Written in the Stars *EDITING*

Chapter 22: Happy New Year

Now that Christmas was over the last thing Mia had to look forward to before winter break ended was New Year's Day. It was December 31st and Hazel had decided they would do their usual tradition of walking around town and seeing the fireworks in the middle of the square. Except for this time, they would be accompanied by two guests. Mia had given Hazel a wary look considering it sounded like a double date. Her best friend had reassured her it was simply one couple on a date while two people third wheeled. Simultaneously. Mia had rolled her eyes at her lackluster excuse but still asked Nathan if he wanted to join her and put her out of the misery of being the third wheel alone. He had agreed and so the four decided to hang around town a few hours before it became the new year so they could eat and enjoy the various decorations.

She decided to don black jeans and a white tee shirt with a red flower design. At the last minute, she threw a jean jacket on top, knowing it would be colder at night. Slipping on her black vans, Mia waited for Hazel to arrive at her house. Yelling bye to her parents after promising once again that they would be safe, she ran to her car and hopped in the backseat. Nathan would meet them in town. "Hi, Violet! Hey Hazey," she greeted as she secured her seatbelt.

"Hi, Mia. Thanks for being cool with me crashing you and Hazel's New Year tradition."

"Don't even worry about it," she dismissed. "I'm just happy Hazel isn't a total loser who doesn't have a significant other."

"You're thinking of yourself Wilson," Hazel retorted.

"Oh yeah. Anyways, we're going to Peaches & Cream right?" After Hazel nodded, Mia let out a squeal of excitement. "Thank the heavens. They have the best croissants and smoothies I've ever tasted."

When Hazel parked outside of the cafe, Mia practically shot out of the car, eager for a blueberry blast smoothie. Since it was New Years', many shops around town were open later than usual, hoping for a few last-minute sales. Nathan entered the cafe after all three girls had already ordered and chosen a seat. He bought something from the counter before joining them. They had two hours to kill before the countdown and eating would take at least an hour. After they all got their food and drinks, they settled back into their wooden seats.

"I can't believe we have to go back to school," Hazel groaned and took a bite of her sandwich.

"I don't want to go back either, but at least there are only a few months until graduation. Oh gosh, I just realized we hear back from colleges in only a few weeks. What if I don't get accepted anywhere? I guess I could freeload off my parents until my mafia husband takes me away," Mia mused out loud.

"That's still not happening," Nathan interjected while sipping his mango smoothie.

"Mafia husband?" Violet asked. Hazel placed her hand over Violet's, as if to say, don't ask.

Mia nodded at her question. "My dream is to get married to a young hot mafia boss. Can you imagine being whispered to in Italian?"

"Interesting life goals," Violet said. "Can I come to the wedding?"

"Of course! Hazel's my maid of honor so you're automatically invited."

"I thought you were going to marry Evan? Do I need to break the news to him?"

Mia slapped her hand to her mouth. "I forgot I was engaged to him. I'll just ask Evan to learn Italian I guess."

"Engaged?" Violet repeated.

"I'm not actually engaged. But Nathan's best friend Evan has pretty much proposed to me all three times we've hung out and I said yes the last time, so I guess we're set to get married. It's just a joke."

"Evan will be devastated to hear that," he noted.

"Then I guess I have no choice but to marry him. I know he'll treat me right though, so I'm not that mad about it." Violet and Hazel exchanged a look, Hazel having filled Violet in on her idea that Nathan and Mia liked each other but still hadn't realized it.

For a while the group talked, finally moving on from the topic of Mia's not so real love life. Violet wished she went to Redwood, enjoying Mia and Nathan's company and wanting to spend more time with her girlfriend. Mia figured it was probably for the best. Hazel would be even more distracted in school if Violet was around. Hazel had hit Mia's arm for that comment, causing them to start a hand fight before Violet and Nathan, respectively, pulled them away from each other. They had finished their food and drinks so they figured they might as well walk around town. 

Hazel and Violet walked in front of the two, Mia didn't mind, observing how Hazel looked at Violet with a sparkle in her eyes and the way Violet would pull her in for a quick kiss was better than any romance movie. Nathan, who had told her it was a grandmother's gift, was wearing the gloves Mia had bought him. Mia almost wished she hadn't bought them for him as he held her hand and they walked around the town. Holding hands through gloves was not the same as skin-to-skin contact. But as the hour flew by she knew it was the right decision that they were both wearing gloves considering how cold it was. They were outside Lila's Boutique and Nathan had sent her a look after they saw that it was dark and closed.

"I'm telling you, that woman has more secrets than Fort Knox," he insisted. Mia rolled her eyes and dragged him to catch up with the couple.

Arriving in the square, they realized there were only a few minutes until twelve. The square was packed with citizens, all out to enjoy the firework show. Hazel and Mia were discussing a tv show they were both watching while Violet and Nathan got to know each other better. There were only two minutes until twelve and the plaza was buzzing, people pulling their partners in close and waiting for the fireworks to start. Violet's blonde curls came into view and she and Hazel walked closer to the fountain. Mia took off one of her gloves to unlock her phone. Her parents had sent her an early happy new year text. Smiling at it, she put her phone back into her pocket. There was less than a minute until the new year. Nathan gazed down at her, smoky quartz meeting emerald.

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Reaching her gloveless hand up, Mia grasped one side of his face. 

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She leaned up, only able to reach his face on her tiptoes. 

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Gently, she pulled his face down a fraction and placed a soft, chaste kiss on his cheek. "Happy New Year Nathan," she softly congratulated.

Nathan brought his hand to her face and held it softly. He mimicked her, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Happy New Year Mia," he responded just as quietly. The bright, multicolored fireworks went off above them as they stood there, holding each other's faces as if they were a delicate painting, with smiles on their faces. As a kaleidoscope of colors burst in the sky, they wondered what the new year would bring.