Here's another Time Skip Chapter, Chandler and Linka are 16, and it's New Year's Eve! Enjoy and I hope you have a great new year! Thanks for reading this story, I'm glad it's being enjoyed.
On New Year's Eve Day, Chandler wasn't a fan of the day, years changing just made him feel like he was just going to have to repeat the same motions of life just to remember a different year. The sixteen-year-old started his car and drove to the mall for his mother, a quick errand. It was 10:15 in the morning. It was cold, the sky was gray, the boy had to figure out a parking spot.
"Christmas is over, why are there so many people parking today?" he angrily asked.
Finally, a woman moved out of a parking spot and it fit his SUV. He waited in line, his phone beeped, it was text.
"Do you want to hang out?", the text was from Linka.
That was enough to turn that scowl he had into a smile.
"Yeah, sure," he texted.
"Cool, how about at 2?"
"Alright, I hope I can make it, where am I going?"
"Come by my house."
"Ok."
He finally had something to look forward to doing; he just hoped he wouldn't be in-line until two. He passed the time, by looking at his phone, he didn't have any social media things, they weren't his thing, he just focused on this place where he and friends would chat. They were talking about New Year's stuff they were doing. Hanging out with Linka, langered in his mind, it was the only thing that made him look forward to the day.
The time he waited was long but not long enough; he was back home by 12:30. He laid back in the recliner in the family room. His mother saw him and that scowl in his face, she was used to it, her boy had been a moody teenager for awhile now.
"Thank you for doing that for me," she said.
"Sure, you're welcome, Mom," he said.
"Are you doing anything for New Year's Eve?" she asked.
"Ugh, I'd rather just go to bed and sleep, there's no big difference," he said.
"Your dad and I are going out tonight, you'll be home alone, if you stay," she replied.
"Oh, have fun; I'm going to see Linka in about an hour," he said.
"That's nice, you two should have fun."
The woman handed her son some money and walked off to continue her day. He turned the TV and tuned through the channels, there was nothing to interest him. So, he just watched reruns of "The Golden Girls" . It was at least something funny to watch. Then after a couple episodes, he realized the time was 1:45 and jumped up to get ready and go.
"You're late," the white-haired girl said.
She was right, it was 2:20. She was wearing orange leggings with a blue skirt, and orange sweatshirt. She was scowling at the boy who was standing there looking like he ran there, not drove.
"I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me," he said.
She couldn't play angry for that long and started to laugh. He was relieved and she invited him.
"Where's everyone?" Chandler asked.
"Everyone's out, my brothers all had something they wanted to do, and not include me," Linka said.
"Did you want to go with them?" he asked.
"Nah, but it would have been nice to be asked," she answered.
Chandler rubbed the back of his head, he alone with his girl in her house. What was she planning? Also, his stomach was starting to hurt.
"Hey did you eat?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"I'm hungry, do you want to go out and get something to eat?"
"Sure," she said.
It never mattered how many times he had seen her smile, it always made him feel happy inside. She, for whatever reason, never had those chipped teeth in front fixed, but that didn't matter either, he thought she looked cute with them.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Realizing he was standing there looking like an idiot, he shook himself out of it.
"I'm always impressed that you can do that, just tune out into your thoughts like that, it's kind of cool," she said.
"Huh? Uh, I'm fine," he said.
Linka put her coat and shoes on and followed Chandler to his SUV. Linka was impressed that Chandler had his own car, she had to use the family van, the family only had one car. Good thing her brother, Lynn, had gotten his own car for going to college.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"How about Burpin' Burger, haven't been there in a while," she said.
"Let's go then," he said.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
He had opened the driver's door and looked straight at her.
"Do you want to drive it?" he asked.
"M..Me?"
"Yeah, sure, why not?"
"I...I… you really want me to?"
The red head looked around for a second, then back at her. She was looking flustered. He didn't mean to make her look like that
"I mean, when you drive, it's usually that old beaten up van, I thought you might to drive something different, for once," he said, a big smile on his face.
"You really trust me?" she asked.
"You're my girlfriend, why not?" he replied.
She quickly got out of the vehicle and ran over to the other side. Chandler got in the passenger seat. At first, she was nervous, as she put her seat belt on, she kept looking at Chandler.
"You can adjust the seat, you know," he replied.
She started the car, it was funny to her, it just started no backfire, no unnecessary steps; Just started right up. Then she backed up and drove, she felt better now, Chandler was a ease, he was looking at the cars passing them on the busy streets. Finally, they made it to the Burpin' Burger, using the drive through, and they ate in the car.
"A car date, this is kind of nice," she said.
"This is a date?" Chandler asked mumbling through his food.
Linka couldn't help but giggle.
"So, what do you want to do? It's New Year's Eve," She questioned.
"I'm going to be honest with you, Linka, I really don't get New Year's Eve," he said.
"Don't like years changing," she said as she poked him on the nose.
"I mean, I don't get it, it's just a change of year, I look back at how miserable I was before and what misery I have to look forward to."
"You sound like my brother."
Good thing Chandler knew what brother she meant. He took a fry and dipped into the ketchup and ate it.
"If you want to do something, I won't drag your day down, and do it with a smile," he said.
"Nah, there was a New Year party, but something stupid ends up happening at those," she said.
"The one at Peter's place?" he asked.
"Yeah, you heard about it too."
"Lance said he was going."
"Oh, I see, yeah, some of my friends are going too."
"Did you want to go?"
The girl took a sip of her soda through the straw and responded by shaking her head.
