01: Auld Lang Syne

“I knew I’d find you here!” Jemma Crowe’s voice startled her best friend Abigail Carmichael and she nearly jumped down from the windowsill she sat perched upon. It was late afternoon and most students were already out for the night or preparing to tie one on the town and here she sat with her nose in a book. 

“What?” she asked and glanced over the top of her glasses towards the blonde as she made a beeline through the aisles of books. Dawning Hall was unusually quiet and the dimness from the flickering fluorescent bulbs cast eerie shadows up and down the columns of shelves. Jemma did her best to ignore the sudden goosebumps that covered her arms as she finally made it to the cubicle where Abigail hid.

“Abs, come on, don’t tell me you forgot already?” she watched her friend’s face for any sign of recognition before sighing in annoyance. “Marla’s party is tonight and we’re going dress shopping, remember?”

“That’s tonight? You know I have a book report…”

“Oh don’t give me that! You’re off daydreaming, not working. Besides, you promised you’d come along quietly and try to have fun!”

“You’re sure I said that? Because that really doesn’t sound like me, Jem, and I’m serious I have a lot of work to do. Professor Macready assigned a 20-page essay for over the holidays and it’s due the first week back.”

“And you’ll have plenty of time to work on it later. One party for a few hours isn’t gonna put you behind one bit, Abby. You have like an A plus average in that class and every other class. You can afford to take a break. Now get your stuff and let’s go!” Jemma grunted in a bossy attitude as she helped pack up the books and papers Abigail had carried with her.

Abigail sighed as she looked up into the confident smile on her friend’s face and grudgingly jumped down from her seat. “One hour, Jem. If I’m not having fun by then we leave!”

“Scout’s honor!” she smiled, flashing a peace sign instead of the required three fingers. Scooping Abigail’s arm into hers, she practically dragged her friend out the door to her green Ford Focus. They hopped into the car and Jemma quickly drove them to Threadz Dress shop on the corner of Balboa and Main.

“What do you think?” Abigail looked up from her feet in time to catch the supermodel cat walk stride in her friend’s step. She stood in front of the mirror, straightening out the material with her hands as she examined her choice in outfit. It was a short, white cocktail dress with a jewel accented strap that rose well above her thighs. “It’s short enough right?”

“If you’re asking if I can see your red thong when you lean forward slightly then yes, it’s short enough.”

“Perfect! If this doesn’t make Knox’s head roll I don’t know what will!” she exclaimed, disappearing behind the curtain briefly to change. When she reemerged she had a huge smile plastered on her face and pulled her friend from her seat. “Now, your turn!”

“I don’t really want a turn.”

“Sure you do! You have to look mind blowing too! Who knows, you might find a special someone tonight,” Jemma wiggled her eyebrows as a twisted smirk curled her lips.

Abigail sighed and stood abruptly from her seat. “You know why I don’t really want to go, Jemma? Because it’s always the same. We’ll get there, you’ll walk me to the bar, find someone more interesting to talk to or hang out with and ditch me. Meanwhile, I’m left standing there looking like an idiot and feeling even worse.”

“What? I don’t do that!”

“Oh yeah? What about Rebecca Samm’s pool party last year? We were there maybe all of five minutes before Knox wiggled his finger at you and I was left standing near the buffet table holding up the wall. On top of that you made me wear a two piece bikini making me feel even more exposed! Then there was Shelly Daniel’s end of the year blowout where I got stuck talking to some drunken guy trying to kiss me all night. And remember high school and Celine Jameson’s Sweet 16? Need I go on?”

“No, Abby, you don’t, I get the picture. Look I’m sorry ok? I never really saw it that way. I mean, it’s a party. You’re supposed to socialize at parties to meet new people, you know? Mingle!”

“Something you know I suck at!”

“Then this year you need a better resolution. I think you should try and be less stuck in your ways. Crawl out of that shell, Abby! You’re a beautiful, smart girl and I know there’s a fun, sociable person in you just waiting to get out!”

“I don’t know, Jem.”

