Bea's POV
It's Christmas Day and Josh has finally gotten out of the shower.
Yes. We slept together last night, but it was nice and it felt normal.
My boyfriend, Josh, had left his wet towel on the floor. I was getting ready for the morning, and as I brushed my teeth, I heard him call out "Hey sexy"
I knew he meant it in the best way, but I chose to ignore him because I was embarrassed about my morning breath.
"Josh, where's my toothbrush,"
I also shouted out for him to come in and take his towel off the floor. He responded with a "Jeez" and then tried to come in for a hug. I quickly pushed him away, and said "Sorry, I suck at being a girlfriend". His response was the one that made my heart swell. He said "No, you just suck at understanding how much I love you".
In that moment, he picked me up bridal style and said "This is how you should always be treated". I felt so incredibly loved and appreciated.
"What the hell Josh!" I say and then try to wiggle out of his arms. He is a bit stronger than me, but not that much. He carries me to the bathroom. I can see my beautiful self in the mirror. Josh kisses me on the cheek. He says, "Hey what did you say about that toothbrush." I laugh and tell him, "I was just joking. I just wanted you to come and get me. ."
Josh looks down at the towel and says, "Oh yeah, sorry about the towel." I roll my eyes and say, "It's okay I guess." He picks up the towel and wipes my face with it. I close my eyes and let out a little laugh. He sets me down on the sink. He is shirtless, so you know when you can see the lines and grooves of their stomach and chest.
He turns and starts putting the towel on the hanger.
I reach out and put my hands on his shoulders. I feel his muscles, they are hard. I slide them down his arms. They are hard and muscular too. His whole body is a temple of hard, well defined muscle. I feel his six-pack with one hand and wrap my other arm around his neck. He turns his head to look at you.
He leans in and gives me a quick kiss. I close my eyes, feeling his soft lips. His hand touches my side. I feel the warmth of his palm against my skin. I kiss him again, this time with more passion. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in closer. My chest pushes up against his. His fingers touch the bottom of my back.
He puts his hands on my waist. He lowers his head and puts his lips to my neck. He plants a few kisses on my neck and moves his way down. He stops at my chest.
We made our way downstairs, hand in hand, feeling a sense of unity and togetherness that was undeniable. As we entered the room, I couldn't help but notice the warm, inviting atmosphere that enveloped us. Jess and Ryan, lost in their world of affection, cuddled up on one end of the couch, all smiles from around.
Bella and Melanie were in high spirits, cracking jokes with Grace and Theo, their laughter filling the room with infectious joy. Lily and Steph were busy in the kitchen, the clinking of dishes and the sizzling of food a comforting backdrop to the festivities.
Theo's shout broke the brief silence, and my gaze shifted to him. "Josh, so I guess you and Bea are good now?" he inquired, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
Josh chuckled, glancing at me with affection. "Yeah, you can put it like that."
Grace joined in, her enthusiasm infectious. "Yay, Bea, you and I with our lovers on Christmas!"
I couldn't help but smile, feeling the warmth of the moment washing over me. It was a beautiful Christmas morning, a time for love, forgiveness, and a celebration of the bonds that held us together.
With the excitement of the gift-giving mounting, Jess was the first to open her present. The box was enormous, and we all leaned in, eager to see what was inside. Steph, always the impatient one, urged her to hurry up.
Jess opened the box, and to our surprise, a flurry of red balloons burst out, each one carrying a sweet message. They read, "I love you," and "I never want to leave you." Jess's eyes welled up with tears, and she couldn't help but laugh through her happy tears. "Ryan, I hate you for making me cry," she teased between sniffles.
Ryan, grinning ear to ear, responded, "Shut up, you know you love me." Their love was evident, and we all shared in their happiness.
Then it was Grace's turn, and she eagerly grabbed her present, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Grace unwrapped her gift, revealing a stunning jewelry box. When she opened it, a collective gasp filled the room. Inside was a breathtaking diamond bracelet that sparkled with elegance. Jess, unable to contain her curiosity, chimed in, "Aww, what does the card say?"
Theo, hesitated momentarily and told her to stop, but our curiosity got the best of us, and we urged Grace to read it. She began, "These diamonds twinkle like your beautiful eyes..." Then, she stopped abruptly, her eyes shifting towards Melanie.
"Melanie?" Grace questioned, her voice laced with surprise, "Theo, you got a present for Melanie?"
Melanie, equally astounded, asked, "You got a present for me?"
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Melanie's POV
Theo's explanation hung in the air, but before anyone could react, Bella leaned in and whispered into my ear, "Did you know Theo was gonna get you a present?" I shook my head, my mind swirling with confusion.
Theo quickly tried to defuse the situation, declaring, "Guys, it's all a misunderstanding." He then turned his attention to Grace, assuring her, "I got you a better present, babe."
Grace, however, seemed to be at a breaking point. In an unexpected move, she snapped the diamond bracelet in half and said sternly, "Theo, don't."
