Chapter 1: In 10 Seconds
The lights were bright as thousands of chandeliers illuminated the area. Hundreds of people were all waiting for the same thing. And in a matter of minutes, everyone would have what they wanted.
The garden was romantically illuminated with red candles. From the trees hung golden lanterns which flickered as the wind acknowledged them. Flowers blooming with pride surrounded the huge area. Reds, whites, blues, purples, oranges, pinks. Daffodils, pansies, lilies, and roses. Ah roses! They were after all the most romantic of the lot.
A few steps away from a fir tree that projected a careful mix of reds, yellows and oranges, was a waterfall. The cascading water made music like none other. Waiters walked around carrying beautifully decorated appetizers. Wine glasses were filled to the brim. And every time a ray of light from one of the lanterns hit a champagne glass, it seemed to sparkle with excitement.
Hundreds of people all dressed to impress gathered as the minutes grew closer. A lady wearing a shiny blue hat and a silver cocktail dress teetered by, trying to maintain her balance as her high heels clucked with her every stride. A tall, blond man wearing a black Armani tuxedo with a red handkerchief sticking out of his pocket, loosened the knot of his silver tie and tipsily ran after a waiter to get another glass of wine. Laughter radiated through the air. Happiness seemed almost tangible. And then sounds of premature fireworks were occasionally heard. Boom! Bham! And everyone continued to laugh in unison.
Standing alone in the middle of the crowd was an Italian woman. She was wearing a yellow cocktail dress that flattered her figure and complemented her tanned skin. She had crimson lipstick evenly spread across her lips. Not the kind old women usually have stuck on their teeth but the crisp kind of crimson that made heads turn. Her honey-blond hair was in a neat French twist with a few strands strategically gracing her face. Her eyes were an innocent hazel which perfectly complemented the smoky blues and greys of her eye shadow. She was a real-life picture of beauty. But she was alone. She looked frazzled and lost in the crowd. And if it was possible, those very eyes that sparked beauty, radiated a sense of helplessness.
The band on stage began the countdown. 10…9….8….
And the girl continued to shove past people in the crowd, trying desperately to get out.
7…6….5…
She wondered why she had come in the first place. Why did she want to be alone amidst all these people. You know the feeling of being surrounded by thousands of people but still feel alone? She felt it. And as reality began to seep through, slowing trickling any traces of make believe, of fantasy, her heart began to break. She was alone and in a matter of seconds, she would have all these people reminding her that she was.
4…3…
She tried to push through the giddy crowd. This time more frantically. All these people were here for a reason. And in a matter of minutes, everyone would have what they wanted.
2….1….
Someone grabbed her causing her to lose her balance. And kissed her. And they continued to kiss even after everyone else.
"Happy new year!", shouted someone from the crowd, trying to get the confetti out of his gelled hair.
And as the clock struck twelve, everyone had what they wanted. A brand new start.
