A Christmas Confession

The snowflakes fell in gentle spirals, coating the college campus in a pristine white blanket. Everywhere, the festive spirit of Christmas wove its magic — strings of fairy lights adorned the dorms, carolers sang in the quad, and the faint scent of cinnamon and cocoa lingered in the crisp air.

Ethan adjusted the scarf around his neck, taking a deep breath as he stood outside the campus cafe. Inside, warm light bathed the interior, and laughter spilled out into the cold night. Among the cheerful crowd, he could see her—Sophie. She sat near the window, her auburn hair catching the light like a flame, her fingers curled around a steaming mug. She looked up from her book, her hazel eyes sparkling with amusement as her friend whispered something to her. Ethan’s heart stuttered.

For six years, Sophie had been his constant — the one person he could talk to about anything. From their awkward middle school years to now, with graduation looming just three months away, she had been his anchor. But what Ethan felt for her wasn’t just friendship, and it hadn’t been for a long time. Tonight, he wanted to tell her the truth.

He took another deep breath, but the familiar fear crept in. What if it ruins everything?

Sophie stirred her hot chocolate absently, her gaze flickering to the window. Through the frosted glass, she caught sight of Ethan standing outside, his hands shoved deep into his coat pockets. A faint smile touched her lips. He always looked so serious when he was thinking.

“What are you smiling at?” Jess, her roommate, asked with a teasing grin.

Sophie shook her head. “Nothing. Just Ethan.”

Jess smirked knowingly. “Right, nothing. The guy you’ve been in love with since forever.”

“Jess,” Sophie hissed, her cheeks flushing. “Keep your voice down!”

“I’m just saying,” Jess whispered, leaning closer. “Why don’t you just tell him? He’s mad about you.”

Sophie’s stomach twisted. Was he? Over the years, there had been moments — fleeting glances, lingering touches, words left unsaid — but the fear of losing him had always held her back. They had three months left before college ended. What if she said something, and it all went wrong? She wasn’t ready to risk their friendship, even if it meant burying her feelings.

But as she looked at him again, standing alone in the snow, something shifted inside her. Maybe tonight was different.

Ethan stepped into the cafe, the bell above the door jingling softly. The warmth hit him instantly, but it did little to calm his nerves. Sophie looked up, her face lighting up with that smile he loved.

“You’re late,” she teased as he slid into the seat across from her.

“Sorry,” he said, his voice tight. “Lost track of time.”

Jess made an excuse to leave, tossing Sophie a knowing look before disappearing into the crowd. Now it was just the two of them. Ethan fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve, his mind racing for the right words.

“You okay?” Sophie asked, her brows furrowing.

Ethan nodded. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

“About?”

For a moment, he considered deflecting, but the weight of unspoken feelings pressed against his chest. He glanced at her, taking in the way her nose crinkled slightly when she was curious, the faint freckles across her cheeks.

“I—” he began, but his throat closed up. He took a sip of her cocoa instead. “This is good.”

Sophie gave him a puzzled look but didn’t press. Instead, she leaned back, her fingers tracing patterns on the table. “You know, I’ve been thinking too.”

Ethan’s heart skipped. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. About how fast everything’s moving. In three months, we’ll be graduating. Everyone will go their own way. They will start new lives…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked at him with an intensity that made his chest ache. “It’s scary, isn’t it?”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah, it is.”

She hesitated, then added, “I don’t want to lose the people who matter to me.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened. Is she trying to tell me something?

“You won’t lose me,” he said, his voice soft. “I’ll always be here.”

The words felt like a promise, but they weren’t enough. He wanted to say more. He wished to tell her how much she meant to him. Every moment with her had been the best part of his life. But fear still held him captive.

The hours passed in comfortable conversation, the tension between them simmering just beneath the surface. As the cafe began to empty, Sophie glanced at the clock and sighed. “We should probably head back.”

Ethan nodded, though a part of him didn’t want the night to end. Together, they stepped out into the snow. The world outside was quiet, the lights from the buildings casting a soft glow on the snowy ground.

They walked in silence for a while, their footsteps crunching in unison. Finally, Sophie spoke. “Ethan, there’s something I need to tell you.”

He stopped, his breath visible in the cold air. “What is it?”

She hesitated, her hands twisting nervously. “I—”

A group of carolers passed by before she could finish. Their voices filled the air with a joyful rendition of Silent Night. Sophie laughed softly, the moment slipping away. Ethan’s chest tightened. If he didn’t say it now, he might never get the chance.

“Sophie,” he blurted, his voice louder than he intended.

She turned to him, her eyes wide. “Yes?”

He swallowed hard, his hands clenched at his sides. “I’ve been wanting to tell you something for a long time.”

Her expression softened, and she took a step closer. “What is it?”

Ethan’s heart pounded so loudly he was sure she could hear it. He took a deep breath, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I’m in love with you. I’ve loved you for years. I was too scared to say anything. I didn’t want to ruin what we had. But I can’t keep it in anymore. You mean everything to me, Sophie.”

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Sophie stared at him, her eyes glistening, and he braced himself for rejection.

But then she smiled, a soft, radiant smile that sent warmth flooding through him. “Ethan,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “I’ve been in love with you too. I just didn’t know how to say it.”

Relief and joy crashed over him like a wave. He reached for her hands, his fingers brushing against hers. “You mean it?”

She nodded, her smile widening. “I’ve been waiting for you to say something, but I was so scared of losing you.”

Ethan laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. “We’re idiots, aren’t we?”

Sophie laughed too, and in that moment, the tension melted away. The snow continued to fall around them, but neither of them noticed. All that mattered was the warmth between them, the unspoken feelings finally brought to light.

As they walked back to the dorms, holding hands, Ethan felt a peace wash over him. It was a peace he hadn’t felt in years. For the first time, the future didn’t seem so uncertain. They had taken a risk, bringing them closer than ever.

This Christmas, they had given each other the greatest gift of all: the truth.

This is my third short story and the second one set during Christmas. I decided to write this piece inspired by the overwhelming response to my first Christmas story, “I Must Go Home.“

I hope you enjoy this heartfelt tale as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sometimes, love needs courage, and this story reminds us to speak up and share our feelings with the ones we hold dear. Don’t let fear keep you from love—leap and cherish every moment.

Thank you so much for your support and for joining me on this journey!

Sasindu Jayasri

Sasindu Jayasri is an Engineering student from Sri Lanka and he studies mechanical engineering at the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Moratuwa. He is passionate about writing and giving inspiration to the world. Follow him in LinkedIn for updates and you can contact him directly.