Bullied and the Bitch

Chapter 12: New Year's Resolution

"So let me get this straight... You guys have a great big celebration on Christmas... but you guys do nothing for New Years?" I ask El. She nods.

"That's about right," she says. "For two reasons – one, Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. You know how my parents are."

I do. They're hardcore Christians. The free time her parents have at night, they read the bible and pray together for two hours straight. I'd never before met anyone like them. I thought they only existed in movies.

"And two-" El goes on. "My dad and the guys tend to work on New Years. When they get home, they're exhausted, and greet the New Year sleeping."

I realise I'd probably be included in that category and I foresaw myself being as exhausted as she described. My New Years had been, like my Christmases, celebrated with a party. But this one is no formal party with parents, like Christmas. We have it at Em's usually, whose house is just that little bit bigger than mine – the only thing she has on me and flaunts whenever she can. She throws a big party, invites all the cool people in our year, and some college guys. And it's drinks, music, and promiscuity.

"Do you greet the New Year sleeping too?" I ask El. She shakes her head and draws back her curtains. We're in her room, hanging out, a recent ritual we'd developed. After I'd started going to school, in fact. James keeps a tight eye on us, fearing the worst. I can't say his fears are totally unfounded. My nights are still haunted by the kiss we shared a few days ago. Just recalling the memory can make me cum.

El points out her window. "I get to see the fireworks from here," she says. "So I wait till midnight and celebrate on my own. Sometimes Eddy joins me."

"I see," I say, smiling.

"What's with that smile?"

"Nothing. It's just... so like you to celebrate on your own." I can imagine it, honestly, El sitting on her bed and staring out at the dark sky as the fireworks blazing through the sky bathes her room in a multitude of colours.

I feel the mood of the girl next to me darken.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing," I add hurriedly.

"...I can't deny that it's pretty lonely," she admitted in a quiet voice that gives me pause. I bump my shoulder against hers, smiling as she brings her eyes up to lock gazes with me, confused as to my gestures.

"You'll have me this year," I remind her.

A brilliant smile encompasses her face.

"Yeah. You're right." El leans her head against my shoulder and where her hair tickles against my arm, it leaves a blazing, tingling trail on my skin.

It's a bit warmer today, so I stand outside drinking my coffee during break time, admiring our work. The last day of the year. I'd thought I was having a fantastic year... Until I'd changed into a guy. Now I wasn't too sure. Had my life really been as perfect as it had been? Was it just a narrow-minded view? That having as many guys as I wanted wrapped around my finger, and dominating my school was the perfect life?

"It's coming along nicely, isn't it?" James asks. I glance sideways at him. In his hand is a half-eaten sandwich El had packed for him.

"Yeah," I have to say. I'm more in awe of my father than I'd ever been. He'd designed this building? Its shape is functional, yet totally aesthetic in a very unique style. It's the first time I've admired any of my father's creations in years, and ironically – it's the only time I can't tell him how wonderful he is.