| December 31 | Monday |

~ Sam's POV ~

New Year's Eve.

It used to be one of my least favorite holidays. Not for any particular reason, but just because it was a day where we literally celebrated the continuation of time. That's it. That's all it used to be to me.

But ever since Megan and I had shared our first kiss on that day, that had changed.

Except this year would be celebrated differently.

Usually, Shawn threw his annual end-of-the-year bash back in Baldwin at his apartment complex. This year, since Shawn was moving to Florida in a few days, that wasn't going to happen.

Instead, everyone was coming to Jinx 2 to celebrate, because yours truly now managed one of the most popular bars in town.

And missing a New Year's Eve party at Jinx was not an option.

"You know, I usually don't say this... but I'm excited for tonight!" Megan said from the couch.

"You're coming?"

"Well, yeah?"

I playfully snapped my fingers. "Damn."

Megan stood from where she was sitting and sauntered over to me. She knew I was joking. And it's not like I wouldn't love for her to be there tonight since I had to be.

I watched her stop in front of me before straddling my lap on the couch. Suddenly, my body was on fire.

"Would me showing up ruin your plans?" she teased.

I swallowed. "It definitely would not ruin my plans."

In one smooth motion, Megan guided my hands to the curve of her waist as she leaned into me. If she didn't stop, the only plans I would have for tonight would involve staying in with her.

Then her lips grazed my ear. "Good."

I shivered under her before pulling back. Her eyes were already locked on my lips, which gave me the answer I was looking for.

I pulled her face into mine and wondered how I had gotten so lucky. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd find someone as great as Megan, but here I was.

Then before I could take this interaction any further, she stood.

"Babe," I whined.

"What?" Megan smirked. "You have to get ready for work."

I stood. "I can get ready in like, ten minutes."

"You have to be there in thirty."

I glanced at the clock and realized she was right, but that still wasn't going to stop me.

I grabbed her hips. "We can be fast."

She pecked my nose. "Go brush your hair, Samantha."

I rolled my eyes in protest, but decided not to fight. In the end, she was right, and I did need to go soon. But I had tonight to look forward to, because Shawn and Casey were coming, along with Blair and Tony. It was bound to be a great night, and I couldn't wait.

After throwing on my work clothes and readying myself for a night at Jinx, I left quickly.

Jinx wouldn't be opening its doors till eight, which is why I had to be there by six. An exceptional live band would be playing from eight to ten, and then a DJ would finish the night out. It was going to be wildly busy, but I just had to make sure things went smoothly.

Which, ironically, I was getting good at.

I walked into Jinx, seeing Jas already behind the bar with Quinton. Sara apparently wasn't here yet.

"I am so ready for tonight," Quinton exclaimed. "We're gonna make so much money."

"It's definitely gonna get crazy," Jas answered.

I joined my friends behind the bar and helped them finish the task of stocking up.

"Should we hang the confetti balloons?" I wondered.

"Yes." Jas nodded. "I'll help you."

We headed to the dry storage where the balloons we had ordered we sitting, along with the net that would hold them on the ceiling. Danna was a pro party-thrower, and she was really extra. The balloons were obviously her idea.

"This is gonna be a real bitch to clean up," Jas said.

"Yeah, but the people will love it."

I grabbed the ladder and propped it up on one side of the bar, readying to hang the net that would hold the balloons. Jas held it sturdy while I worked.

"How's Megan?" Jas asked. "Does she have much longer in school?"

"She's great," I answered. "And no. I think she's planning on only having one more semester."

"I thought she wanted her doctorate?"

I hesitated to answer. I knew Jas was only asking because ever since she had kissed me, the tension had been evident. She was just trying to get back to where we had been before.

"I think she's having a change of career," I finished as I climbed down the ladder. "Let's put the other side by the DJ booth."

"Okay."

We continued setting up the net, and then loading the balloons into it, careful not to pop any of them. At midnight, it would be the DJ's responsibility to pull the tie and release the balloons, since they would also be the one to start the countdown to the new year. It was only right.

We finished in about fifteen minutes, and then dedicated our remaining free time to making sure we had enough change for the door and so forth. I was just ready for my friends to be here.

Eventually the band showed and Max, our sound guy, was on top of it all while people filed inside. Jas was manning the door, which I was grateful for because it was cold.

And then my friends got here.

"Shawn," I greeted with a tight hug. Then I turned to his girlfriend. "Casey, I'm so glad you could come up."

"I am too," she agreed.

Megan joined my side. "This place looks great."

"I know, right?" I beamed. "Do you want a drink?"

Everyone agreed simultaneously that drinks would be great, which led them to the bar. I was happy to see everyone in one place on a day that had recently become very special to me.

"So, you're moving in a few days," I said to Shawn. "Are you nervous?"

"No," he replied. "I'm excited."

I smiled half-heartedly.

Although I was happy for my brother, him living hundreds of miles away made something sad stir deep inside.

Megan nudged his shoulder. "Well we're gonna miss you."

"Yeah," I agreed. "It won't be the same here."

Shawn gave me a sad smile. "I'll fly in for holidays, and you all now have an excuse to come and visit. We can rent a beach house come summer and make it a vacation."

