Hot Chocolate Romance [SNF OneShot]

Dedicated to @Chelstopolis for giving me the chance to get my writing out there.

December 14th; eleven days until Christmas

Nicolette's POV

I've had a suspicion that the universe is out to get me ever since Brandon showed up on Porter's doorstep. I came down here to get away from him, and his presence is killing me. I've been in love with him for fifteen years. It's pretty obvious he doesn't feel anything for me, though. The only time he ever even speaks to me is when he teases me. So, in turn, I have to respond the same, but if I have to go one more hour acting as though I hate him, I might just scream.

"Come on, Nicolette," Cynthia urges as she pulls me into the living room. I allow myself to be dragged along until I see what movie is playing. I immediately stop as I see a horror movie flash across the screen. Can I just say I enjoy having peaceful dreams?

"No, Cynthia!" I say firmly. "No. Way." At the sound of my voice, Brandon turns around and it takes all of my willpower to not stare dreamily into his emerald green orbs. A sexy smirk rises on his plump, kissable lips as he makes his way over to us.

"Come on, Nicolette. It's not real," he coaxes, taking my other arm. Together, they tug me over to the couch and force me to sit down. I pout as I realize that I'm sandwiched between the two of them with no way to escape. "I'll protect you," he promises, whispering in my ear.

Goosebumps rise on my skin as his breath fans over my ear. "In your dr-" I start, just as the first scream of the movie happens. Startled, I let out a high-pitched shriek, and burrow into Brandon's side, wrapping my arms around him tightly. He chuckles softly, and begins to rub my back. Tingles attack my senses, following wherever his hand touches, and my temperature rises at least fifty degrees. I close my eyes, savoring the moment. That's how I make it through the movie, not releasing my tight grip once for three hours; he doesn't let go, either.

I'm in heaven. This is better than Christmas, magic, cookies, or sugar. I could live and die in this moment and be forever happy.

When the movie credits start, signaling the end of the movie, Brandon leans down and whispers, "I'll go make us some hot chocolate."

Could this day get any better? Hesitant, I nod slowly, and unwrap my arms from around him. He stands up and presses a butterfly kiss to the top of my head before turning away from me. I just sit there, completely confused. I must have died and gone to heaven. Really, there's no other explanation for this.

I sit on the couch unmoving for about ten minutes before wondering what's going on. Hot cocoa doesn't take ten minutes to make. I enter the kitchen and freeze, unable to comprehend what I'm seeing. I take in Cynthia and Brandon cuddling together on the kitchen floor. My heart shatters like pieces of broken glass. "Oh," I breathe.

Both of their heads jerk towards me.

"Um. . . I'll be going now," I say shakily and back out of the kitchen. Once I'm out of sight, I pick up the pace, sprinting as fast as I can. I reach my room and quickly enter, slamming the door behind me. How could she? She's known how I've felt for years! The betrayal hits me hard, and tears stream silently down my cheeks, one right after the other. I don't bother wiping them away.

Cynthia barges in my room, shutting the door behind her. "Nicolette, it wasn't what it loo-"

"Looked like?" I interrupt. "Sure, it wasn't! How could you? You know how I feel about him!" I scream. Probably not the smartest thing to do.

Brandon enters my room. "How you feel about me?" he repeats.

Oh, shit.

Brandon's POV

I don't know how long I've waited for an opportunity like this. Now that it's here, I can hardly believe that this is actually happening. But here she is, in my arms, the girl I've loved forever: Nicolette. Throughout the movie, I keep my arms around her, soothing her, keeping her right where she belongs. My arms tighten around her. She may not know it yet, but she's definitely my girl.

When the movie ends, and I feel Nicolette shaking, I realize I need something else to comfort her. "I'll go make us some hot chocolate," I whisper.

In a way that I hope is reluctantly, she removes her arms from around me and leans back. "Okay," she agrees.

I get up and head into the kitchen, getting out the mix and putting the milk on the stove to boil. For some reason, the milk refuses to boil, so I decide to put the mix in the cups first. When I cut it open, I lose my grip on the package, and cocoa powder spills everywhere. "Damn it," I mutter, looking through cupboards for a towel, only to realize we don't have any.

Cynthia, perfect timing as usual, decides to walk into the kitchen at that moment and slips on the powder. I race over to catch her, and end up falling, too. She looks around us and clicks her tongue. "Great job," she says sarcastically.

I give her a glare, knowing she's right, and try to get up just as Nicolette walks into the kitchen. She blushes bright red, stammering, "Umm. . . I'm going to go now," before running out of the kitchen. I can only guess what she thought she saw.

Cynthia glares at me, pushing up off the floor before racing out of the kitchen. "Thanks for the help," I mutter as I pick myself off the floor, and turn off the oven. Racing after Cynthia, I catch up with her just as I hear Nicolette's door slam. We reach her door and Cynthia pauses. "Wait here," she orders, and disappears inside the room.

I'm not quite paying attention until I hear the fiery brunette yell, "How could you? You know how I feel about him!"

At that point, I'm already entering her room. Happiness fills me. "How you feel about me?" I ask.

Nicolette's POV

His eyes meet mine, revealing nothing. I contemplate lying, but realize there's no point. I've already acted completely jealous. It's so obvious, and I'm completely mortified. "You mean the fact that I love you?" I blurt out. I wince, covering my face. "Sorry," I mutter. "You can leave now.

He laughs, actually laughs, and I lift my head to glare at him. That complete ass. He doesn't have to rub it in my face that he doesn't love me. "Why would I want to do that, when I love you, too?"

Shock makes my eyes grow wide. Is he serious? "Are you joking with me right now?"

He shakes his head. "No," he whispers, before trapping me against the wall. As he leans closer my heart rate takes off like a race horse, and my eyes flutter shut. In no way am I ever prepared for how his lips feel against mine.

I immediately react, winding my arms around his neck as we kiss each other with all we have. When I can't go without air any longer, I pull away and rest my forehead against his. "I love you, Brandon," I say softly. I was wrong earlier-I could live and die in this moment.

"And I love you, Nicolette," he says back.

The End