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Chapter 9

Christmas Eve came and went with no interaction from Logan. I did not want to have more undeliberate conversations with him if it was going to cause trouble between Anna and me. I knew that she would be at the party on New Year's Eve at Alyssa's and I could talk to her then. I respected her a great deal and knew that the way she was feeling could be solved with some reassurance from me. Christmas morning was the same as it was every year. My parents had us open their presents first and then we would each give out the presents we got for one another. That night Alyssa and Ben came and picked me up and we drank hot chocolate as we sat at the community beach and talked about Christmas and the New Year's Party that was less than a week away. Alyssa and I spent the entire week buying decorations and making things for people to eat and drink. Alyssa had invited a list of people. As the party was about to begin a guy from Alyssa's graduating class, Nick, called her and she put him on speaker. Nick was known for bringing drama wherever he went and Alyssa did not want him at her party.

"Hey. So I hear you're throwing a party later tonight?" He begins.

"Yeah, that's right." Alyssa replied while looking up at me.

"I never got an invite."

"No offense Nick, but I didn't send you one."

"You don't want me to come?"

"Not really."

"Well fine, I didn't want to come anyways." He stated rudely and hung-up the phone.

We continued to get stuff ready for the party that was going to start in less than an hour. Her parents had already left and would be back after midnight. Alyssa's parents were strict about the no dating policy. They had no idea that she was seeing Mitchel. She would be able to get her New Year's kiss without her parents being home.

The first person to arrive was Bradley. Of course he had to go around and make sure that everyone knew he was there. People came in steadily until the house was at full capacity. Everyone was having a fine classy time. The one thing I wanted to do was find Anna and make sure that our talk happened. Around 10 pm I started to look around the house to see if I could find Anna anywhere. It took me close to a half hour to find her, but she was there sitting on one of the couches drinking a fruity drink we had made a few hours before.

I went over and sat next to her. "Hey Anna. I was meaning to talk to you."

"Oh?"

I had to make sure that it did not seem like Alyssa had confirmed my suspicions about her being upset with me. "Before Christmas break started I sensed that something was off/wrong between us. I just want to make sure that everything is still good between us."

"Oh, Theresa don't worry about it! I have no problems with you!" She said as she took another sip from the cup. I could tell that she was holding something back.

"You know if there is ever anything wrong we can talk about it."

"For sure!"

"Well, enjoy the party!" I got up and started to walk back towards the kitchen. This "talk" we had was not at all how I expected it to go. She wasn't open with me and I knew that she was holding something back that she wanted to get off her chest. I wouldn't be able to help ease her pain if she couldn't give me something to help her work out.

The narrow hallway and a group full of people were the only things blocking my way to the kitchen where Alyssa and Ben were. I started to nudge through people and when I had finally got through the crowded hallway I ran straight into someone. When I looked up I saw Logan standing there with a red solo cup in his hand. He was wearing a white tinted button down shirt that was fitted to his body. It was probably two sizes too small. He had skinny jeans that held to his body just right.

"Watch where you're..." He began to say as he turned around to realize it was me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone was standing there."

"You're fine Theresa. It's my fault I was standing in your way." With not wanting to get into another conversation with him, especially with Anna in the other room, I smiled and walked around him to the island that stood in the middle of the kitchen. I grabbed a cup and filled it with the fruity drink we had made earlier. I took a sip and watched as Bradley and James talked to a short blonde who was wearing a small sparkly dress and high black heels. I laughed at them quietly as the blonde continued to show little interest in what James was saying. She rubbed her hand through Bradley's hair and giggled with everything he said.

"You're looking mighty fine." Ben said as he saw me for the first time since he arrived. He was wearing a button down dark blue shirt with black buttons and fitted dress pants. He looked more stunning than usual. My gold dress was fitted around the waste and flared out. My dress wasn't short, but it was shorter than the skirts and dresses I normally wear. The bottom was probably 3 inches above my knees. I smiled at Ben and he gave me a quick hug before leaving to go find Alyssa.

There was only an hour left until the New Year rang around. I saw Alyssa and Mitchel sitting on the couch in the living room. Mitchel had his arm around her and they both had a red cup in their hands. Ben was standing at the other end of the counter talking to some of his high school friends. Ben had graduated a year before Alyssa. I overheard him saying that he was going on another date with a girl that he was set up with by Luis.

The mention of his name made me realize that I was going to be the girl standing by myself as the ball dropped. Alyssa had Mitchel and Ben's new girl was going to be showing up any minute. James and Bradley would somehow manage to get a kiss from a stranger and the rest of the people at the party would be sharing that special moment with someone. For the three New Year's that I spent with Luis I had never had a New Year's Kiss. Luis was always busy doing something else on New Year's Eve and never had the chance to spend it with me. I was going to be alone among a group of my closest people.

It was easy getting over Luis. I kept myself busy bysurrounding myself with people. It was moments like this that made me want him.Not Luis, but someone to share this moment with.