Under the Mistletoe

"What are you planning on doing for winter break?" Owen asked as Charlotte was scribbling on her sketch pad.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing really. I thought about rereading one of my favorite book series again."

"Char, you do that every break. You need to do something fun and get out more."

Charlotte huffed. "I'm perfectly happy just spending my break at home nuzzled up by the fireplace and reading. It's peaceful."

Owen shook his head at his best friend. "No, it's boring."

She set down her pencil and examined her work. Charlotte sketched a Christmas tree, which was decorated with lights, garland, ornaments, and of course the star at the top of the tree. Below the tree were handfuls of presents of different sizes and each one had its own unique wrapping that separated the presents.

Owen looked over at the drawing, still waiting for a response from his best friend, who obviously forgot about him. "Char," he said. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

She scrunched up her nose looking at Owen. "You didn't hurt my feelings."

"Good," he smiled. "Because I don't think I could take another silent treatment from you. They're brutal."

Charlotte laughed. "I was seven when I did that you know," she reminded him. "And I can't imagine not talking to you since we've been best friends since fifth grade."

"Well I have an idea of what we can do over break."

"We?"

"Yes we."

"Well you have to tell me what you were thinking."

"I will later," he smirked. It's going to be a surprise."

Charlotte huffed, folding her arms across her chest. "I don't like surprises."

"I know you don't," Owen laughed, "which is why it's going to be a surprise."

"I might have to rethink doing that silent treatment. Seven year old me was obviously onto something."

Owen pouted. "That's not nice Char."

"I'm kidding," she smiled before closing her sketch pad. She looked up at the clock in her kitchen just as her stomach grumbled.

"Did your mom make those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey's yet?" Owen asked.

Charlotte nodded. "Yup, there on the-"

Owen was already out of his seat and into the kitchen before Charlotte could finish her sentence. He sat down at the table with a plate full of cookies. "Are you going to tell me the surprise is?" She asked him hoping he would answer her because he was happy about the cookies.

"I'm not going to tell you anything except dress nice Saturday."

*****

It was finally Saturday night and Charlotte was pulling clothes off her hangers searching for something to wear. She wasn't the girl who cared about what she wore but not knowing what Owen was planning for the night was driving her crazy.

Charlotte settled on wearing a dark red dress, black lace rights, black boots and a few pieces of silver jewelry that she borrowed from her mom's jewelry box with the help of her mom's suggestions.

"How do I look?" She asked her mom.

"Darling, you look beautiful. When is Owen going to be here?"

Charlotte glanced at her phone and looked at the time. "Any minute now."

The doorbell rang and she smiled. "Somehow he always manages to be on time."

She hurried down the stairs and ran her hands over the fabric of the dress trying to smooth it out more than she already was. The doorbell rang again. "Just a sec," she called unlocking the door and opening it to find Owen standing there wearing a tux and holding a bouquet of roses. He smiled showing his pearly white teeth and dimples.

"You look... incredible," he said.

Charlotte blushed. "Thanks. My mom helped me out..."

Owen laughed. "Style was never your thing but that's one of the reason why I love spending time with you. Charlotte your so carefree and don't care about your image like most girls do."

"Thanks."

"Um, these are for you." He held out the flowers for her to take just as her mom came down the stairs. "Hello Owen. Are you taking my daughter on a date?"

He was quick to shake his head. "No, but you know my parents raised me to be a gentleman," he laughed. "And I know roses are Charlotte's favorite flower."

The truth was that Owen really cared about Charlotte. He's been in love with her for a few years and was finally going to tell her tonight. He didn't know if Charlotte felt the same way but he couldn't hide his feelings for her any longer.

"Have a good night," her mom said before she shooed them out the door. "And Owen I expect her to be home by eleven!"

"Yes ma'am," he saluted her.

Charlotte gasped when she saw the horse drawn carriage that was right at the end of the driveway. "Owen, you did this?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I always wanted to ride in one after watching the movie The Santa Clause 2. Definitely puts me in the Christmas spirit."

She nodded in agreement. If Charlotte recalled her memory about the movie Tim Allen's character was trying to woo the principle because he needed to find a wife.

Is this a date?

If it was then she would find out tonight.

They stopped for something to drink. Owen ran inside while Charlotte was bundled up with the blankets that he brought. As she breathed you could see her breath. Man was it cold tonight. After checking the temperature on her phone it was a chilly twenty degrees out. She racked her brain trying to think of where Owen was taking her and she was also slowly freaking out thinking that this was a date.

"Earth to Charlotte," Owen chuckled.

He swayed his body in front of her and she blushed. "Oh, hey."

Her fingers grabbed at the steaming cup of warmth and when she brought it to her lips she could tell that there was mint in it. "What is this?"

"Something new, just try it."

Charlotte wasn't fond of trying new things. Scrunching her nose she looked at Owen between the cup of mint something and him. She sighed. "Alright, I'll try it."

Owen grinned. "Yes, that's my girl."

She rolled her eyes and took a big sip of the drink. Holy crap was it delicious...

"I knew you'd like it!"

"Shut up," she said and continued to drink the mint coffee. "Now where are we going?"

"Somewhere amazing, but first there's something I want to do."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." He dug around and pulled out mistletoe. "Char, you still haven't had your first kiss and it would be my honor to be yours if you'll have me."

If she said yes then she would kiss Owen, her childhood best friend. If she said no then her chance of kissing him would never come up again and possibly her only chance of a great first kiss. All the girls in school who had smooched with Owen said he was a great kisser.

"Char, you've been quiet..."

"Sorry... I just don't know what to say," she said honestly. 

"Do you want to kiss me?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Then kiss me under the mistletoe."

And she did.