I know it's a little late, just something I wrote in my head over the holidays. I did have another New Year's resolution story ready to go, but I think one's enough. Maybe I'll save it for next year.

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"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"Hey, Jade."

"What?"

"It's a new year."

"Yeah."

"A whole new year."

"Uh huh."

"A whole, fresh, pristine new year, full of opportunity."

"Did you actually want something, Vega?"

"Me? No, nothing."

"Good."

"It's just I was wondering..."

"Ugh."

"I haven't even told you what it is, yet."

"I know. I'm just saving time."

"It's just I was wondering whether you'd made any resolutions."

"Resolutions? What kind of resolutions?"

"You know, the kind you make at New Year. New Year's resolutions."

"And why would I do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe there's some aspect of your life that you think needs... attention. Something you think you could improve on."

"You think there's something wrong with me?"

"What? No."

"But you think I'm deficient in some way? That I could use improvement?"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Sure sounds that way."

"All I'm saying is, this is the time of year when you can take a look at your life and fix it a little, you know? Kick some bad habits. Make a fresh start."

"I like my life just fine as it is, thanks. I don't want to fix it."

"Well, maybe more... fine tune it, then."

"Are you kidding me?"

"I'm just trying to help."

"All right then. Um… This year, I resolve to be less tolerant of people who ask me stupid questions."

"Jade..."

I resolve to be less shy about expressing my feelings. I resolve to always say what I think, no matter what. I resolve to be more assertive and care less about other people's opinions. Is that the kind of thing?"

"Yes... well, no, not really. That's more the opposite of what I had in mind."

"Ah, right. I see. You think I should be nicer to people, is that it? You think I should show more compassion, treat people as human beings, tolerate their inadequacies, accept them for who they are? You think I should try to love my fellow man, build bridges, extend the hand of friendship to the people around me and try to earn their respect instead of inspiring fear?"

"Yes, that's kind of it."

"And by 'people', you mean you."

"Well...

"Okay, fine."

"What?"

"That's my resolution. I'm going to stop being such a gank to you. I'm going to show you more consideration, more appreciation, treat you like an equal, shower you with compliments, garland you with praise at every opportunity, respect, peace, love, dignity, all that. You got it."

"What... really?"

"Really."

"Wow. I don't know what to say. That's really sweet. Thank you."

"No problem."

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"Now, shut up and go back to sleep. We've got school in the morning."

"Ahem."

"Okay, I love you, you're the most amazing girl in the world. Now will you shut up and go back to sleep?"

"You know, we really ought to tell people about us."

"That can be next year's resolution."

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Happy New Year to you all.