Author POV

Calm streets. Moon shining bright. Christmas lights lit up every corner. Food stalls filling in the aroma of the evening. And four girls running through the street, lifting their gowns up.

Katherine, Sarah, Amelia and Daisy were practically running on the streets holding their gift bags on one hand and lifting up their gowns in the other.

Their 15 minutes were already up. The boys kept on calling them and the girls kept on giving excuses to them until they reach the hall.

“Daisy slipped on the ground barefoot and twisted her ankle.”

“Sarah lost her phone somewhere.”

“Katherine got a migraine all of a sudden.”

“Amelia’s dress got torn off near the shoulders.”

They were even running out of excuses. But somehow made the boys believe and wait for them to arrive.

The girls decided to head on to their room first. Keep all the gift bags in the room. And walk to the hall like nothing happened.

“Daisy, run and unlock the door asap,” Katherine sighed, holding her breath.

“Pass me the keys,” Daisy yelled.

She opened the door real quick and tossed her gift bag on the bed. She quickly moved to the drawer and pulled out the touch-up makeup kit and makeup spray.

“I love you so much, Daisy. We really need a touch-up to look flawless as we were before this run,” Amelia sighed and sat next to Daisy.

“Form a straight line, kids. I’ll come to each one of you,” Daisy announced like a school teacher who’s about to do her students makeup before the annual gathering performance.

“On duty, madam,” Sarah chuckled, sitting on the other edge of the bed.

“Whatever y’all say, for me it was real fun. Planning last minute gifts is my favourite from now on,” Katherine said, slightly unbraiding her hair.

“It was more like a chase run,” Daisy laughed lightly.

“...that drained our energy and makeup,” Sarah continued.

They all laughed heartily, forgetting about the celebration going downstairs for a moment. Chaos, is surely hectic and head-aching, but with the girls, it’s always fun and lots of laughter.

Amelia POV

We left our room and went downstairs towards the hall. Our touch-ups really look like we didn’t run a marathon just now. But the tiredness in our voices says the otherwise.

Upon entering the hall, we spot the boys instantly, already munching on their plates on a big round table.

“Heyylooo, gentlemen,” Daisy greeted them with extra sweetness in her voice, trying to hide the marathon tiredness we just ran into.

“Oh, y’all are finally back,” Justin lifted his head up to look at us.

“What’s in the menu?” Katherine asked, peeping into their plates.

“Check out yourself,” Ryan replied, passing us our plates.

“Thanks for saving ours,” I chirped, grabbing one of the chairs and sitting comfortably.

“Our pleasure,” Justin replied, looking at me and passing me a soft light smile.

Hot chocolate, caramel coffee, classic dinner rolls, herbed roasted potatoes, cheesy Christmas tree bread, cranberry walnut salad, snowflake sugar cookies, caramel pudding, gingerbread men and fruit cake with nuts.

We girls, spontaneously, looked at each other. And ours smiles broadened.

I picked the cookies first. And omg! It tasted so heavenly!... The whole plate will taste good hopefully.

“Mmmmm... the meatballs are worth everything.”

“Roasted chicken too.”

“Try chicken pot pies, you'll fall in love with them.”

I looked at the girls in confusion. And then their plates.

It contained chicken dishes more than anything else. That means...

Justin knew it!

He knew I was vegetarian.

But I never told him in specific. Then how did he know?

I glanced at him for once. He wasn’t looking at me. As usual, he was laughing with the boys over some silly jokes. It seemed like he didn’t do this... for me. But I know, he’s the one who did. Tonight, I have a thousands of reasons to say him ‘thank you’. I just need a moment to express everything for what he’s silently done for me tonight.

Half an hour later,

We could barely stand on our own. Our plates and drink glasses laid on the table. It was like a real heavy meal.

“I spoiled my diet plan, one again,” Daisy cried, holding her belly. “I wanted to lose fat over here.”

“You’re already slim, Daisy,” Sarah replied, pointing at Daisy’s poor belly.

“Lazy people too have diet plans?”

“Andrew, you need to remember we have forks on our table,” Daisy replied, glaring at him with complete open eyes. “Take care they don’t get on your neck by someone.”

“I’d be glad if you’re the ‘someone’,” Andrew said, handing over a fork and a knife to Daisy. Wait – knife?! Where did that come from?!

All of us, together, turned our heads and confused faces to Andrew.

Did he just say that he’d be glad?! Did he not retort back as usual?!

“What now?” Andrew questioned, his brows furrowed.

“What did you just say?” Liam asked.

“Oh come on, I was just messing up with her.”

“That seemed like a romeo’s line,” Katherine murmured.

“Romeo? Hahaa! In your dreams,” Andrew laughed it off.

We turned back our heads. These both chaotic children are surely hiding something from us. First Daisy was sorry for being like this to Andrew and now Andrew flirting with her. We’ll dig into the matter after the trip.

“By the way...” Ryan started, coughing lightly to clear his throat. “...we are left with the dance night and after this we can leave. But few students have requested the professors to stay for a little more to play games. So what you girls would like to do? Y’all want to do both or none or any one?”

Dance night seemed interesting. A chance to vibe with my tribe under minimal Christmas lights, slow music and caring about absolutely nothing around.

“Games like?” Sarah asked.

“Like truth and dare, dumb charades, never have I ever and stuff...”

“I don’t trust our vampire students can get satisfied with these simple games,” Daisy muttered under breath.

“Exactly. And we know very well what they’ll do tonight. So you girls decide and tell us what do you want to do,” Liam said, leaning back on his seat.

“I guess, we are okay with the dance only,” Katherine suggested.

“Yeah, we are all tired already. Cannot bear with the games later,” I said.

