Indie Rock and Her Shoes

Chapter Eleven: New Beginnings & New Year's

It was December 31, 2008. The girls were headed downtown to celebrate the New Year at Chicago's luxurious Drake Hotel. Sloane was especially excited because it would be the first time she would be seeing James in over two and a half weeks.

"What are you doing for New Year's Eve?" Sloane had asked James over the phone earlier that week. Her voice was hoarse from catching a cold a couple of days before.

"Nothing. I usually just stay home," James had replied.

"Well, how would you like to accompany me to The Drake Hotel for appetizers, drinks, and fun?"

"Wow. Are you asking me out on a date, Byers?"

"I didn't think about it that way," Sloane said. "I guess I am."

"Well, how can I say no to that?" James replied. Sloane had to keep herself from doing a series of cartwheels around her bedroom.

"Really?" Sloane asked. "Are you sure it won't interfere with all that nothing you have going on?"

"You had me at appetizers," James replied, making Sloane laugh.

"Oh, also Olivia and Jade will be there with Grayson and Jake so I guess it'll kind of be like a group thing," Sloane added.

"Oh. That's cool. I haven't met them yet."

"That's true! You haven't met my friends have you?" Sloane realized.

"Nope."

"Cool. I guess you'll finally get to meet them, then."

"Is your family going?" James asked.

"No, they'll be here at home," Sloane said.

"You don't spend very much time with your family, do you?" James asked. Sloane narrowed her eyes.

"If I've learned anything these past couple of years, it's that my friends are my family," she said.

It was true. They weren't nearly as condescending as her parents and they were consistently there for her. Sloane hadn't told James that she had included him as part of her family, too. She figured it might be too soon. They had only known each other for five months.

The traffic cleared as Olivia merged onto Kennedy Expressway, the elongated Chicago skyline coming into view. Many of the buildings were still lit in festive reds and greens.

The musical notes of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" filled the car as Olivia turned into a parking space somewhere on the third level. Jade sharply turned the radio off.

"I like that song," Olivia complained.

"Coldplay is stupid, whiny garbage. The singer sounds like someone sat on a cat or something," Jade said, checking herself in the mirror of the sun visor.

Sloane opened the door and stepped out. She ran her hands over her purple dress to smooth out the wrinkles that had formed during the hour long car ride. She looked up at Jade and Olivia as they stepped out of the car in their fancy ballroom gowns. It was like prom all over again.

"Oh my God, we look so hot you guys," Jade exclaimed, walking around the car and linking arms with both of her girls. "We are so Carrie, Charlotte and Samantha. Actually, Olivia you're more of a Miranda." Olivia just rolled her eyes.

Sloane wasn't sure what James would think of her friends. Ryan didn't necessarily get along with Olivia and Jade, he just kind of... tolerated them. Although, she remembered back in high school at Jade's 18th birthday party when Ryan picked Olivia during an uncomfortable tell-all game of "Who Would You Do?" She shivered at the thought.

They walked through the doors of the hotel and into the atrium. The entrance itself was pretty intimidating. The Drake Hotel was very prestigious and Sloane didn't feel nearly fancy enough to belong there. Large chandeliers hung from the high ceilings and long, flowing curtains draped across each entryway. The hotel was still decked out for the holidays; a pair of toy soldier statues flanked each side of a blue-carpeted stairway leading up to the ballroom, each towering a good ten feet tall. An enormous Christmas tree sat at the top of the staircase, the tree bejeweled with so many ornaments you could hardly tell if there was even a tree hiding in there at all.

Sloane spotted Jake and Grayson at the top of the stairs, both dressed in traditional black tuxedos. Grayson was apparently showing off his kung-Fu moves and had Jake in a headlock.

"Ew, Grayson, get your hands off my boyfriend!" Jade shrieked, dashing up the stairs to rescue Jake. Sloane held tightly onto the banister as she made her way up. She still wasn't quite accustomed to wearing heels. She had wanted to wear her more comfortable flats, but Jade wouldn't let her out of the house without a "decent" pair of shoes.

