Second One-Shot. Ib and Garry go to a new year's, midnight fireworks display together! I switched up the ages a bit so Ib would be seventeen and Garry would be nineteen. Since, realistically, an eight to eleven year age difference is a whole lot. If the ages are closer, what do you think can happen? Enjoy the story!

Fireworks & Festivities

Ib looked walked up the road and through the crowds of people enjoying the activates and the little stalls. Despite it being so dark at night, the whole scene was lit by the beautiful glowing lanterns and lights that littered the street. Walking beside her was someone special to her, and this being just the second time they've actually gone anywhere together, she was very nervous.

Garry was his name. He was two years older than her and they had met through some very strange, frightful and unexpected circumstances involving a traumatising visit to an art gallery. After meeting Garry again a week ago after four years, the whole scene was certainly unexpected to Ib.

"So Ib, what do you want to try first? There's way too much stuff to do here." Garry asked, looking around at the stalls.

"I was going to let you choose, but I guess we could get something warm to drink. Its so cold at night."

"Agreed. Oh, there's hot chocolate stand just there. I'll pay for yours." He said, giving a smile.

After walking over and getting two cups of steaming hot chocolate, Ib gave a sip and became instantly relaxed from her rigidness from being nervous.. "Wow, I don't think I've had ever had this before. It seems chocolate is nice in a hot, liquid form."

Garry laughed but then had a startled look on his face, "Wait, you've never tried hot chocolate?! I have it all the time in the winter. Usually with marshmallows though."

"Your such a kid, Garry. A lot of people your age would settle for some coffee."

"Coffee sucks. It tastes nasty."

"Agreed." Ib said, imitating his voice and making him chuckle softly.

"We're pretty much done at the chocolate stand. What do you want to do next?"

"I've picked once, now it's your turn."

"Okay, how about...that." Garry said, pointing at a ball toss stand. "You think you can do it?" Ib laughed at the thought of herself playing such a game. She has played a few little carnival games before, but ball toss wasn't exactly something she was great at.

"I'd fail epically if I had a go. Do you think you will be able to try?"

"Sure, let's go win something." Garry said happily, walking Ib over to the stall and the chubby man by the counter passed Garry a ball.

"All you gotta do is throw it as accurately as you can at the moving cartoon things. The number of points is written on them. You only have one ball, son. Give your best shot!" He cheered. Garry examined the cardboard figures passing each other at the end of the wall. The best prize was the red rabbit figure, the second was the blue bird. Since the red rabbit was clearly rigged to make you lose, Garry threw the ball at the blue bird's head. "Congratulations, kid, you won a stuffed creature!" The chubby man said giddily, handing over a animal plush that was a mix between a panda and a duck.

"It can be your to keep Ib. Consider it a strange gift." Garry said, handing the small, hand sized toy to the brown haired girl.

"Thanks Garry." She smiled.

The two began walking again, mindlessly, until Ib had a feeling Garry knew where he was going. She followed him as he wandered through the maze of a festival and they reached the door to building with bright lights glaring from the windows. A banner was hung across it indicating that it was part of the festivities. From what Ib could see, it was a public new year's party. "Are we going to go in?" Ib asked, hiding her uncertainty.

"No, but we are going to pass through. I wanna show you something. Besides, I didn't think you were a party person, right?"

"You guessed correctly. So what do you want to show me?" She said, feeling relieved that she and Garry thought the same.

"It's a surprise. And it wouldn't be one if I told you now."

"I guess so. I can't wait to see what it is though."

"I'm sure you'll love it." He said sincerely. Somehow being around Garry made Ib feel more like herself. It looks like when you spend time together with someone, in a deadly, creepy art gallery full of murderous paintings, you get to feel close to them.

Ib took a deep breath and Garry led her through the dense crowd. Her eyes were muffled by the beating music and she couldn't wait for it to be over. Then finally, she stumbled out of the mass of people into a little empty corner, where Garry opened the door. There was nothing but a fleet of rusty metal stairs which the two walked up. Ib could only hear the dimmed music from the party and the loud clanking of metal as the two walked up the spiralling steps.

But once they'd reached the door and opened it, Ib was greeted by gust of light wind and a clear view of the town. It wasn't too high up, but you could see the whole of the large park where people were setting up the fireworks. "Oh, I get it." Ib said, after fitting the pieces together.

"Exactly. When I was a kid, my brothers and sisters would come up here and play around. It's got a nice view of the park, so it's the best spot to watch the fireworks."

"I love it. It's so peaceful."

"That's why I come here a lot. Especially on the days like today."

"Thanks for showing me your little hideout." Ib said, and the two laughed.

Much time hadn't passed until they could hear the crowds below giving a countdown as the first moment of the new year came. The first firework was lit, and off they went. The whole sky's darkness was lifted by light of the coloured sparks. "Oh wow...Fireworks are brilliant, aren't they..." Ib said her eyes fixed on the bursting colours. But Garry's eyes were fixed on something else that he thought was much more beautiful.

He was looking at Ib.

It didn't take long for her to realise this, and she turned her head to face him. Suddenly looking through Garry's eyes so closely, Ib was no longer mesmerised by the fireworks either.

The two felt themselves drawing closer to each other, with nothing stopping them. Until they were so close that the sight of the fireworks was only light. The screaming of the crowds were only cheers. Everything seemed to smoothen away.

And their lips met for a kiss.

Well that was nice. I'm not good at describing very 'romantic' scenes and I hate using overly descriptive words. It makes it too cheesy when people write "and they shared a passionate kiss and were transported to what seemed like paradise" and stuff. It just... not my style.

Enough blabbering, I hope you enjoyed the story, I know I had fun writing it though I was thinking it was a little short. It doesn't matter I guess. I know its not new year's now, but it's a nice idea to have a first kiss by fireworks at midnight. I hope I'm not the only one who thinks so.