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AUNT TESSA HAD gone back into the kitchen before I could ask her again who was at the door. I ran to the door so I could see who who would need me on such occasion. It's Christmas so I didn't really expect any of my friends to be at my place. Or so I thought.

I quickly opened the door and the face of the person I least expected to see was looking down at his shoes while patiently waiting for someone to open the door. A dumbfounded and shocked expression was painted across my face and I was struggling to get it off.

There he was, standing in all his glory and looking so handsome. He looked so warm and cosy in his hoodie, and his hair was messy in a way that you'd know he was fooling around with Tilly before coming over. His cheeks were rosy due to the cold weather and his eyes looked like he had just woken up from a quick nap.

"Hi." I said as he quickly looked up and a shy smile spread across his face.

"Hi." Max smiled shyly.

"What are you-"

"I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, and I really don't want to ruin your Christmas the same way I did last year. I just came by to give you these." He said quickly as he handed me my crown and my sash from the Winter Formal. I actually forgot I even had those. "I didn't get to give them to you right away since my bag was too packed for the lodge so I thought I'd just give it to you once we get back so yeah..."

"Oh, okay, uhm... thank you." I stuttered as I failed to find the right words to say.

"Sure." He nodded. We stood there awkwardly before he smiled. "I'll get going now. Tell everyone I said Merry Christmas."

"Okay, uhm... sure." Was all I got to reply with the speed of the conversation.

"Right." Max smiled shyly before shoving his hands in the pocket of his hoodie. "Bye."

He turned his back on me and started heading down our front path. I have to say something now or forever hold me peace. C'mon, Charlie! Say something! Say anything now before he gets away, I yelled at myself. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath before calling him back.

"Max, wait." I said too quickly.

"Yeah?" He replied as he turned to look back at me. My heart was beating out of my chest, my hands were growing cold, and the cold breeze wasn't helping at all.

"I know I've been a complete bitch all year and I know I've been shoving you away, but I did a lot of thinking and mentally slapping myself lately and it kind of knocked me into my senses."

"Uhm... okay? Good for you, I guess?" He chuckled with a confused look on his face. God, he wasn't making this any easier either.

"I realised that we're both kinda really stubborn in some way which is why things never get easier for us." I said as he continued to look confused. Time to take a page right out of his book. "But this is usually the season for telling people the truth and coming off clean or whatever. I guess I just never had the guts to do this."

He knew where those words came from. His eyes grew wide for a second but he quickly shook his head and took a step towards me. He motioned towards the direction of his house and I knew he was going to try to make a run for it. It's now or never, Charlie. He's not going to make it easy for you so you gotta shoot now, I told myself as I mustered up all the courage I could.

"Charlie, I'd love to hear what you have to say but I'm sorry, I have to go. Mum needs me to-"

"You're my best friend and I love you."

He stopped right in his tracks and slowly turned to look back at me. He was trying so hard not to show how happy he was but his eyes were giving him away. I smiled as he slowly started talking cautious steps back to me. My heart was racing and tears were forming in my eyes.

"I'm your best friend and you what?" He asked with a teasing smile tugging at the ends of his lips.

"You're my best friend." I sighed happily as a tear slipped my eye. He looked at me expectantly as if to ask me to repeat the last four words. "And I love you. As more than just my best friend too."

The prettiest and happiest smile spread across his lips before we ran to each other and collided in a hug. He spun me around before letting me down and allowing me to melt in his arms. It felt so right to be in his warm embrace and I could feel our hears beating outside of our chests. I got him back. I got my boy back and I've never felt so happy.

Max planted a kiss on my head before looking down at me. I looked up at him and smiled. He looked so handsome and I could feel myself falling in love with him. The moment was so perfect. He was so perfect. It was the right place and the right time.

"Merry Christmas, Charlie Kate." He smiled at me. I brushed my hand across his hair then rested it on the side of his face. I gently rubbed my thumb across his cheek before replying to him.

"Merry Christmas, Max Luca."

And as if there was a magnetic force to make that moment even better, his warm lips collided with mine. He tasted like chocolate and I could feel him smiling through the kiss, making me smile too.

When we pulled away, he smiled at me and I smiled back at him as if it was the happiest smile I could ever pull off. Now that was the perfect first kiss I could ever dream of. He looked at me so lovingly as if he could stare at me forever. I couldn't blame him, I'd stare at him forever too if I could.

"I love you, loser." I smiled back at him.

"But did I lose though? Because I see this as an absolute win." He chuckled and I laughed, both at his comment and at his reference to Endgame.

"Fair point." I shrugged.

"And just to be clear, you're not just in like with me, right? Like... you're in love with me, right?" He asked with a serious look that I wasn't sure if he was kidding or not.

"You just broke the moment, Max!" I laughed as I gently hit his arm. He laughed too which told me that he was kidding. He already knew the answer to his question. I smiled up at him and he wrapped me in his arms even tighter.

"I love you too, cinnamon shortie."