Grayson released Jake and turned to acknowledge the girls.

"Hello, Jade. Sloane," Grayson nodded in greeting and Sloane nodded back. "Olivia," Grayson smiled, turning to hug his fiancé.

"Not in public," Olivia complained, inching away from him and making a face.

"Sorry," Grayson mumbled, looking around the room uneasily. Grayson and Olivia were quite the odd couple.

"I reserved a table for us inside," Grayson said. "I made sure they sat us at an equal distance from one of the main fire exits and the ladies room." Olivia smiled proudly, as if he had achieved some sort of huge accomplishment. Such an odd couple, Sloane thought to herself.

"Come," Grayson waved to the girls. "Follow me."

Sloane fell into step behind Olivia and Grayson. Jade and Jake staggered a couple of feet behind them, unable to keep their hands off of each other. Sloane took another quick glance around the lobby and tried to spot James, slightly disappointed that she couldn't find him.

Grayson led the group into the noisy and crowded ballroom, and Sloane was overwhelmed yet again. The room was large enough to fit several thousand people. Elaborate Greek columns stretched from floor to ceiling. A large, wooden dance floor sat in the center of the room. Several people were already swaying to the music, directed by a DJ positioned on a small stage in a small corner at the front of the room.

Sloane continued following Olivia and Grayson, past the dozens of dining tables that were draped in white and gold fabrics and topped with outlandish flower centerpieces. They finally made their way through the sea of people and arrived at their seats.

Grayson walked around the table, holding a chair out for each of the girls. Sloane sat first, more than happy to have the opportunity to sit down again so she could take everything in.

"Ooh, I love this song!" Jade squealed, tugging on Jake's arm. "Come on, Jake. Let's go dance."

"Jade, we just got here," Jake complained.

"What was the one thing that you promised me tonight?" Jade asked, hands on her hips.

"That I wouldn't be a douchebag," Jake solemnly answered, shamefully bowing his head.

"Exactly. So, are you going to dance with me or not?" Jade asked, tugging at his arm again.

"Fine," Jake relinquished, following her onto the dance floor. Sloane suddenly realized she couldn't decide who the oddest couple was. Olivia and Grayson or Jade and Jake.

"We're going up to the bar," Olivia announced, tossing her coat over the back of her chair. "Do you want anything Sloane?"

Sloane shook her head no, and briefly looked down at her phone. Still no word from James. She sighed, and looked around the room. Well, if he wasn't here yet she figured she would make a pit stop in the restroom.

***

Sloane emerged from the ladies room a few minutes later, debating whether or not she should call James to check in and make sure he was on his way. She decided to give him a little while longer and scanned the room for Olivia and Grayson. She spotted them standing by the bar and walked towards them, still keeping her eyes peeled for James.

"Hey Sloane, check it out," Grayson said, holding up a glass containing what appeared to be milk. "It's called a Nog Martini. Two parts eggnog, one part vodka. It's delicious, want one?"

Sloane made a face and politely declined. She wasn't a huge fan of eggnog, and eggnog and vodka together didn't sound the least bit appealing.

"Alright, your loss," Grayson said, tilting his head back and downing his drink in one easy gulp. Sloane nearly gagged at the sight. She pulled out her phone, checking the time. 9:25.

She sighed, dropping her phone back in her purse. Jade and Jake were still in the middle of the dance floor, Jade singing along to the lyrics of Chris Brown.

"'Cause if I got you, I don't need money, I don't need cars, girl you're my all..." Jade sang as Jake stood stiffly beside her, giving the clear impression that he was out there against his own willpower. Sloane would never understand those two.

Sloane scanned the room again. Where the hell was James?

Sloane started worrying that he wouldn't show and felt slightly panicked. She had specifically bought a new dress for the occasion, she was wearing heels and she had spent over an hour straightening her hair. He had better show up.

