Raise a Glass to Freedom

New Years

Modern college AU

Laurens POV:
It was New Year's Eve and I was lounging on the couch with Alex, with a bowl of popcorn between us. "So," he said, reaching for another handful of popcorn, "I heard the Schuyler sisters are throwing a New Years party, wanna go?" I thought of myself at the party, the loud music, the crowded rooms, people accidentally bumping into me. I pictured myself panicking, searching through the house for a quiet room. "I dunno, 'Lex..." He reached for the popcorn. "Aw come on," he replied, "It'll be fun to do something social for once." There was an uncomfortable pause. My mind was racing. "Do I..." I said after a while, "Am I annoying too you? Because I don't want to go to parties and stuff?" He shook his head. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I don't mind- well I-" He swallowed, uncomfortably, "Listen." He looked into my eyes. "I'll don't care about that. I'll happily be with you over going to some party I don't even care about." I took his hand in mine. "I just don't want to be a burden..." I said quietly, biting my lip. He held my other hand. "No, no, no, don't ever think that. Okay... How about we watch a movie or something and then we can watch the fireworks out of the window when it's midnight?" I smiled, "Sounds good."

""Lex?" I asked once we were about halfway into the movie.

"Huh?"

"Do you want to be at the Schuyler sister's party?"

"That's not important."

"Of course it is. Do you want to be there?"

"I'd rather be where you're happy."

"You want to go."

"I never said that."

"We can go."

"It's okay."

"No, it could be fun, lets go."

"You're not very good at lying."

"I want to go."

"Really?" He asked, pausing the movie and turning to face me. "Sure," I said, a fake smile spreading across my face.

Loud music was audible from the street when we parked our car outside the Schuyler house. We knocked on the door and Angelica opened the door. "Alex! John!" She said, "I didn't think you guys would come by!" I gave her another fake smile. We stepped inside. Loud music blared from the living room, where there seemed to be a dance party happening. Eliza and Maria were cooking dinner in the kitchen. John gave me a reassuring look as we stepped into the crowded living room to dance.

The music. The lights. Someone blocked my way. "Oops, sorry." Someone walking by. "Excuse me." A mutual friend of some sort. "Hi, I'm John." Someone behind me. Smile for the picture. Smile at Alex. Someone bumped into me. Someone there, there, there.

The sights, sounds, everything, pressed in on me, overwhelming my senses. I felt tears begin to well in my eyes. I put my head down and made my way out of the room, not looking at anyone for fear that they might notice my tears. Please don't talk to me, please don't talk to me, please don't talk to me, I chanted in my head as I made my way out of the room. I ran up the carpeted stairs to the upstairs level. I walked down the hallway to a second set of stairs, which I sat down on. The silence comforted me as I leaned back, resting my head on the stair behind me, and closing my eyes. I payed attention only to the dark and the quiet and to my slowing heart rate. Maybe I can stay here forever, I thought. Maybe no one will notice.

I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I lifted my head and opened my eyes. It was Alex. "John," he said, sitting down on the stairs next to me. "I'm sorry," I said, burying my head in my hands to wipe away the tears. "Don't say sorry." He wiped away the tears remaining on my cheeks. "I shouldn't have made you come here..." I shook my head. "No, no, 'Lex. We can still have fun." He smiled a little. "Look," he said, pointing to his watch, "One minute to midnight." I smiled a genuine smile. "You want to watch the fireworks?" I asked. "I have a better idea. Here- count with me."

"Twenty nine," I said.

"Twenty eight."

"Twenty seven."

"Twenty six."

"Hey, what are we doing at midnight? I don't think we actually clarified that," I said.

"Shh, you'll find out, keep counting."

"Fifteen."

"Fourteen."

"Are you going to kiss me?" I asked.

"Good work, Sherlock," he said, looking into my eyes.

"Five."

"Four."

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

As cheers erupted from the party downstairs, he leaned into me, gently kissing me. His hands reached around my back and I held his waist. I smiled, leaning back a little to look into his eyes.

"Good idea," I said.

He raised an eyebrow.

And as the people downstairs cheered, laughed, and watched the fireworks that night, Alex and I sat on those stairs, kissing. And I swear, I wouldn't trade that night for the world.

Awwww that was so cute and fluffy...

Sorry- I might not be able to update as often as I have for the past week, school is really busy right now.

Thanks for reading,

~Cather