5SOS Book of Imagines

New Years Eve! (Ashton)

Today is New Years Eve and like usual, you don't have a boyfriend to go to your best friend's party with. Your friend Y/F/N throws a New Years party every year and you don't know how this one will be any different, but decide to go anyway. Otherwise, she would be pissed and say "It wasn't the same without you!" when in reality it would be. Nevertheless, you still have a little hope that the night will be fun.

You have been at the party for a few hours and it's almost midnight although you don't know exactly what time it is. Your phone died so you can't use that. Walking around Y/F/N's house you go to find the clock, weaving through all the people, when you crash into someone and you fall backwards onto the kitchen floor. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Y/N!" a guy's voice shouts over the noise. You know that voice but have to look just to be sure, and it is.

"Ashton! I didn't know you would be here!" you exclaim, taking his hand as he helps you up. Ashton is a friend from school who you talk to on occasion. He's really nice and has been there for you when Y/F/N couldn't be a few times. You aren't super close but at least he is a friendly, familiar face at this party where you know literally no one else.

"Yeah well the whole school has been talking about it all week. I figured I should see what all the fuss is about. ...I don't see it." he says.

"Me either! But the hostess is my best friend. I don't really have a choice." He laughs and you smile at his dimples.

"Yeah makes sense. ...Are you here with anyone?" he asks.

"No, you?" you return.

"Nope. In fact I don't know anybody else here." he admits.

"The only one I know is Y/F/N. But now I know you too. Wanna hang out together?" you offer.

"That would be great!" Ashton shouts. Slowly you make your way out of the kitchen and walk through the living room. All around you are people drinking from red cups and dancing to the blaring music. You spot your friend and she makes eye contact, then looks to Ashton and gives you a thumbs up.

You stop walking and turn to Ashton and ask, "It's a little crowded. Wanna just go on the balcony?"

"Perfect." he answers. You lead him to the balcony and open the door to the fresh cold air. You step out and close the door knowing that as long as you are out there with Ashton, your friend will be watching you like a hawk.

You and Ashton talk for what feels like hours out on that balcony. It has been a little over a week since you talked last so you had a lot to catch up on. More than anything, you love that you can talk to him about everything. He is the only guy you have met that you could be this way with and it was very refreshing.

Standing at the edge of the balcony leaning against the front, there is a lull in the conversation, until Ashton says "I want to propose something."

You turn to him and ask, "Yeah, what?"

He breathes deep and turns to you. "So on New Years Eve there's a tradition. With couples. And seeing as we both aren't part of a couple, I was thinking maybe...I don't know..."

"Ashton Irwin, are you asking my permission to kiss me at midnight?" you ask shocked yet flattered.

He giggles nervously looking down and then looks up at you saying, "Well I mean if you want to." He is only your friend but it would be nice to have someone standing with you at the end of the countdown.

"I accept." you reply. He seems thrown off that you said yes. "C'mon, why wouldn't I? If I could pick any guy to do this with, it would be you."

Ashton beams with excitement and it is so contagious that you smile really big too. Suddenly, the music inside ends and you hear Y/F/N shout, "Everybody get ready, it's fifteen seconds to midnight!" Your mutual excitement now turns to nerves somehow. You shouldn't be nervous since there isn't any relationship pressure, but for some reason you find your heart beating hard and fast.

Everyone is counting down inside from ten and during it, Ashton grabs your hand. You can feel it slightly sweaty from nerves. You can't believe this is going to happen. How will it be? Will it just be average? The best kiss you have ever had? The worst kiss you have ever had? With all these racing thoughts, you barely hear "Two! One!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!" come from inside.

Simultaneously, you and Ashton turn and look at each other. He grabs your other hand and you tentatively inch closer to each other until your lips meet. Going into the kiss you had no idea what to expect, but once you are in it, you can't believe what you are feeling. The kiss doesn't break for a few seconds, and when you pull away, you look in each other's eyes and smile before going in for another one but with more assurance.

You did not think a kiss with Ashton would be this great. You never were attracted to him but this kiss has threatened to change that. You pull away once more and are silently staring for a minute. Finally you say, "Happy New Year, Ash. That was really nice."

"It was really nice for me too. Happy New Year, Y/N." No hesitation, you go in for the third kiss of the night. This time you stop holding hands and you wrap your arms around him while he takes your face in his hands. After pulling away from that one, you glance at the balcony door and see your friend watching and seeming very excited for you. You laugh slightly at her and the conversation you know you will have with her when the party is over and you are helping her clean up.

Well, it is officially 2016. How will the year turn out? No one knows. What you do know is that you are incredibly happy you decided to come to the party after all. You hope, as you hug Ashton on the balcony, that you start a relationship, and that next New Years Eve, you will be able to come to this party with him.