Speaking of the devil, Sloane thought as something buzzed from inside her purse. She pulled out her cell and saw that James had sent her a text message.

I'm here, where are you?

Sloane quickly typed out a response.

I'm by the bar. Wearing a purple dress.

She looked around, hoping to spy him among the swarm of people between her and the ballroom entrance. It was only a few seconds later that she spotted him.

He was standing a few yards away with his hands in his pockets, his eyes frantically searching the crowd as he towered over almost everyone else in the room. He was very handsome and looked almost unrecognizable in a black suit and tie. She tried to stop her heart from leaping through her chest, and headed towards him.

James finally spotted her as she made her way across the room. A huge smile instantly emerged on his face.

"Hey," he said as she finally reached him and he leaned in for a kiss. Sloane quickly backed away, shaking her head vigorously.

"What?" he asked, his eyes narrowed in concern. She pointed at her throat. "You can't talk?" She shook her head again and sniffed twice. "You're sick?" She nodded. "And you lost your voice?" She nodded again. Sadly, Sloane had lost her voice that morning to the cold and a case of laryngitis.

"Aww... Sloane," he sympathized, his face creased with worry. "What are you doing here? You should be in bed, getting some rest."

Sloane pointed at herself and then pointed at him.

"Aww, I wanted to see you too. But not like this," he let out a soft chuckle and she smiled, her head tilting as if to say, "Oh well."

"Well, you look amazing," James said and she nodded a thank you. "Do a spin, let me see," he said, swirling his finger in the air and she did a little spin, feeling slightly dizzy when she came back around. "I like it," he smiled. She pointed at his suit and gave him two thumbs up.

"Oh, thank you," he said, looking down at his jacket and pulling at the sleeves. "It's a little small. Apparently I've grown a little since my brother's wedding five years ago, but it's the only suit I had so-"

Sloane just shrugged, making him laugh.

"Ok mimey, let's get you back in a chair," he smiled. She nodded and grabbed his hand, leading him back to their table.

Olivia and Grayson had just returned from the bar and were standing in front of their seats. Sloane pulled James around and tapped Olivia on the shoulder, pointing at James.

"Hi, I'm James," James smiled, extending his hand to Olivia.

"You need a haircut," Olivia replied, forcing Sloane to nudge her on the arm. "What? It's flipping out on the sides."

"You must be Olivia," James recognized and Sloane frowned. Sure she had talked about Olivia dozens of times, but she was still surprised he was able to put a name to a face so quickly.

"I'm Olivia, and this is my fiancé, Grayson," Olivia shook James's hand and Grayson moved towards him, standing in front of her.

"You have a very large nose," Grayson said as he strongly gripped James's hands.

"Wow," James said, looking uncomfortably over at Sloane.

"They say a person with a large nose always has their nose in other people's business," Grayson said and Sloane stepped in between them, making a slashing motion across her throat to tell Grayson to cut it out.

"Ok. Very nice to meet you," James muttered as he pulled out a chair for Sloane. He sat down beside her and she looked over, her face saying, "I'm sorry." He just shrugged it off.

Sloane looked up and saw Jade and Jake making their way over to the table. Sloane figured Jade would return eventually once the DJ made an odd music selection, switching over from Chris Brown to Wham.

"I just don't understand why you're upset," Jake was saying. "You asked me to dance, so I danced and you're still whining. What, do you have a master's degree in Whining-nomics?"

"It's a degree, Jake, where's yours?" Jade snapped back. "Oh, that's right, I forgot, you got your master's in anal-ology."

James gave Sloane a worried look and she raised her eyebrows, giving a small shrug. She snapped her fingers at Jade as she took a seat next to James, pointing at her to introduce herself.

"Hi, you must be Jade," James said, reaching out his hand. "I'm James."

"Hey, James," Jade smiled. "Wow, Sloane. Nice work."

James reached behind Jade's chair to introduce himself to Jake.