"I hope that's because of me," he said.
"No, It's kind of awkward around Peter."
"Because he asked you out a few weeks back?"
"Yeah, he's sweet, and I felt bad for saying no; I hope you don't get the wrong idea."
"Nah, you care about how others feel, that's another thing I love about you," he said.
"Oh there's other things?" she asked, poking his nose with a ketchup covered french fry.
He bit it.
"Hey!" she yelled.
"I thought you were feeding me," he said.
"Idiot," she joked.
"Here you go, I'll feed you," he said.
They wanted to visit Gus' Games and Grub, but the place was packed like it was a going out of business sale or something. The couple knew they didn't have a chance to play any of the machines with that crowd, so Linka drove them back to her house.
"Mom, you don't mind if Chandler stays over for awhile, do you?" Linka asked on the phone.
Chandler stood there waiting.
"Mom, you know that's not going to happen," she said.
After some more back and forth, Chandler was allowed to stay awhile.
"I'll leave after midnight, when we say New Year, and junk," Chandler said to Linka.
"Your parents won't be home all night right?" Linka asked.
"No, they're going to some hotel party then staying there in a room, they are probably there until tomorrow afternoon," he explained.
"I'm surprised you don't have a brother or sister," Linka said.
"So, what were you asking?" Chandler questioned, trying to make sure no image of his parents having fun would be in his head.
"You could stay here, crash in one of the spare rooms," she said.
After that was settled, they decided to watch some stuff on TV. Chandler did like that Linka wasn't interested in that gooey romance stuff. She did like "The Love Ship" though, but that was it. They ended up watching some weird movie from the 1980's. Then the door opened, startling the two , it was Linka's 11-year-old brother, Leif.
"Leif what are you doing here?" Linka asked.
"I live here," he said, "And it's 5 O'clock," Leif said.
"Oh, I lost track of time."
"Hey Leif, how's it going?" Chandler asked.
The two boys had their own handshake, they had become good friends over the years that Chandler had been hanging around Linka.
"I'm good, tell me when that car of yours needs to be oil changed, alright?" he said.
"I will," Chandler said.
"Where's Lexx?" Linka asked.
"He's spending the night at Landon Sweetwater's house," Leif replied, as he threw his coat and stuff on the floor.
"Oh, everyone seems to have plans," Linka replied.
"Not me and Levi probably should be coming home soon," Leif replied, "Wait, are Mom and Dad not coming back?"
"No, they are doing that party at the restaurant until at least one in the morning."
"So, It's just going to be us and Levi, can we order a pizza?"
A few minutes, later Levi came into the house. The nine-year-old boy took off his boots at the door and removed his winter outerwear, his shaggy brown hair flopping down in place over his years, after removing the hat.
"Salutations, dear sister, and her boyfriend," he said.
"Hey Levi," Chandler said.
"We're going to order a pizza, get your toppings in quick," Linka said.
The couch had become crowded with the four of them there. Linka was on far left, Chandler next to her, Leif next to Chandler and Levi next to Leif. They had made an agreement to let each person pick something to watch, it was Levi's turn. He had surprisingly picked a movie that had action and wasn't some science documentary. It was nine o'clock.
"Someone has to keep alert, for Midnight," Linka said.
"Don't worry, I have an alarm set," Levi said.
"Does it work?" she asked.
"Yes, that's that Loud noise you heard a few times," Levi responded.
"Ugh," Linka muttered.
Chandler and Linka managed to be the only ones still awake by 11:50. Levi had fallen asleep and was lying behind Leif sleeping, his head was on Chandler's lap. Their older sister chuckled.
"They are like if we had kids," she said.
"What?" Chandler asked.
"You should have seen your face," she joked.
"Uh yeah, uh…" Chandler said nervously.
She got up and grabbed Levi's arm, pushed down his shirt sleeve, and found his watch. She pressed a couple buttons and sighed.
"There that alarm won't start," she said, "We have eight minutes."
"I guess we should wake them," Chandler replied.
"I'm going to get the sparkling grape juice."
Chandler carefully moved Leif's head from under his legs and started to push lightly to wake him up. Leif yawned and accidently kicked Levi in his shin, causing the boy to wake up.
"It's almost the new year," Chandler said.
Linka came back with the sparkling grape juice and some glasses.
"Alright, Loud family tradition, make a wish for the new year, and take a drink," she said.
"Make a wish?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah, you know, like a birthday cake," Leif said.
"Strange superstitions, yet I take part in it anyway," Levi said.
"Alright," Chandler said.
The boy thought for a moment and wondered what he wanted to wish for a year. Eventually, he thought up something and made a wish.
"10...9...8...7….6...5...4…3…2...1"... Happy New Year!" the voice on the TV said.
"Happy New Year!" the quad cheered.
Linka leaned over and kissed Chandler on the lips, taking him by surprise. Levi looked around and kissed Leif on the cheek.
"Levi!"
"Well she was busy, and tradition states," Levi said.
Leif rolled his eyes and patted his brother on his back.
"Happy New Year, Linka," Chandler said.
"Hope you wished for something good," she said.
"I hope it comes true," he said.
Only realizing the two brothers were staring at them.
"Uhhh, Happy New year?" Linka said.
"Ewww," Leif said.
"Well I think I will be going to bed, I need sleep," Levi said.
"Me too, good night guys," Leif said.
"Good Night," Linka said.
It was quiet, except for the TV, Chandler looked over at Linka, bent over and kissed her on the lips.