Christmas Eve

Bea's POV.

Our groupchat buzzed with excitement, filled with photos from our beach trip . Ryan started it off by asking for the pictures Jess had taken. 

She promptly shared them, and we all showered her with compliments.

Steph was next,and her pictures captured some truly hot moments. Melanie, too, shared her shots, 

each frame oozing with her unique style.

Theo's contribution was a simple yet perplexing heart emoji. It caught my attention and left me wondering about its meaning. 

Why the fuck would Theo send hearts to Melanie?

Bella shared an adorable picture, Lily, to my surprise, sent a fantastic shot that I taken. It felt like a beautiful little moment of connection between us.

Finally, Grace shared her own picture, which was undoubtedly lovely, but my thoughts kept returning to Theo's heart emoji. It was an intriguing puzzle in the midst of our shared memories.

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Josh's POV.

-Christmas Eve

Christmas was right around the corner, and I couldn't think of a better way to make amends with Bea than by getting her a thoughtful present. The boys - Ryan, Theo, and I - had decided to go on a shopping expedition, each of us determined to find the perfect gift for our partners.

Ryan was on a mission to find something special for Jess, and he had an unmistakable twinkle in his eye as he shared his ideas with us. The guy was head over heels, and it was obvious that he wanted to make this Christmas memorable for her.

Theo, on the other hand, was carefully considering what would make Grace smile. Despite his complicated entanglements and past mistakes, it looked like he was working hard to solidify his relationship with her.

As for me and Bea, things were still a bit up in the air, but there was undeniable progress. We'd spent time together, reconnecting both physically and emotionally. It gave me hope that we could rebuild what we once had.

Theo's confession hung heavy in the atmosphere. He was searching for a present for Melanie.

Ryan and I couldn't help but react strongly to this revelation. We both voiced our surprise, almost in unison, shouting, "Melanie?"

Theo seemed to be wrestling with his own emotions as he responded, "Guys, don't worry, it's not what you think. I just feel bad."

Ryan was the first to press him for more details, asking, "Feel bad for what? You and Melanie have made amends, and so have Grace and Melanie."

I couldn't help but chime in, urging him to follow his heart, "If you still have feelings for her, Theo, go for it. Just be careful not to fuck things up with Grace."

Theo nodded, acknowledging the complexity of his situation. "I won't," he assured us.

Ryan, ever the realist, chimed in once more, "It's probably too late anyway, man."

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Theo's POV.

As I continued to search for a gift for Melanie, my thoughts swirled with confusion. I'd hooked up with her multiple times during this trip, and despite my best efforts, I couldn't deny the pull between us. 

Was it love? It couldn't be, could it? 

Our history had always been steeped in lust, but that didn't explain why I was constantly drawn to her, like a moth to a fucking flame.

With every stolen moment we'd shared, I'd 

planted the seeds of doubt in my relationship with Grace. She had no idea about my recent encounters with Melanie, and I was left wondering if it was only a matter of time before the truth surfaced. Guilt gnawed at my conscience, but I couldn't deny that part of me relished the thrill of this forbidden connection.

As the holiday market buzzed with festive cheer, I couldn't help but feel torn between two very different but equally powerful forces in my life—Grace, the girl who had shown me the beauty of love, and Melanie, the temptation that I struggled to resist. Christmas was approaching, and with it came the weight of a decision I couldn't keep avoiding.

As we continued our search for gifts, Josh turned to me with a curious expression. "Are you locked in with Grace, Theo? Thinking about getting married?"

I paused, deep in thought. The idea of being locked into something, whether it was a relationship or marriage, felt both comforting and unsettling. But I couldn't bring myself to admit my doubts, not with Ryan and Josh.

"Yeah, sure," I replied, forcing a smile. "I do love her, after all."

Ryan chuckled, observing our conversation. "She's got you hooked, man."

Josh nodded in agreement. "Well, he loves her," he said, defending my commitment.

I couldn't help but wonder what love truly meant anymore. The lines between desire, and genuine love had blurred, especially with Melanie's presence.

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Bea's POV

The festive spirit had taken over our villa, and we were all gathered in the living room, sharing our holiday plans and laughs. Jess, with a glow in her eyes, shared her excitement. "This will be my first Christmas with a boyfriend!" The room erupted in cheers and applause.

