Holiday of the heart

Chapter 1: Under the Mistletoe A few months ago, things were different. I had a partner, and I was looking forward to tonight. But that was before Ben—the guy I thought I’d spend forever with—found his “true mate.” Those words stung more than I let on, but I’d never tell anyone that. I just picked up the pieces of my broken heart and convinced myself it was fine. I didn’t need anyone to fix it for me. “You okay?” The voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look up. It’s Jenny, my best friend since forever. She’s standing next to me with a cup of punch in one hand, looking concerned. Jenny’s the opposite of me in almost every way. She’s bubbly, always optimistic, and never afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. “Yeah,” I lie, shrugging, and take a sip from my own cup. The punch tastes like sugar and regret. “Just… enjoying the view.” She raises an eyebrow. “You know you can dance, right? It’s not like the entire school will judge you if you do.” I look at her. “And end up dancing alone? No thanks.” Jenny sighs and crosses her arms, clearly not giving up. “Sophie, you can’t let Ben’s stupid decision ruin your night. You deserve to have fun too.” I swallow the bitterness that rises in my throat at the mention of Ben. He’s moved on, and I’m still stuck here, thinking about how he left me like I was just an option. But Jenny’s right. I shouldn’t let him ruin tonight. It’s just hard to let go, especially with everyone else seemingly so happy. I glance around again, but this time, my eyes land on the Keaton brothers—Johnny, Newton, and Jackson. They stand by the door, their dark eyes scanning the room, looking like they’ve walked straight out of some dream. Johnny is the first I notice. He’s wearing a leather jacket that only he could pull off and has his hair styled in that perfect messy way that makes him look effortlessly cool. He’s always surrounded by people, always with a smile that can melt anyone’s heart, and yet, he rarely seems interested in anyone. It’s like he lives in his own world. Newton is next to him, leaning casually against the wall. His glasses catch the light, and his sharp, thoughtful eyes are scanning the crowd with more curiosity than anything else. Newton’s the quiet one of the triplets, the serious one who always seems to be lost in thought. He looks like the kind of guy who would spend Christmas evening curled up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. Then there’s Jackson, who stands by the doorway, laughing with a group of friends. His dark hair is messier than usual, and he’s wearing a loose button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looks carefree, like nothing could bother him. Jackson’s the wild one, the one who doesn’t care about anyone’s expectations. He’s all about living in the moment, which is both annoying and strangely intriguing. I know they’re triplets, but they couldn’t be more different from each other. Johnny, Newton, and Jackson. They’re always together, but you can tell they each march to the beat of their own drum. It’s hard to miss them, especially when they’re together. People are always watching them, whispering, or hoping to catch their attention. And I know that some of the girls here are practically drooling over them, but I’ve never been the type to get caught up in that. Or at least, I tell myself that. “Hey, are you going to keep staring at them all night, or are you actually going to talk to one of them?” Jenny’s voice pulls me from my thoughts again. I blink. “What?” She grins. “You heard me. You’ve been eyeballing them for the past ten minutes. You know they’re not just going to fall at your feet, right?” I roll my eyes. “I wasn’t staring.” “Sure, sure. You weren’t.” Jenny smirks. “I’m just saying, Sophie, if you’re going to stand here all night, at least make it interesting.” I scowl at her. “I don’t need to make things interesting. I’m fine.” She just shakes her head, clearly not buying it. “Well, I’m going to go dance. You should try it sometime. It’s fun.” She winks at me and walks off, leaving me standing by the punch bowl with a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. Part of me wants to follow her, but another part of me is afraid of looking like a fool. Suddenly, the song changes, and the familiar strains of “Last Christmas” fill the air. It’s the one song I can’t escape every year. It’s everywhere. Even though I should hate it, I can’t help but smile at the familiarity of it. This time, though, it’s different. The lyrics hit harder than they ever have before, and before I know it, I’m lost in the memories of what this holiday used to mean. Then I feel it—a tap on my shoulder. I turn around, and there they are. Johnny, Newton, and Jackson. Standing in front of me. I blink a few times, unsure of what’s happening. “Uh, can I help you?” I ask, trying to play it cool, but my voice betrays me. It comes out much more nervous than I intended. Johnny smirks, leaning in slightly. “Are you gonna keep standing there, or are you gonna join us?” I blink again, my heart pounding. “Join you?” “Yeah, we’re gonna dance,” Jackson says, his grin widening. “I mean, unless you’re planning to stay here and stare at us all night.” Newton gives me a gentle smile, his eyes kind and sincere. “You don’t have to dance if you don’t want to. But, you know, the night is young.” My pulse races as I try to process what’s happening. They want me to join them? Dance with them? This is ridiculous. I can’t even keep my balance on a normal night, and now I’m supposed to dance with three guys? Three of the most popular—and most unattainable—guys at this school? It’s a joke, right? But something about their presence makes me hesitate, makes me question my instincts. They’re not like the other guys here. They’re different. Confident, but not arrogant. Charming, but not fake. There’s something about them that draws me in, even though I don’t want to admit it. I swallow hard. “You’re serious?” Jackson raises an eyebrow. “You think we’re kidding?” His grin is mischievous, and for a moment, I think he’s teasing me. But there’s something in his eyes—something that tells me he’s not joking. I glance at Johnny and Newton, who are both watching me, waiting for an answer. Johnny’s leaning against the table, his arms crossed, looking amused but not impatient. Newton is the quiet one, observing, but there’s warmth in his gaze, like he’s genuinely trying to make me feel comfortable. I feel the weight of the moment, and before I can second-guess myself, I find myself nodding. “Okay. I’ll dance.”