FALLING IN LOVE AT A COFFEE SHOP | D.H [✓]

Thirty

(Aria's POV)

Dan and I leave Phil and Grace on their own in hopes they get their feelings in check and have a passionate make out session at midnight. They should make it their new years resolution to get together. That way, we could finally go on double dates like Grace has always wanted.

I'm glad we stopped by the apartment first, it gave me the perfect opportunity to trade my dress and heels for a sweater, jeans, and boots. This I decided, was much more comfortable.

We decide to go to the park to watch the fireworks. Not many people watch them from here even though I believe it's the best view. The majority of people are too busy drinking to even appreciate them anyway which is a shame. Fireworks shouldn't go unappreciated in my opinion.

I tell Dan about how when I was younger my family would always let me stay up until midnight and go to the neighbourhood park to watch the fireworks. We'd have snowball fights and play in the snow until the first firework lit up the sky before it was followed by the others. It all seemed magical when I was younger.

The chilly weather goes completely unnoticed as we walk towards the park hand in hand. The sound of the snow crunching beneath our feet seems to echo around us. There was something about the snow that made everything seem quiet despite living in a city. It was a nice escape.

We arrive at the park and as expected we are alone apart from another group in the distance walking their dogs.

"It's so peaceful here." Dan says, breaking the silence.

"It's nice getting away from the hustle and bustle once in a while. I'm kind of glad Dave ruined the partying mood. This is nicer than being pushed around by drunk and sweaty people."

"What time is it?"

I pull my phone out of my pocket and squint at the brightness level, "11:30."

"So we have half an hour to waste."

"What do you suggest we do?"

Dan smirks and leans down to grab a pile of snow. I instantly know what he's planning and match his actions. Unfortunately for me this left the back of my neck exposed allowing him to dump it down my back.

I hop around trying to get used to the cold dripping down my back. My eyes narrow and I throw my snowball hitting him in the shoulder. Not as evil as what he did to me but it was a start. I was the one used to the snow after all.

We run around throwing snow at each other and I was impressed in my skills at dodging the majority of the snowballs, the only time I got hit was when I was laughing too hard to see. Our laughs filled the air and it was obvious the both of us were getting tired. I wasn't about to quit though.

"Okay, okay, give me break! This is the most exercise I've done in my entire life, I think I'm going to cough up a lung." Dan breathlessly exclaimed. He bends down putting his hands on his knees leaving him vulnerable.

I slowly walk up behind him while moulding my final snowball. As he tries to catch his breath I run the last few centimetres and force the mound of snow into his face. A low move, but revenge was sweet.

He splutters and wipes away the snow from his face while I clutch my stomach from laughing so hard.

"Okay, now that was not okay."

"Says the guy that threw it down the back of my shirt."

He pouts, "The face should be off limits."

"Aww, poor Dan is just upset I got revenge on him that's all. Do you need a kiss to make it better?" I say as I mimic his pouting and puppy dog eyes.

He lunges at me and pulls me down into the snow, but luckily for me I land on him instead of actually in the snow. "That was a bad idea, now my entire back is going to be soaked."

"Congratulations, next time I won't even throw snow at you, you're perfectly capable of doing it to yourself."

"I could still use that kiss though," he winks and I roll my eyes but still give in. I'll count it as a victory kiss for me.

Our mouths move together for a moment before Dan pulls back, "My lips are numb from the snow."

I start laughing again and roll off him so I'm laying beside him. At this point I don't care if I get a wet back. We both look up at the sky and I'm surprised to see the first firework go off. A grin fills my face as I watch the other fireworks follow and illuminate the sky. No matter how I got, I would always be in awe of fireworks.

I glance over at Dan and see that his face isn't turned up towards the sky but rather towards me. "You're missing the fireworks you know."

"I don't mind, I'd much rather watch you."

"That's kind of creepy." I joke even though I feel all fuzzy inside.

Dan shrugs, "It's romantic when people in movies say it so I thought I'd try it out. But it's the truth."

"You're so lame, but that's okay because you're pretty great."

He smiles as a reply and I notice the colours of the fireworks reflecting off of his face and suddenly I feel as if I don't need to look at the sky when I can see them in him. Maybe the magic didn't come from the actual fireworks, maybe it came from the people you enjoy them with.

I decide in this moment that I would call my mom back and at least attempt to start some kind of relationship with her again. Maybe I could eventually contact my dad again too, at least to see how he was doing. I also decided I would start looking into universities to apply to and actually try to start a career for myself.

This year I would start to try again.