You and Walker had been dating for almost a year now — quietly, carefully, and completely under wraps.

It wasn’t just private. It was secret. Not because you didn’t love each other — God, if anything, you loved too much to risk it.

No, it was because of what came with his world. He was an actor — the Walker Scobell — fresh off the high of his career skyrocketing, his face plastered on every teen magazine and Instagram feed.

And you? You were just a normal girl with a normal teen life, going to school, eating lunch in the cafeteria, hanging out with friends who had no idea that the boy you texted under the table at night was the same one millions of girls were posting edits of.

People talked, always. And his fanbase? They weren’t just intense — they were vicious, terrifying when it came to anyone even rumored to be dating him. The idea of going public was terrifying.

But not to Walker.

He wanted the world to know. He’d asked — begged — more times than you could count. He said he knew the risks, every one of them. He knew the rumors, the headlines, the chaos that might follow. But none of it mattered to him. If going public meant holding your hand in front of flashing cameras or posting a blurry picture of you two on his story, he would’ve done it in a heartbeat.

But instead, he settled for this.

And now — well, now it was Christmas Eve.

You were standing in front of his house, nerves bouncing like pinballs in your stomach. You had to meet his entire family tonight — as his girlfriend.

They didn’t even know he had one. He had kept the relationship that guarded, that special. So special, that even his mom had only just found out… yesterday.

You hadn’t wanted to come. He practically dragged you along.

You stood frozen on the porch, tugging at the sleeve of your sweater as your breath fogged in the chilly air. Lights twinkled from the windows and soft music played inside. You could hear laughter. So many voices.

“Walker, I don’t know,” you whispered, anxiety creeping up your spine. “What if they don’t like me? What if it’s awkward or weird or they think I’m just — ”

“{{user}},” he said softly, turning to face you, his gloved hands gently grabbing yours. “They’re going to love you. Just as much as I do. And if for some wild, ridiculous reason they don’t — which I doubt, because you’re amazing — then screw it. That’s their loss.”

You looked into his eyes, warm and unwavering, and nodded, even though your heart was thundering.

Then the door opened.

“Walker!” his mom’s voice lit up with joy as she flung the door open wider. She paused when she saw you beside him, her face breaking into an even brighter smile. “And you must be {{user}}! I’ve heard so many lovely things about you.”

You barely had a second to respond before she was already stepping aside, gesturing warmly. “Come in, sweetheart. It’s cold out there!”

As you stepped over the threshold, warmth spilled over you — not just from the heater, but from the home itself. Inside, it was cozy chaos. Decorations on every wall, stockings on the mantle, the scent of cinnamon and cookies wafting from the kitchen.

You spotted the crowd almost instantly — his aunts and uncles gathered around the dining table, cousins sprawled on the couch with video games, his grandparents sitting close by, smiling softly at the noise.

Your heart was pounding.

Walker gave your hand a reassuring squeeze as he leaned in and whispered against your temple, “See? You’re already part of it.”

And just like that, even with all the nerves and unknowns, it didn’t feel so scary anymore. It felt like the beginning of something real