The audience roared with cheers. For a reason, of course. Upon opening curtains, they witnessed the exact formation from Mark Waters' iconic MEAN GIRLS!

"~Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring

Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun

Now the jingle hop has begun~"

We danced and sung along with the lyrics. The melody spread through, like a wildfire.

People at the back stood up to cheer and watch the performance. The cheerful front rows were blocking their view!

"~What a bright time, it's the right time

To rock the night away

Jingle bell time is a swell time

To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh~"

The melody continued until the end, it was a spectacular blast!

"Just what we needed after our vacay! Give it up for the PLASTICS!" The MC made a film reference, the auditorium cracked up and so did I!

"Girls, that was wonderful!" Crystal made it clear that she was happy. Her cheeks were bright red, making her look like a tomato!

"I haven't enjoyed a stage performance in so long! The last time was when I was eight!" Winter chuckled with me.

"Let's go change quickly! I wanna watch the other shows with you guys!" I nodded vigorously with Crystal as we entered the green room backstage.

Winter, Crystal and I joined the boys who cheered for us in the audience. They saved seats, it was quite difficult to save a seat after our performance!

"And next up is...THE LOVE STORY!"

My smile faltered a little. It must've been that we set the grounds for more fantastic pieces and shows tonight, but deep inside, I felt insecure. Especially knowing that Aria Chen was performing. What is wrong with me...?

Why couldn't I be happy for Aria!?

The crowd erupted in agreeable gasps when the curtains were pulled. Aria Chen, dressed in the most sophisticated princess outfit gave a grand entrance. Her waist was as small as a wrist!

Their melodrama blew everyone's mind away. A stage play integrated with a surprising melody as they enacted was anything but perfection.

The story began with a maiden sat in under a tree, singing to the snakes and beetles. A hare popped up and asked why she was sad. She pointed to the tower and said, "He took everything from me..."

The scene cut to the maiden entering the palace, and the Prince was seen enjoying and romancing another concubine. In the name of Christmas, the Prince invited the maiden and let her watch the Prince being groomed and adored by...three other women.

The maiden, heartbroken, runs away and sings her heartbreak to the birds. And a twisted crow shows up, narrating her experience with different male crows who took care of her. Love wasn't measured by quantity, but quality.

And so, the maiden goes to the palace and confesses her love to the Prince.

He...accepts her right away. Another charming maiden to his collection.

As the play went by, my excited smile was being replaced with a scowl.

This was...oddly familiar.

This was my life's story...

"Woo-hoo! That was a blast!" Crystal and Alex cheered indefinitely, while struggled to stand up even. Winter gazed at me, Dane was looking at me too. Did they find out something peculiar? Why were they staring at me like that?

Before I let my heart win over my mind, I quickly stood up and started applauded. I lied through my teeth, "That was an amazing show! Gosh!"

Everyone was preparing to go back home. The after party wasn't for us.

But I decided to stay.

"You guys enjoy yourselves! I'll come back after the afterparty!" I waved at my siblings and friends. Winter and Crystal were staying over for New Year's eve.

I knew what I had to do,

"Why?"

I barged into the green room. No one except for us was there to eavesdrop.

"What do you mean?"

Cynric stood up from his chair, still in his Prince Charming outfit. It wasn't exactly Prince Charming but some royalty.

"Why would you narrate my story to the entire world? Our story." Cynric shuddered at my angry aura. He walked up to me, but stopped immediately when I put a hand up.

"It...wasn't my intention. It was what was in my mind. I'm sorry, Amy. I didn't mean to upset you. At all." I scoffed.

"Look at you. Not even denying that you wrote about me. Do you really think I'm a whore? You think I can't be satisfied with just one dick sticking inside me?" Tears flowed down freely. Cynric's stance began faltering, so did mine.

"Not at all, Amy. I want you to consider me an option too. That's all."

"Well. You don't qualify." Saying, I spun around on my heel to leave the tense atmosphere. However, Cynric spoke to himself, deliberately loud enough for me to hear.

"Do you distrust me that much? Do you...hate my family?" I stopped in my tracks.

Those were two separate questions. But weirdly enough, they were connected.

"It's not your fault you were born into a family that took pleasure in investing into companies and swallowed them like a black hole when the opportunity came through."

My words drilled a hole through his chest. It was his family's harsh reality. Tears like pearls strung from a broken necklace fell from his eyes. My words must have really hurt him. But what could I do? My anger was justified. After all, I was just trying to protect my family.

"Who are you anymore? Why have you grown so...cold?"

"I didn't grow cold, Cynric. I'm only putting ny guard up against you and you alone." Cynric shut his eyes tightly.

"Why are things always spiraling out of control...? Why can't I just get what I want...?" Cynric fell to his knees and crouched into his thighs, crying loudly. All I could see was a little boy.

Pity flooded me, my body moved on its own.

Holding him by the collar, I hoisted him straight and...kissed him.