𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄¹, jack champion

060, 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐲

060, 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐲
irl + social media

THIRD PERSON +
december 31, 2023

Juniper stood at the window of Jack's apartment, gazing out at the New York skyline, her mind racing despite the quiet of the moment. The week after they'd returned from Virginia had flown by—an endless stream of meetings, recordings, and last-minute tweaks on her album.

After finally crossing everything off her checklist, she'd barely had time to pack before hopping on a flight to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with her family. Jack had done the same, heading down to Virginia to be with his mom.

They'd missed each other terribly in those few days, counting down the hours until they could reunite for Jenna's New Year's Eve party. Now that the chaos of the holidays was behind them, Juniper felt a strange, peaceful calm settling in her chest.

Tonight was a night just for them—and their closest friends, of course. She looked over at Jack, who was pulling on his coat, his eyes catching hers in the reflection of the window. He smiled that crooked grin that always made her heart stutter.

"You ready, babe?" he asked, zipping up his jacket and walking over to her.

Juniper nodded, letting him wrap his arms around her waist from behind. "Yeah," she murmured, tilting her head to rest against his chest. "I think I am."

The warmth of his body was a steady comfort, grounding her. They'd been through so much in the past few months—heartbreak, distance, and misunderstandings—but tonight, there was no tension between them. No lingering doubts. Just the two of them, together, looking forward to a new year.

The air was crisp and cold as they stepped out of the Uber, the sound of music already drifting from Jenna's apartment down to the street below. Juniper gripped Jack's hand tighter as they walked through the front door, immediately greeted by a burst of laughter and the familiar warmth of their friends' voices.

Inside, the apartment was alive with energy. Jenna had gone all out—twinkling lights strung across the ceiling, candles flickering on every surface, and an impressive spread of snacks and drinks laid out on the kitchen counter. The smell of spiced wine and champagne filled the air, mixing with the buzz of excitement that came with the promise of a new year.

"Juni! Jack!" Jenna's voice called out from across the room, her face lighting up as she bounced over to them. She was already a little tipsy, her cheeks flushed as she threw her arms around Juniper. "You guys made it!"

"We wouldn't miss it," Jack laughed, releasing Juniper's hand to hug Jenna back.

Jenna pulled away, grinning mischievously. "Good. You're just in time for some shots. Come on, everyone's waiting."

As they followed her to the kitchen, Juniper glanced around the room, taking in the faces of their closest friends—Devyn, Mason, Jasmin, Melissa, Conan, Gracie, Chappell—all of them gathered in little clusters, drinks in hand, laughing and chatting animatedly.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Juniper allowed herself to relax. No cameras. No interviews. No deadlines. Just them, their friends, and the knowledge that they had survived another year together, stronger than ever.

They joined the group in the kitchen, where Devyn was already pouring shots into tiny glasses. "To a new year!" he announced, raising his own glass high. "May it be better than the last!"

"Here, here!" Mason chimed in, clinking his glass against Devyn's.

Juniper laughed as she took her shot, the burn of the alcohol warming her throat as she leaned into Jack's side. He kissed the top of her head, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. For the rest of the night, they danced to Jenna's perfectly curated playlist, letting the music take over as they moved together in a rhythm that felt effortless. It was freeing, the way they twirled around the room, their laughter echoing off the walls.