I sat there in shock, not entirely sure how to process this sudden turn of events. Was it relief? Or was it something else entirely? As I contemplated my feelings, I suddenly felt the urge to escape. I bolted from the room, leaving behind a chorus of voices. Theo called after me, his words echoing in my ears, "Wait, Melanie! You can't leave."
I paused, my heart pounding, wondering what I had just set into motion with my stupid actions.
I pleaded with Theo to leave me alone for a moment, explaining that I needed to check on Grace. He reluctantly agreed, and I made my way to the balcony, where Grace was smoking a cigarette, an unusual sight for her. She looked at me with a mix of anger and disappointment and asked, "What do you want?"
I sighed deeply, struggling to find the right words. "Grace, I didn't know any of this would happen," I admitted.
Grace's response was laced with bitterness. "Of course, the pretty, oblivious girls never know that the boy is gonna break up with the girlfriend to be with the side piece," she said, her words hitting me like a slap in the face.
I couldn't contain my frustration. "Grace, how dare you," I shouted, stung by her accusation. "I didn't do this on purpose."
She continued to smoke her cigarette, her expression unyielding. "Your word is as good as Theo's, babe," she retorted, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration as I tried to reason with Grace. "Grace, you know this is Theo's fault, right?" I implored.
Her eyes flashed with anger as she retorted, "No, it's not."
Just then, Bella, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, chimed in with a fiery determination. "Then you must not only be stupid, but you're also blind," she declared.
Grace's irritation was palpable. She asked sharply, "Why are you here?"
Bella didn't hesitate to respond, her loyalty to her best friend unwavering. "Because I stand up for my best friend," she asserted, her voice resolute. She continued, "Theo bought her a diamond bracelet."
As Grace stormed off to confront Theo, I turned to Bella, genuinely touched by her unwavering support. "Why did you stand up for me?" I asked.
Bella flashed me a warm smile. "What do you think? I'll always have your back, girl."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. "But I'm the reason why Grace and Theo are going to break up," I admitted, my voice heavy with regret.
Bella shrugged, her carefree attitude unwavering. "Oh, shut up. You know you're secretly happy," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
I denied her claim. "No, I'm not."
With an understanding glance, Bella decided to let the matter drop. "You know what? Just leave it, and let's have a good Christmas Day in the sun."
I nodded in agreement, grateful for her friendship and the chance to salvage what was left of the holiday.
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Grace's POV
I was seething with anger as I watched Theo laughing with Ryan on the couch. He'd made a complete fool out of me, and I couldn't let it slide. Gathering my resolve, I stormed over to him and demanded, "Theo, get up."
He looked at me, seemingly unfazed. "I'm in a conversation," he replied casually.
I felt a rush of frustration and took a deep breath. "Well, I'm about to break up with you, so you better get up," I warned, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.
Finally realising the gravity of the situation, he got up, and we headed outside for a much-needed conversation.
Sitting outside, my frustration bubbled over, and I couldn't contain it any longer. "Explain yourself, Theo," I demanded, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt.
Theo sighed, his expression a blend of remorse and uncertainty. "Grace, it's not what it seems," he began, his words hesitant.
I folded my arms, my patience wearing thin. "Then tell me what it is, because buying another girl a diamond bracelet sure seems like you're cheating on me."
He ran a hand through his hair, searching for the right words. "I didn't intend for it to come across that way. It was a misunderstanding, Grace."
My frustration grew. "A misunderstanding? How do you misunderstand buying another girl a diamond bracelet, Theo?"
He winced, realising the gravity of his actions. "Melanie and I are friends r. I thought giving her a bracelet would show that I value her friendship, not... not what you're thinking."
I narrowed my eyes, my skepticism evident. "A diamond bracelet for friendship?"
Theo nodded, earnestly. "Yes, but it wasn't meant to hurt you or make you feel threatened. I love you, Grace, and I don't want to lose you over this."
I took a deep breath, trying to process his explanation. "You should have communicated this to me. Instead, you kept it a secret and let it blow up in our faces."
Theo looked remorseful, his eyes filled with regret. "You're right, Grace. I messed up. I should have told you."
I sighed, the tension in my shoulders slowly dissipating. "We need to work on our communication, Theo. This can't happen again."
He nodded in agreement, his expression sincere. "You're right, Grace. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right."
As I contemplated his words, I couldn't help but wonder if our relationship could recover from this breach of trust.
Back inside, Theo urged me to open the present he'd gotten me. I unwrapped it, revealing a set of keys. A hushed curiosity rippled through the group as they wondered about the significance of these keys.
Lily voiced what we were all thinking. "I have a feeling it might be sentimental," she said.
Theo nodded, his gaze fixed on me. "It is," he confirmed, a softness in his voice.
Then, he continued, and my heart skipped a beat. "Next May, we are going to university, and I bought us this apartment so we can stay together."
A mix of emotions surged through me, and I couldn't hold back the tears. I asked hesitantly, "So, you're asking me to move in with you?"
Theo nodded, his eyes filled with hope and sincerity. "Yes, Grace. I want us to start this new chapter together."
As the reality of his gesture sank in, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could work through this, despite the mess we'd found ourselves in.