"It may take only a minute to like someone,
Only an hour to have a crush on someone,
And only a day to love someone,
But it will take a lifetime to forget someone."
"Alright people one hour till the new year, so cuddle up with that special someone." The DJ says in the microphone to all the guests.
From up above, Renji looks down at the couples as the kiss and romance around his backyard from the balcony. The echoes of the celebration from down below begin to ring throughout the house causing his head to ache. He walks back into his room and sits down and takes another sip from his drink as he looks down at the phone with bloodshot eyes. He sees an old picture of him and Byakuya from three months ago.
'That should be us down there. You should be here right now." his fingers grip at the phone tightly as he slowly began to dial the number. He was about to hit call when he heard a knock on his bedroom door.
"What is it?" Renji asks and the door opens to his friend, Ichigo, with his boyfriend Grimmjow.
"Come on Renji you'll miss out on all the fun." Ichigo smile as Grimmjow kissed his neck.
"Yeah, no time for sulking in a dark room." Grimmjow said earning himself a hit to the chest from Ichigo, "Ow, what!"
Renji slips the phone down onto table, a small smile appeared on his face as he shook his head, "No you go on ahead, I'm going to call it a night."
"You're sure I mean we're not doing anything special." Ichigo pulled away from Grimmjow to look down at Renji.
"Ich, what about us?" Grimmjow says talking through his street.
"Grimmjow, that can wait, just give me a minute alright ."
Grimmjow sighs and walk out the door giving the two alone. They sat there beside one another as silence crept into the room.
"Renji you can't keep beating yourself up over this. I mean you didn't know that…."
Renji got up from the table and walked over towards the outdoor patio.
"Ichigo, let's not talk about this right now. I mean you have plans to get to."
"Renji are you sure you-"
"I'm positive, now please have a good time for the both of us."
Ichigo stands watching as his friend move further outside and leans on the rail.
"See you later Renji." Ichigo says and turns to walks back out to meet up with Grimmjow.
Renji looks back as he watches him leave then picks up the half bottle of liquor from earlier.
20 minutes later
As Renji was finishing his second bottle of liquor, he picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hello." A voice rang from the other end in a casual tone.
He sat in silence as the voice echoes throughout his ears.
"Hello." It repeats. "Who is this?"
"Hello Byakuya." His voice comes out dry and crack from the constant drinks in his now dull body. He hears the hesitation in Byakuya voice as he began to talk to him.
"Renji, I really shouldn't be on the phon…"
"Why cause of him!" He yells as he throws the empty bottle of jack towards the wall.
Byakuya hears the shattering of glass into the phone. "Renji, please don't do this."
"I just want to know Byakuya." Renji said, trying to calm himself. " Why did you choose him over me? You could have done better. Shit I was better, so why?" He whispers the last part as he fills the tears burn at his corners.
Sounds of crying come through the phone as Renji listens for a reply from the other.
"Byakuya, I didn't mean too. I'm just- Shit."
"Renji, I-I need to get off. I can't do this right now." Byakuya said as he tried to muffle his crying.
"Ok, but I've got something to say and I'll let you go."
The cries of Byakuya slowed as he continued to talk,
"I miss you."
" Renji i-I mi-"
"Byakuya are you ready?" A male voice sounds in the background.
"I'm sorry but I have to go." Byakuya said hurriedly and hung up.
Renji hears the sound of the end tone sound in his ears; tears escape his eyes as he hears the celebration down below welcoming in the New Year.