We looked at Daisy and Sarah to see if they agreed with us. They nodded their heads in approval. All of us agreed for the dance and until then we sat back on our seats, relaxing and scrolling on our phones.

Katherine💬:
Girls, gifts giving session whennn???

Sarah💬:
After we go back to our rooms?

Amelia💬:
That works. But the boys shouldn’t get asleep.

Daisy💬:
We’ll ask them to wait haha :)

Sarah💬:
Daisy being Daisy.

Amelia💬:
Shall we wait till we reach our dorms?

Katherine💬:
Nahhhh. We’ll give them today itself.

Daisy💬:
The marathon has to be worth it.

Amelia💬:
Done. Tonight after this party.

Author POV

The moment dinner ended, a warm, lazy satisfaction settled over the entire hall—the kind that only comes after plates full of Christmas food, shared laughter, and too many “try this!” moments across the table.

Chairs scraped softly against the wooden floor as everyone stood up, stretching, smiling, already buzzing with a different kind of excitement.

Groups formed naturally—boys helping stack chairs in a corner, girls fixing their dresses and lip gloss, someone adjusting the fairy lights that dipped slightly too low.

And then—like a gentle whisper through the hall—the music changed.

The upbeat chatter quieted. The speakers hummed. A slow, velvety melody washed over the room, its first notes soft enough to raise goosebumps.

Dance Night had begun.

Amelia felt it first—this fluttering thrill in her chest, a strange mix of nerves and anticipation. She glanced at Justin, who was already grinning like he’d been waiting for this part all evening.

Beside them, Sarah and Ryan exchanged knowing smirks; Katherine clapped her hands once in excitement while Ryan pretended not to be blushing at her enthusiasm. Daisy and Andrew were already arguing about who was going to lead.

The hall transformed in seconds. Fairy lights glowed golden against the walls. The Christmas tree shimmered like it had found its moment.

People shifted closer, the warmth of bodies blending with the softness of winter air sneaking in each time the door opened.

There was laughter.
There was the rustle of dresses.
There was the quiet, hopeful magic of people waiting to be pulled into someone’s arms.

And at the center of it all—Amelia and Justin stood shoulder to shoulder, hearts beating just a little too fast, pretending this was just another event…

…but both knowing the night ahead was going to feel like something else entirely.

For the first ten minutes, the hall eased into soft music—the kind that didn’t demand dancing, just gentle swaying, tapping feet, shoulders brushing, voices dropping into a warm, shared hum.

Clusters of friends stayed together, arms linked, laughing at nothing and everything.

The whole university seemed to move in one big, cozy wave—boys snapping their fingers off-beat, girls twirling the ends of their dresses, someone recording snippets on their phone, fairy lights flickering like they approved.

Amelia stood with her group, her heart light, her smile effortless. Justin stood right beside her, hands in pockets, nodding slightly to the rhythm, stealing quiet glances at her every few seconds.

No one noticed.
Everyone was busy vibing.

But then—

The song faded.
The hall breathed.
And the speakers spilled out the first notes of a romantic melody.

Soft. Slow.
The kind that settles right in your ribs before you even understand why.

A wave of teasing laughter rose from the professors’ corner; Professor Lowell nudged Professor Halden, who dramatically wiped imaginary tears as if reminiscing his own youth. The other faculty members chuckled, whispering jokes, watching their students transform into pairs under the golden lights.

And they did.

Hands found hands. Smiles softened. Bodies turned toward the people who made them feel safest.

Ryan didn’t hesitate—he held Katherine’s hand immediately, the two of them falling into step with a quiet ease that only old comfort creates.

Liam reached for Sarah, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before pulling her close—her cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink.

Daisy waited—dramatic, expectant—and Andrew, being Andrew, skipped the obvious option and grabbed Justin’s hand instead.

“Bro, seriously?” Justin deadpanned, raising a brow.

Amelia burst into laughter. Daisy groaned loud enough for half the hall to hear.

Andrew swung Justin’s arm.
“What? You were closest!”

“Andrew,” Justin said, voice flat but eyes shining with mischief, “you didn't want to tease someone?"

He pointed at Daisy, who was already vibing with Amelia, putting her arm on her shoulder like for them, it's the two of them who mattered.

Justin lowered his voice just enough so only Andrew—and maybe Amelia—heard:
“Also, don’t steal my dance partner.”

Andrew blinked.
“Ohh.”
Enlightenment hit him like a snowball to the face.
“Ohhhhhh!”

He dropped Justin’s hand so fast the air whooshed.

Then, in one swift, dramatic move, he dashed to Daisy, grabbed her by the waist, and twirled her into the crowd—Daisy squealing, half-annoyed, half-thrilled.

And just like that…

Amelia was standing alone.

Music wrapped around her like soft velvet. Lights shimmered in the strands of her hair. Everyone else had slipped into their own little worlds.

A heartbeat later, Justin stepped in front of her—quiet, certain, warm.

He didn’t rush. He didn’t fumble. He just looked at her like he’d been waiting for this moment the entire night.

His hand lifted, steady and sure.

“May I?” he asked, voice low, almost tender.

Her breath caught. Her fingers trembled.

And the world, the music, the lights, the whole Christmas night—seemed to pause, waiting for her answer.

This chapter was pure Christmas magic to write ✨ From chaotic gift-runs to soft glances under fairy lights, I really wanted you to feel the shift—when noise melts into silence, and someone’s presence suddenly becomes the loudest thing in the room. If your heart fluttered even a little when Justin said “May I?” …welcome to the club. Mine did too while typing it.

Please vote and comment if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be updated soon. Take care, cuties 💙

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