Happy New Year everyone! This is a feel-good story that came to me when I woke up this morning; I had quite a New Year's Eve party myself last night. I hope you all enjoy! Good luck and prosperity in the New Year!

Soft hands gripped the worn book and slowly a sole finger lightly turned a finished page. There in the local coffee shop, with people all around her, Kyrie was lost in her own world. She had been there two hours, or maybe it had been three. Her caramel eyes never left the frayed paper of her book, even to sneak a quick sip from her drink.

Reading was good, it was easy. The young brunette had found many ways to occupy her time; picking up new habits and revisiting old ones. The New Year was upon everyone and she was determined to make a change in her life, for the better.

Kyrie reached her hand over to sneak another drink from her coffee when she was interrupted from her pattern. A figure moved her direction, completely unnoticed by her.

"Kyrie! How are you," the person squealed.

Kyrie looked up from her book, slightly startled, to see who was squealing at her. She dog-eared her book and set it down on the small bistro table. When she raised her gaze she saw an old friend, Lyla. Lyla's yellow curls shifted as she tilted her head and smiled happily at Kyrie.

"I am good, how are you Lyla, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," the brunette replied.

"It's been too long. I was going to say hi last week when I spotted you in the market, but you looked rather busy," Lyla beamed after her statement.

While she had been busy, more than that, Kyrie had looked sad like she wanted to be left alone. Usually the last thing people want to do when they are in a bad mood is sit around and shoot the breeze. It seemed that her friend had become more detached lately. That saddened her.

"It's okay, I was probably just picking up a few things," Kyrie trailed off. Her glance fell on her book, then her mug, anywhere except her friend's face.

"You know….I'm having a get together at my place tonight, for New Years," explained Lyla excitedly. "Nothing big and fancy, just me Talla, and Shaylee. I would love it if you could come join us!"

Kyrie thought about it for a moment. She wasn't really feeling like going out tonight; seeing a lot of people on such short notice was a little intimidating. After a few moments of mulling around the proposition she felt her fingers tapping on her book idly.

Lyla waited patiently for her friend to think it over.

It was the beginning of a New Year, and she was determined to make the best of it. Her mind was made up.

"Just tell me what to bring and I'll be there!" kyrie excitedly replied.

"Great! Um, you can bring whatever. Shaylee is bringing fireworks, Talla has the champagne covered, and I've got finger foods prepared."

Kyrie nodded in reply, already considering what to make. A welcomed feeling of excitement began to fill her. She sat a bit straighter and smiled at Lyla.

"Okay, can't wait!"

After the two chatted a bit more and the details of the party were discussed they arose in unison. A short goodbye was exchanged and the pair ventured in separate directions.

The brunette tucked her book under her arm and hurried home to begin preparations.

Being a planner by nature Kyrie went straight to the computer for ideas on what to bring to the party.

"Maybe a dessert or something to drink…." She mumbled to herself.

There was actually a lot to New Years, she had never really thought about it before. So many traditions and customs were followed for things like good luck, money, and even love. Her interest was piqued. She clicked on a website for New Years traditions.

"Hmm, in Japan cleaning on New Years and not after ensures good luck. Pork symbolizes good luck because pigs root forward," Kyrie laughed, some of these seemed silly. "In some Hispanic cultures they eat twelve grapes counting down to the New Year; also they wear red underwear to give prosperity and good luck."

There was a lot to the fresh start of a New Year it seemed. All she had ever heard growing up was to eat cabbage and black-eyed peas for money and prosperity.

While it was all fascinating she had to get to work and begin preparing for the party. It was decided, she would bake something sweet and delicious as well as bring something for everyone to drink- it would be perfect.

A few hours later and Kyrie was covered in flour and had a red stain on her shirt from mixing up some punch. She had decided on pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and a simple red punch. Her mind kept wandering to what would happen later and she became more excited.

The party would be kicking off soon, so she hurriedly went to her bedroom to change into something clean. Flour was not a festive look.

After washing up and becoming once again presentable she lingered next to her dresser. The brunette slowly opened the top drawer to reveal her stash of underwear. Hmmm.

