The Decuplets

New Year, New Boy

Ella

"Whatever we do, however the night goes, we have to have New Years kisses!" Scarlett exclaimed on the morning of New Years Eve.

"Agreed," I said, and we shook on it. "Any bright ideas?"

"Nope," she said, "you?"

I smiled slightly and she cut me off: "Zach, huh? Live a little, babe. Try something new."

"But your New Year's Eve kiss defines your new year!"

"I don't think so," Scarlett shrugged.

"Well I do," I huffed.

"Just don't take it too seriously, alright?" she asked, and I nodded.

-

When the party began, I first tried to play it cool and not look for him.

I hung out with a couple different brothers, had a few drinks, and spent some time talking to school friends. But inside, he was all I thought about.

I even spent my time convincing Jules to take Liam back.

"He loves you so much," Scarlett said, "so if any part of you is still curious about him, I really think you should give it a shot."

"And we'll be...less involved this time around," I promised. "We won't try and mess with anything, and we'll make sure the other brothers do the same."

Jules nodded. "I'll go find him." And then she was off.

"Maybe if they kiss for the new year, they'll be in each other's lives for the rest of it!" I said to Scarlett after Jules had left.

"Yeah, I still don't really buy into that," she replied.

"Whatever," I said.

It was about three quarters to midnight when I finally found Zach.

"Hey," I said casually, sitting next to him.

"Hey," he replied.

In the market for a New Years kiss? I wanted to ask, but I refrained. If it was meant to happen, it'd happen naturally.

"How's your night been?" I asked instead.

"Good, good," he replied. "You?"

"Great!" I said, my voice squeaking. "Well, I've been looking for you."

"Oh yeah? What for?"

I didn't exactly know how to respond. "Just wanted to talk to you!"

"Well I'm always down to talk to you," he grinned.

"Cool, cool," I replied, blushing. I had nothing to say—how was I going to sustain 45 minutes of conversation?

We talked about nothing for another 40 minutes, just sitting on the couch at an awkward distance.

He finally got up when the clock read 11:56. "I should go find my brothers," he said.

"Wait, what? But the ball is about to drop!" I protested.

"Yeah, exactly! Just come with me," he offered.

I followed him around but soon we were separated in the crowd. I stood on my tippy toes and scanned the crowd, but he was nowhere to be found.

Then the countdown began.

I turned around, defeated. To my surprise, Jacob had been behind me.

"Hey, El," he said.

"Hi, Jacob," I said.

Everyone around us was shouting each second as it passed.

"Will you be my New Year's kiss?" I asked, praying he would say yes and I'd not let Scarlett down.

He nodded.

Three! Two! One!

He kissed me and as he pulled away, I couldn't help but smile.

Of course the kiss meant nothing to either of us, but it was nice to ring in the New Year with an old but familiar face.

Scarlett

Ten...

I realized the countdown had begun and I had no one.

Nine...

I could look for Josh, but how pathetic would that be?

Eight...

I'm really running out of time.

Seven...

I looked around the room at all the couples, smiling and holding each other close.

Six...

I locked eyes with a cute boy from across the room, standing alone. This is my chance.

Five...

I approached him.

Four...

"Would you be my New Year's Eve kiss?" I asked nervously.

Three...

"Sure," he grinned.

Two...

I smiled and leaned in.

One!

The kiss was short and sweet, and I pulled away smiling wide. Somehow, for some reason, the kiss felt right.

I was in a bit of daze when he asked, "What's your name?"

"Scarlett," I said, blushing. "You?"

"Aidan," he replied.

My stomach was full of butterflies. Why am I feeling like this?

"I'll catch you later, Scar," he said, flashing me a final smile.

I couldn't wait to tell Ella.