“Trust me, Abby. When I’m done with you, you’ll be the prettiest social butterfly in creation! Here, try this one,” Jemma suggested and grabbed a long, satin dress from the rack. “It’ll look nice I think.” 

“Jem…”

“Just try it!”

Deciding not to argue, she slipped the dress from her friend’s hand and started for the back fitting rooms. Moments later she reemerged with a frown denoting her displeasure with this situation, making Jemma laugh excitedly. “White? Why white?”

“Because it’s a black and white party and I figured white would fit you better than black. You’re already skinny enough. Wearing something slimming like black would only make you fade into the background more. You need to stand out!”

“That doesn’t sound like me at all.”

“The old you no; but the new you, the resolution you, definitely!” Jemma moved closer and arranged the gown on Abby’s shoulder, checking how it fell over her slender frame and smiled at the cleavage her friend tried her best to hide. “Wow! It looks great on you!”

“Are you sure about this? It feels so uncomfortable.”

“Positive!”

“Isn’t there something with more…material? The news said it’s supposed to snow later. What if I catch a cold?”

“Well, good thing the party is indoors then,” Jemma continued shooting down Abigail’s numerous objections. “Now we gotta hit the salon and you’ll be ready to make the entrance of a lifetime!”

After paying for the clothes the two walked through the mall to Styles by Trent to get their hair done. The place was abuzz with after Christmas shoppers and New Year’s sales and discount offers. Many of the customers were running from one store to the next looking for the best deals while others loitered around the food lot or the arcade with friends.

It didn’t take long to drive the few miles to Marla Stabler’s home in the hills. The snow-capped mountains near the cliffs made the night appear brighter than it was and Abby marveled over the amount of stars visible in the sky. Lines of cars dotted the hillside home already as Jemma parked along the curb. They were nearly the last to arrive and the music was already bumping the pavement beneath their feet as they walked up the drive.

Abby’s low backed top allowed a breeze to flow on her skin, chilling her a bit. She wrapped the silken shawl tighter around her shoulders feeling the cool, crisp night air whisk through the finely woven threads. The pathway was lit with garden lamps making the crisp, new blanket of snow sparkle under their feet. “Alright remember, Abby, we’re here to have fun so try and relax and branch out!” 

The sound of laughter and loud, babbling conversations filtered through the door before it was even opened and Jemma was greeted with air kisses by the hostess of the party herself. “JEMMA! I’m so glad you made it!” Marla smiled superficially and pulled her into her home. “Knox is already here and Shana’s been doing her best to keep his company, if you catch my drift.”

“That slut! Where is he?”

“Upstairs.” Jemma immediately stormed off in the direction Marla pointed.

“Jem!” Abby called to her retreating back and sighed hopelessly as she was once again left standing alone at the door. “Great,” she mumbled and began wondering why she even bothered to let herself get talked into coming. An elegant display of drinks came towards her as a waiter made his rounds and Abby shrugged, hearing the last words Jemma spoke to her before snatching one from the tray.

Lingering near the buffet for a moment, she sipped casually from the glass of champagne as she watched the rest of the pretty people party and have fun. This wasn’t her scene, it never was. She much preferred the quiet company of her books and favorite authors to the crowded rooms of dancers and a million conversations shooting off in every corner of the large home. Abigail pushed herself against a section of the wall nearest the makeshift stage where the DJ controlled the music and faded into the background. Glancing over towards Jemma, she noticed her in a heated conversation with her supposed boyfriend and sighed when she fell into his lap. Guess she was the only one having a bad night.

“Ten minutes ‘til midnight!” Zach looked up from his now lukewarm glass of white Zinfandel towards an excited party goer, shouting over the crowd with a full tray of filled glasses wobbling on the palm of her hand. The atmosphere, the smiles everyone carried along with the Christmas cheer that still lingered in the air should have been enough to bring him out of his funk, yet his lips stayed pressed tightly together forming a straight line that only parted to greet the rim of his glass.

