The One With...

Joey: December 31

I tapped my fingers impatiently on the counter.

"It's a muffin and a coffee!" I snapped as Gunther filled a to-go cup. He raised his eyebrow at me, confused; I quickly realized my behavior, "Sorry Gunther, I'm just a little-" he cut me off with a shake of his head.

"New Years blues huh?" I nodded in response, pouting slightly. More than just that though. As I looked around at the people close to me, they already have someone in their lives, someone they're always going to start every coming year with. And who did I have? Someone to kiss when the ball dropped every year, and not even the same one. How special. I never really embraced the idea of commitment, but maybe a woman I know I could always turn to is better than wasting my time looking for a temporary one.

"Hope you find someone," Gunther patted my shoulder, handing me my coffee and muffin bag.

"Yeah. Me too."

As I turned around I crashed into someone. When my eyes focused, my heart fell out of my chest. Our eyes locked on each other, just for a moment, chocolate to chocolate. She batted her eyelashes, breaking the force between us, and looked down at herself.

"Damn," she sighed, "I should've been more careful."

"You do know I'm the one who spilled it on you, right?" I smiled at her; she looked up at me and blushed slightly, looking back down at her shirt.

"Here," I grabbed a couple napkins and handed them to her. She scrubbed her sweater but the stain didn't seem to fade.

"I might as well make it up to you," she pulled a ten dollar bill from her purse. After many attempts of politely refusing, I took it from her; I gently grabbed the bill and my fingers brushed against hers, a spark igniting from the touch. Our smiles matched as we looked into each other's eyes once more.

"Well...thank you," I said softly and smiled, "So what are you doing for New Year's?" I regretted asking as soon as I did. Something was different about her; I was drawn with such an inescapable passion I had never felt before, yet I couldn't break the old habits.

"How forward," she winked, "Actually, I have a party tonight."

I nodded, "Me too."

"I guess we both have somewhere to be," she shrugged, "so I'll see you around then?" She sounded hopeful, "If I actually see where I'm going next time." She said next time.

I grinned, "I hope to see you again."

"Good," she smiled and walked towards the exit; as she hailed a taxi, I frowned, walking to the window. I watched her can leave and suddenly it became hard to swallow; I hadn't gotten her name. I pressed my palm on my forehead, trying to remember if she had told me. When I came to terms with the fact that she never mentioned it, my heart sunk. What if this was it? The last time I saw her? It couldn't be, it was too perfect. I breathed deeply, hopeful for another chance with her. As I left the space at the window, a bell was faintly ringing in the distance.