Writing's Second Taste

Chapter Twenty-Two: Valentine and Brooks

I weaved myself around the apartment filled with people – not really to the brim, but just enough so that it would be difficult to maneuver around when everybody's stood up and walking around. Greeting a few people on my way and waving at Sam who was talking to his girl near the couch, I started to find a single space where people weren't screaming or chattering so loudly.

The apartment was owned by the family of two siblings who went to my old high school. Ever since the older of the pair turned twenty-one, they started holding a party every New Year's Eve. His little sister was somebody from my class and although we weren't in the same group, our friends were extremely close so that's why I managed to snatch an invitation consistently ever since this started when we were juniors.

The invite list got bigger and bigger each year – their parents aren't around to actually mind since they claim that their family always go on a trip every time and it was only when this party started that the brother and sister duo decided to stay in New York instead of traveling with their parents.

I found an empty bathroom and locked myself inside. Staring down on the time on my phone screen, I cursed myself when I realized that it was too late to greet him. Still, I called him up just to say the three words, "Happy New Year."

Hearing Adam chuckle blend in with the muffle background music, I assumed that he was also in his own celebration. I leaned against the sink, closing my eyes as I heard his gentle repeat of my words. Never did I realize that I will actually be counting down the days until I come back to university.

It was half past eleven, only thirty minutes until we welcome the new year while for him, it was already nearing sunrise, "Did you kiss anybody at midnight?"

"No," was his quick reply, "I stood awkwardly in the middle of the room while everybody locked lips left and right."

"Maybe I'll keep myself locked in the bathroom until then," I joked, before I heard a knock on the door, somebody telling me to hurry up, "But then again, I think someone needs this space more than I do."

His hearty laughter relaxed my whole system – something I needed since this party was rowdier than I had originally expected. The girls had been introducing me to men left and right, but I will always tried to subtly tell them I was not interested and I was back with the supposed hot British boy.

You can bet that they thought I was just making it up to get away from the guys, but I wanted to yell at them to say that it was the truth. Eventually, I've given up and allowed myself to get dragged into their games.

There was another knock and I rolled my eyes, "I'll call you again tomorrow."

"Good night, Sienna," he said before he ended the call. I unlocked the door and the moment I stepped out, a woman shoved her way inside.

I got myself a drink before finding a spot by one of the windows. The view was beautiful and you can see how the city was lit up more than usual, plus the amount of people walking around on the streets seemed to have doubled.

A figure stepped beside me and I never had to turn around to find out it was Justin, "What is it with your inclination to look out from high places?"

Smiling softly, I tore my eyes away from the view to meet his brown eyes, "Makes me feel like I have a bit of control and it constantly reminds me that to somebody else, I also appear as some figure passing by."

Without another word, he raised his cup and I did the same, chugging down our drinks in one go. When I laughed and wiped off a bit of liquid that slipped down the side of my mouth, he bent down and placed a kiss on my cheek. I instinctively leaned towards him, my hand reaching to run my fingers through his hair while he rested his forehead on my shoulder.