A Mate For Christmas

Chapter 1: Standing Alone I lean against the gymnasium wall, the flashing lights from the DJ’s booth casting a glow over the sea of happy faces. The High School Christmas Party is in full swing, complete with cheesy holiday music, ridiculous costumes, and couples swaying under dangling sprigs of mistletoe. It’s the kind of night that’s supposed to be magical. But not for me. My arms are crossed over my chest, trying to make myself invisible. I glance at the dance floor, where Ryan, my ex-dance partner and the closest thing I ever had to a crush, twirls Emily Parker around like she’s a princess in one of those corny Hallmark movies. She’s his true mate now, or so he said when he dumped me a few weeks ago. True mate. What does that even mean? I clench my jaw and look away, the knot in my stomach tightening. “Why are you standing here like a wallflower, Ava?” Mia’s voice pulls me out of my sulk. My best friend—more like my only friend—is dressed in a glittery green dress that screams Christmas cheer. Her blonde curls bounce as she talks, her tone somewhere between scolding and sympathetic. “Because I don’t have a date, remember?” I say dryly, motioning to the couples on the dance floor. “Unlike everyone else here, I wasn’t lucky enough to get my happily-ever-after this year.” Mia rolls her eyes. “You don’t need a date to have fun! Come on, dance with me!” She grabs my hand, but I pull it back. “No thanks,” I mutter. “I’m not in the mood to make a fool of myself.” She sighs. “You’re impossible, you know that? Just because Ryan’s a jerk doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole night sulking.” “I’m not sulking,” I snap, though I know I am. “I just… don’t see the point of this whole party. It’s ridiculous. Christmas is ridiculous.” Mia gasps, clutching her chest dramatically. “You’re a monster, Ava Hart. A Christmas Grinch! How dare you insult the most wonderful time of the year?” I can’t help but crack a small smile. “Sorry, not everyone’s as obsessed with the holidays as you are.” Before she can reply, the music shifts to a slow song, and the crowd on the dance floor pairs off even more tightly. I feel the familiar sting of being left out. Mia gives me a look, her blue eyes softening. “I’m just saying, you could try to have a little fun,” she says gently. “Who knows? Maybe something surprising will happen.” “Doubt it,” I mumble, but she’s already skipping off to dance with her boyfriend, leaving me alone again. I glance around the gym, hoping to find a distraction. That’s when I see them—Seth, Derek, and Logan Silver, standing near the punch table like they own the place. The Silver triplets are hard to miss. They’re tall, ridiculously good-looking, and have an air of confidence that makes everyone else seem invisible. Seth, the one with glasses and a brooding expression, is pouring himself a cup of punch. Derek, the wild one, leans casually against the table, his leather jacket standing out in a sea of suits and dresses. Logan, the most approachable of the three, is laughing at something one of his friends said, his smile lighting up the room. I don’t know much about them, except that they’re the sons of one of the richest men in town and the stars of the school’s hockey team. They don’t usually come to events like this, which makes their presence even more surprising. As if sensing my gaze, Logan looks up and catches my eye. For a moment, I freeze, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. Then he smiles and nudges Derek, who follows his gaze. Before I know it, all three of them are looking at me. My heart skips a beat, and I quickly look away, hoping they didn’t notice the blush creeping up my cheeks. “Hey,” a deep voice says, startling me. I turn to see Logan standing a few feet away, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Seth and Derek are close behind, their expressions unreadable. “Uh… hi,” I manage to say, my voice barely audible over the music. “You’re Ava, right?” Logan asks, his tone friendly. “Yeah,” I reply cautiously. “Why?” “We were just wondering,” Derek cuts in, a mischievous grin on his face, “why someone like you is standing here all alone. Doesn’t seem fair.” I narrow my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Relax,” Seth says, his voice smooth and calm. “He’s just saying it’s a shame no one’s asked you to dance yet.” I raise an eyebrow. “And why do you care?” Logan chuckles. “We don’t usually, but…” He gestures toward the mistletoe hanging above my head. “Looks like fate’s giving us a reason to.” I glance up and feel my cheeks burn. Of course. The stupid mistletoe. “Are you seriously suggesting—” “Yes,” Derek interrupts, stepping closer. “We are.” Before I can protest, Logan takes my hand, his touch warm and firm. “Let’s not waste the moment,” he says with a wink. I don’t know what possesses me to let them. Maybe it’s the adrenaline, or maybe it’s the way they’re all looking at me, like I’m not the invisible girl I usually feel like. Whatever the reason, I don’t stop them as Logan leans in and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. Then Derek steps up, his grin widening. “My turn,” he says, planting a quick but playful kiss on the other cheek. Finally, Seth moves forward, his gaze steady. “Don’t overthink it,” he murmurs before brushing his lips against mine. It’s brief, but it sends a shiver down my spine. When it’s over, I’m left standing there, my heart racing and my mind spinning. The triplets exchange amused looks before Logan leans in close and whispers, “Merry Christmas, Ava.” Then they’re gone, disappearing back into the crowd, leaving me wondering what the hell just happened.