I'm shaken awake by someone jumping onto the bed I'm sleeping on. I groan softly, slowly opening my eyes and looking around me. Layla sits on the edge of my bed, grinning down at me. "It's Christmas!" She exclaims softly, her smile as breath-taking as always.

I roll over onto my back and groan, reaching my arms up above me in a stretch. I look over at Liam to see that Anna is waking him up in a similar way. Turning my gaze back to Sunshine, I open my arms and grumble, "Merry Christmas, Sunshine."

She grins, falling onto me in a hug, her face automatically burying into my chest. Her head rests over my heart and she lets out a content sigh as if she is finally where she belongs. Sometimes it feels like that to me too. Curling my arms around her waist, I close my eyes again, hoping to get a little more sleep.

"Merry Christmas, Reecey." Layla replies back softly, shuffling around to get comfortable on the small twin bed. She is pretty much on top of me as she lies here and I couldn't be happier. I would give anything to have her sleep on me like this every night.

A sudden loud banging on the door to the room makes my eyes shoot open. "I know all four of you are in there!" Bella calls out to us, "Come out so we can open presents!"

I groan, squeezing Layla to me tightly before reluctantly starting to slip out of bed. "Come, on, Sunshine." I have to coax her some more before she eventually stumbles out of bed as well and we walk out of the room, Liam and Anna not far behind us. As she walks ahead of me, I notice that she has stolen another one of my hoodies – a grey one this time. When did she do that?

We walk out into the living room to find that Bella, Max and Laura are already waiting for us.

I'm nervous about today. I'm going to show her my tattoo. I hope she likes it. But that isn't what I'm most nervous about. I'm also going to tell her the I have feelings for her. That is the scariest part.

I decided a few days ago that I would do it. When the two of us were standing there hugging after decorating the Christmas tree, I decided I'd tell her. I mean, what have I got to lose?

Her. I could lose her. But I'm not going to think about that part.

We all gather together in the living room with cups of coffee before we start opening Christmas presents. Soon the present opening starts and everyone is talking and laughing. Liam had gotten me a pair of sneakers while I got him a hoodie he'd been wanting. I got Anna a new sketch book and she had gotten me a book I'd been wanting to read. I'm wondering when to give Layla her present. It's sitting in my pocket and it feels as though it weighs tones.

"Reece," I instantly turn at the sound of Layla saying my name. I look down to where she is sitting beside me on the couch. She hands me a small box wrapped in red wrapping paper. "This is for you."

I swallow roughly, knowing this is where I give her my gift. I take the box and dig my hand in my pocket, pulling out the small, rectangular box for her. "And this is for you, Sunshine."

She smiles, her eyes regarding me softly. God, I really love her eyes. She takes the present and I watch as she unwraps it. I want to see her genuine reaction because I want to know if she actually hates it. She slowly takes the wrapping off, revealing the long, flat box. She opens it and her eyes instantly light up. She gasps softly, eyes connecting with mine. "Reece..." She doesn't say anything else as she looks back at the necklace in the box, biting back a grin. It's a dainty necklace with a small sun pendant on it.

"Do you like it?" I ask quietly, feeling the nerves building up in my chest.

She nods hurriedly, "I love it, seriously," Then she pauses, chuckling quietly, "I think we had the same kind of idea though."

I furrow my brows and look back to my own present. I unwrap it and open the small box, finding a black leather bracelet inside. There's a small sun pendant attached. I grin, looking back at her, "I guess we did."

She grins, carefully picking up the necklace from the box, admiring it closely. I hold my breath as she turns it around. Her eyes look over the small engraving in the back and my heart stops for a moment. Then she smiles and I let out a small sigh of relief.

"R for Reece, I'm guessing?" She asks, tilting her head adorably and biting down on her bottom lip. I feel my face heat up under her gaze and I break eye contact as I nod. "I love it," She whispers and I look back up to see her running her finger over the pendant softly. She looks back into my eyes, "Put it on for me?"

I nod, placing my present down on the armrest of the couch. I take the necklace from her hands and gently brush her hair to one side. She shivers and I hold back a grin. I place the necklace in front of her while she holds her hair up and I clasp it together at the back.

She turns to face me, grinning, "Thank you. I really love it."

"You're welcome," I murmur, feeling trapped by her eyes. She really is so beautiful.

She reaches behind me and grabs my bracelet before grabbing my hand I hers. She carefully wraps the leather bracelet around my wrist for me.

"Thanks, Sunshine," I murmur, looking down at the bracelet. It's beautiful, but what I like most about it is that it represents her.

"Do you like it?" She asks and I look up to meet her bright green eyes.

Not as much as I like you. "I love it." I reply, not expressing my actual thoughts. I'll tell her later. I need to work up the guts to tell her first.

"Good," She grins, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to my cheek, "Merry Christmas."

I smile, "Merry Christmas, Sunshine."

~

It's after dinner now. I have been putting off showing her all day. But I have to do it now. I have to. I need to tell her.

We're all sitting in the living room watching a Christmas movie at the moment and Layla is curled up to my side. I take a deep breath, deciding I have to do it now. "Sunshine," I whisper into her ear. She looks up at me and I continue, "I need to show you something."

She furrows her brows but doesn't hesitate to follow me when I stand up and head in the direction of her room. I stop next to her bed, taking a deep breath in before releasing it, working up my courage. I turn back to face her and almost back out right then. She looks so dámn perfect standing there in my hoodie.

"What's wrong, Reece?" She asks, taking a step closer.

I take in another deep breath before speaking, "You know how I got that new tattoo, right?"

She nods, eyebrows furrowed, "Yeah, why?"

"Well, that wasn't the only tattoo I got that day."

"What else did you get? Can I see it?" Her eyes are bright with curiosity.

I nod, grabbing the back of my hoodie and taking it off, leaving me in just my t-shirt. I pause, about to take it off. "Please don't freak out," I whisper, not sure if she even hears me. Then, with the last bit of courage I have in me, I take off my shirt and throw it on her bed with my hoodie.

I look back at her and see her staring at the tattoo with wide eyes. I knew she'd spot it straight away. I hold my breath as I wait for her response. My heart is practically beating out of my chest.

"Is that..." She trails off, taking a hesitant step closer without taking her eyes off the tattoo.

I nod hesitantly, my hands forming fists at my sides. What if she hates me for this? I really should have thought this through more. She hates it. She'll never want to speak to me again.

Before I can fully convince myself of those thoughts, she steps forward again and gently presses her hand to the tattoo. I take in a breath, my heart speeding up even more at her touch. And I know she can feel it because her hand is resting right over it.

She looks up and our eyes lock, "I don't want to assume, but-"

I shake my head, "No, you're right. It's exactly what you think it is, Sunshine."

She looks back down at her hand covering the tattoo before meeting my gaze. "It's for me?"

"Only for you," I whisper, feeling my gut twist in worry and anticipation.

She uncovers the tattoo and stares at the sun that's there. Of course it's for her. Who else could a sun possibly represent?

Looking down at her, I know this is my chance. I have to tell her. I open my mouth to say it and I fully intend on saying the words, I really do. But then she steps forward again and rests her head over the tattoo. I take in a breath as she turns her head, kissing the tattoo softly before resting her head over it again.

Holy shít.

I can't do it. I can't fúcking do it. She's too perfect. I can't lose her. I won't lose her. Not because of something as stupid as my own feelings. I'll deal with staying her best friend. I'll lock my feelings away. She never has to know.

She never has to know that I'm on the verge of falling in love with her.