Unknown Beginning

Part 39

New Year's Eve arrived and brought the beginning of a snow storm. Everyone got to Jared's house for the party at 6pm and by 9pm, a foot of snow had already accumulated. Luckily, everyone had planned to sleep over and in repayment to Jared's mom for hosting, they all offered to shovel the next morning.

Riley had skillfully managed to avoid Sana the entire night until 11:30pm rolled around and Riley felt someone slide onto the bar stool next to her under the premise of grabbing snacks. Riley didn't need to look to know it was Sana. Despite her lithe frame, Sana had a presence. A presence that Riley could recognize anywhere. Distinctly feminine and accompanied by a floral scent, Riley had to fight the urge to shift closer in her seat as Sana's aura engulfed her. When she felt she could no longer feign obliviousness, Riley slowly turned to face Sana and was immediately met with dark brown eyes that softly reflected a genuine smile.

Tucking her long black hair behind an ear, Sana said brightly, "Hey Riley".

Riley's head spun a little but she managed to keep her composure as they fell into conversation, catching up on lost time, until Sana rested a hand on Riley's arm and said "The countdown is starting".

Riley glanced around and saw some people paired up, others in a group counting down with the television. Hurriedly, Riley arose from her stool then stated awkwardly "Uhhh I gotta go use the bathroom" and headed down the hallway.

Riley could hear "10,9,8.." coming from the group and then her own name, much closer than anticipated. She turned, knowing what would happen, and instinctively her hands found Sana's waist as Sana's arms wrapped around Riley's shoulders, "3,2,..." and Riley's lips landed where they had been many times before. She looked the same, smelled the same, and now Riley knew she tasted the same. The same Sana as when they were 13. And Riley couldn't convince herself to pull away from the comfort of familiarity when the attraction hadn't changed.

Nothing had changed.

And no one questioned it when Riley and Sana slept on the floor next to each other, sharing a blanket and body heat. Other than a raised eyebrow from Ben and a quick, questioning thumbs up from Naomi, Riley and Sana were reunited without interference.

When morning came and everyone was slowly emerging from their various blankets on couches and the floor to find food, Sana brought Riley a chocolate chip muffin to eat while she sat half-awake on the floor. Riley felt sure this food choice wasn't a coincidence since this type of muffin was the exact kind Sana would bring Riley sometimes in high school, knowing it was Riley's favorite.

The crew ate their fill before bundling up to shovel, as promised. Shoveling eventually morphed into snow ball fights, snow angels, and building snowmen. All the while, Riley and Sana never left the other's side. The day had been filled with laughter and happiness and only ended when Sana gave Riley a long hug, a kiss on the cheek, and a request that Riley text her. Riley had agreed and sat in the passenger seat smiling as Ben drove them home. He knew better than to try to have a conversation about what had happened or what might come next. They had plenty of time to discuss all that in the next couple of days. For now he'd let Riley bask in her bliss.

While it lasted.