Impractical Jokers Requests Book Two

Sal x Olivia - New Year's Eve (Part One)

The huge question was what sounded lonelier? The untouched glass in front of me, or the fact that I had been sitting alone on this bar stool for hours, waiting for a moment that would never come?

The coaster beneath the glass that was now sodden through thanks to the condensation of the cold drink seemed to have had better days than what I was going through in that moment in time. Even though my throat felt dry, I hadn't touched my water all evening. It was as though the effort was too much for me to handle.

Looking to my left, I could see people dancing and having a great night out, and to my right, just the same sight to make me bitter and almost angry. Why wasn't that me? Why was I here all alone, with no one to talk to and no one to dance with on New Year's Eve? All around me, couples, friends, you name it, were having fun and singing along to the classic songs that came blasting through the home speakers. Their mouths moved with the lyrics, even though it was impossible for me to even hear them over the thumping of the bass. Some had taken off their high heels from being up on the man-made dancefloor of the living room for so long, while I remained in my place.

I had been invited to this damned party by my friend, but as I sat there at the house bar, they were nowhere to be found. Judging by how she had run off with her boyfriend hours before, I could only assume that they had ditched me. And who am I to blame them for wanting to enjoy the night?

The couches and chairs that lined the walls were full of people whom I had never even met, as they laughed and joked with other party-goers. Opposite them the television was on but mute amidst the atmosphere that filled the room. Even though the sound was impossible to hear, I could tell what was being said. Every damn year on this fateful night they play the same sketch ten minutes before midnight; I knew every line word for word in my twenty-eight years of life on this god forsaken planet.

"You look moody," A voice commented from beside me, as I turned to the source.

"I'm having the time of my life, can't you see?" I shot back acerbically, as the man chuckled, moving to sit on the stool next to me.

My eyes glazed over his presence; the soft, dark curls that had been gelled back, the crinkle by his eyes when he smiled, and lips that were plump and intriguing. "You've been staring at your water for ages now, and not once touched it."

"Stalking me, are we?" I grinned at him, as he licked his lips, soon taking a sip from his own beverage.

Placing the glass to the wooden bar top, the man leant his arm along the surface, keeping his eyes on mine. His attention was solely on me, ignoring the goings on behind him as if the party was not even happening.

"Whose friend are you to get an invite to this place?" He asked. "I've never seen you here before."

"Oh, I er...I came with a couple of my friends." I explained. "But they seemed to have ditched my moody ass."

"How rude of them." The man replied. "No one should be alone at my place."

"You own this house?!" I exclaimed, immediately regretting being so forward, as he laughed, nodding his head.

"I do." He smiled. "Every year I throw a party, and more often than not, I end up being alone, too."

"I don't know how," I scoffed.

"How do you mean?"

"Look at this place!" I emphasised, gesturing at the room we were in. "Why would no one want a man who has so much money that he basically has a club in his own front room?"

"Your answer is as good as mine." The man shrugged, smiling at me. "I like the way you think."

I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks at his compliment, as I cowered slightly. "Don't go all shy on me now."