Steph, always practical, chimed in, "What are you going to get him for Christmas?"

Jess smirked playfully. "Me, in bed," she said, sending us all into fits of laughter.

I turned to Grace, curiosity piqued. "And what's your plan for Theo?"

Grace grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'm going to arrange a romantic night in bed," she replied, drawing more cheers and laughter from our group.

Melanie, sitting quietly for a while, finally spoke up, her tone tinged with a touch of melancholy. "I feel so single," she sighed.

Grace, leaned over and put an arm around Melanie. "Melanie, don't worry about being single. You have all of us," she reassured her.

Melanie's blue eyes met Lily's, who had been listening attentively. "I need a man," Melanie complained.

Lily rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, come on, Melanie, shut up. You're gorgeous!"

As we bantered and laughed, it was clear that our bonds of friendship were stronger than ever. In the warm glow of holiday lights, we celebrated not just the season but also the love and support we had for each other.

But sudden Lily's question had me pondering for a moment. "Are you and Josh back together?" she asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

I considered it for a moment and then nodded. "Yeah, I feel like we are. We just had to clear up some air," I replied with a small smile. It felt like the weight of uncertainty that had been looming between us was slowly lifting, allowing us to breathe easy again.

Bella chimed in with enthusiasm, leaning forward in her chair. "OMG, I totally get what you mean! I mean, I'm always having to clear up the air," she exclaimed.

Grace, sitting beside me, furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean by 'clear up the air'?" she asked, genuinely intrigued.

Bella leaned back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, you know," she began with a sly grin, "those moments when you're not sure where you stand with someone, and you just have to talk it out to make sure you're on the same page."

The girls burst into laughter, understanding exactly what Bella meant. It seemed like we all had our fair share of relationship dramas, and sometimes, it was necessary to have those heart-to-heart conversations to clear up misunderstandings.

As our laughter filled the room, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this group of friends. We were all different, with our unique love lives and stories, but our bond remained unbreakable. The upcoming holiday was a reminder of the love and support we had for each other, no matter what romantic twists and turns life threw our way.

Grace's laughter lingered in the air as she playfully asked, "Did you have to clear the air recently?" We all chuckled, savoring the light-hearted moment.

"Yeah, with your boyfriend."

But the atmosphere shifted when Bella mentioned Theo. It was as if a heavy cloud had settled over us, casting a shadow on the cheerful holiday spirit. Grace's smile faded, and she looked at Bella with a hint of concern. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Bella hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Well," she began cautiously, "I feel like he can't be trusted. Do you trust that he's still just friends with Melanie?"

Silence fell like a heavy shroud over our group. Melanie raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Where are you going with this?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Bella sighed, her eyes searching for the right words. "I just feel like Theo wants to be closer to Mel," she finally admitted.

Grace's expression tightened, her thoughts racing. She glanced over at Melanie, who appeared genuinely puzzled by Bella's comment. It was evident that this conversation was taking an unexpected turn, and it left all of us on edge.

I exchanged a worried look with Lily, and Steph shifted uncomfortably in her seat. In that moment, it felt like the fragile balance of our friendships was hanging in the balance, and none of us knew how to defuse the tension that had suddenly arisen.

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Melanie's POV

As the awkward tension from Bella's comment still hung in the air, my phone buzzed with a text from Theo. It was like a lifeline from a conversation I was eager to escape. His message read, "What are you doing?"

I quickly typed back, "Chilling with the girls."

The response came swiftly, "Wrong answer. You were supposed to say you missed me."

A laugh bubbled up within me, and I couldn't help but let it escape. All eyes turned toward me, and Bea chimed in, her tone playful, "Ooo, Melanie has a man."

I tried to play it cool, a sly smile dancing on my lips. "What do you mean? How could you guess?"

Bea and Grace exchanged knowing glances, and Grace responded, "Because of that smile and laugh."

Little did Grace know, the source of my amusement wasn't just a private joke but a relationship that had formed under the surface. I couldn't help but think about the complexity of our relationships, the unspoken truths, and the tangled web of emotions that connected us all.

As Christmas approached, it seemed like there was more brewing beneath the surface than any of us were willing to acknowledge.

I continued texting Theo, still engrossed in our conversation. I typed, "What are you doing?"

