The Christmas Confession

Chapter 1.

Anna’s POV

Chapter 1: The Mistletoe Kiss

I stand off to the side, arms crossed, watching everyone else. The crowd is thick with laughter, and there’s a constant hum of chatter. Couples swing around the floor, and the laughter of those who haven’t been left out echoes throughout the gym. I sigh and glance down at my shoes, wishing I could disappear into the floor. No one notices me anyway.

I used to get invited to dances. Well, I used to have a partner, but that was before. Before I learned how things really work around here.

“Hey, Anna!” a familiar voice calls out, pulling me from my thoughts. I glance up to see Emily Winters, Crestwood’s social queen, approaching. Of course she’s here with her usual crowd. She flashes a bright smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She’s probably looking for some way to rub in her perfect night while I stand here alone.

“Hi, Emily,” I mutter, trying to be polite.

“Having fun?” she asks, though it’s clear she’s already decided that I’m not. Her eyes flicker to my empty hands, the lack of a partner obvious to anyone who’s paying attention.

“I’m fine,” I reply, my voice flat. I try to make myself sound uninterested in whatever she’s implying, but I can feel her gaze on me.

“You know,” she says, leaning in just enough for me to feel the weight of her words, “Isaac Monroe’s single tonight.” She raises an eyebrow, the insinuation clear. “Maybe he’ll be looking for someone to share the mistletoe with. You never know.”

I clench my jaw, forcing a smile I don’t mean. Isaac Monroe. The star hockey player. The one every girl in school dreams about. He’s the perfect picture of everything I should want. But I don’t. Not anymore. Not since last year.

Before I can respond, she’s already walking off, leaving me to stew in my own thoughts.

I hate Christmas. Not the decorations, not the food, but the way everyone’s supposed to pretend everything’s perfect. The way you’re supposed to be in love with the season, like it’ll fix everything. And the whole mistletoe tradition? Please. As if some random kiss could suddenly change everything.

I wander further into the gym, searching for a quieter spot, trying to stay out of the way. I don’t want to see Isaac Monroe, or any of his friends. But of course, the universe has other plans.

Just as I round a corner, I nearly bump into a tall figure. A pair of strong hands catch my shoulders to steady me.

“Whoa, careful there,” says a deep voice, rich and warm. I know that voice anywhere.

Axel Monroe.

Of course.

Axel Monroe is one of the triplets—the most rebellious one, the one who doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He’s the exact opposite of his brother Isaac. Where Isaac is polished, Axel is rough around the edges, like the kind of guy who rides a motorcycle through town just to piss off the teachers. I’ve never really spoken to him much, but I’ve noticed him—who hasn’t? He’s hard to miss with his wild, dark hair and those intense, almost dangerous eyes.

“Sorry,” I say quickly, stepping back. My heart stutters in my chest for some unknown reason. I force a small smile. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

He grins, and for a second, I swear the whole room fades into the background. “It’s okay,” he says with a shrug, clearly not bothered. “Guess you’re not a fan of the holiday cheer either?”

I raise an eyebrow, slightly caught off guard. “How did you know?”

“Easy,” Axel says, glancing around at the overly cheerful crowd. “You’re not the only one here who thinks this is all just a big joke.”

I look at him, noticing the way he seems so out of place. The tight suit jacket he’s wearing doesn’t quite match the roughness of his demeanor. He glances around again, his eyes narrowing as he notices some of the others. I can tell he doesn’t like being here any more than I do.

“I’m here because I have to be,” he adds, half to himself. “Not because I want to be.”

I chuckle, surprising myself. “Yeah, same here.” I hesitate before adding, “Sometimes it feels like everyone’s pretending everything’s perfect.”

Axel looks at me with something like understanding in his eyes. “I know exactly what you mean. Fake smiles, fake happiness… and don’t even get me started on the whole mistletoe nonsense.”