"James," he said and Jake shook his hand.

"Jake Grise. Sorry about Jade. I think she's on her period or something."

"Why don't you make yourself useful for a change and go get me a drink?" Jade glared at Jake.

"Fine. Whatever," Jake stood up, making a beeline for the bar.

"And don't forget to ask for extra sugar on the rim," Jade yelled after him, turning back to her friends at the table. "Sorry about that. Anyway, so James. What are you like a model or something?"

"No," James laughed. "No, I'm a student at Columbia. Thanks for the compliment, though."

"Cool," Jade nodded. "I like your hair. You totally have the whole bedhead thing going on. It's hot."

"Oh. Thanks," James said, nervously looking down at the tablecloth. Sloane tapped James on the shoulder and showed him her phone.

"I'm sorry," James read off her screen.

"It's cool. I'm having a good time," he smiled. She flipped the phone around and quickly typed out "Thank you for coming," flashing him the screen again.

"No problem," James laughed. "If I wasn't here, I'd just be at home... Watching a Battlestar Galactica marathon or something."

"You watch Battlestar Galactica?" Grayson sat up, suddenly very fascinated by James.

"Um... Yes?" James feebly said, wondering what he had got himself into. Grayson just nodded and smiled.

"Nice," Grayson simply said before turning back to Olivia. James just looked at Sloane, his eyes wide. Sloane silently laughed.

"You know I was thinking," James said as Jake made his way back to the table with Jade's pink cocktail. "I don't know if you realized this or not, but... I think this is our first date."

Sloane looked up in thought and smiled, realizing that, yes, in fact it was their first date. She pointed at her throat and grimaced, trying to communicate, "Sorry I can't talk on our first date."

"It's ok," James laughed, somehow understanding what she was trying to say. "I'm just glad I got to see you. No voice and all."

"Yeah, James, sorry about Sloane," Jade spoke up from his other side. "The doctor said she has laryngitis so she isn't able to talk."

"Oh, it's ok," James said. "If I had known I would have told her to stay home in bed, but I know she wouldn't have listened anyway. Stubborn," he turned, giving Sloane a look.

"Well, you know they say that the way you spend New Year's is how you spend the rest of the year. That's why she insisted on coming, so she could be here with you," Jade said.

"Really?" James looked at Sloane again. She just shrugged her shoulders, her cheeks turning red. "Well, I'm happy to be here spending New Year's Eve with you, Byers."

**

Twenty minutes later, Jade and Jake were on the dance floor again, and Sloane found herself sitting at the table, bored out of her mind. Grayson had James cornered at the bar, enthusiastically talking his ear off about something of great interest. Sloane assumed they were discussing their mutual appreciation for Battlestar Galactica. Sloane sighed and checked the time on her phone. 10:13. Time just wasn't going by fast enough.

"I got you a cocktail," James announced, sitting a bubbly drink in front of her. She looked up at him, narrowing her eyes. "It's just Sprite." She nodded and mouthed, "Ohhh...," smiling in gratitude.

"Sorry it took me so long, Grayson was going on and on about Cylons and Lord of the Rings," James apologized. Sloane just smiled, giggling to herself. Her boyfriend was kind of a dork.

"Anyway, I told him I suspected there were New Year's Eve crashers sneaking in here just to get him to leave me alone," James continued. "I don't even know what New Year's Eve crashing would consist of, but Grayson's taking it very seriously," he laughed. Sloane giggled silently.

"But you can't say anything," James teased, wagging a finger at her. "Because then he'll get mad and threaten to beat me up, and then I'll have to kill him, so-" He ran his fingers across his lips, signaling for her to keep her mouth zipped. Sloane smiled and mimicked the motion over her own. He laughed and gave her a thumbs up.

"So," James started, smiling at Sloane. "When are we going to see some of those famous Byers dance moves?" Sloane blushed and shook her head.

"What?" James asked. "Come on, I know you got some moves. A little cabbage patch?"

