'There you go,' Juliette says and fixes my hair. 'Thanks, it looks great!' 'I'm glad I don't have curly hair. How do you deal with it?' 'I don't know,' I chuckle and take a look at the two outfits my sister picked out. 'You do know that it's not a party with costumes, right?' I ask. 'Yes, why?' she asks confused looking at the outfits. 'Because if I were that, I would be going dressed as you.'

Before she can say anything, Jules's phone rings for the millionth time today. 'Patrick again?' 'Yup.' 'Are thinking about breaking up with him?' I ask as I take the top of the first outfit and the trousers from the second outfit. 'Yes. I have been thinking a lot about what mom said. And how he threats me. Frankly, I am done with it.'

Sophia knocks on the open door. 'Hi!' I says and go to her so I can greet her. 'Hello,' she says and gives me a little kiss. 'You look beautiful!' I say when I take a step back to look at her. She blushes. 'Thanks.' 'I'll go change,' I say and disappear in the bathroom. I hear Juliette and Sophia's muffled voices on the other side of the door.

After I changed I go back to my room. They both smile at me. 'You look stunning,' Juliette says. She gives me a hug and then leaves the room. 'You really look beautiful,' Sophia agrees and kisses my cheek. 'Thank you.' I open my sock drawer and take two random socks to put on.

'Can I ask you something?' I nod. 'Why do you wear mismatched socks?' I look at my girlfriend and stay silent. I just shrug my shoulders and put on my shoes. 'No reason,' I lie. Sophia raises an eyebrow. 'You can just say that you don't want to tell me. You don't have to lie about it.' I chew on the inside of my cheek, feeling guilty. 'I'm sorry. I  don't want to tell you.' Sophia nods understandingly and smiles softly.

Juliette enters my room again. 'I broke up with him. He kept calling and calling and calling.' 'Are you relieved?' I carefully ask. She thinks for a moment and then slowly nods. 'Yes. Yes, I am relieved. No more doing what he wants whenever he wants.' Sophia and I smile proudly at my sister. 'Maybe I should have what you two have with a woman. Isn't it less complicated?' 'No,' Sophia laughs.

Juliette sighs. 'I guess I'm celebrating New Years with mom then.' Our father is in Belgium, celebrating with my aunt. It was a last minute decision. 'You can come with us if you want to?' I suggest. 'Yes, of course!' Sophia says. Juliette looks at us, considering. 'Okay then,' she finally says. 'Ren, I'm glad we get along now,' she says and touches my arm for a few seconds. 'Sure,' I say and walk past her so we can go to the party.

              Once we get to Marc's humble home, I ring the doorbell. He opens the door and smiles softly. 'Juliette, what brings you here?' 'A break up and booze,' she says and walks past us. 'I thought partner's were obligated?' Marc asks as Sophia and I enter the house. I shrug my shoulders and hang my coat on the coat rack. Sophia does the same.

              'Parker! Ren is here!' Marc shouts. Parker comes running to us and greets us. 'Finally! I want you to meet Arthur,' Parker says as she guides us to the living room. A handsome young man with wavy brown hair and bright green eyes smiles at us. 'Hi there! I'm Arthur,' he says and makes a gesture to shake our hands. 'Renée,' I say as I shake his hand. 'Sophia.'

              Parker takes me aside and whispers in my ear: 'What do you think?' 'He's hot,' I say. 'I know right! But he's also very kind,' Parker smiles. 'I hope he makes you happy for a long time,' I say and hug her. 'Aw, thanks Ren,' Parker says. Sophia and I make our way to the drinks as Kai and Elise arrive. 'Soph!' Elise says as she hugs her friend. 'Hi,' Sophia smiles and hugs her friend back.

              Kai slings their arm around my shoulders and holds me tight. 'Look at us. Dating two friends,' they say and smile at Elise. 'Yeah, who would've thought that?' I say looking at Sophia talking to Elise. 'We had a great time to, you know,' Kai says and takes my drink out of my hands to take a sip. 'Sure. Memories stay forever,' I say and snatch back my drink.

              They smile at me before kissing the top of my head. 'It's a good thing we aren't together anymore. We are better as friends,' they say. 'I agree,' I smile as they let me go out of their grip. Sophia looks at us with a frown, but then looks away when she notices that I'm looking at her. 'Kai! Come meet Arthur!' Parker shouts from across the room.

              Elise follows Kai to meet Arthur and Sophia looks at me. 'You two seemed to have a cosy moment,' Sophia says a little distant. 'Jealous?' I ask with a smile. 'No!' Sophia says, but I can hear she is lying. 'Kai and I just agreed that we are better as friends than we ever were in a relationship,' I say and remove some invisible dust from Sophia's shoulder. 'Oh,' she sighs relieved.

              'The chances of me ever cheating on you are zero. There's literally no one better than you,' I mumble before sipping my drink. Sophia looks at me. 'I did not understand what you just said.' 'That's okay.'

