This Year is My Year

The Fifth Element: The Rebound

I leaned against Eddie's chest, his arms wrapped around my waist, and smiled at my two friends saying goodbye to the people they had met tonight.

We were outside of the club, still warm and sweaty from the dancing, waiting for the cab we called. Alan and Eddie were arguing about the merits of Erasure, blowing drags of smoke from the cigarettes they lit. My nose twitched – I had gotten used to the smell in the time I had been dating Eddie, but I still didn't like it.

My eyes widened as I watched Helena take Steve by the collar of his button-up, pulling him close to her face. There was a beat and she kissed him on the cheek – I nudged Eddie so he would watch, but he and Alan were too caught up in their conversation. She took a napkin, which I assumed she had written her number on, and stuffed it in his front shirt pocket. I couldn't help but grin as Steve's face bloomed with red, nodding and stammering at the bold woman who had taken charge. She took him by the arm, leading him over to us.

Alan handed her his cigarette, still arguing with Eddie. She took a drag, smirking at Steve as she coolly blew the smoke out. Steve was smiling, nervous from her attention, and I finally recognized my best friend – the Steve who was the best beer pong partner, the worst at trivia, and insistent he had game when girls made him nervous.

"Have the young ones finished their goodbyes?" Helena turned to Robin and Cristina, the girls talking close, making each other laugh.

We had brought our two groups together for Robin's Big Adventure – we had learned that like Robin, Cristina had used a fake ID (although her ID said she was twenty-one, and was much more believable than Robin's twenty-four), and she was the youngest of her friend group, like Robin.

They lived in Ponder, a town twenty minutes outside of Hawkins, which thrilled Robin and Cristina when they realized their proximity. Eddie and Alan became fast friends when Eddie learned that Alan managed a music store, and Alan enjoyed criticizing all the metal music Eddie loved.

Helena took an immediate shine to Steve – teasing him with the cowboy hat he had worn all night, complimenting his hair, pulling him in to dance with her. Steve was flustered by the attention, trying to confidently flirt back and failing each time. He reminded me of Eddie when we first met; I smiled at the thought.

Robin and Cristina hadn't stopped touching each other or talking close since Robin had come back to dance. I don't even think that Robin knew that we were still with her, she was so smitten by the girl she had met. I was thrilled that she was so comfortable, finally able to freely flirt and feel confident.

"I think it's about to happen," Eddie whispered close to my ear, pulling me out of my thoughts. He was watching Robin, grinning, and I followed his gaze. Robin and Cristina had stopped talking, their faces close to one another. I squeezed his arm, and he held his breath – we were all watching them, each of us willing the moment.

Robin was the one who closed the distance, quickly kissing Cristina. The two of them smiled, and Cristina leaned back in, kissing her back. Steve pumped his fist, trying to quietly celebrate.

"Atta girl, Buckley," he said it softly, almost to himself. The two girls started giggling and turned to us, suddenly noticing we were all watching. Robin's smile dropped and she turned bright red. Cristina looked at her, laughing at her sudden flush, and took her hand, pulling her towards us.

"Could you guys be any creepier?" Robin hissed, making us laugh. She was still holding Cristina's hand.

"Only if you stop being so adorable, Chatterbox," Eddie was teasing her, making her blush more. I squeezed his arms and he looked down at me, beaming.

Robin's Big Adventure had been a smashing success.

"You better call me, Steve," Helena squeezed his hand, winking as her group started towards their cab. He nodded mutely, nervous again. Alan kissed me on the cheek, patting Eddie on the shoulder to say goodbye. Robin and Cristina were still holding hands, talking over one another.