A Kiss Before The New Year

CHAPTER FOUR — A CHRISTMAS CONFESSION

December 25, 2023 – Night

The party was in full swing by the time Megan spotted Evelyn at the far end of the hall, slumped on a couch near the glowing Christmas tree. Fairy lights painted her tired face in gold and red hues.

“Evelyn!” Megan called, weaving through the crowd, her excitement too bright to hide.

Evelyn looked up, blinking through the din of laughter and music. “What’s up with you? You look like you just won the lottery.”

“Better than that!” Megan grinned, nearly bouncing on her heels.

“Oh, please don’t make me guess,” Evelyn said, massaging her temples. “Just spit it out before I die of suspense.”

Megan leaned in, her voice trembling with excitement. “Axton likes you!”

For a moment, the words didn’t register. Then Evelyn froze, eyes wide, jaw dropping.

“What?”

“You heard me! Axton. Likes. You.”

Evelyn blinked, trying to process. “No, you’re lying. You’re playing one of your cruel best-friend pranks again.”

“Would I look this happy if I was lying?” Megan squealed, grabbing her hands. “He just told me! He’s waiting for you right now—left wing of the house. Go, go, go!”

Evelyn’s lips parted in disbelief. “He… really said that?”

“Yes!” Megan practically shouted. “Now move before he changes his mind!”

Evelyn’s heart pounded. Her mind raced with every memory of him — every glance, every smile, every moment she’d convinced herself meant nothing.

She took a deep breath. “Okay,” she whispered, straightening her dress. “Wish me luck.”

Megan squeezed her shoulders. “Best of luck, my soon-to-be girlfriend of Axton Smith.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re impossible.”

The hallway leading to the left wing was dimly lit, music fading as Evelyn walked, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Her palms were damp, her breath shallow. She replayed Megan’s words in her head — He likes you. He’s waiting for you.

When a hand suddenly caught her wrist, she gasped.

“Jason!” she yelped as he pulled her into a dark room. “What are you—?”

Before she could finish, the door clicked shut and the lights flicked on.

Her breath caught.

The once-empty room had been transformed into a glowing wonderland. Fairy lights framed the walls, a soft haze of rose petals covered the floor, and a small circle of candles flickered at the center. A crowd of familiar faces — classmates, friends, even Megan — stood smiling along the edges of the room.

And there, in the middle of it all, was Axton Smith — kneeling on one knee, a bouquet of red and white roses in one hand and a small velvet box in the other.

The room erupted in gasps and whispers. Cameras lifted. Music faded into a slow instrumental tune.

Evelyn froze. “What’s happening?” she whispered.

Axton looked up at her, his usual playful smirk replaced by something deeper — nervousness, maybe even fear.

“I wasn’t sure how to do this,” he began, voice slightly shaky. “You know me — I mess up my words, I act confident, but half the time I don’t know what I’m doing.”

A ripple of laughter spread through the room, but he didn’t break his gaze from her.

“But with you,” he continued softly, “everything feels different. I don’t have to pretend. You make me want to be better — kinder, calmer, more real. You’re the reason I look forward to school, the reason I can’t stop smiling when you walk into a room. Evelyn Parker… you’ve been my favorite person long before I was brave enough to admit it.”

He took a breath, then held out the roses. “I love you — completely, stupidly, helplessly. And if you’ll let me, I’d like to start this new year with you… as mine.”

The crowd fell silent.

Evelyn stood motionless, tears blurring her vision. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her heart thundered in her chest — too loud, too fast.

Then she turned toward Megan, eyes glistening. “You knew, didn’t you?”

Megan laughed through her own tears. “Maybe a little.”

Evelyn laughed, a choked, trembling sound that broke the tension like sunlight through clouds.

She turned back to Axton, who was still kneeling, nervous and hopeful.

“Get up,” she said softly.

He blinked, confused. “What?”

She smiled through her tears. “Get up so I can hug you properly.”

The room erupted in cheers as Axton rose, and Evelyn threw her arms around his neck. Applause thundered, music swelled, and camera flashes painted the moment in gold.

When they finally pulled apart, Axton held out the ring — not an engagement ring, but a simple silver band etched with tiny snowflakes.

“Just a promise,” he said. “For now.”

Evelyn nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I love it. And I love you.”