He replied, "I'm tryna buy a present for you."

A warm smile crept across my face, but my happiness was short-lived. In my attempt to steer him in the right direction, I said, "What about Grace?"

Theo's response sent shockwaves through me. "What about her?"

"Babe," I typed, feeling increasingly frustrated, "you need to get her something."

His next message was like a punch to the gut. "I'll get her a card saying I wanna break up with you."

Anger surged within me, and without a second thought, I abruptly stood up and left the group. Bella, ever the loyal friend, followed me out.

In the dimly lit corridor outside, I turned to her, my frustration and hurt pouring out. "Can you believe him? He's treating this whole thing like a game!"

Bella nodded sympathetically. "I get it, Melanie. It's not fair to you or Grace. But remember, Theo's actions reflect on him, not you. You deserve someone who values and respects you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I buried my face in my hands. "I just don't want to hurt Grace. I don't want to be the cause of their breakup."

Bella put an arm around me, offering comfort. "Sometimes, Melanie, love is messy, and it hurts. But it's also about making the right choices and doing what's best for everyone involved. You'll figure this out."

I wiped away the traces of tears from my cheeks and took a deep breath. Bella was right; I needed to confront Theo about this. I couldn't keep playing this secretive game, and I certainly couldn't stand the thought of being the reason for any problems between him and Grace.

"I can't do this anymore," I confessed, my voice shaky with the weight of my emotions.

Bella looked at me with genuine concern. "I'm worried about you, Mel."

Tears threatened to resurface as I poured out my feelings. "This is not who I am, Bella. It's not what I wanted. I wanted to be with him openly, without all this secrecy. I've changed, or at least I thought I did."

Bella, always the voice of reason, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You've got to tell him how you feel, Mel."

"But it's Christmas tomorrow," I protested weakly.

Bella gave me a determined look. "Mel, it's Christmas Eve today. And they'll be back in an hour. You need to talk to him."

I nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. "You're right. I'll talk to him. But what if he doesn't want to listen?"

Bella's eyes locked onto mine, and she spoke with unwavering conviction. "Then you make him listen."

As we headed back inside to rejoin the others, I knew I had a difficult conversation ahead, one that would undoubtedly shape the course of our tangled relationships. But I couldn't keep hiding in the shadows, and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting Grace any longer. It was time to face the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

The tension in the room was obvious as the boys returned, laden with bags of Christmas presents. Ryan, in dashed upstairs to hide his gifts from Jess, while Josh strategically placed his behind the door. The air was thick with anticipation and excitement, but my heart felt heavy with a sense of impending reckoning.

I watched as Grace rushed into Theo's arms, greeting him with a warm hug and an affectionate kiss. They looked so happy together, and it was a painful reminder of the choices I had made. My actions had inadvertently driven a wedge between them, and the guilt gnawed at me.

As Theo broke away from his embrace with Grace, he walked over to where I stood. His hug was friendly, but his voice carried a sense of urgency as he whispered in my ear, "Let's go outside."

Nerves fluttered in my stomach as I nodded in agreement. Without a word, we slipped away from the festive chaos and headed out into the crisp night air. The stars above us seemed to shimmer with a knowing twinkle, as if they were aware of the tumultuous emotions that had gripped my heart.

Once we were a safe distance from the villa, Theo turned to me, his expression a mixture of concern and uncertainty. "Mel," he began, "we need to talk."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yeah, Theo, we really do."

The weight of my actions and the consequences they had wrought hung heavily between us. It was time to face the truth, no matter how difficult or painful it might be.

"Mel, I was stupid, I think we should keep this thing between us a secret."

Obviously because I'm stupid I say "Totally"

Theo looks at me with a hint of relief in his eyes and leans in to kiss me gently. My heart races, and I kiss him back, feeling the familiar rush of passion between us. It's like we're drawn to each other, unable to resist the temptation, no matter how wrong it may be.

As we break the kiss, Theo whispers, "I can't stay away from you, Mel."

I nod, my emotions conflicted. "I know the feeling."

He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "We just need to be careful. We can't hurt Grace or anyone else."

I agree, even though deep down, I know we're playing a dangerous game. But for now, in this stolen moment, it's just Theo and me, and nothing else matters.