A/N: Rawr, I've been waiting for this chapter since I first started writing this fic! I hope you people like it too :)

Chapter 12:
Happy New Year!

Tala sighed, unlocking the door to his house. Mariah had to cancel their date last minute. It was New Year's Eve, and he didn't have a date or a party to go to. Even more depressing, he was forced to spend the holiday with his kid brother. Yes, life was sucking for Tala Valkov right about now.

When he walked in, the house was strangely quiet, except for the sounds coming from the TV.

"Hey Alexei!" he called, looking for the kid. He passed by the kitchen, and noticed the fridge door was open. Figures... "Didn't dad tell you to close the fridge door?"

As he reached out to close it, it swung back and closed itself, revealing a familiar person behind it. "Sorry, it's my fault."

The redhead almost choked. "Kitty?" Well, the evening wasn't sucking now!

"I put your brother to bed an hour ago" She smiled, holding a glass of water and taking a seat at the dining table. "What happened to your big date?"

"Ugh, she cancelled on me. More importantly, what the hell are you doing here?" He sat down at the table, facing her.

"Your dad asked me to baby sit last minute. I had no other plans, so I agreed."

"So I guess we're spending New Year's together, huh?"

"It's not the worst thing that could happen." Kitty said, taking a sip. Tala took the opportunity to look at Kitty properly. She had certainly made herself at home, kicking off her shoes and raiding the fridge. She was in a pair of jeans and a black sweater. It didn't really matter what she was wearing though. She would have stolen his attention anyway. Oh, wait. Tala realized that she was talking too.

"Hello? Tala?" She asked, poking his forehead. "Gosh, I wonder about you sometimes."

Tala shook his head, blinking several times. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Where is your dad?" Kitty repeated each syllable slowly.

"Oh, some party for the hospital he works at. He said he'd be home around one or two."

"My mom has some fancy work party too." Kitty replied. She checked the clock hanging on the wall, three hours 'till midnight. She looked across the room to Tala, who was watching her. At least she wasn't spending it alone.

------

Ms. Renee Ryouku sat at the bar, sipping her drink quietly. This party was a total bore, but then again it was a bore every year since she started working at the hospital. Sixteen years and the holiday parties could have at least had something new. The whole group was made up of doctors, nurses and surgeons just talking and drinking. A few were even dancing. There was no life to this party.

The aqua haired woman sighed, emptying the contents of her glass. To think that she left her daughter all alone at home for this! She decided one more drink and she was leaving. However, as she ordered another, a voice cut in.

"Put it on my tab."

Ms. Ryouku turned to see a rather handsome man. He was a doctor she had seen a couple of times in the hospital. She was surprised he was making a move. "Thanks." She managed to say, staring into his bright blue eyes.

Well something was finally happening. The party had finally come to life, and now that this new stranger was here, she didn't think she would be leaving anytime soon.

------

The two teens had moved from the kitchen to the living room, and were watching the widescreen TV. Kitty was lying down on the couch, resting her legs on his. Two hours left until the ball dropped over Times Square.

"So where's Kai? Did he realize he was leaving you all alone?" Tala asked cautiously, passing her the popcorn.

"I think his father dragged him to some party. It's formal, black tie kind of thing." She put some popcorn in her mouth. "He said he would have taken me, but I wouldn't have any fun."

Tala shrugged. Kitty was with him, and that was all that mattered. "Are you having fun now?"

She smiled. "Yup."

He grinned back, happy to have her around. Then he directed his attention to the TV. Some band was performing some song on some channel. Tala didn't really pay attention to the details, but just focused on his thoughts. He had what he wanted…well, sort of. Kitty was here, but Tala knew he couldn't do anything about it. He frowned. Life had a way of biting you in the ass like that.

Kitty must have noticed his mood change, because she was sitting up and looking at him curiously. "Hey, what's up?" She asked, wrapping her arms around him loosely.

"Nothing, why?" Tala lied, staring at her. "Are you just looking for a reason to hug me?"