She continued to dress and put on a pretty white sweater with a navy skirt and opaque tights beneath. She also decided on her pair of chocolate brown riding boots which were comfortable and extremely warm. Her last touch was wrapping a plaid wool scarf securely around her neck.

It took her two trips outside to get everything loaded. While she owned a small vehicle, as most people on the island did, it was rare to see a lot of traffic on the road. Most people either walked or rode bikes to get where they were going.

Kyrie loaded her bike basket with her party supplies and set off for Lyla's house.

Knock knock

It was 8:15. Kyrie had pulled her bike over into the small fenced in front yard. Lyla lived a little outside of the city and thus her house had a lot more greenery and landscape than most people's homes. It looked like a French cottage, cute and cozy.

A moment later Lyla opened the door and her smile spread wide at seeing her friend.

"Kyrie, welcome! Right on time, oh here let me help you with that," Lyla offered.

She grabbed the large jug of punch while Kyrie re-adjusted her grip on the overflowing platter of cookies. Lyla opened the door wider for the brunette to enter and followed immediately behind.

Inside the 'cottage' was humorously decorated with shiny strings and a large banner that read 'Happy New Year'. Talla was already seated inside lighting a few candles.

"Follow me and we'll get this all set up," Lyla instructed.

As Kyrie followed Lyla to the kitchen she noted what the blonde was wearing. Lyla sported a sparkly silver dress, it was knee-length and quarter-length sleeve. Her yellow hair was in curls and piled up on her head.

Talla turned as the pair walked by and greeted the newcomer.

"Kyrie, how are you?" She halted from her candle duties and threw her arms around Kyrie in a warm embrace.

Talla was in a pair of dark jeans with black booties; her top was a long-sleeve maroon piece. She was still wearing her coat, a crème trench coat; it looked like she hadn't been here for very long. Talla ran her hand through her dirty-blonde hair out of habit.

"I'm really good," Kyrie answered. She thought back to what Lyla had told her earlier. "I hope you brought enough champagne for everyone." They all laughed at this.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Lyla did a little dance as she entered the kitchen.

The table was already filled with small sandwiches and a large vegetable platter. Along with a few bags of chips and assorted dips it all looked like quite a spread.

"We're still waiting on Shaylee, she's late- again!" Lyla laughed.

While they awaited their final guest everyone got comfortable. The shoes came off and Talla slipped from her jacket and hung it near the entrance.

"I see her, here she comes," announced Talla.

Sure enough a few moments later there was a soft knock at the door. Lyla sashayed over to the door and greeted Shaylee.

"About time!" Lyla teased. Shaylee's cheeks flushed.

"I'm so sorry….I hope you all haven't waiting long…" Shaylee dropped her head slightly.

"Oh no, not tonight, we are going to wipe away that sweet girl façade- this year you're going to be more bold and adventurous," Talla egged on.

Shaylee came inside and made her way to the kitchen. She was dressed in a fitted grey sweater-dress and black leggings with black flats. Her long dark-brown hair was pushed back with a simple headband to show more of her radiant and perfectly natural tan skin.

"Okay, everyone is here, let's get the party started!" Lyla threw her fist into the air in excitement.

Kyrie grinned and rolled her eyes slightly.

The amount of food that the four young women put away was shocking. It looked like a group of grown men had plowed through there.

"My diet is starting tomorrow," Shaylee giggled.

"Oh yeah, for sure….tomorrow," the others all chimed in nodding in agreement.

"But until then," began Kyrie "I'll just have one more cookie." She dramatically took a slow bite of her cookie. "Mmmmm."

They all laughed together.

"Well, I believe it is time for some fireworks and champagne!" Talla said aloud as she stood from the table.

Everyone assembled and began doing tasks. Lyla cleaned the kitchen while Kyrie put away the leftovers, what little were left. Shaylee produced a brown sack from under the table filled with fireworks while Talla fished in the fridge for the bubbly.

"Let's pour a round then light some fireworks," exclaimed Lyla.