Sasha was on his mind, so much that he swore he’d seen her face several times that night submerged in the crowd of dancers on the makeshift dance floor and even at the bottom of his first glass of wine. He’d tilted it against his lips swallowing the bold yet spicy liquid in one huge gulp only to find a single drop of pinkish liquid staring back at him. Two years, two years and countless encounters with nameless women to fill the void and he was still pining and searching for resolution. He loved her, more than he should have considering she never felt the same way about him.

Zach pushed off of the wall that held him up for the greater part of the evening, grabbed a refill on his wine and slipped out onto the balcony. He needed a moment to breathe and for the night air to sweep over him to carry away the pained thoughts plaguing him with memories of her touch and the last moment shared between them.

Tears pooled in the corners of his eyes as his left hand slipped into his pocket and the tip of his pinky finger slipped through the ring that he never had the pleasure of seeing on her beautiful hand. ‘You weren’t supposed to be here for another hour!’ Her seductive voice laced with cruel bitterness was telling of how truly manipulative she was. She’d betrayed his trust, cheated on him with not one but two members of his team. And despite it all he still loved her regardless of the pain she’d caused him. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t think anyone was out here.” The sweetest voice with enough power to jolt him from his mind and calm his fears blew by him like a relaxing breeze and he felt the ring drop to the bottom of his pocket. “I’ll give you your privacy.”

“No, it’s ok,” Zach hurriedly collected himself, tossing a quick look over his shoulder to put a face to the voice.

“I guess I’m not the only one trying to hide,” Abby smiled and stumbled forward on her clumsy legs. Zach reached out quickly and caught her in his arms and she slipped onto the railing in front of him. Out of embarrassment a small, girlish giggle bubbled out through her lips and a red sheen flustered her face.

“Hide? What makes you think I’m hiding?”

“Because,” she smiled and motioned around with her arms at their surroundings. “You are aware that there’s a party just inside those doors behind you right? You’re hiding and I can’t say I blame you. I was dragged here too.”

“I never said I was dragged here,” Zach grinned and moved a bit closer to where she stood. The tiny flameless candles lined along the wooden railing cast an angelic glow on her face as he neared, streaking her long, brown waves making each lustrous strand appear almost chocolaty. Shimmering sparkles of green caught him as he gazed into her eyes and they twinkled like the numerous stars in the sky above them. “Dragged huh?” he asked to which she shrugged and twirled her champagne flute around her hand.

“Well kidnapped seemed too dramatic. Plus I sort of like the violent connotations of the word ‘dragged.’ I think it sums up my night perfectly; forced against will.” The orange hue of the light danced over her face giving it a heart shape that Zach found himself tracing with his eyes until she smiled nervously making him aware of his rude behavior. He looked down at his feet as he dragged his hand across the back of his neck and took a sip from the glass in his hand. Something about this woman’s presence was making him perspire, making him anxious and he found himself looking her over yet again.

She was painfully shy, that much he could tell by the way she avoided direct eye contact. And young; somewhere between twenty and twenty-one, more than likely the latter judging by the glass in her hand. Her features were innocent and sweet and she seemed rather out of place with the other partygoers; at least from his experience. “You’re not much of a party person, huh?” 

Abby looked up at him melting him with a simple unintentional batting of her lashes and half smile that went as far as to curve the left corner of her lips as she nodded her head no. “You?” she asked quietly.

He chuckled softly, “Not like I used to be.”

“Me either. I–I mean, I never really was.” She quickly rephrased her words, possibly to avoid any labels on his behalf, a nervous reaction to his unrelenting scrutiny no doubt. “I am the definition of a wall flower.” A cute giggle followed the very words he’d used on himself earlier as he encouraged himself to mingle along with the rest of his friends.

“Really? I can’t see that! A woman as beautiful as you should never be against the wall or alone at a party.” He looked up at the door then back at her. “You’re here alone?” She nodded tucking her hair behind her ear, looking over the railing in awe of the lights scattered between the tall buildings and lining the street below them. “I’m sor…I didn’t mean…”

“It’s ok! My best friend thought it would help me with my New Year’s resolution.”

