, ho, ho!" Tom boomed, embracing his new role with a smile.
And so, the college wrestler became the new Santa Claus, ready to deliver happiness and gifts to children everywhere.