He held onto her arms and moved them around in a little cabbage patch dance.

"Or how about, uh, the lawn mower?" He swung her arms to mimic the lawn mower dance. "Ooh, the sprinkler. Can't forget about the sprinkler. That's my all-time favorite. I only bring that out on real special occasions," he winked at her, making her smile grow even wider.

"So how about it Byers?" James asked. "Are you going to dance with me or what?"

Sloane nodded and he stood, reaching out his hand to help her up and leading her to the crowded dance floor. Once they reached the floor he took her hands, inching her body closer to his. She found herself very thankful that he had brought her out during a slower song. He wrapped his arms around her and she reached her arms up, lacing them around his neck. He smiled down at her.

"Hey," he said, in that deep voice that always made Sloane smile. She just smiled before suddenly wincing in pain.

"Whoa!" James jumped back. "I'm sorry, Sloane. I'm so sorry. Why aren't you wearing any shoes?" He laughed, looking down at her bare feet. She just made a face.

"Your feet hurt, huh?"

She nodded, remembering she had discarded her shoes under the table as soon as she had the chance. He laughed and gracefully lifted her up, bringing her feet down on top of his shiny black shoes.

"There you go," he smiled. "Granted, I haven't danced like this since my brother's wedding when my niece was 10, but still. I think we can make it work."

Sloane just smiled gratefully as they gently swayed back and forth.

"You're beautiful," James smiled, gazing intently into her eyes. She had to keep herself from falling over. She simply smiled up at him.

"See? We have music, dancing... awkward conversation. I'd say this is shaping up to be a pretty good first date," James said. Sloane laughed quietly, laying her head on his chest.

"This song is kind of depressing, though," James remarked and Sloane's body shook with laughter again. It really was a depressing song to be dancing to, but she didn't care. She was right where she wanted to be.

James rested his chin on top of her head and she closed her eyes, breathing in his cologne. He smelled different. Good, different. She brought her arms down and hugged his waist, attempting to bring him even closer.

Sloane's body ached, her throat was killing her, she had completely lost her voice, and she was probably running a fever. And yet right there in that moment, she was the happiest she had been in a very, very long time.

The next thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Olivia's face in hers as she and Grayson danced their way over to them.

"Psst... James," Grayson whispered. Sloane lifted her head.

"What's up, buddy?" James asked.

"I've cleared the area of any and all possible party crashers. And don't worry about checking the bathrooms, because I've already kicked in all the stalls," Grayson informed him. James just stared at Grayson, flabbergasted. Just then a flash washed over them, James's face still frozen in shock. Sloane giggled. She definitely wanted that picture.

"James, Sloane, pose for me. This is going in the final page of my 2008 scrapbook," Jade motioned at them with her camera.

"Oh," James said as he faced the camera, his hand resting on the small of Sloane's back as he leaned in closer, their cheeks resting against each other.

"Say cheese!" Jade said. Sloane struggled to say it, but nothing came out but a tiny little squeak at the end of "-eese", causing James to laugh as soon as Jade snapped the picture.

"What were you trying to say, Byers?" James asked, leaning down. "What's that? You want to dance with Grayson? Alright, if you insist- Grayson!" Sloane weakly punched James on the arm.

"Ow," James grabbed his arm, pretending to be in pain as a more lighthearted song started playing. "Hey, they're playing The Cure." Sloane looked up at him, her face scrunched as if to say, "Who?" James's face fell.

"I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and pretend I did not just hear that," James said as he frowned. "You don't know who The Cure is?" Sloane shook her head no.

"Wow. Apparently I still have a lot to teach you," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. She looked up at him curiously. "It's ok, I don't mind."

Sloane stared up into his eyes, mesmerized by his gaze. He had a big goofy smile on his face, his eyes twinkling in the light. Before she realized it, James was leaning down, attempting to kiss her again. Sloane pulled away.

