( FAYE )

one month has passed by since sadie and i officially labelled our relationship. it's still strange to reflect on how we began dating or the events that led up to it. nonetheless, i'm happy. we're happy. that's all that matters.

although occasional doubt and guilt seem to resurface, i'm surely getting more adept at pushing them away, at trusting sadie.

anytime the thought of next week crosses my mind, my stomach ties up into knots.

since it's christmas, i'm accompanying sadie to visit her family for nearly a week. although i am excited to meet the sink family, i can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of unease. to be fair, i'm not me without a sense of unease about everything.

it feels so early to meet her family. we've only been together for a month with barely anything figured out yet.

that isn't the only factor bothering me. what if they don't like me? her parents have been so appreciative of her sexuality, what if they're disappointed when they meet her failure of a girlfriend? there's no chance i meet their standards.

surely they have this vision in mind of this successful, well educated girl. that's not me.

- ★ -

"they're gonna hate me"

the car engine hums as i sit in the passenger seat, fidgeting with my seatbelt while glancing out the window.

sadie looks over at me from behind the wheel with adoration. "they won't hate you, my love"

"i'm just so nervous" i sigh. "i need them to like me"

sadie grins and reaches out to gently squeeze my hand. "they'll love you, i promise. just be yourself. you're amazing"

"i don't know, sades. what if i say something weird or spill cranberry sauce on the table or accidentally insult their tree decorations? what if they think i'm not good enough for their perfect daughter?"

sadie stifles a laugh. "darling, you're overthinking it. even if any of those things did somehow happen, they'd just laugh it off"

her reassuring voice and touch seem to numb my dread easily.

"besides, i'm sure they'll be too busy bullying me the whole week" she scoffs.

i raise an eyebrow. "what? why?"

she shrugs. "because they'll be surprised i finally brought someone home for christmas. i've always been the christmas grinch"

"well, you're not anymore" i chuckle.

the redhead winks. "yeah, see? it's a win-win for everyone"

- ★ -

the car pulls up in front of the house, leading my heart to race again.

"ready?" she presents me a supportive smile.

i take a deep breath before nodding. "i think"

she takes my hand in hers once again, tracing the surface of my knuckles with her thumb. "you'll do great, faye"

i smile as my anxiety is momentarily replaced with the warmth of sadies affection.

as we stand on the front porch, i peek through one of the windows. christmas lights adorn the house, casting a warm and inviting glow.

sadies brother opens the door, sending a welcoming smile my way.

"you finally got some? no way"

sadie scoffs, pushing his head away. "shut up mitchell!"

Inside, the house buzzes with the essence of holiday preparations. the scent of a festive dinner runs through the air, and christmas decorations fill every nook and cranny.

sadies father is in the kitchen working on a dish while her mother sets the table.

her brothers and little sister are busy decorating the tree, providing me warm smiles upon noticing my entrance.

"mom, dad!" sadie greets, rushing towards them with open arms.

i stay stood near them, fidgeting with my hands while waiting for my acknowledgment.

"this is faye, my girlfriend" she grins.

the pride present in sadies voice catches me off guard. nonetheless, i try matching her energy.

"hi" i extend out my hand. "it's a pleasure to meet you both"

sadies mom steps forward, offering me a warm hug. "we've heard wonderful things about you, dear"

i raise my brows, returning the hug. "really?"

a smirk covers my face, causing sadie to roll her eyes with a scoff.

her dad follows with a hearty handshake, his face breaking into a welcoming grin. "it's always great to meet my daughter's friends"

"girlfriend" sadie reminds with a nod.

her father clears his throat, turning to the redhead with a nervous smile. "yes, ofcourse"

- ★ -

the day turned out to be wonderful. spending more time with sadies family worked at soothing my nerves. strangely, they seem to really like me.

celebrating a holiday with a loving family is something new for me, but my initial nervousness has evolved into a sense of comfort.

and with sadie by my side, i feel like i'm exactly where i'm supposed to be.

"faye!" sadie calls out from the bathroom.

"what?"

"come here"

i drop my journal on the bed before striding towards the somberly lit room.

sadie hands me a toothbrush, accompanied by a stern look, emitting a sigh from me.

"why do you always act like a mom?"

"because i can" she grins, placing a swift kiss on my cheek. "now, brush"

she departs, leaving me in the darkness of the washroom, leisurely running the brush through my mouth.

