( ❑❑❑ )

during the very morning of december 25, xiaoxiao felt extreme guilt upon reading justin's notes.

you see, these notes were all set as ornaments on a mini christmas tree outside her house that the boy set up the night before with the help of both her parents and friends of his own.

turning him down was a big, big regret, and seeing these made the burning emotion rise to a larger amount.

because yes, she did love him.

she loved him more than anything.

and she saw how justin somewhat felt the same too.

all xiaoxiao knew now was the fact that risking it all might not be as bad as she thought. that though it may bring minor inconveniences, their own happiness would push all the negative energy away.

maybe it wasn't too late after all.

( ❑❑❑ )

when justin opened the door a few seconds after two consecutive knocks, he looked dazzling as usual, despite his clothing being more casual than what she was used to seeing from him.

boy did she fall for him hard.

his eyes lit up the moment he saw xiaoxiao, a warm smile spread across his expression.

"h-hi... i didn't expect you at all haha!" he let out a chuckle from the nervousness. "uh, w-wanna— wanna go inside? we have leftov—"

no words were needed for him to get cut off. all it took was an unexpected yet sincere hug which told him everything.

it gave off something equally comforting to a pat on a shoulder to indicate you were doing well, but with added emotions. both individuals couldn't help but smile on their ends as it carried on for nearly four minutes, even rocking side to side as they clung tightly towards each other.

so this is what actual christmas feels like, wow.

right after the priceless moment, he peeled off the pink sticky note she attached to his back during the hug, smiling after processing what it meant.

❝ i like ur cursive writing
and i love you too.
— x2 who likes u back ❞

( ❑❑❑ )