"Aw, come on," James groaned. Sloane shook her head. "I promise I won't get sick." Sloane shook her head no. She wanted to kiss him. She really wanted to. But she was also very adamant about not getting him sick.

"Alright, Byers," James sighed, sadly giving in. "As you wish."

She looked up at him, amazed. He had just quoted one of her favorite movies. Had he done that on purpose? How had he remembered?

"Whoa, are you ok?" James asked, tightening his grip on her. She was starting to feel a little light headed. "Do you need to sit down?"

She really didn't want to. She was much too comfortable in his arms. She reluctantly nodded yes, knowing she should stay off her feet for a while.

"Alright, come on," James grabbed her hand, leading her back to the table.
Sloane plopped down in her chair. Her head was throbbing and felt like it weighed over 100 pounds. Her mind started drifting in and out as she heard Grayson come over and ask James something related to Lord of the Rings. She propped her arm on the table and sat her chin on her hand, closing her eyes. The next time she opened them, James was looking at her with an uneasy expression on his face.

"Sloane. Are you feeling ok?" James asked, touching the back of his hand to her forehead. "Geez, Sloane, you're burning up." His eyes quickly scanned the room. Sloane's head started to drop to the table. She just needed to rest for a couple of seconds...

"Alright, Sloane, come on, I'm getting you out of here," she heard James say. She opened her eyes and saw he was standing up, retrieving her purse and jacket from the back of her chair. She started shaking her head in protest and gestured wildly with her hands.

"What?" James asked while shaking his head, clearly not comprehending her. She motioned with one finger to give her a second and she pulled out her phone, quickly typing a message. She flipped the phone around so he could read it.

"We have to be together at midnight," James read out loud. He scanned the room a second time and glanced at his watch before turning back to her. "Ok, come on."

He lifted her out of her chair and wrapped her jacket around her shoulders, leading her out of the ballroom. He paused at the door, looking over his shoulder.

"Can you wait here for just a second?" Sloane nodded. "Ok, I'll be right back."

Sloane watched as he rushed over to Olivia at the bar. Olivia briefly glanced over at Sloane before turning back to James and nodding her head at whatever he was saying.

"Alright, Byers," James said, putting his arms around her after making his way back. "Let's go."

James walked Sloane out to the parking garage and she shivered from the cold. Her breath appeared in front of her, forming small little clouds of air.

"Where did I park..." she heard James mumble to himself as his hands searched through his pants for his keys. He retrieved them from his pockets and pressed a button. She heard a car horn beep somewhere in the distance.

"Ah, there we are. Come on, just a couple more steps," James said, leading her with his arm around her shoulders.

"You okay?" He asked again and she just nodded. "We're almost there."

They finally stopped in front of a small silver sedan. He opened the passenger door for her, motioning for her to get in. She slid inside, her body shaking from the cold. She pulled her coat tighter around her.

James jogged around to the other side and slid in the driver's seat, starting the car and turning the heat on. His iPod lit up in the cup holder as soft music filtered through the radio.

"It'll just take a second for the heat to come on," James said, turning to take her hands into his own and rubbing them together in an attempt to warm them up. He reached into a glove compartment and pulled out a pair of leather gloves. Sloane smiled.

"What? That's what a glove compartment is for. Gloves," James said, putting the gloves on her hands. "Here we go. We'll just put those on there..." The gloves were much too large for her hands, but they were warm.

"Better?" he asked and she nodded, leaning back in her seat. She glanced at the clock. 11:13.

"Don't worry," James said as he draped his arm across the back of her seat, backing the car out of its parking space. "I will have you someplace warm by midnight."

He pulled out of the parking garage and onto Lake Shore Boulevard. Sloane stared out the window, the city lights speeding by. She turned to look out James's window towards a dark and frozen Lake Michigan. James turned towards her and smiled.

"You okay?" he asked for the umpteenth time. Sloane nodded before reclining back in her seat. She felt James reach out and grab her hand as she slowly closed her eyes. She focused on the music softly playing in the background.

