When Our Stars Aligned

Chapter 5- New Year's Eve

Cricket yawned as she walked to baggage claim happy to be back in LA. Travis went ahead with Aria to get his car and they knew there was a surprise waiting for her at baggage claim. As she walked closer, she saw an awfully familiar blue haired boy waiting for her holding flowers in his hand. "Damien!", she said running into his arms. Damien smiled holding her feeling happy finally seeing her "Welcome home, how was your flight?", Damien asked after their hug ended and Cricket went to get her luggage. Cricket grabbed her bag and shrugged "It was long but I'm really happy to see you", she said as Damien gave her the flowers. "I'm really happy to see you too. Do you want to grab something for lunch before we help Travis set up for tomorrow night?", Damien asked opening his car door for Cricket after she put her bags into his trunk. "Sounds good to me maybe can we get In-N-Out I'm starving", she replied as Damien pulled out of the Airport parking lot. "Cricket you go to stop reading my mind but let's get it to go and eat it out on your balcony if that's okay?", he replied both acknowledging that they had a lot to talk about.

After their trip to In-N-Out Cricket and Damien ate on the balcony. At first things were awkward until Cricket broke the tension by stealing a few fries from Damien and gave him a goofy face as he whined. Soon they were laughing as they always did. Damien's smile grew when he saw Cricket wearing the necklace. Cricket smiled catching his eyes on her necklace "Thank you for the necklace by the way", she said softly. Damien nodded shyly, he wanted to tell her how he felt but before he could Travis walked into the room. "Hey, you two, the decorations aren't going to put themselves up", he said in a teasing older protective brother way. Aria smiled as Damien followed Travis out of the room carrying his trash. Cricket cleaned her mess as Aria smiled excitedly "well? What happened", she asked excitedly as Cricket shrugged. "He didn't really say anything buy I can see something is on his mind, but his note said he wanted to ask me something tomorrow night. I'm not worried though", she replied with another shrug not wanting to make it seem like a big deal. She wanted him to have all the time he needed to figure out how to make the transition from friends to more than friends if that was something he wanted. All she wanted was to make him feel the happiness that he had given to her.

~New Year's Eve~

Courtney got ready with Cricket in Crickets room. They had a girls day getting their nails done and got their dresses. Cricket's dress was black and gold that barely touched her knees and she had on a pair of her favorite pair of strappy black heels. Her hair had been curled and pulled into a ponytail. Courtney had on a one sleeve black dress that fell right above her knees also she had on a pair of black wedges as her hair was curled with loose curl's that complimented her short hair. Cricket looked at herself in the mirror nervously thinking about what Damien wanted to tell her. She told Courtney everything and she reassured Cricket that everything would be okay.

Damien bit his lip standing outside the party knowing that tonight everything would change. Shayne arrived with his date and shook his head seeing Damien "Come on man the party is inside", Shayne said as Travis opened the door inviting them in. He had the big brother talk with Damien the previous night. Once inside Damien scanned the room and saw Noah with his girlfriend and Olivia and Sam. He was looking for Cricket and when his eyes met hers it felt like everything slowed down and they were the only two people in the room as they walked over to each other. They smiled not saying anything until the music changed into a slower paced song. Damien offered his hand to her "M'lady?", he said as Cricket giggled and blushed taking his hand gently wrapping her arms around him resting her head in the crook of his neck as he wrapped his arms moving them closer together. This time things weren't as awkward as they were the night before. As the song changed to another slow song came on Damien held her close as he gently kissed her cheek finally finding the perfect moment he had been hoping for. "I love you too Cricket", he whispered softly. Cricket looked up at him smiling. Damien smiled and nodded as the music changed back to faster music. Cricket took Damien's hand and went to the balcony away from the noise of the party.

Once outside Cricket smiled and hugged Damien again. Damien chuckled and smiled loving how cute she was. As they heard everyone count down, he held her both of her hands as the new year rang out, he bit his lip and finally kissed her. Cricket cupped his cheeks embracing his kiss. The kiss was even better than they had thought or hoped for. It was even better than the fireworks that were screaming above their heads. As they slowly broke the kiss for air Damien kissed her forehead resting his against hers. "I love you Cricket, please be my girlfriend?", he asked biting his lip. Cricket teared up and nodded kissing his nose "I love you Damien and yes I'll be your girlfriend", she said as Damien hugged her again before they went back out to the party, dancing with their friends and embracing the new year and new changes.