Party Boy

A Risky Resolution

That weekend, I got a text from Nico:

What are you doing for New Year's?

I responded:

nothing really. my mom and i watch the ball drop every year, but she usually falls asleep before midnight lol

LOL. Do you want to go to my brother's party with me? I know neither of us like parties, but the neighbors always have a really neat firework display. We can hide out in my room until it gets close to midnight, then we can go outside and watch them.

sure sounds fun :)

Really?

why are u so surprised?

I don't know, I was just worried you wouldn't want to. I'm glad. This is one of the only things I like about being at home. I know it's dorky, but I've always thought fireworks are so cool.

tbh they used to scare me when i was little. but its cool now

Come to my house at 7. That's before the party starts so you won't have to navigate through the crowd to my room by yourself.

got it. see u then :)

I was excited. I had never really celebrated the new year before, other than sitting in front of the TV. I never made any resolutions because I didn't want to risk failing and disappointing myself. I didn't really see the point of celebrating a new year anyway. Another orbit around the sun doesn't seem so special to me. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to a new experience, especially since it would be with Nico.

~~~

I got to Nico's house that night and texted him that I was there. He told me not to worry about knocking and to come in ad up to his room.

I hesitantly opened the front door, feeling like I was breaking a rule despite being instructed to do so. When I walked in, I was greeted by Anthony.

"Walking in like you own the place, huh?" he quipped.

My face burned in embarrassment. I spoke way too quickly, "I'm sorry, Nico told me to just come in, I didn't--"

"I'm just messing with you, Red."

I rolled my eyes. "That's not my name."

"Sorry, Ava," he corrected himself. "I didn't expect to see you at another one of my parties. And you're early."

"I'm here for Nico."

"Right," he said in a dejected tone. He looked like he was actually disappointed, not just feigning it.

"Last time I went to a party of yours you spilled your drink all over me and made gross comments that made me highly uncomfortable. You can't be upset that I wouldn't want to go through that again."

He sighed. "I'm sorry about that. Really."

He did look like his regret was sincere. I remembered how I told myself that I would be his friend.

"I forgive you," I said.

He looked shocked. "Really?"

I smiled a bit. "Yeah. You apologized and it's in the past now. Just try not to sexually harass me while you're drunk again."

"I was flirting," he responded.

"Well I don't consider a stranger grabbing me and whispering in my ear offering to undress me flirting."

"Everyone knows me, and similar tactics work on everyone else."

"Not everyone else. Just the other girls you've done it to."