"Ten! Nine! Eight!" I glance over at Mitch, breath hitching in my throat. "Seven! Six! Five! Four!" Making a split decision, I pull him closer to me. He seems surprised, but doesn't stop me. "Three!" I lean in, eyes fluttering closed. "Two!" Mitch uncertainly closes his eyes as well, closing the gap between us. "One!" Our lips touch, and the sound of people shouting "Happy New Year!" is distant. It's just us. Finally, we pull apart. "I love you, Grassi," I whisper, wrapping my arms around his waist. I hear him chuckle slightly. "I love you too, Hoying." *** Let's kiss the past away, like New Year's Day.