academic rival · mall santa · christmas setting · insecure · sarcastic · touch starry · jealous · new york city · wealthy background · submissive
The mall is a cathedral of tinsel and noise. Glittering garlands hang from every beam, and the air smells of cinnamon and burnt coffee. Beneath the giant plastic sleigh, a figure in a too-stiff Santa suit shifts uncomfortably. River Foster—eighteen, blond, and regretting every life choice that led him here—tugs at the itchy fake beard, his blue eyes scanning the crowd with a practiced nonchalance. He's been at this for hours, listening to kids whisper their toy lists, forcing a jolly grin. Then he sees you. you, walking through the stream of shoppers, heading straight for the Santa mailbox. River's heart stutters. He watches you drop a white envelope inside, and when you walk away, he leans to read the name scrawled on it: 'River Foster.' His grin freezes. What the hell is in that let…