Were they singing about driving, as they were driving? Weird, she thought, as the music slowly faded out.

"I really didn't think this through."

Sloane opened her eyes, looking at the clock on James's dashboard. 11:28. She looked over and saw James squinting through the windshield as his eyes scanned the street ahead of them. He turned to face her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I just... Can't find a place to park," he said, putting on his blinker and making a right at a stop light.

"Oh, here we go." He eased the car towards the right, bringing it to a stop in front of a parking meter.

"It's a little far..." He looked out the back window and turned towards Sloane.

"We have to walk back about two blocks. You think you can make it?" Sloane nodded. "Ok, stay here. I'll come around to get you."

He got out and shut the door, opening her door a mere two seconds later. How the heck had he gotten around so fast?

She grabbed his hand and stepped out into the cold, nearly slipping on a patch of ice.

"Whoa! It's okay, I got you," James said, holding her up. "Are you okay to walk?" She nodded yes. "Ok. If you need to stop so I can carry you, just let me know, ok?"

He shut her door and firmly held her hand, leading her down the sidewalk. It was absolutely freezing outside. She sped up her pace, wanting to get to wherever they were going as quickly as possible.

"Whoa, slow down," James laughed, the powerful, artic wind nearly drowning out his voice as he struggled to keep up with her, the sidewalks covered in slush and strips of ice. "I don't want you to fall."

They turned a corner and approached a tall building. Sloane looked up, finally realizing where they were. They entered the glass doors and walked through the lobby, stepping into an open elevator that had apparently been waiting for them. The doors closed as James punched the button for the tenth floor. He glanced at his watch.

"11:39," he said. "We still have 21 minutes."

She nodded and shivered, her teeth chattering. James wrapped his arms around her, rubbing his hands up and down her back.

"Sorry I made you walk so far," James said. "Almost there."

The elevator came to a sudden stop and the doors opened at their floor. The stepped out into the dark hallway and James led the way holding her hand tightly, not stopping until they reached the door to his apartment. He pulled out his keys and turned the lock, opening the door and signaling for her to step inside first.

Sloane had never been inside James's apartment before. It was surprisingly neat, the same size as her place. A large green couch sat in the middle of the room, looking like it had narrowly escaped from the 1970s. A queen-sized bed was placed against the wall. His kitchen was spotless, almost as if it were unused. Stacks of books and CDs were piled high in corners, and framed album covers and enlarged black and white photos were arranged on the walls.

"Alright, come here, you," James said, turning away from a small heater on the floor. He took her hand and directed her to the bed. "You need to lie down. I will take your jacket." He slid her coat from her shoulders and tossed it atop his jacket on the couch.

"You can take this," he said, handing her a grey hooded sweatshirt. She smiled and slid it over her head, breathing in the familiar scent. James pulled down the navy blue comforter on the bed, sliding it over her.

"Alright, you get warmed up, and I'll be right back," he said, disappearing inside the bathroom.

Her eyes darted across the room, looking over towards his work area. A couple of framed family photos were scattered across the desk. A picture of him, holding a newborn baby in his arms as he smiled up at the camera. Another photo of him and who she assumed were his brothers. She wondered what it was like, spending the holidays with the Andlers. Were James's brothers as considerate and caring as he was? She pictured James at home, playing with his nieces and nephews. She could imagine him at the family dinner table, going on and on as he told them crazy stories and gestured animatedly, making them laugh.

James emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later, dressed in jeans and a plain white t-shirt.

"Alright, we still have... 11 minutes," James said, glancing at his watch as he sat beside her on the bed. "So... what do you want to talk about?" Sloane frowned at him. "Sorry. Not wanting to joke about the whole laryngitis thing, I get it."

Sloane motioned something with her hands.

"You want something to write on... Alright, hold on," James got up and crossed the room, walking over to his desk and ruffling through a couple of drawers. He returned with a pad of paper and a pen, handing it to her. She smiled and started writing something. She quickly finished and held the pad up for him to read. He playfully squinted his eyes at her writing.

