A/N: there was some confusion about Ben - he's friends with all the dancers, they met a long time ago so they're close. They usually go to the restaurant where he works for lunch or an outing.

Happy reading my munchies :).

Mila's POV

"Hey Ben! Guess who's here?" I grinned, waving at him on the other side of the counter.

"Oh wow, you've brought the whole town," he joked, coming around to hug me.

"Long time no see," Dean smiled, fist bumping Ben.

I had decided to take everyone out for lunch as a treat for our win. Everyone had agreed to come, minus Anna. No one had seen her since that day I bumped into her.

Lena was beginning to suspect Adam had banished her from the studio.

Speaking of Lena, she had told me earlier that she would be gone till January 3. Her parents had begged her to return home to Dresden for Christmas and the New Year. That meant missing my birthday. I didn't bother telling her, its not like she would care.

Christmas, as well as my birthday, would be uneventful as I was fully planning on wallowing in my own self pity like the Grinch suggested.

"You two," Ben stated, pointing between Ajax and I, "are literally the most popular people in Berlin right now."

We followed after him as he led us to the larger back tables.

"Are we now?" I asked, sharing a sly look with Ajax. He smirked, pulling a chair out for me.

"Definitely," Gabby nodded, her kinky haired bun bobbing lightly.

"I swear you two boosted our studio's Instagram following by 300," Lotte chirped, her eyes big with excitement.

"Damn," Ajax mumbled a surprised look on his face.

"Are you ready to order?" Ben asked as I noticed he wasn't in his usual servers outfit.

"Yes we are, anything more you'd like to tell us?" I asked with a knowing smile. His cheeks turned pink as he smiled shyly.

"The owner decided to put this place up for sale last week, and I uh, sort of decided to buy it."

"What? Ben that's amazing, congrats," Max grinned, clapping him on the back.

"I guess you won't be taking our orders then?" Lotte pouted.

"I'll be here as much as possible. You know, in case you ever want to stop by," he winked making the redhead blush.

"We're here to give you business," Dean joked, gesturing to our large group.

"And for that, deserts on me," Ben grinned and everyone cheered.

We caught up with Ben a bit more before he had to go and a server replaced him. Starting with Max on the right, we went in a circle as everyone gave their orders.

"How did you know?" Ajax whispered in my ear as I took a sip of my water.

"He's not wearing his usual uniform," I replied, watching as he nodded looking away.

"Should we tell them?" I asked, biting my lip nervously. I was more nervous about Lena's reaction. Only because it had been 2 days since I agreed to be Ajax's girlfriend and I hadn't told her yet. Hopefully all hell didn't break lose.

"Up to you, we can do it now or later," Ajax shrugged, playing with the straw. My brows furrowed as I turned to look at him, sensing the indifferent tone in his voice. I decided I was just overthinking things and cleared my throat.

"I have another thing to mention," I began, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"Don't know if you care but I'll tell you guys anyway because I feel like you deserve to know. Like I would wanna know i-"

"God, just spit it out," Lena mumbled, leaning forward in her seat in anticipation.

"I asked Mila to be my girlfriend," Ajax blurted just as I opened my mouth.

Wow okay, just interrupt me why don't you.

I held back a laugh as it seemed like everyone blurted "what?" at the same time.

"Wha- But you guys hate each other," Dean stuttered in disbelief.

"As the saying goes, opposites attract," Lotte shrugged, leaning back in her seat.

"Don't worry, he's still annoying," I reassured and Gabby let out a playful sigh of relief.

"Good, I thought you were brainwashed for a second," she joked.

"Haha, very funny," Ajax rolled his eyes, taking my hand in his.

"I knew it," Max whispered, his eyes wide as if he just had a revelation.

"Excuse me bitch? I knew before you did" Lena interrupted, leaning forward to look him over Lotte and Gabby.

"I'm just saying," he spoke, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Woah, hold up. What?" I interrupted, confused as to how they "knew".

