A Year Without Snow

-32-

Saturday, 31st December 2016

Christmas that year was pretty similar to the last ones, with the exception of the lack of snow. It was weird to look outside on the cold Christmas Eve night and not see the whiteness I've grown so used to. I couldn't say it bothered me whatsoever.

The plain truth was that I never appreciated Christmas. The first few years after my arrival the Holly night was filled with my mother's cries, plus my grandmother's failed attempts to distract me from the loud sobs. As a matter of fact, my distaste for the holiday could be traced back to my mother, because after crying for five Christmas straight, she decided to work during the holiday. And I never blame her for that, in fact, I was grateful for her absence. And for the last couple of Christmas, it was just me and my grandma and for that, which I was very grateful for. Of course, it only made the last couple of ones even more depressing, the ones I spent with the Kannes, which was the most "normal" way I had spent that holiday.

And that's how I had spent this year's Christmas, a quick dinner with my mother before she left for the night shift and a regular binge-watching to some tv show while looking up colleges online, which helped improve my mood. And I couldn't help but wonder how I would be next Christmas. How would my mental state be? Where would I be?

And all of that wondering did help to fill that not so cheerful night. A night supposed to be spent in union, a night that would only involve me and my laptop. But I didn't care much for complaining, I was really through with the self-pity.

And that's how I spent my Christmas and most of the winter holiday. I went to the movies with Grace and Scar a few times, but all we could talk about was the New Year's Eve party we were planning for Zeus. I was excited about it and most important of all, I was determined to have a normal night.

And so that Saturday night, the last day of one of the worst years of my life, I walked into Zeus at 9 P.M. to find the place already completely packed.

On the way in I passed Melanie who gave me a quick hello and dismissed me with a waving hand as she rapidly and effectively gave people their ticket in and accepted their money. At the door, I passed Carson whom I ignored completely.

I quickly made my way to the counter and was alarmed to see that Sophia and Lucas were struggling to serve the huge amount of people that were gathered in front of the counter, shouting orders and waving dollar bills on the air.

"Hi, guys!" I said quickly before turning to a guy and asking what he wanted.

"Hello, Daisy!" Grace greeted me, "This is chaotic today!"

"Yes, I've noticed it." I agreed while accepting a girl's money.

"It's because it's New Year," Lucas exclaimed.

Far into the crowd, I could see Scarlet and Dallas behind the music stand.

And just like always the first part of the night flew by. At half-past eleven Dallas announced in his little microphone that we were near midnight. He then left the DJ stand and made his way to the counter.

"Come on to the music set guys so we can all be together at midnight!" He shouted above the music.

Grace, Lucas, and I all stepped from behind the counter and made our way to Scarlett, as Dallas went on to call the others.

"Day!" She shouted and hugged me, "Look me at this! Five minutes to midnight. They're not going to get here on time!" She shouted and said into the microphone, "Five minutes, people!" And the mass of people in the room shouted at her announcement.

A few minutes later Dallas emerged from the crowd with the tall figures of Carson and Dylan behind him and a very stressed Melanie following behind. Sophia was next to me and I put an arm around her, and she gave me a warm smile.

"I shouldn't be here! People are going to get in! Without paying!" Melanie exclaimed.

"One minute to go!" Scar said eagerly.

"Chill, Melanie, it's just for a few minutes." Dallas said, "So we can all be together!" He concluded while giving me and Scar a hug, "I couldn't find-"

"Twenty seconds, oh my God!" Scar yelled.

"Nineteen, eighteen-" Dallas started screaming.

"Shut up idiot! You're only supposed to count from ten down!" Scarlett screamed back.

But he kept on counting down and soon enough everyone started too. Dallas had an arm around me and Scar while he shouted from the top of his lungs. Melanie too was miraculously smiling and counting down.

"Ten!"

In front of us people, were hugging each other and screaming. Some were furiously drinking, others were already shouting Happy New Year. Some couples were kissing.

"Nine!"

Kissing.

"Eight!"

Two people at the far end of the warehouse were kissing.

"Seven!"

They broke the kiss and looked at each other.

"Six!"

Then she kissed him again.

"Five!"

And he kissed her back.

"Four!"

Kissing.

"Three!"

A messy cloud of platinum hair pushed close to a shade of ginger hair.

"Two!"

Kissing.

"One!"

Bryson and Grace.