Chapter 8: Last kiss

Beth stayed at the balcony as the soundtrack to the movie "New Year's Eve" started playing. She was crushed. The thing was, this was the first time she realized that she, Beth Corcoran, likes Zachary Hummel-Anderson, her bestfriend forever, her confidante, her go to guy. And now Zach's in love with someone else.

He was right, Beth thought, He has been here all along and I didn't even bother caring. She wanted to hit someone, something, anything.

"Hey," Someone said from behind. It was Arnold.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, nothing, I just…wanted to talk to you. Or not talk to you."

Beth sighed.

"So…you found out about Zach and Sofia?"

"About him spending New Year's with her? Yes." She said, "Why? Is there something else I should know?"

"I'm not in the right position to say anything,"

Beth sighed, "Damn it," She said, "Why does no one tell me anything?"

"You were just going through a lot," Arnold said, "And well, things were also happening in Zach's life and—"

"He gets a girlfriend and he doesn't even tell me," she said, "Great."

Arnold smiled at her, "Come on," He said, "It's New Year's. Don't sulk."

She rolled her eyes and looked ahead.

"Just five more minutes," Arnold said, "You know what they say? Whoever you spend New Year's Eve with is someone you'll spend the rest of your year with."

She laughed, "Like that would happen," She looked at Arnold, "We're going to college after this schoolyear. We probably won't see each other."

"It's a small town,"

"You know I'm not staying here."

He took a deep breath. Cabb the band's New Year's Eve was blaring from the CD player in Beth's room.

7, 6, 5 I keep my hope alive

4, 3 you kiss me

2, 1 you and I began

12 months in a year and everyone I want you here

Whenever you're around my troubles seem to disappear

12:01 can't come soon enough,

If you believe in you and me, wait for me on New Year's eve

As the song played, the fireworks blasted in the air. It was the start of a new year. And they didn't know how it happened, but as they looked at the fireworks, Beth and Arnold looked at each other, and soon enough, their faces were so near each other, and their lips met. And they kissed.

As Beth heard her parents, and the neighbors downstairs cheering, and wishing each other a happy New Year, she backed away from Arnold and looked at him, astounded.

"Beth," He said, "Sorry I—"

"Don't even say anything." She said stiffly, "No one will hear about this."

"Beth,"

"This is our first and last kiss," She stated, "God,"

"Please, I—"

"Enough!" She said, and ran down the stairs and to the backyard where her family was.

"Bethie!" Rachel greeted, "Happy New Year!"

"Yeah, uhm, Happy New—"

And Arnold was there.

"Hey bro," Artie said, "Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year," Arnold said, looking at Beth who was looking at him like she wanted to kill him.

"You guys okay?" Rachel asked.

"Fine," Beth said, "We're fine. Happy New Year!" She grinned unsteadily.

"O…kay…" Rachel said, "Happy New Year!"

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The celebrations went on and Arnold found Beth at the kitchen, trying to wash the dishes.

"Beth," He said as he held her by the arm.

"What the hell?" She said as she looked at him.

"I'm sorry."

"For kissing me? Yeah, you should be."

"No," He said, "I'm sorry for not telling you how much you mean to me. I'm sorry I wasted all these time pretending to just be your friend when you've meant more than that to me."

"What are you talking about?"

"I love you, Beth," He said, "I do. I did. I will."

"No," She said, "You don't."

"Beth, just give me a chance."

"You know what? Why don't you just go home, drink some water, take a rest, and maybe when you wake up, you'll be fine. See you in school." And then she walked away.

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a/n: A New Year brings new revelations. Now how will this affect everyone?