She made a face, letting go of him immediately, "You wish. It just looked like you were sad, that's all."

"I was just thinking." He said after a moment. 'I might as well tell her.'

"Thinking about what? How your date dumped you? Or how you have to spend tonight with me?" Kitty asked, tilting her head. "Or is it how you can't find a girlfriend that will stay with you?"

Tala looked at her angrily. "No! That's not why!" 'Where did she come up with all this?' He thought.

"Oh…" Kitty said, thinking hard. "Having some girl trouble, then?"

The anger evaporated instantly. "I guess you could call it that."

"Aha! I knew it! I'm totally smart." She clapped her hands, looking very pleased with herself.

Her friend couldn't help but smirk at her naivety. At least she wasn't smart enough to find out who the girl causing the trouble was. Tala couldn't believe he was actually attracted to her, the same girl that danced every time she got something right and the same girl that tripped over anything. It was the same girl that was sitting next to him.

Once she stopped doing her little dance, things got all serious. "Look, screw Mariah, or whoever this girl is. You're a cool guy."

"Thanks, Kitty." He smiled weakly. 'Oh if she only knew…'

"If she doesn't realize that, she's not worth it." Kitty reached up and ruffled his already messy hair. "Plus, at the risk of being mushy, you're also pretty hot."

Tala laughed, returning the hug. "You really think so?"

"Course I do. You're not a jerk all the time. Besides, you're my friend." She pressed her forehead on his.

'Oh God, she said the dreaded F word.' Tala thought, rolling his eyes. 'This was gonna be more awkward than I thought.'

Kitty let go a split second later, giving him a light smack on the head. "Now get over it! It's New Year's Eve!" She scolded, and went back to eating popcorn.

Tala realized what was happening, and just how close they were. He fought hard to resist the urge to kiss her. However, Kitty was making it very hard for him not to. Stupid girl! 'This is wrong on so many levels...'

Fortunately for Tala, he didn't have to say anything, for Kitty turned to the window, shouting "Look! It's snowing!"

The two teens scrambled to the windowpane and watched the snow fall. There was already a thick blanket on the ground, and it looked like it would be snowing for a few more hours.

"C'mon! Let's go out!" Kitty said enthusiastically, already wearing her coat and shoes.

"What? Out there?" He asked incredulously, watching her tie a on a scarf. "I don't know if you've noticed, but snow and I don't get along too well."

"Oh, do it for me? I don't want to be out there alone." She whined, tugging his arm. Honestly! She was acting like a little kid. "Please?"

Tala groaned in exasperation, and gave in. "Fine, I'll go."

------

It was freezing when the two stepped out into the front yard. They could see every breath when they exhaled. At eleven o'clock PM, the whole street was empty, no cars and no people. The only light was made by the streetlamps. Tala was caught up in the whole winter wonderland-ness of it all, that he didn't notice Kitty gathering snow and making a ball. When he realized what was happening, it was too late. The snowball made contact with his face.

"Kitty!" He yelled, wiping the cold liquid from his cheeks. He was annoyed, but she was too busy laughing at him to care. However, when he made a move towards her, she began to run away. Tala chased her around in circles, but she had a head start.

Eventually when he caught up to her, they were both tired from the running. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "This was some New Year's Eve, huh?" He whispered.

Kitty nodded in reply. "It wasn't half bad."

"This was a fun date, Kitty."

The girl spun around, glaring at him. "This was not a date!" She denied fervently. "We ate popcorn and watched TV! That hardly counts"

He smirked, knowing this is exactly how she'd react. "Whatever you say, but I still think it was a date. At least you can brag to your friends that you've been on a date with Tala Valkov."

She looked over at him, shaking her head and laughing. "That isn't something I'd brag about."

Tala made a face, and she laughed harder. Kitty noticed that he looked different. From his flaming red hair to his bright cerulean blue eyes, she took in every inch of his face. She wasn't lying when she said she thought he was good looking. Speaking of his eyes, a few snowflakes were stuck on his lashes. She reached up to brush them away, but stopped before she touched him.