"Now that sounds like a plan," Blair agreed.

Megan raised her glass. "To Shawn and a new year. May we all find success in the paths we choose to follow."

Everyone looked at Megan with a confused but impressed look. Including myself.

"What? I get sentimental sometimes."

Then she sipped her drink.

Everyone joined her in the toast and the party got started soon after. The band was lighting up the crowd like never before, and the atmosphere was pulsing.

It was so easy to take for granted all the good that had happened over the past year, but now I was taking it all in with a smile.

I had thrived this year. My relationship was steady, I had a job I absolutely loved, my family was healthy and I even adopted a dog. I made new friends and overcame struggles of a new kind. I was stronger. I was better.

And I couldn't wait to see where the new year took me and Megan.

"Babe!" Megan called. "It's almost midnight!"

Her hand slipped into mine as she pulled me into the dancing crowd. The band was now gone, and the DJ was doing a fantastic job at hyping everyone up with the release of the confetti balloons.

Megan threw her arms around my shoulders and pulled me close. Our noses touched and time itself seemed to stop. There was nowhere I'd rather be than with her in a moment like this.

"Another year down," she whispered. "You're not getting bored with me yet?"

I smirked. "I'm afraid I'll never get bored with you in my life."

Her cheeks reddened. "I sure hope not."

"We're in it for the long-haul, remember?"

She flashed her left hand that held the promise ring I had given her for her birthday. "I remember."

My heart throbbed at the sight.

"I love you, Megan Adams," I whispered.

"I love you, Sam Carson."

I could faintly hear the screaming of the countdown, but all I could really focus on was my girlfriend in front of me. Everything was secondary when it came to her. I was sure it would always be that way from now on.

And I was completely okay with that.

That' when the balloons were released, confetti spraying in every direction. I watched them trickle down over Megan and settle in her dark brown hair. She was watching the confetti fall with a smile, but I was watching her. How could I love her any more than I do now?

But I knew I would. One day, I was going to fall in love with her even more, and there was nothing I could do about it. There was nothing I wanted to do about it.

I just wanted it to happen.

Then she looked at me with a smile. Her hands gently cupped my face as she brought me into her. I was aflame at her touch, just like always, and reveled in the feeling of love.

I was never going to let anything rip us apart.

But when I pulled back, a pair of eyes behind Megan were locked on me. My skin ran cold at the sight, knowing they weren't supposed to be here.

They weren't supposed to see Megan and I. Not now.

Yet, as I stared at Emma's wide, brown eyes, I became a deer in the headlights.

Everything kind of happened in slow motion after that.

Emma studied the situation for a second, but when we both came to terms with the situation, she turned to leave.

"Emma," I called, but she stalked towards the door.

I shoved bodies out of my way while I trailed her, desperately needing to know what was going on in her head. How had she gotten in here? Was she going to tell people? And what was she going to tell them?

"Emma, wait!"

It wasn't until we were outside the bar that I was able to grab her. She spun around with a dazed look on her face. My heart was nearly pounding out of my sternum.

"Emma, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I-I was with a friend... you and Miss Adams?" she stammered.

The cold air whipped around us, but I was shivering from fear. If I said one wrong thing, it would expose us. It would expose the truth. And the last thing I wanted was for people to know me and Megan's relationship started way before we moved to Columbia.

"Yes," I confessed. "We're together. But it's..."

"Did you give her that ring?"

It was like my words were failing me over and over again. I had no idea what to say. Why would Megan wear a ring if I hadn't given it to her? Considering I was the person she was kissing on New Years? God, I just needed to know what to say right now.

"Emma, look..." I started.

"Were you and Miss Adams... a thing?" she asked. "Did this start when we were in high school?"

"No," I lied. "Nothing was going on between me and Miss Adams – Megan – while we were still at Baldwin."

Emma studied me, and I mean really studied me. I should try to convince her more, but I was afraid the more I talked the more I would give away. Plus, I had no idea what to say.

"You're lying." Emma watched me with a shocked expression. "Oh my God, you're lying! This started when you were her student!"

I grabbed her shoulders. "Emma, listen. Please stop yelling. This is not what you're thinking-"

"That's why she always stuck up for you with Shay, why she tutored you, why that rumor started going around school..." She pulled away from me. "It was true."

"It's not like that," I continued. "We were never together while I was her student."

"Sam?" I heard behind me.

I turned to see Jas looking at me and Emma curiously.

"I need your help," she said.

"I-I'm coming..." I turned to Emma. "Please, just... let me explain."

Emma shook her head. "I gotta go."

"Emma-"

But she left in a hurry. My heart was nearly beating out of my chest, but this was now out of my hands. There was nothing I could do about any of it.

And I had a feeling nothing would be the same from now on.

END OF SEASON 1

***A/N***

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed the first season of Everyday Adventures... but don't worry. There's more.

A new season is in the works, filled with more drama now that Emma knows the truth about Sam and Megan. So, stick around if you want to see what their future entails!

And thank you for being patient with me. I greatly appreciate the constant support.

Much love,

Lauryn