              'People! Can I have your attention!' Marc shouts. We turn around to look at him, standing in the doorway. 'This is my girlfriend, Gladys,' he says. The girl with pitch black hair and blue eyes makes her way to the doorstep. 'Gladys?' I ask surprised. 'Renée?' she asks as surprised as me.

'You two know each other?' Marc asks confused. 'She's my roommate,' I say and start laughing. 'I thought you said you had a friend named Wren? But you meant Ren, like in Renée?' Gladys asks. Marc slowly nods, letting it all sink in. 'That's the most I have heard you talk!' I say. Gladys gives me a death stare. 'Oh, there's my roommate again,' I chuckle.

Sophia takes my drink out of my hands. 'You should slow down on the alcohol,' she laughs. 'Don't you two get along?' Marc asks. 'I never see her, how can I know?' Gladys sighs at my answer. 'She's always with you apparently, because you are her boyfriend.' 'No, she's not?' Marc says surprised. I bite my lip as I see Gladys mentally shooting me to death.

I take Sophia's hand and go check on my sister. 'You have no social cues when you are drunk,' Juliette chuckles and gives me a coke. Gladys and Marc start an argument. Parker and Arthur listen invested. Kai and Elise are in the garden, smoking and laughing. I smile at them.

As I take a sip from my coke, Gladys appears in front of me. I take a step back in surprise, so does Sophia. 'You! You don't know everything! You just make assumptions out of nothing! You make people fight,' she hisses and points her finger in my face. I look at her scared she might stab me with that finger and drink my blood after I take my last breath in pain.

But to my surprise she sighs and takes her finger out of my face. 'But you had every right to assume. If you must know. I go to my sister's room because I am not comfortable sleeping in the same room as you. And her roommate is the one always going to her boyfriend.' 'Why?'

She looks at me, thinking. 'I snore,' Gladys silently says. 'Okay. I really don't mind, you know. I have earplugs I can wear and I am awake most of the nights.' For a moment, there seems to be forming a smile on her lips. But just for a moment. Parker turns on some music as Marc brings out some appetizers.

After a few hours the doorbell rings again. We all stop with what we are doing and look around. Some of us are counting the heads. 'Who the hell is that?' Parker asks Marc. 'Did you invite someone?' she then asks Kai, who shakes his head. 'Maybe, you know, maybe we should open the door and see who it is?' Juliette says. 'Right!' Marc says and rushes to the front door.

Before Marc can do anything, Colin walks in to the room. 'Hey guys! Thanks for inviting me,' he says full of sarcasm. They are silent, everyone is silent. Waiting for him to notice me. When he finally does, his mouth makes an O-shape with the additional sound.

'It's not because you are stupid, we can't hang out with our friend.' Everyone looks at Parker speaking up. Sophia takes my hand and gently squeezes it. 'We'll go. He's your friend too,' I say. 'No! You should stay!' Kai says and shoots Colin an unwelcoming look. 'It's fine. We have had a great time so far,' I say and put down my cup so we can leave.

A discussion starts between the band members and Juliette informs Gladys about what happened. 'Bastard,' is all she has to say. I look at Sophia, desperate to leave the situation. She just nods and grabs our coats. On our way outside, we take Juliette with us. Once out of the house, I go to the group chat with Kai, Parker and Marc.

YOU
Thank you for the amazing night.
Enjoy it with your friend :D
Happy New Year!

PARKER
What does he think barging in
here?! I had a great time too.
Happy New Year you sweet soul! <3

KAI
Enjoy your evening! Happy New
Year to you too (from Elise also)

MARC
To many plot twists happened
this evening, but it was a blast.
Happy New Year to you too,
Pumpkin x

PARKER
I love drunk, sweet Marc <3

YOU
Me too :D

Once home, we check twice to be sure our mother isn't home. 'How about I make some frozen pizza? And whip up some ice cream?' Juliette asks. I nod. 'Sounds great!' Sophia says. 'Great!' Juliette goes to the kitchen as Sophia and I go to the living room.

We take a seat on the couch and Sophia turns on the TV. I lay my head on her shoulder. 'I can't believe Gladys is Marc's secret girlfriend.' Sophia looks at me and smiles. 'I can't believe you are my girlfriend,' she chuckles. 'Oh really? Do you need some proof?' I laugh. 'Sure,' she laughs.

I lean forward and kiss her. Sophia smiles against my lips and deepens the kiss. An awkward cough breaks us apart. 'I am sorry to interrupt. But what do you want to drink?' Juliette asks with a little smile. 'A coke is fine, thank you,' Sophia says. 'Same,' I say. Juliette nods and goes back to the kitchen.

'She has become nice,' Sophia whispers. 'Yes, my mother's claws are removed from under her skin,' I say. Sophia gives me a frowned expression but then smiles before she kisses my cheek. The countdown starts on the TV and I yell: 'Juliette! Viens ici!' Juliette hurries in to the living room as we start counting.

'Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!' Juliette gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek before she thanks me and goes back to the pizza. I hug Sophia and kiss her cheek. 'Happy New Year,' she whispers in my ear. I smile. 'Happy New Year.'

The translations in order:

'Juliette! Come here!'

Wordcount: 1954