A light blush crept onto her face. What was she thinking? She had a boyfriend! She was checking out her boyfriend's best friend! She actually wanted to kiss her boyfriend's best friend! This was totally not right. God should smite her right now!

However, as she was pulling her arm in, Tala grabbed a hold of it, pulling her towards him. He stared at her for a moment, in deep thought. Kitty tried to draw her arm back again, but he still wouldn't let go.

"I'm really sorry." He mumbled quietly, before cupping her face in his hands and capturing her lips with his own. Finally, he was kissing the girl that he'd been dreaming of for weeks. The guilt wasn't there anymore, and if it was, it didn't matter.

It only took a moment, but to the two teens, that kiss lasted forever. When they finally broke apart, Kitty's eyes were closed, and Tala was looking at her hopefully. He hoped that she'd at least say something.

"I'm going home." She said after what seemed like hours to Tala, turning to go back in the house.

"Kitty! Wait!" Tala said, running after her. "Can I at least explain?"

"No, I think you've done a lot already." She said, laughing dryly and walking inside.

"Kitty, Come on. Can't we talk about this?"

She bit her lip, contemplating the effects that this could have. Also she knew that her will was slowly crumbling, and spending more time would only work against her. "Okay." She muttered in a quiet voice, sitting on the couch. Kitty kept her eyes on the floor because didn't have the courage to look him in the eye.

"Kitty, you've got to understand why I did this." Tala started. "I like you a lot, Kitty. I really, honestly do."

"I have a boyfriend." She stated coldly, crossing her arms across her chest. She didn't want to think anymore, all this happening at once made her head swirl.

"Yeah, but Kitty, he doesn't love you like I do!"

Her head snapped up, and she stared at him, mouth wide open. "What?"

"I said I-" Tala was about to repeat, but the doorbell stopped him from finishing. This could not be happening. 'Can't they just go away?' He thought, irritated. But they wouldn't. A few seconds later, the visitor rang the doorbell again.

"I'll get it." Kitty said, standing up and rushing to the door. It was Kai, of all people, staring at her. He was still dressed in his formal party clothes, and had his hands in his coat pockets.

"Kai." She breathed, surprised it was him.

He flashed his trademark smirk, "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Of course I am, stupid." She said, trying to joke. Kai enveloped her in a tight hug, and kissed her cheek. Then, the couple made their way inside. Kitty guiltier with every step she took.

"Having fun babysitting?" He asked, taking off his coat.

"Uh-huh." She replied nervously, hoping that it wouldn't show. Thankfully, Kai didn't notice. He simply followed her into the living room, where Tala was waiting for them. He was sitting on the couch as if nothing had happened.

"Dude, what are you doing here?" Kai asked, sitting next to him.

"I should ask you the same question." The redhead shot back. Okay, he was pissed off that Kai came. Even though he could act like there was nothing going, the tension was still thick in the air.

"I came to see her." He pointed to Kitty, who was sitting next to him. "Big date canceled?"

Tala groaned. 'Why does everyone have to bring it up?' "Yeah, she did."

"Sucks to be you, man." Kai smirked. He then turned his attention to his girlfriend. "Why are you in your coat?"

"Oh, I uh…" Kitty stammered, trying to think of something believable. "I was just about to leave."

"You were?" The two boys asked in unison.

Kitty nodded in reply, turning to Kai. "Could you drive me home?"

"Sure." Kai replied, standing up. "I'll come back, okay?"

"Whatever." Tala said, still frowning.

The two left the house a few minutes laughter. As soon as he heard the door close, Tala sighed loudly.

"3...2...1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The person on the television shouted. There was a roar of applause as the ball dropped and the numbers 2006 flashed.

Tala smirked at the irony of the night. He laughed dryly. "Happy New Year..."

----

A/N: So yeah, that was chapter 12. Review if you liked it! Review even if you didn't like it. :)