Street 237

Chapter 34: New Years Eve

We talked for hours. The countdown was down to 10 minutes.
I watched as people gathered with fireworks and such. Some brought food while others brought alcohol. Cops had to come and take it away, no public drinking allowed.

As the countdown continued I couldn't help but reflect on my life over the past year. How much it had change in so little of time. Before I knew, Lanes are was around me. My cheeks bright pink, I bit my lip and tried to avoid eye contact.
The time drew near, 30 seconds...

People began to countdown and I grew nervous. I couldn't figure out why Lanes arm was around me. I glanced up at him. His eyes were fixated on the moon, the countdown clock, the lights, the people, everyone and everything except my eyes staring up at him. Did I want him to look at me? No. I just wanted to understand.

5.....4....3....2....

In one swift motion, his hands cupped my face as people screamed "One!" And "Happy New Years!" He looked dead into my eyes and leaned in to claim my lips.
I tensed up and immediately pulled away, almost falling on my butt. Something didn't feel right about it. I couldn't bring myself to it. His eyes were wide, and displayed hurt like an advertisement.
"Is there something wrong?" He asked as he held out a hand for me, "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have."
I took his hand and pulled myself up.
"Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong." I said with a sigh.
I looked around to see couples kissing everywhere.

I saw the two women a time ago sharing a passionate kiss. They looked so happy. I turned to see two men doing the same. I saw a husband and a wife sharing one as if it was their first kiss all over again. Everywhere, everyone. Why wasn't I?
"I shouldn't have tried."
"I'm sorry." I spoke and bit my lip.
"Am I not your type?"
"It's not that. It's just—"
"Don't like New Years?" He teased.
I smiled and the situation grew lighter.
New Years... a year !

I felt my pupils dilate, "New Years?! It's been a year right?!?"
"Well it's a new year?" He raised a questionable eyebrow.
I quickly looked around, "I gotta find someone!" I frantically looked around and the back at Lane, "Meet me at the place where you first met me! I have to go find someone RIGHT NOW!" I hurried off without another word.

****

I ran down the street, out of the intercity and to the common meeting place.
"Chase where are you?!" I thought. I had to find him. I looked where he always use to stay and sleep and he wasn't there. My heart sunk. I hurried to that Chinese Cuisine stand and he wasn't there. My heart sunk even more. I couldn't help but think about what if I was too late.
     I scurried around the streets and it was turning 12:30. I felt myself almost start to panic. I hurried around and then decided to check the last place I could think of before I headed to the bridge. In which was the LAST place I wanted to go.
  
     I turned down the street where I use to live. Where my old worn out box may have been. I arrived to see the box still there. It looked like some people had taken some things. I zipped my coat up and slowly entered the alleyway.

"Chase?" I said as I approached. With everything ounce of my being I wanted him to be here. I wanted to find him.
    I drew closer and grabbed the flap of the box. My heart get heavy and my hands were shaky. I couldn't figure out whether it was because of my nerves or the cold.
I waited a moment and took a deep breath and opened the flap.
 

     Eyes stared at me, a blue scarf hung from his neck. It was Chase. My heart felt like it stopped for a split second and all I could do was hug him.
     He was cold, and he seemed like he was shocked. He hugged me back but didn't speak.
"Chase!" I said with a grin plastered onto my face.
    He looked at me, "London?" He asked with his tone raised slightly. I grinned and took his hands in mine, "It's me Chase!!"
He grinned and hugged me again, I almost fell backwards.

"You came back," when I heard those words my eyes wanted to water. I hugged him tightly, "I said I would, didn't I?"
    He let go and looked at me, "You do always keep your word," he looked me up and down, "You've changed—a lot."
"I don't think you have ever seen me in non-hole filled clothes and no dirt on my face." It was weird to be on the other side of the spectrum. I was the clean, well taken care of one, and Chase wasn't. But I didn't care.
      I got all the way out of the box and stood, and he followed.
 
  
      "But why?" He asked.
"Because Chase, I told you I would. And you mean a lot to me."  I smiled.
He gave me a sad smile, "So....You also told me you would come back with something for me to live for. What is it? What is so important that you had me wait another entire horrible year?" His voice wasn't harsh but blunt.
    I looked down and bit my lip.

"Chase, I have always wanted to get off the street and get a job and stuff—and I have. But all of this—wouldn't have never happened if I didn't have a motivation." 

"What was your motivation?"

"You."

"Me?!"

I nodded and sheepishly grinned, "But all of this, isn't worth nothing if you're not in it Chase."
His face was red, once again—was it from the cold or was it a blush??
"Really??"

I wasn't sure what to say after that, but I knew I was gonna have to go out of my comfort zone. I just leaned in and kissed his cold, shivering lips. I felt him jump slightly. After a few seconds I pulled away, and tried not to sound like a Hallmark movie or sound cliche.
"Chase, am I worth living for?"

    His eyes widened slightly before he smiled softly.
     "Yes... of course London. I was waiting for those words this entire year."

 

********

4 Years later ......

I am the CEO of the company that Lane "worked" for. Lane was actually the OWNER OF THE PLACE! Crazy right? I would have never guessed! But, Chase and I got married and he works for the company too. He works as a manager. We have successfully removed and introduced many of our fellow "street rats" back into society as middle class or higher citizens! The company is bombing and the city is prospering. 
     Lane and I are still best of friends and he accepted that my feelings were only for Chase.   Him and Chase are like brothers now and we even kind of became a part of Lanes family! His sisters are amazing.
     
     My life was hard for majority of it—but I knew something good had to come out of it. You just have to hold on and push through. Everything that happens has a purpose.
   As for Gabe, he's still enjoying his play time and his warm bed. 

As for Mr. Peterson, he passed away a few days after his birthday—but good news—he was surrounded by his friends and family. We ended up locating them a week before his passed.

        Life's a journey. I still wonder what it holds for me as I sit here and type this out. For you reading his, whatever you are facing right now—you CAN push through this!!
Just keep on keeping on!

           —London.