"Sounds good, Lyla where is your corkscrew," questioned Talla.

Lyla froze by the sink as she thought for a moment. Her eyes rolled back and forth in deep thought. Slowly she let her gaze meet Talla's suspicious look.

"Uh…about that…"

"Lyla don't do this to us!" Talla shouted.

"I only drink screw-top wine, don't judge me," Lyla defended herself.

Shaylee was standing in the corner laughing at them. A thought struck Kyrie, she spoke up a moment later in an attempt to save the day.

"You know, there is a way to open it without a corkscrew," Kyrie chimed in softly.

She was immediately met with three incredulous gazes. She flushed slightly.

"I never took you for a closet drinker," Shaylee giggled once more.

"Oh no, it's not like that." Kyrie put her palms in the air and laughed at the situation. "Sometime I help with the communion and they've been caught on more than one occasion without a corkscrew."

Kyrie took the bottle from Talla.

"You have to force the cork out." The brunette took a dishcloth from the counter and wrapped the bottom of the bottle. "Hitting it on the wall is the best way I found."

Shaylee, Talla, and Lyla looked on completely fascinated with the current events. The house was eerily quiet as Kyrie moved closer to the wall. She would either save the day and open the bubbly or break the bottle along with everyone's dreams.

Kyrie smiled as she gripped the bottle tightly. She steadily drew the bottle back and forced the bottom of the bottle to come into contact with the wall at a ninety degree angle. The first hit produced no results, so she reared back and hit it again with more force.

Pop

The cork flew from the bottle. Kyrie immediately straightened the bottle, only spilling a small amount on the floor. A cheer fell over the kitchen.

"That's my favorite sound in the world," Talla said.

Lyla reached into the cabinet and set out three long-stemmed glasses. The champagne began flowing and they were all finally out of crisis mode.

The four women sat in the front yard popping assorted fireworks. Kyrie's favorites were the sparklers; she stuck to the brilliant sticks while the others were more interested in the louder and more extravagant ones. She wrote her name in the air and drew shapes before the sparklers burned out completely.

They popped black cats, shot roman candles, and threw smoke bombs at one another. It was all in good fun, and they were having a blast. The night was drawing on and getting colder in the process.

"Hey look, the church is doing their fireworks now," Kyrie announced.

Sure enough in the sky they could see the assorted colors and crackles of the church's annual firework show. It meant that it was almost midnight. The four of them huddled together on the front porch to keep warm and watch the fireworks together.

"This year….I do want to be more bold- I can do it," Shaylee said as they all continued to look into the glitter-like sky.

"This year, I want to drink less wine," Lyla told the group. Everyone gave a snicker including Lyla herself.

Talla smiled to herself for a moment. "This year, I want to be more open to finding love. I've always been alone, but maybe it's time to open my heart," Talla offered.

Shaylee slipped her arm around Talla and held her tight.

Kyrie thought for a moment. She wanted so much from the New Year; she had so many expectations. "This year, I want to be happy." It was plain and simple, yet somehow it encompassed everything that she truly wanted to happen. "I want to do all the things that make me happy and not worry about things that I cannot change."

"Guys, it's almost midnight!" Lyla pointed to her watch. "Ten!"

"Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five," they all said in unison.

They all snuggled closer and watched the last of the fireworks go off for the finale.

"Four. Three. Two. One. Happy New Year!"

Kyrie couldn't contain the large grin spreading over her face or the laughter that erupted from her. The others joined in together in a group chuckle.

Kyrie felt good about this New Year and everything that was to come. It was a new beginning and a blank slate for her. It would be her that made her year better, nobody else. She blushed as she remembered the sexy red underwear she wore that New Year's Eve.

I am completely inspired by the events that occur in my life. Like 75% of my fanfiction in drawn from some event in my life lol. I literally woke up, came home, grabbed a cup of coffee, and went to work.

Since the others did it I guess I'll join in: This year, I also want to do more of the things that make me happy. I want to read more, draw more, write more, and just be dang happy! 3 So again, Happy New Year's everyone.