**Disclaimer- Fiction story!”

(Phone ringing)

“Hello?”

“Girl, why did you answer the phone like someone stole your dog?” said Talia

I sighed “Whatever. What’s up? It’s New Years Eve, I know you guys have a party or two or three to go to”

“Cheer up! Anyway, that is why I called you. You are coming out with me tonight!”

I laughed “Yeah ok. No, tonight, I am going to Netflix and no chill and I bought myself a great bottle of Merlot and cooked a dinner to die for. I am good. But you girls have fun!”

Talia wasn’t having it though “No, I am sick and tired of you being so anti-social. You are going to do something different for a change and you are coming out with me even if I have to drag you out the house myself. Don’t try me Roni”

I rolled my eyes and thought about putting my own foot down and doing what I want which was stay home and relax or I could go out for a change like Talia is forcing me to do and I may actually have a good time.

“Fine. Against my better judgment I will go, BUT you are so driving!”

“Roni, you have a deal. I will pick you up at 9:30pm sharp!” said Talia.

“Uh huh, 9:30pm sharp to you means 10. I’ll be ready at 10p”

“Whatever hoe”

“Love you too! See you later lady” I hung up the phone.

At 10:30pm, Talia sends me a text informing me she is outside and of course I gave her hell for being late as usual.

“You are going to be late to your own funeral. Really a whole hour late?”

“Look Roni, beauty takes time. I have to make sure I look fine for midnight. And girl, you look amazing. I am positive you will find you a boo tonight!”

“Thanks! You look great as well. You will find a new boo tonight. I am so good. I am happy in my life now. Don’t need a man making me miserable.” I told her.

Talia just looked at me and rolled her eyes. I guess she is tired of my speeches on being single and stress free.

We walked into a beautiful home in the suburbs and the décor was beautiful, lights hanging everywhere. The place was packed and everyone was dancing to the 2015 hit Cheerleader by Omi. As I turned around, Talia was rushing off to the other side of the house. I glanced around the room until I spotted the table with the drinks. I walked over to the table trying hard not to bump into the people dancing. I finally got to the table and see Coca-Cola, Sprite, various wines, beer is in the cooler next to the table, then I saw vodka, my poison of choice. I made myself a drink, vodka and a splash of pineapple. I took a few sips and began to feel myself relax a bit. I spotted the DJ across the room and he has his Apple laptop open and headphones half on. He changed up the song and now he is playing Beyonce’s 7/11 song. I started to walk around the room to see if I spot Talia and still nowhere to be found. Ugh. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. Had I known she was going to leave me once we hit the door I would have sat my butt at home. I pull my clutch from under my arm and pulled out my iPhone and its 11:45pm. 15 minutes until midnight and I am sitting in a strange house and still alone.

I found a seat and sat down, I put my clutch next to me and continue to sip my drink and vibe to the music. I had to give it to the DJ. He is good, everyone is dancing.

“Is this seat taken?”

I looked up and this gorgeous man is standing over me with the nicest smile I have seen in a long time.

“Umm, it is now by you.” I responded

“I’m Sebastian, Happy New Years”

“Nice to meet you and same to you, I’m Veronica but I go by Roni.” I smiled and turned away. He is fine and I am starting to blush and this drink is giving me some sort of liquid courage.

“So Roni, why are you sitting here alone with only a few minutes left until midnight? Where is Mr. Roni?”

“No Mr. Roni” I laughed and continued “I came here with my friend Talia and she kinda got lost in the crowd, what about you? Where is Mrs. Sebastian?”

“Look Roni, I am flattered, you are beautiful and all, but I don’t think we are ready to be married” He joked

“Really sir? You are a trip!” I laughed

“No lady in my life, hence why I am here as well and my friend kinda flowed with the wind tonight once we got here. Guess he didn’t want competition with the ladies.”

“I can see why he would feel that way, one flash of that smile, you will steal any woman he was interested in”

“The only thing I’m thinking of stealing is a kiss at midnight from this beautiful woman sitting next to me”

I swallowed real heard. Oh boy.

“Oh, no one is sitting on the other side of you. So I guess that leaves me huh?” I flirted back.

I looked at my phone and its 11:57pm

I looked at Sebastian “ We have 3 minutes left until 2016, are we sealing it with a kiss?”

He replied, “I would be overjoyed. I can end the year right and start it even better” He said while applying a fresh coat of chapstick. This is going to happen I see.

“I don’t go around kissing men I just me-“

Sebastian grabbed me and put his hand gently around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss.

At that moment, the room stilled. I no longer heard the music; I forget we were in a crowded room. Faintly in the background, I heard a countdown

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Happy New Years!” Auld Lang Syne plays in the background and Sebastian and I are sitting in an embrace as we kissed.

I pull back from his embrace after a few moments and I sat there smiling at him.

“Veronica, I don’t know if you felt that, but I know I sure did”

“Oh yea, I felt something alright”

“Let’s dance”

“I’d love to”

Sebastian took my hand and led me to the dance floor as we danced to the next couple of songs. As I look up I see Talia, smiling and giving me a thumbs up and blowing kisses at me. I smiled back at her.

I guess she was right, this year its time to do something different. This is going to be a good year.

 

El Fin.

 

-V.