Sweetheart

58

Lizzie
New Year's Day 2020-2021

Tonight the school seniors are giving a party to celebrate the beginning of a new year. My friends and I are going, obviously, but unfortunately so are Nate and Cameron. But we can always ignore them.
The party is at a fancy hotel that the school rented and the dress code is "sexy but classy". Got it.

I put on a short black dress with thin straps and a slit on my thighs, the fabric replaced by some falling strands of shining fake diamonds. I don't think wearing real diamonds to the party is a good idea. And, hey, I even put underwear on. That's an improvement, isn't it?

"Lizzie," Aaron calls me from his bathroom while I check myself out in his mirror. "You ready? Caleb's gonna be here soon."

"Yep. All done," I reply. "You?" He hums, exiting the bathroom. I look him up and down. "Oh, damn, look at you."

"What?" he asks innocently.

I shrug, walking up to him with a smirk and wrapping my arms around his neck. "You look tasty."

He chuckles. "Thank you, sweetheart. You look stunning too." Aaron leans in to kiss me, but I pull back a little. "What's wrong?"

"Lipgloss. I just put it. It's gonna stay on you," I explain, stepping back.

"You kidding? Come here." He snakes a hand around my waist and pulls me back to him, pressing our chests together and lifting my chin with his fingers, touching his lips to mine. I can't help but smile, raising my leg like they do in the movies.

Our kiss is interrupted by someone honking outside the house. A little upset, I pull back. "Let's go." I pick up my bag and head for the stairs, holding Aaron's hand. We pass in front of the mirror at the house entrance and I catch a glimpse of us. "Wait! Let me take a picture."

"Of what?" he asks, already getting annoyed.

"Of us, gorgeous."

He makes a face, grimacing. "Hmm, I don't want to."

"Come on, you grumpy ass," I insist, taking out my phone. "For me?"

"Lizzie, it won't work on me..." He looks at me. "Don't give me puppy eyes. You know it won't cut it."

"Pretty please?" I start pulling out my bottom lip, but he stops it with his hand on my mouth. I laugh.

"No."

"Aaron, come on!"

"Lizzie."

"Just one!"

He sighs deeply. "One."

"Yay!" I kiss his cheek and place myself in front of him, draping his arm around my neck, holding his hand with my free one. "Say cheese!"

"Hmph," he huffs, hiding his face in the crook of my neck, making me laugh.

"You said you'd let me have one!" I comment, although still giggling.

He shrugs. "I did. You didn't say my face had to be in it."

I roll my eyes. "You're lucky it turned out cute."

He chews on the inside of his cheek. "Can I see it?"

I give him a side glance. "I don't know..." I pretend to think about it.

"My delightful and beloved Lizzie, may I have the honor to see the picture you took of us?" he jokes. And adds, "Please?"

Satisfied, I allow, "Now you can."