"There's a fine line between love and hate," Lena shrugged. She perked up as the server brought a plate to our table. I chuckled as she did a little dance in her seat once her food was placed in front of her. I brought my glass of water to my lips and took a sip.

"And Max and I saw you two making out that night at the club."

I choked on my water at her words, coughing violently. They didn't bother hiding their laughs as my cheeks burned.

Dean pat my back firmly and I thanked him, blinking my watering eyes. I looked over at Ajax who had his hand over his forehead, covering his face. When he looked up, I noticed he was holding back a laugh.

"I freaking hate you guys," I muttered, putting my cold hands over my burning cheeks.

Well that's another embarrassing moment to add to my list of things that keep me up at night.

-------------------------------------------

"The weather n'est pas bien beau (is not very nice)," Carson's mother complained through the phone.

"Ouais, I saw on the news yesterday. Looks like you'll be getting a huge snow dumping for Christmas," I smiled, feeling a sense of nostalgia as I remembered the countless snowy mornings.

"Are you sure you won't be joining us this year?" she asked quietly after a moments silence.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, knowing she already knew my response.

"It's just, I feel like I've lost both of you now. First my baby, and now you. I miss seeing you around the house or at the flower shop on the weekends. I miss your smile, it would always light up the entire room. I miss my daughter Mila."

I felt tears sting my eyes as I breathed in a shaky breath.

"I know. I miss you too. I miss you so much, my heart hurts," I whispered, feeling the sharp scratching in my throat as I tried not to cry.

"Come home ma minette (my kitten)."

"I will, just not for Christmas. I- I don't think I'll be able to handle it," I replied, trying to steady my voice.

"As long as you come someday," she sighed and I felt so bad turning her down.

"I will, I promise. Maybe after new years."

"I've been watching your performances, you did a beautiful job in that last one. The one where you wore a blue dress."

"Thank you."

"At your old studio too, everyone was so excited for you. The little ones you taught kept exclaiming "I know her! That's Mila!"

"Aww, they're so sweet. I miss teaching them. I hope you know all my dances are for you and Michael. You both are more of a parent to me than my own. I dance for you."

"We know amour, we love you."

"I love you too, Happy Holidays," I smiled. Despite the tears in my eyes, I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

"Oh one more thing," I said quickly, my heart fluttering.

"I sort of have a boyfriend?" I blurted, covering my mouth as I waited for a response.

"Oh mon dieu! Finally!" she exclaimed and I could almost see her bright smile.

"Michael, viens ici (come here)! Mila has a boyfriend!"

I laughed as I heard Carson's father take hold of the phone.

"Hey Violet! That's great news!"

"Merci," I grinned, relieved that I had their blessings.

I spoke a bit more with Michael before ending the call. I sat on my bed with a smile on my face as I realized how much my life had changed.

I enjoyed dance now, I was moving forward in my dance career, I was living independently without contact with my parents, I managed to make new friends, I had a new partner, and that partner also happened to be my boyfriend.

I guess this year wasn't ruined after all.

I sighed, laying back onto my bed. Turning my head, I gazed at the picture of Carson and I was pinned on my wall. It was from my 21st birthday party last year on New Years Eve.

Hey Carson, I hope your proud of me.

I've been trying really hard to be a better person and stop caring about what others think, about what my parent's think. Oh, and I made it to the International Championships. You always said we would do it. I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to, but I'm here to do it for you. And I hope you don't mind me being with Ajax. I think you two would be great friends. He's annoying, just like you. Remember that time you cut my hair off after I dyed it blue because you thought it was a wig? I forgave you for that because I'm too nice sometimes.

I miss you.

——————————————————
Kind of a sad chapter there :(. I wanted to give a bit of insight on what Mila is feeling with the holiday season approaching. 

I just got a really good chapter suggestion from @you_drew_stars so I'll be writing that up tonight.

Also since it's now 2021, what's one thing 2020 taught you?

I'm curious ;).

Lots of love,

Mia