MATT STURNIOLO IMAGINES

Through the Snow, I See You

The cold December air nipped at my cheeks as I walked through Somerville's town square, where the annual Somerville Welcomes Christmas event was in full swing. The square was lit up with thousands of twinkling lights, and the scent of hot cocoa and gingerbread wafted through the chilly air. People were milling about, shopping at the stalls, laughing with friends, and catching up with neighbors.

But I wasn't really looking at the decorations or the crowds. My attention was on the stage at the center of the square, where a Christmas concert was taking place. The crowd was gathered, the atmosphere filled with warmth and excitement. I wasn't the only one who had come out to watch—the whole town seemed to be there.

And then I saw her.

Y/N. 

She was standing on the stage, a microphone in hand, the spotlight casting a soft glow around her. She was wearing a simple yet beautiful red dress, her hair curled and flowing down her back. As the first notes of a Christmas carol filled the air, Y/N began to sing, her voice rising above the crowd, soft but powerful. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She had always been a good singer, but hearing her sing like this—right in front of me, in the glow of the Christmas lights—it was something else. Her voice was clear, sweet, and full of emotion, as if the lyrics were coming from her heart. She didn't just sing the words; she made them come alive. And as the song continued, I felt like I was being transported somewhere else, somewhere quiet and beautiful, just like her.

The crowd around me cheered and clapped along with the song, but I couldn't focus on anything except Y/N. The way she stood there, so confidently, as if the entire stage belonged to her. The way her eyes fluttered closed when she reached a particularly high note, losing herself in the music. The way her smile lit up her face when she finished the song, her cheeks flushed from the cold and the effort.

I swallowed hard, my heart beating faster. I had known Y/N for years. We had been friends for so long, and we had spent countless hours together. But I had never seen her like this—so radiant, so alive, her talent on full display for everyone to see. It was like I was seeing her in a whole new light, and I couldn't tear my eyes away.

The song ended, and the crowd erupted into applause, but I didn't move. I was frozen in place, still captivated by her. My heart was racing, my mind spinning. I knew I had always cared about her, but seeing her up there, hearing her sing—it made me realize something I had been ignoring for a long time.

I had feelings for her. Strong feelings. Feelings that went far beyond friendship.

The next song began, but I wasn't paying attention anymore. All I could think about was her. I had to do something. I had to say something. This feeling in my chest couldn't be ignored any longer.

I took a deep breath and pushed through the crowd, moving toward the stage. Y/N was still singing, her voice sweet and melodic, but I wasn't focused on her performance now. I needed to talk to her. I needed to let her know how I felt.

By the time I reached the edge of the stage, I could see her clearly, and she caught my gaze. Her eyes widened slightly, and she smiled at me, the warmth of her expression making my heart skip a beat. Without missing a beat, she finished the line she was singing and, with a nod to the other performers, stepped to the side, signaling the end of her part.

I waited for a moment as the applause faded, and then, almost without thinking, I made my way up to the stage. Y/N's smile grew wider when she saw me approaching.

"Matt!" she called out, her voice so warm and inviting that it made my chest tighten. "You came! I didn't expect you to be here."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I said, smiling back at her, though my voice sounded hoarse. I was suddenly nervous—my palms were clammy, and I could feel the adrenaline buzzing through my veins. I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but I knew I had to say something.

Y/N stepped off the stage and walked toward me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you like the performance?" she asked, her voice light with curiosity.

"I loved it," I replied honestly, my heart hammering in my chest. "You were amazing up there."

She laughed softly, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "Thank you. I was a little nervous, but it feels good to be done. It's always so much fun to sing with everyone."

"I can tell," I said. "You looked so... happy up there. Like you were in your element."

She smiled again, a kind of gentle smile that made my stomach do flips. "It's my favorite thing, you know? Being on stage, singing—it just feels right."

I took a deep breath. This was it. This was my chance.

"Y/N..." I started, my voice quiet but steady. "I've always known you were talented. But seeing you up there tonight... it made me realize something."

She tilted her head, her expression curious, but she didn't interrupt.

"I don't think I've ever really told you how much you mean to me," I continued. "How much I care about you. But tonight, watching you up there, I realized I need to say it. I—"

Before I could finish, Y/N stepped closer to me, her eyes soft, her expression gentle but knowing.

"Matt," she said, her voice warm. "I know."

I blinked, my mind catching up with her words. "You know?"

She nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "I've known for a while. I think I've always known, but I didn't want to rush things. I wanted to let you figure it out when the time was right."

My heart seemed to stop in my chest. All this time, I had been holding my feelings back, thinking she didn't feel the same, but now, hearing her say that she knew—that she felt the same way—was enough to make the world feel a little brighter.

"I—" I began, but she reached out and gently placed a hand on my arm, silencing me.

"Matt," she said softly, "I've been waiting for you to say it."

And just like that, everything clicked into place. The nervousness, the hesitation—it all melted away. All that was left was her, standing in front of me, and the soft glow of the Christmas lights around us.

Without thinking, I closed the space between us, pulling her into a gentle embrace. The cool air wrapped around us, but I didn't feel it. I only felt her. Her warmth, her presence, the feeling of everything finally falling into place.

"I think I've been in love with you for a long time," I whispered against her hair.

She smiled, pulling back slightly to look me in the eyes. "I've been waiting for you to say that."

And in that moment, with the Christmas lights twinkling in the background and the soft hum of the holiday music filling the air, I knew I had never been more sure of anything in my life.