1.
1185 Words
Freda’s POV.
Chapter 1: The Mistletoe
The gymnasium smells like pine needles and something faintly sweet—probably the punch in the corner. The school’s Christmas decorations are strung up all over, flickering lights hanging from the walls and red ribbons tied around every pillar. It’s all too much. The cheer, the forced smiles, the music. All of it makes my stomach twist in frustration. I hate Christmas, and this stupid party is only reminding me why.
“Hey, Freda!” a voice calls from behind me. I turn and see Emily, my best friend, practically bouncing with excitement. Her long, blonde hair is curled in perfect waves, and her sparkly red dress is more festive than I’ve ever seen her. I can’t help but envy her a little. She’s happy. She’s in love with her boyfriend, Alex. She’s got everything I don’t.
“Hey, Em,” I reply flatly. “You look… great.” I try to smile, but it feels stiff.
“Stop being so down,” she says with a grin, tugging on my sleeve. “You’re going to miss the mistletoe tradition.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Mistletoe tradition? Please, I’m good. I’m not really in the mood for some forced holiday magic.”
Emily laughs, but there’s a softness in her tone. “Come on. It’s just a little fun. Besides, who knows? You might meet someone new.”
I roll my eyes, but she’s right about one thing. The mistletoe always brings surprises. And for once, maybe I could use a distraction from all the memories.
As I stand there, contemplating whether or not to go along with her ridiculous suggestion, I hear it. The unmistakable sound of deep, confident footsteps. My heart skips a beat as I look up, only to find three sets of eyes focused on me.
Seth, Roland, and Luke. The Blackwood triplets.
I freeze for a moment. Seth’s the first one to smile—his usual half-smile, as though he’s always keeping some secret to himself. I’ve known the Blackwoods for years. Seth’s the quiet one, the strong and stoic one who everyone respects. Roland is the wild one, the adrenaline junkie, with a permanent rebellious gleam in his eyes. And Luke… Luke is the charming one, always with a clever comment on his lips and a look that says he’s always five steps ahead of everyone else.
But tonight, they’re all looking at me.
“Hey, Freda,” Seth greets me in that low voice of his. “Are you enjoying the party?”
I force a smile, trying not to let my nerves show. “It’s… okay, I guess.”
“I don’t believe you,” Roland chimes in, his voice full of amusement. “You look like you’re about to break into an escape plan.”
I laugh, albeit weakly. “Maybe I am.”
Luke steps forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, you don’t have to escape just yet. We’ve got mistletoe.”
I glance up, and sure enough, they’ve found a sprig of mistletoe hanging just above them. Of course, they’d be standing under it, as if they planned this whole thing.
I cross my arms, trying to look disinterested, though my pulse quickens at the thought of the three of them so close. “Yeah, I don’t think I’m in the mood for that either.”
Roland raises an eyebrow. “You sure? Because I think the mistletoe says otherwise.”
Seth’s smile widens. “Come on, Freda. It’s just a kiss. No pressure.”
I shake my head, my heart racing. “I’m not looking for a kiss. Not tonight.”
Luke leans closer, his grin softening a little. “We’re not here to force anything, Freda. Just a little fun, remember?”
I try to look away, but there’s something in their eyes that makes it hard to resist. They’re not joking. They’re serious, in their own way. I can’t help but feel the weight of their attention. It’s been so long since anyone has made me feel… noticed. Seen.
Without warning, Seth reaches out, gently tugging my arm. “Come on, Freda. Just one kiss. You can blame it on the mistletoe. A holiday tradition, right?”
I hesitate, looking from one to the other. It’s tempting. Too tempting. But I know I’m not supposed to be doing this. Not after everything. Not after Zach.
“You’re making it hard to say no,” I murmur, feeling a little breathless.
Seth’s eyes darken, just for a second, before his usual calm returns. “Good. That’s the idea.”
I swallow hard. It’s only a kiss. Just one kiss.
Before I can overthink it, Seth leans in, and his lips brush mine, soft and quick. My mind blanks for a moment as a wave of warmth spreads through me. I pull back just as quickly, not knowing what to make of the sudden rush of emotions.
Roland chuckles from behind me. “That was too easy, Seth. Let’s see if we can top that.”
Luke steps forward, his smirk widening. “I think it’s my turn.”
I feel a flutter in my chest as Luke places a hand on my cheek and gently pulls me toward him. His lips meet mine, and it’s different. He’s playful, teasing almost, as if he’s daring me to enjoy it. I feel a spark, something electric that I can’t ignore. But when he pulls away, I’m left breathless, caught in something I can’t quite explain.
And then, Roland.
I didn’t expect him to be the last one, but here he is. He grins at me, his wild eyes full of challenge, and I’m both intrigued and nervous. “Ready for the real kiss?”
Before I can answer, Roland grabs me by the wrist, pulling me closer. His kiss is bold, unapologetic, and when he pulls away, I feel dizzy. His eyes gleam with something darker, something more dangerous, and I’m left standing there, stunned.
I blink, trying to make sense of what just happened. I don’t know how to process it, how to react to it. Three kisses, from three different guys—guys who I’ve known for years, but never like this. I try to step back, but my legs feel a little wobbly.
“Don’t overthink it, Freda,” Seth says, his voice softer now. “It’s just a kiss. We’re not going to bite.”
Roland snickers. “Speak for yourself. I’d love to bite, but we’re keeping it PG for now.”
I swallow hard, trying to steady myself. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
Luke laughs lightly, his tone teasing. “How about ‘thank you’? That’s a good start.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Roland adds with a grin. “We’ll let you recover first.”
I roll my eyes, but my heart is still racing. “You guys are impossible.”
Seth takes a step closer, his eyes softening. “No. We’re just giving you a reason to believe in the holidays again.”
- Writer