“Which is?” Zach inquired and inched even closer to where Abby stood. “I mean if you don’t mind sharing,” he immediately followed up noticing the frightened expression that crossed her face.

“Um…she made me promise to try being a little less…reserved.”

“Well that’s not exactly how these things work you know? You have to make a resolution that YOU want, not something your friend asks you to do. I mean how else would you stick with it?”

“That’s true I suppose. I’m weak though and she knows it. She’s just trying to help. Coming here was her idea also. With the night I was having, it’s a miracle that I even made it!” She smiled widely and he smiled back.

“What happened, Cinderella? Your evil stepsisters rip your gown?”

She giggled once again, “Something like that. My fairy godmother couldn’t remember my size.” He joined her in laughter and marveled briefly over her sense of humor. Once their laughter faded, they caught themselves staring at each other. Like children afraid of getting caught, they dropped their gaze and began speaking at the same time, laughing once again at the quick replies said in unison. “So it uh, it looks like you’re alone too.” She bit her lip with regret and quickly turned to him to gauge his reaction.

“I am.” He nodded rocking back on his heels surprised that the weight of that admission didn’t hurt as much as it had before. The same drunken shout echoed out on the balcony informing them of the approaching New Year causing a quick change in the beauty’s features as she looked away once again. “It sucks too.” He tipped his head towards the patio door. “I think we’re the only ones.”

“But,” Zach rocked on his heels once again, slid his hand into his pocket and clenched the ring within his palm. He couldn’t believe the thought that’d popped into his head and entered his brain like a sure thing. He gnawed on the inside of his lip contemplating his next move, turned and pressed his back against the railing and let his worries go with one quick breath. “That’s an easy fix.” His heart began to beat a little faster with his boldness, the palm of his hand sweating around the ring. “I mean, what’s New Year’s without a kiss to start the year?” He forced himself to look at her and he did so just in time to catch the way the moonlight sparkled with her eyes before she blinked.

“Ten!”  The beautiful brunette set her glass down on the railing beside his.

“Nine! Eight! Seven!” Their eyes met again as she pursed her lips and he nodded to what he believed was her answer and quickly apologized. He pushed off of the railing with the intention of making his exit before the excitement erupted and engulfed him in a sea of happiness.

“Six! Five! Four!” Her hand eased up his chest catching him before he could get too far and she leveled her eyes with his.

“Three!” Their lips drew closer, so close the heat from them both collided and created goosebumps up and down her bare shoulders. He took in the scent of her light, orange blossom perfume. Sweet, flowery, and fragrant it clung closely to her and didn’t drift or hang in the air.

“Two!” Zach licked his tongue out, moistening his lips and watched as hers quivered with anticipation. Their lips touched sending an immediate surge of electricity through them. His mouth curved to the shape of her lower lip enjoying the flavor of her lip gloss and soft moan that eased through her nose. 

“One! Happy New Year!” The entirety of the loft broke out in cheer and song. And Auld Lang Syne fell upon deaf ears just outside the door. What started off as a gentle peck on the lips became something much deeper, passionate. She parted her lips and allowed his tongue to brush against hers before she returned the action and pulled back gently raking his lower lip with her teeth. Before she could break their contact, Zach rushed forward and caught her lips again. He felt the need to pull her closer, feel her against his chest as he freed her of the remaining green apple flavoring coating her lips. 

Abby felt herself floating away as a deeper moan escaped through her partially parted lips snapping her back to the present. She backed away with a start, glanced into the loft then back at Zach before she took off wordlessly through the crowd. “Wait!” He followed close behind her weaving through the intoxicated and overjoyed guests with his eyes glued to the back of her head until she slipped out of the door.

“There you are, Zach! Come, have a drink with me!” A blonde grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the bar. By the time he wrestled himself away from the woman’s roaming hands and attempts to convince him to go home with her, the mystery woman was gone. 

Somewhere between the beginning of the kiss and now, he’d let go of the ring, let it slip back into the depths of his pocket and forgotten it was even there. The first person he’d met in the past two years that made him forget his troubles and he didn’t even get her name. “Damn.”

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