chapter forty,
there's glitter on the floor after the party

    The music filled the air as people celebrated for the new year. It's minutes away till New Year's. Nailea had been having nothing but fun, yet something was missing. He was missing.

Nailea glanced down at her phone, the time glaring back at her with cold numbers. 11:56 p.m.  She had just finished performing at the ball drop in New York.

Her friends and her stood in a sectioned off area by themselves. She watched as the streets were flooded with people.

As she took in the scene, surrounded by the chaos and excitement, a familiar ache of loneliness settled in her heart. Nailea tried to push the feeling aside, telling herself that it was just the stress and adrenaline of performing.

But there was no denying it. She missed him.

Remy had noticed her expression and nudged her gently. "Are you okay?"

Nailea plastered on a smile, trying to mask her true feelings. "Amazing. I'm just a little tired, that's all."

Remy gave her a knowing look, clearly not buying her act. "Are you sure it's not about a certain someone?"

Nailea feigned ignorance, even though she knew exactly who Remy was talking about. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Remy smirked, seeing right through her. "Mhm. And I'm sure you're not looking at your phone every five minutes just in case a certain someone texts you."

"Alright, fine. Maybe I'm hoping he'll text. But it's not like it's going to happen."

Remy's eyes gleamed, seeing an opportunity. "You know... I might have a way to make you feel better."

Nailea looked at her skeptically. "How?"

Remy smirked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Just trust me."

Nailea raised an eyebrow, curious but apprehensive. "I don't like where this is going..."

Remy chuckled, her smirk growing wider. "Just shut up and come with me." Reluctantly, Nailea followed Remy through the crowd, wondering what she was up to.

They weaved through the sea of people, eventually reaching a secluded corner. Nailea scanned the area, still unsure of what was going on.

"What are we doing here?" she asked, slightly impatient. Remy didn't answer, instead looking down at her phone, a sly grin on her face.

Nailea was about to ask again when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Hi, Nai."

Nailea whirled around, her heart racing as she saw him. Nicholas was standing there, looking sheepish. Her eyes widened in disbelief, surprised by his presence.

"Nicholas... what are you doing here?"

"Surprise?" Nicholas said, giving her a lopsided grin.

Nailea was still at a loss for words, her heart racing in her chest. She shot Remy a questioning look, who merely shrugged with an innocent smile.

Around them, the crowd began to chant as they counted down to the new year.

"Ten... nine... eight..."

Nicholas moved closer to her, his gaze never leaving her face. Nailea swore she could hear her heart beating in her ears.

"Seven... six... five..."

He took her hand, intertwining their fingers. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her body.

"Four... three... two..."

The anticipation was almost unbearable as they stood face to face, surrounded by the noise of the crowd.

"One..."

As the countdown reached the final second, he pulled her closer, their bodies almost touching. Nailea could feel his breath against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.

The roar of the crowd filled the air as the clock struck midnight, the new year officially beginning. Cheers and screams echoed around them, but for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

Nicholas spoke softly, his voice just barely audible. "Happy New Year, Nai."

A million thoughts raced through her mind, but all she could manage was a whispered, "Happy New Year, Nicholas."

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world around them melting away. It was as if time had stopped, and it was just the two of them in this moment.

Without breaking eye contact, Nicholas gently cupped her face with his hand, his thumb caressing her cheek. Nailea's breath caught in her throat as her heart raced.

He leaned in closer, the gap between them quickly closing. Nailea felt her heart skip a beat as her eyelids fluttered shut.

© lishwritcs,               2024

— alisha's notes !

this was actually so hard for me to write because i kept cringing.. it was better in my head okay