Nora
It’s official, I don’t have anyone to kiss on New Year’s Eve.
Brooklyn
You still have one hour until midnight!
Brooklyn
Maybe a miracle will happen 🍾 🥂
Nora
I doubt it. Pretty sure I’m the only person under the age of 60 at this party.
Brooklyn
Why would your parents make you go to their friend’s boring New Year’s Eve party anyway?
Nora
Because they’re evil.
Brooklyn
🙁 You should sneak out and come over here!
Nora
I can’t. This house is in the middle of nowhere.
Brooklyn
I’ll text you later.
Brooklyn
I have to find my own hottie to kiss at midnight 😘
Nora sighs as she slips her phone back into her pocket.
No one here is even close to her age.
And she doesn’t know what’s happening on the dance floor…
Just as she goes slinking off to the corner to look at her phone again—
Nora spots someone who doesn’t have grey hair.
They used to play as kids whenever their parents got together…
But she hasn’t seen him in at least ten years.
She had a crush on him when they were little…
And her seven-year-old self was convinced they would get married one day.
He looks all grown up now…
No more mud on his clothes—
But he still has that same crooked smile…
Only now it’s getting Nora’s heart pumping.
Nora keeps her eye on him as he strolls through the crowd.
When his gaze falls onto her, he suddenly stops walking.
Nora drops her eyes shyly as he moves toward her.
Owen’s eyes lock onto Nora’s, giving her warm shivers.
Owen
I gotta say though, I miss your overalls.
Nora
You remember those? The purple ones?
Owen
Of course. I was so jealous of those overalls.
Nora
I think my mother still has them tucked away somewhere.
Owen
Do you think they would fit me?
Nora looks him up and down.
No longer scrawny, Owen’s body had filled out with strong arms and round shoulders.
Nora
They may be a tad small.
Owen
That’s a shame. Are you enjoying my parent’s wild party?
Nora
I thought parties were supposed to have music. What is this?
Owen
I think it’s the sound of baboons mating.
Owen
I tried to hide my parent’s CD collection, but my Dad sniffed it out.
Owen
Actually, I have an idea…
Owen pulls his phone out of his pocket and plugs in his headphones.
Owen
Put that in your ear before your eardrums go on strike.
Nora places a bud in her ear.
Owen puts the other bud in his own ear and chooses a song…
Thankfully one that came out in the last year.
Owen
It usually sounds better without a horrible song playing in the background.
Nora can’t stop smiling as they move closer to each other, listening to the music.
Owen smiles and then looks out at the other guests on the dance floor.
Owen
Who do you think will be the first one to break a hip?
Nora
Definitely that lady with the long pearl necklace.
Owen
That’s my Aunt Susan. She annihilated the tray of Jell-O shots.
Nora
What about that guy with the thick glasses?
Nora
He’s going to knock someone out with the way he’s swinging his arms.
Owen
I think you’re right. This is going to get ugly fast.
Nora
So how come you’re stuck here tonight?
Nora
Aren’t your friends having a party?
Owen
Yeah, but my parents think that New Year’s Eve should be a family holiday.
Nora
My parents wouldn’t let me go out either.
Owen smiles, making Nora blush again.
He takes her hand and gives it a squeeze, making her heart flutter.
They talk and laugh, and even do some awkward dancing of their own.
Nora glances down at her watch.
Nora
Oh my God, it’s almost midnight.
Nora was so wrapped up in her own little world with Owen that she completely lost track of time.
Now she’s dreading the moment the party comes to an end.
Owen
Here comes my mom with the horns and hats.
Owen’s mother was placing colorful party hats on all of the guest’s heads.
Owen
Come on, let’s hide before she sees us.
Owen leads Nora into a somewhat secluded corner of the room.
The excitement is building all around them as someone turns on the TV.
Everyone gathers around to watch the ball drop.
Nora’s pulse races as the seconds tick by.
She and Owen keep nervously catching each other’s eyes…
Trying to read the other’s thoughts.
The crowd starts counting down.
As the crowd erupts in cheers around them, Owen turns to Nora…
His eyes search her face with longing, roaming from her green irises to her rose red lips.
Owen
Happy New Year, Nora.
He leans in and presses his lips to hers…
Until Nora places a hand on the back of his neck—
Pulling him into a a deep, passionate kiss, that has her body melting into his.
When they finally break apart, Owen’s eyes are bright, his cheeks flushed.
Owen
I think 2019 is going to be a very good year.
And, with the brightest smile spreading across her lips, Nora pulls him in for another kiss.
It was definitely a Happy New Year.