"Thank you for spending tonight with me," he read out loud. "The pleasure's all mine, Byers."

She flipped the pad over and started writing again, holding it back up for him to see when she was done.

"Sorry I'm sick," James read. "You don't have to apologize for that. It's not your fault you're sick."

Sloane shrugged and returned the pad to her lap, writing out another message.

"Sorry we had to leave early," James read. "Byers, stop apologizing. Seriously, ask me what I would change about this moment." Sloane just looked him. "Come on, ask me."

Sloane frowned and flipped the pad back over, turning a page and writing, "What would you change about this moment?" She held the pad back up.

"Nothing," he answered. She shook her head and rolled her eyes, quickly scribbling, "Then why ask, silly?" James smiled.

"Just so you know," he replied. She shook her head again and he leaned down, kissing her forehead. She smiled before motioning for him to hold on, returning back to her pad. She held the paper up again a few seconds later.

"It totally sucks having to spend a whole month apart," James read. "I know," he agreed. She nodded and jotted down a longer message.

"I'm sorry we have to be apart for so long. I know it's been hard for us to get to know each other better," the note read. She held it up for James to read.

"What do you mean? I've totally gotten to know you better," James frowned. Sloane just looked at him and made a face as if to say, "No, not really."

"What, you don't think so?" James asked. "Alright, let's see about that."

He scrunched up his face, deep in thought before continuing.

"Alright, well I know that you require a sweater when it's 70 degrees out. I know you like to drink your coffee with a straw. Which is just... weird, but you do. I know how you pretend not to like Britney Spears, even though we all know that you really do."

Sloane frowned at him, giving him a look.

"Don't give me that look, you know it's true," he said. "I know that you'll go out of your way for your friends, but that you also know when to draw the line. I know that you're insanely competitive. And that your favorite flavor of yogurt is mixed berry. I know that you hate to be wrong. And I know that you would make a terrific art teacher. If you decide that's what you want to do- I think you should."

Sloane smiled.

"I know that your favorite color is purple. Actually, you never told me that, but you do wear it a lot so I'm kind of... Going out on a limb on that one. I know that you always screen all of your calls, and I know how I feel when you pick up the phone because I know it's because you really want to talk to me."

"I know that you're stubborn," he continued, bringing his hand up to touch her cheek. "And I also know that you have a good heart. And that you're an amazingly talented artist... And I know that I like you."

Sloane smiled and closed her eyes, leaning her face into his hand.

"So, there's that," James said. "And everything else... I look forward to continue getting to know."

Sloane opened her eyes and they smiled at each other for a moment before James broke their gaze, gazing down at his watch.

"60 seconds," he said. Sloane clapped her hands excitedly and jumped up from the bed, quickly rising to her feet.

"What are you doing? You should be sitting down," James insisted. Sloane shook her head and grabbed his hands, urging him to stand up with her. He held her hands firmly and stood up. He glanced down at his watch again, watching the final few seconds tick away.

"Alright, just 30 more seconds Byers. Where do you want me to kiss you? Right here?" He lightly tapped her forehead. She shook her head no.

"Right here?"

A light tap on her nose. She shook her head again.

"How about here?"

He smiled and tugged at her ear. She shook her head and tapped her cheek.

"Right there?"

She nodded and tapped her other cheek.

"There, too? Alright."

He glanced down at his watch again. The room went silent as he started to count down.

"Here we go. 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1."

Sloane froze as he leaned towards her, his warm hands grabbing her waist and pulling her towards him. She slowly closed her eyes and was caught by surprise when she felt his lips softly brush hers. She slowly pushed herself up with her toes, her head tilted back, bringing them closer into a kiss that seemed to melt them together.

James slowly pulled away, and she opened her eyes, seeing him staring back down at her, a small smile on his face.

"Happy New Year, Byers."