I nod, relieved that someone else gets it. “Exactly. Like, what’s the point? You’re supposed to kiss someone just because you’re standing under some plant? Who thought that was a good idea?”

Axel smirks. “Some romantic i***t, that’s who.”

We both laugh, the tension breaking, and for a second, it feels like we’re on the same team. I almost forget about everything else—the fact that I’m standing alone at a school dance, that Isaac Monroe is out there somewhere, and that this night is bound to be just as disappointing as the last one.

But then, a voice cuts through the air, calling out Axel’s name.

“Axel! Over here!”

I turn to see Isaac Monroe, the golden boy, walking over with his usual cocky grin. He’s dressed in a sleek, dark suit, looking every bit the part of the high school heartthrob. Behind him, Elias Monroe—quiet, thoughtful Elias—is walking slowly, looking lost in his own thoughts.

Axel rolls his eyes, but there’s a hint of amusement in his expression. “What do they want now?” he mutters, clearly not thrilled by his brothers’ attention.

Isaac slaps Axel’s back, grinning wide. “Come on, man. You know they’ve been waiting for us to show up. Let’s at least pretend we care about this dance.”

I stand there, trying to stay invisible, feeling like an outsider. And yet, I can’t help but watch as the Monroe triplets approach. Even Elias, with his reserved nature, seems to command attention. There’s something magnetic about them. Something that draws people in, and I can’t help but wonder why they’re even talking to me.

“Hey, Anna,” Isaac says, flashing me a smile. “I didn’t expect to see you standing around over here. Thought you’d be dancing with someone.”

I bite my lip, resisting the urge to snap back. “Not my thing,” I say instead, my voice a little softer than I intended.

Isaac’s eyes flicker to Axel, who is leaning against the wall with a half-smile on his lips. “Yeah, well, the night’s young,” Isaac says, his tone teasing. “Maybe you’ll change your mind later. You never know.”

I glance at Axel, then back to Isaac. I’m not sure how to respond, but I’m saved from having to say anything when Elias speaks up.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Elias says, his voice calm, almost tired. He pushes his glasses up his nose and looks at me with an intensity that makes me feel like he’s reading my thoughts.

I can’t help but stare at him for a moment longer than I should. There’s something about Elias that makes him stand out—his quiet, observant nature that seems to be the opposite of everything Isaac and Axel are. I can’t quite place it, but there’s a warmth behind his gaze that makes me feel… seen.

Before I can say anything, the music changes, and suddenly, the entire room is filled with the soft notes of a Christmas ballad. People start to drift toward the dance floor, leaving just the four of us standing off to the side.

“Come on, Anna,” Isaac says, offering me his hand with a grin. “You don’t want to just stand here all night, do you?”

I hesitate, my eyes flickering between the three of them. I can feel the pressure building—pressure to smile, to pretend like I’m enjoying myself. But I can’t. Not when it feels like a game I’m not supposed to play.

“I’m good, thanks,” I say, shaking my head. “I’ll pass.”

Isaac raises an eyebrow, clearly not used to rejection. “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t offer.” He glances at Axel and Elias, who both seem unfazed by the exchange. Then, just as he’s about to turn away, something catches his eye—something hanging above us.

“Well, well,” Isaac says with a sly smile. “It looks like the mistletoe’s ready for someone.”

I look up, and sure enough, there it is—hanging right above us. The most dreaded symbol of this entire night.

Before I can say anything, Isaac leans in, his lips brushing my cheek in a swift, surprising kiss.

It’s not the kiss I was expecting. But it’s enough to make my heart skip a beat, to make me feel a sudden rush of warmth flooding my chest.

And then, just as quickly, Axel steps in, his lips capturing my other cheek in a kiss that’s both playful and daring.

“I guess I’m not one to miss out,” Axel says with a wink.

And then, Elias—quiet Elias—leans in, his kiss softer, more lingering. It’s gentle, like he’s waiting for me to pull away. But I don’t.