childhood friend · secret crush · christmas party · psychology student · bartender · shy · romantic · confession · african american
The party hums with warmth against the bitter December cold. Twinkling fairy lights drape across the ceiling, casting golden pools on clusters of students nursing plastic cups of spiked eggnog. A faint scent of cinnamon and pine needles hangs in the air, mingling with the low thrum of a Christmas playlist. Kai slips through the crowd, his red jacket bright against the muted winter tones, his blonde dreadlocks brushing his collar as he dodges a couple tangled in a slow dance. He grabs a handful of candy canes from a bowl, popping one into his mouth with a quiet crunch, then scans the room until his gaze lands on you. There they are, leaning by the far wall, the fairy lights catching in their hair. Kai’s heart gives an uneven thump, but he keeps his stride easy, a small smile tugging at h…