"done?"

i nod prior to joining the redhead on the cozy mattress, adorned with black sheets.

i nestle close to her, laying my head on her chest as she envelopes me with her arms. she plants a kiss on the crown of my head.

one of her hands rest on my waist, tracing the skin beneath my shirt, while the other runs gently through my hair.

"thanks for bringing me here" i murmur into her chest, receiving an audible hum as a response.

a shiver races down my spine as the icy fingers of winter seem to tighten their grip on the world.

as someone who loves cold weather, december has always been my favourite time to be alive. yet, this year, it hit me like a brick.

sadies fingers take notice to the goosebumps trailing my skin, so she pulls the blanket over us.

"it's so fucking cold" i exhale.

she hums in agreement, pulling me closer to her for the sake of body warmth.

"i know a way we can stay warm"

a smile creeps onto my lips as i glance up at the redhead. "at your parents house, really?"

"well, it is my old room" she shrugs.

i don't respond. instead, my gaze remains unwaveringly fixed on her.

how is she this pretty.

her eyes that hold the secrets of the ocean glisten like diamonds, while her cheeks harmonise perfectly with the tint of her lips, resembling strawberries.

a chuckle escapes her mouth, bringing me out of my head.

"you're so pretty" my voice is barely above a whisper.

she smiles. "so are you"

i move my face up towards sadies, allowing our lips to brush against one another.

her hands find their way back underneath my shirt, tracing circles on the surface of my skin.

she emits a soft laugh before connecting our lips, gently biting at my bottom lip. once i exhale, she slips her tongue inside.

the rest of the wintry night, me and sadie attempt our best at keeping silent, losing all secrecy in the alluring warmth of one another in the midst of cold.

as we lie in bed, fatigued, sadie breathes into my ear. "i love you so much, faye solace"

an uncontainable grin emerges onto my face.

i turn towards sadie, catching the same expression on her features. "i love you more, sadie sink"

"you better"

i chuckle at her words.

the soft hum of the rooms white noise lulls me into a serene state of drowsiness, causing me to slowly drift off to a slumber in sadies hold.

- ★ -

hoe hoe hoe 🎄

gay-ten
yall rocking with the gc
name?

mclaughing
no

gay-ten
ok well no one asked you so

tea & biscuits 🇬🇧
i love it

gay-ten
THANK you millie.

love it too

tea & biscuits 🇬🇧
faye!!
hows christmas
with the 🚰

the what

finnster
sinks
dumbass
who raised you

you

finnster
...
right

surprisingly
it's going amazing

finnster
good
lmk if anything crazy happens

like what

finnster
mass murder

ok 👍

tea & biscuits 🇬🇧
i'm so happy for you rn
fay meeting the parents!!!

yeaaahhh!!!
ok now bye gtg ily

upon hearing sadies mom calling for me, i gently set my phone on the kitchen counter, allowing my legs to guide me off the barstool and onto the cool, marble floor.

"faye, dear, this is felix"

she directs my attention towards a boy, standing tall with a statuesque frame. his tousled blonde hair catches the light, adding an ethereal glow to his features.

his chiseled jawline is softened by a friendly smile that graces his perfectly symmetrical face, framed by big brown orbs.

"hi" i mutter out, captivated.

his smile deepens. "hello!"

my eyes shift to sadie, who's standing beside him with an anxious expression. she gradually speaks up.

"uh, so me and felix were... close friends, back in high school" she clears her throat. "he showed up to spend christmas with us after seeing my moms post on facebook"

"it's such a wonderful surprise" sadies mom chimes with an uncontrollable smile plastered on her face, looking the most excited i've seen her.

"faye, can you come with me for a second?"

the redhead fixes a tight grip on my arm, pulling me away into a room.

"that's my ex boyfriend"

my brows rise up. "oh"

"it wasn't even that serious, but my parents love him. they mention him like everytime i visit"

"oh"

"say something other than that, please" she sighs.

i remain silent for a moment. "okay, uhm... so, did he just show up without any warning?"

"no, he told my mom, but she decided it would be a good idea to surprise me" she mocks.

"okay" i murmur, not knowing what to say.

she leans in towards me, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear before placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

"it's fine, he'll be invisible"

★ authors note ,,

stuff is happening