After cleaning, Leo invited Merida to see the Christmas lights. They left a note for Mother Superior and slipped out into the cold night.
Merida rubbed her hands together, shivering. Leo noticed and pressed his gloves into her hands despite her protests. "I told you, learn to be on your own, Love."
"It wasn't this cold earlier," she muttered.
When he walked ahead, Merida ran to catch up, slipping her hand into his. He blinked at her in surprise.
"I want to keep you warm too," she said, making him blush.
"Aye, stop it. You're embarrassing me," he grinned, but she only held onto his arm tighter.
Near the park, carolers sang beneath a booth decorated with greenery and a mistletoe. "Let's take a picture!" Merida exclaimed, dragging him closer. She clapped and sang with the carolers, while Leo only watched her smile.
"Want me to sing you a Christmas song?" he teased. She laughed, thinking he was joking—until he borrowed a guitar. The crowd cheered as he began strumming and singing Mistletoe. His voice carried warmth through the winter air, and to Merida it felt like spring had bloomed in her chest.
When he reached the chorus, he slipped in new lines:
It's him you wanted here, I know, but I want to spend this night with you... I should be staying away, I know, but Love, I want you under the mistletoe...
Merida froze, her cheeks burning. "Why did you change the lyrics?" she asked once he returned the guitar.
He chuckled. "Sorry—did it bother you? That was for the girl I fell for years ago."
Before she could reply, the booth owner handed them a photo she'd snapped of the two standing under the mistletoe. "You two look so in love," the woman giggled. Merida beamed at the picture; Leo only laughed quietly.
As they walked again, he asked softly, "Have you thought about forgiving him, Love?"
She stopped, her smile fading. Leo quickly pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry I asked."
Merida clung to him, tears stinging her eyes. "I'm sorry, Leo... I can't love you the way I love him."
Leo closed his eyes, swallowing the ache. I know... but you didn't have to say it.
YOU ARE READING
Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)
RomansHow would you know if you keep looking the other way? ••• Merida Love Hollyn is a normal girl who lacks self confidence and she never fights back. And because of that, she often gets bullied by the mean girls at school, earning the nicknames, "Go...
