Where I Belong

Part 4

Unlike on Christmas, Stevie's house was full of her closest friends and family on New Year's Eve. It was nearing midnight and the party was in full swing. Her guests were clearly enjoying themselves, judging by the volume of their chatter and laughter as well as the piling mountain of empty bottles. There was a live band too and Stevie smiled seeing as Jack, who returned from the trip with his parents the day before, held out his hand for Callie to take, asking her for a dance. Yes they were still so young, but Stevie had absolutely no doubts that they truly loved each other. Her own relationship? Well...

A tap on her shoulder pulled Stevie back from her thoughts. She turned her head and found Lori standing beside her. Lori looped her arm through Stevie's and whisked her away for a moment alone.

"I've been trying to get you away from everyone for hours!" Lori complained, opening another bottle of wine in the kitchen. 

"Oh? And why might that be?" Stevie asked, though she already knew.

Lori poured two glasses and pushed one towards Stevie. "Because we haven't talked in like two weeks and I need you to tell me what's been going on."

"With..." Stevie played dumb and Lori gave her a look as if asking, seriously? "There's not much to tell." Stevie shrugged, taking a sip. 

"It's been what, like two months now? Three?" Lori thought for a second if her drunken math was correct. "Have you finally engaged in-" She paused, chewing on her bottom lip, trying to keep herself from laughing. "any wicked games yet?"

"Oh my God..." Stevie looked around to make sure that they were still alone. "How long have you been dying to say that?"

"A long time!" Lori exclaimed, laughing. "So? Have you?"

Stevie sighed, now taking a large gulp. She glanced back over her shoulder once more then faced Lori again, she shook her head. "There have been a few times when things were starting to go in that direction, but..."

Lori was on the edge of her seat, she leaned in closer. "But what?"

"It's weird." Stevie whispered. "He's a great guy, he's handsome, but we've been friends for so long. I don't know how to get over that."

"So, you constantly have headaches instead?" Lori asked, rolling her eyes. "Have you at least properly made out? Felt each other up?"

Stevie's cheeks were getting warmer with each question. "Just..." She showed around her upper body. "Nothing below the waist. We have kissed, obviously." She added. "It's nice." She shrugged. "Like, I know he wants to."

"Well, of course." Lori nodded, chuckling. "He's a man."

"We go on dates and he's always a gentlemen. There's lost for us to talk about, he makes me laugh." Stevie reached for the bottle and topped off her glass, she brought it up to her mouth before continuing. "Then he brings me home and most of the time all I can do is peck him on the lips and rush inside. Like, I had a great time, thanks, bye! That's why I usually suggest going out instead of going to his place or inviting him here." She was slightly embarrassed to admit that. "So I don't have to make up a reason as to why I can't have sex with him. I don't know how much longer he's going to wait before he starts having questions."

"I mean, it hasn't been that long since you've started seeing each other." Lori said. "Maybe all you need is some more time to get used to the idea that he's no longer just a friend." 

"Maybe." Stevie genuinely wished it was true.

Lori raised an eyebrow. "You wanted this, right? You didn't jump into this relationship simply to make someone jealous, did you?" 

"What?" Stevie frowned. "No!" She shook her head. "That particular someone doesn't care that much, I'm sure."

Lori scoffed. "Right."

There had never been any secrets between them, so... Stevie lowered her voice again. "Actually, Lindsey has asked about me and Chris a couple of times. I told him that he can't get jealous and he said that he'll always be at least a bit jealous."

"See? He cares."

"Doesn't matter." Stevie waved it off. "I did not get into a relationship to make him jealous. He's only got himself to blame if he feels that way."

"That's right." Lori nodded. "I hope things work out between you two." She smiled, covering Stevie's hand with her own. "You deserve it."

"Thanks." Stevie smiled back and before she could say anything else, she turned around at the sound of Callie's voice, informing the two women that midnight was minutes away.

They walked outside, where the rest of the guest were, ready to watch the fireworks. Stevie looked around until she located Chris and approached him, she stood next to him and put her arm around his back, catching his attention. 

"I was wondering where you were." A smile instantly appeared on Chris' face, his arm wrapped around Stevie's shoulders.

"Lori wanted to chat." Stevie replied. "Nothing important." She lied before he could ask.

The countdown soon began. The last ten seconds of 2006 went by quickly and Stevie tilted her chin up as Chris looked down at her and they drifted closer for a kiss. It did feel nice, but was nice what she was truly looking for?