A/N: I hadn't planned on updating today but the kind reviews encouraged me to. I'm so glad you like this. I have to say that I'm really enjoying writing it. Let me know your thoughts. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Are you sure you don't want to have Christmas dinner with us?" Eleven year old Alex almost pleaded with her best friend.

Olivia smiled "I'd love to but my Grandma is coming to our apartment for Christmas. We never have Christmas there it's always at Grandma's." Olivia was excited about Christmas this year. It seemed like Serena had been doing better lately and not drinking as much. Usually they had a tree but that was the extent of it. Her Grandmother lived a few blocks away and always had a tree and decorations with a big dinner for the three of them. Olivia loved the idea of Christmas dinner in the Cabot home but she would give anything to have a nice, normal Christmas in her own apartment.

"It's okay. Do you think your Mom would let you come over on Saturday so we can exchange gifts?"

"She's doing a lecture on Saturday but I know my Grandma will bring me."

"I'll see you Saturday then." Alex said as she hung up the phone. She was glad that Olivia was excited about Christmas. Alex loved Christmas and she always hated the idea of anyone spending the day alone. While she wanted her best friend spending the day with her, if Olivia was excited about spending the day with her Mom and Grandma then Alex was excited for her as well.

A couple days after Christmas Olivia was sitting alone in her apartment, bored. She wanted to go hang out with Alex or even go to her Grandma's but Serena was out and she wasn't allowed to leave when she was home alone. She decided on the next best thing and called Alex. She talked for a few minutes to Mrs. Cabot, Alex's mother was always so kind to her and she wished she knew what it felt like to have a mother like that all the time.

"Hey!" Alex said as she picked up.

"Hi." Olivia replied. "So how's your vacation going?"

"My cousin Eric is here visiting. Ugh he's such a jerk."

Olivia chuckled but at the same time was sad. She wished she knew how it felt to have relatives visit, even ones who were annoying. "Why's he a jerk?"

"He thinks he owns everything. I'm surprised my Mom even let me on the phone."

"Why's that?"

"Because we got in an argument and he called me a stupid girl so I knocked him down and punched him." She knew she shouldn't be fighting but at the same time she was a little proud of herself.

Olivia began laughing "You showed him, huh?"

They talked for a while but Alex had a question before hanging up "My Mom and Dad are throwing a big party on New Year's Eve. I was wondering if you would want to spend the night with me. I'll be the only kid so I'll end up spending the evening in my room. If you can't or want to spend it with your Mom or Grandma its okay."

Olivia knew what New Year's Eve meant. It meant Serena would be out most of the night and would spend most of the next day in the bathroom or in bed. Olivia had learned after nights like that it was best to steer clear of her mother. "I'd love to. I know my Mom won't be home."

Alex could hear the sadness in her friend's voice and it always made her chest hurt. She had often asked Olivia about her Mom and home but Olivia would never give her an answer. Alex had decided that she wouldn't ask anymore and when Olivia was ready to tell her she would.

Olivia gasped when she walked into the Cabot home, she had never seen a party like the party that was about to get underway. "Your home looks so nice Mrs. Cabot." Olivia said as she looked at all the decorations in awe.

The older woman chuckled "Olivia how many times do I have to tell you to call me Laura? Mrs. Cabot is my mother in law," she leaned down to whisper "And she's just not that nice." Olivia laughed. She placed a hand on both girls shoulder and looked at them "The pizza arrived a few minutes ago and it's in the kitchen. I also asked the caterer to set aside some desserts for you two as well." she looked to her daughter "I know Alex won't want to come down because she hates these things but if you want to come downstairs for any reason you are allowed to. Okay? If you need anything just let me know."

After getting settled they ran downstairs to get their snacks and headed back up. They were excited because Alex had received a tv for her bedroom for Christmas. It was small but it didn't matter to either girl. "So what are we gonna watch?" Alex asked as she took a bite of her pizza.

"I always like watching Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve." Olivia said as she began eating.

Alex flipped through the channels "Ooh The Facts of Life is on! Can we watch that first?"

After they finished their pizza Alex wanted to go downstairs for dessert. Olivia wanted to see what was going on at the party and finally convinced Alex to sneak in. She watched the adults as they talked and mingled. Everyone dressed up and seeming to have a good time.

"See, it's so boring." Alex said after they had been introduced to a few of the Cabot's friends.

"It looks like fun to me." She was enjoying herself until a friend of Mrs. Cabot leaned in to tell her how pretty she was. The clinking of ice in her glass and the smell of vodka instantly made her think about her mother. She continued to smile but Alex can tell the difference.

Once back upstairs Alex turns to her friend. "Did Mrs. Howard do something to upset you?" Olivia shook her head no. "Okay, you just looked upset that's all."

Olivia sighed "Alex my Mom drinks a lot. She drinks vodka and I could smell it in her glass. It made me think of my Mom."

Alex slid closer "Is that why you don't like being at home?" Olivia nodded. "Well you're my best friend and you can stay here anytime you want."

Once Dick Clark's show came on both girls were instantly in good moods. They spent the evening dancing around the room to the performers on the screen. They sat down on the bed for a moment to rest as the clock neared midnight. "Did you know you're supposed to kiss someone at midnight on New Year's Eve?" Alex asked out of the blue.

Olivia gave her a funny look "No. Why?"

"I don't know. I just heard them talking about it on tv show. They said that if you kiss someone at midnight it means you'll be together all year long."

"Oh." Olivia waited a few minutes "Have you ever kissed anybody? I mean besides your Mom or Dad?"

Alex shook her head "No, I'm only eleven. Have you?"

Olivia laughed "No, I'm only eleven." She answered in the same tone Alex had used.

As the ball was about to drop they were sitting on the end of Alex's bed ready to countdown. Alex turned to face the brunette "We should kiss."

"What?"

Alex nodded "Yeah I mean if it's what we're supposed to do."

"Okay." The sat there silently for a moment "How do we do it?"

"Like they do in the movies, on the lips."

They counted down along with the rest of the city and could hear the noise from downstairs and the fireworks going off in the distance. "Ready?" Alex asked. Olivia nodded. They took a deep breath and pressed their lips together. When they pulled back they stared at each other.

"Was something supposed to happen?" Olivia asked.

Alex shrugged "I don't guess so. It just means that me and you will be together all year. We'll always be best friends."

They watched the rest of the program before finally climbing into bed at almost one. They lay there silently in the dark for a bit. "So we'll always be best friends now, right?" Olivia asked.

"Yep. We'll always be best friends."

Olivia smiled as she drifted off. No matter how bad things were with her Mom it made her happy to know that she would always have Alex.