Chapter 1
It’s late December, the thirty-first day to be exact, and I’m on my way to a New Year’s Eve party. Some senior is throwing it and I’m going to meet my best friend, Lauren, there.
When I get to the party, I find the kitchen and see the drinks. I grab a pop and look around for Lauren. Someone gets pushed into me and I almost fall over, until a hand steadies me.
“Salutations,” the guy with beautiful brown eyes greets me, a smile stretched across his face and his hand still on my arm.
“Charlotte A. Cavatica, are we now?” I ask with a glimmer in my usually dull, blue eyes and my lips curved into a smile.
“I don’t know, do I look like a spider to you?” He laughs a magical laugh that makes my insides flutter with a million tiny butterflies.
I look him over, from his brunette hair to his dark brown work boots. He looks drool-worthy. “Hmm… I don’t think you do. I’m surprised you recognized who I was talking about.” I go to shake his hand, “My name’s Al-“
“Foster, come on!” Another guy butts in and the boy, Foster, looks to his friend before giving me another quick glance before leaving, as to say ‘sorry’.
“Alice, my name’s Alice.” I look to the floor and mutter under my breath.
I continue to look for Lauren.
“Hey, Ali!” Lauren greets me when I finally find her.
“Hey, Lauren!”
“Nice outfit,” she compliments me. I’m wearing a black skirt with a floral long sleeve lace shirt.
“Thanks, I like yours too.” I smile at her. She’s wearing a royal blue dress and her blue-green eyes shine brightly while her dark blonde hair is pulled into a messy, but cute, ponytail.
“Have you thought of a New Year’s resolution yet?”
“No,” I shake my head, “have you?”
“Not really.”
The next few hours are spent talking, dancing, and playing games. When there’s about five minutes until midnight, Lauren and I find the TV and stand with everyone else. When there’s only about a minute left, I feel a presence stand beside me. I look over and see Foster, the guy that bumped into me earlier.
“What are-“
“10…9…8…7…”
He looks over at me and I look away, but I can see his smile in my peripheral vision.
“6…5…4…3…”
He touches my face lightly with his fingertips, causing me to look at him once again.
“2…1… Happy New Year!”
“You’re beautiful,” He says quietly before kissing me.
I stand in shock for a few seconds before I put my arms around his shoulders and kiss back. The kiss lasts no more than a minute, but is long enough for a warm, fuzzy feeling to appear in my stomach and a slight chill to run down my spine.
When we break apart, we stare into each other’s eyes for mere seconds, although it feels like hours. His dazzling brown eyes depart from my blue ones and he walks away.
I can’t believe I just kissed someone I just met at a New Year’s Eve party. I know nothing about him, except his first name and that he is quite handsome.
I notice that Lauren isn’t by me anymore, so I look around and find her by the door. I walk over to her, still amazed by what just happened, and we end up leaving.
