You and Chris are on a winter festival date on college campus. You've met just after winter break. Chris looks as dashing as ever in his jacket and blonde hair all over his forehead. You walk along a line of hooded tents selling hot chocolate and warm apple cider.
You : This is sooo good. Even better than the ones mom makes.
Chris : Lucky you. My mom makes the worst hot chocolate in the world!
You : OMG, what a terrible thing to say!
Chris : Of course I’d never tell her that. I love her to pieces. The women in my life are very special to me.
You : So you had to drink bad hot chocolate all through winter break. Poor boy.
[[Flirt Centrale]]
Chris : I’m sorry. I guess I get nervous sometimes.
You : I’m sure you’ll do better next time.
Chris : It’s just … you’re so beautiful. I want to be the best man I can possibly be for you.
You kiss Chris on the cheek.
You : Aww … I know. You don’t need to try so hard though. Just be yourself.
Chris : Yes maam.
[[The Stranger]]
Chris tucks your hair behind your ears. He cups your face in his arms and kisses you tenderly.
You : Wow. I … guess that answers my question.
Chris : Next winter, let’s spend the entire break just the two of us.
You : Yussss. Let’s go someplace warm. Like Florida …
Chris : Or the Caribbean! Or Italy!
You : Woah woah, slow down there tiger. Not all of us are on football scholarships!
Chris : Florida it is. We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us. And nothing but endless possibilities.
[[The Stranger]]
You run your fingers up Chris’ hands.
You : Warm doesn’t even begin to describe me.
Chris : I – errr, feel like I don’t even need my sweater anymore.
You : That’s right, all you need to handle the winter is … me.
[[The Stranger]]
Chris squeezes your hand gently as you pass underneath a glittering Christmas tree. Soft jazz music plays in the background and the sound of laughter tinkles through the air.
Chris : Hey what do you know, they’ve turned the pond into an ice skating rink!
You : I’ve never ice skated before.
Chris : I’ll teach you. It’ll be great. You’ll look so graceful gliding across the ice.
You : Ok but if I break a limb you’re going to gracefully carry me to class!
You and Chris rent a pair of ice skates. As you put them on, a stranger waves at Chris as he walks by.
Logan : Hey Chris. What’s up?
Chris let’s go off your hand abruptly a strange expression on his face.
[[Out of Character]]
Chris : Oh, Logan taught me how to play football when I was in middle school.
You : Wow, so you guys really do go way back.
Chris : Yeah, he’s great. Taught me everything I know.
You : Why didn’t you meet him when you went back home? He seems like someone you look up to.
Chris : Well … you know school work and everything. I was pretty busy throughout winter break.
You : Schoolwork during winter break?
Chris : Err yeah, the football team always has … stuff during the break.
You : Hmm.
[[Ice Skating]]
Chris : Yeah give me just a second.
Chris fumbles as ties the lace on his ice skates.
You : You ok? We don’t have to do this if you’re not feeling up to it.
Chris : No no I wanna see you soar. I’m ready now.
You : You promise you’ll catch me if I fall?
Chris : I promise.
[[Ice Skating]]
Chris : What – What do you mean? I didn’t stop you from doing anything.
You : You can’t be serious! Chris, you clearly didn’t want me talking to that guy. Is it an issue if I talk to your friends?
Chris : No no that’s not it.
You : Then what is it? Why are you being so weird?
Chris : It’s … nothing. Can we please just ice skate now? We’ll talk about this later.
You : Ok … Sorry I flared up. It’s just that … I hate secrets.
Chris : We’ll talk about this I promise. But for now let’s just enjoy the night.
[[Ice Skating]]
Chris : Hey man, just got back to school today morning. W-What are you doing here?
Logan : My brother’s just finishing up high school. Thought I’d show him what college is like.
Chris : Oh that’s … nice.
Logan : Were you back home for the break? You should have come by and said hello.
Chris : I was super busy. You know … school work and all.
You clear your throat looking expectantly at Chris.
[[A Forced Introduction]]
Chris wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you into him.
Chris : But now I’ve got you to keep me warm.
[[Uhh, what a cheesy line.]]
[[I missed you too.]]
[[You bet I’ll keep you warm.]]
Chris : Oh I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Logan this is my friend Nicky.
Logan : Hi Nicky. Chris and I go way back.
Chris : Yeah way back ... So listen, we were about to go ice skating.
Logan : Yeah go for it. It was nice to meet you Nicky. See you around Chris.
[[Who was that?]]
[[Can we start before I freeze]]
[[Why didn’t you let me talk to him?]]
You and Chris walk down to the ice skating rink. He looks distracted, lost in thought.
You : What in the world possessed me to do this!
Chris : Nicky I’m right here. Nothing’s gonna happen.
You : Now I know how Bambi felt!
You start to wobble forwards holding onto Chris’s shoulder tightly.
Chris : See not that hard right.
You slip on the ice, losing balance and tumble to the ground. An angry bruise on the side of your hand flashes red.
[[The Confrontation]]
Chris : Are you alright? I’m so sorry. I thought you were doing ok so I went faster.
You : Get off you’ve done enough.
Chris : Do you want to me to get some first aid?
You : No it’s not that bad. Let’s just leave.
You and Chris climb out of the rink and hand in your rented ice skates.
You : What’s going on Chris? This is just so unlike you. Does it have something to do with Logan?
Chris : I … I …
[[Whatever it is we can work through it.]]
[[Did you really think you could get away without an explanation?]]
[[You better buy me a new dress.]]
Chris : You’re the best. No more secrets. I promise.
You run your hand on the back of Chris’ palm.
[[The Confession]]
Chris : Ok ok, I’ll tell you everything alright. Here’s the truth.
Your heartbeat quickens in anticipation.
[[The Confession]]
Chris : Wow, that’s really all you can think about, your clothes?
You : Well what else do you want to talk about?
Chris : There’s something I want to get off my chest.
You fold your hands and tap your shoes on the ground expectantly.
[[The Confession]]
Chris : Logan isn’t just my football mentor. He’s … my ex-girlfriend’s older brother.
You : Wow … ok. But why is that such a big deal. Why didn’t you just tell me?
Chris : Because … I
You : What is it?
Chris : I … I sort of ran into my ex-girlfriend during winter break.