Chapter 18 - New Year's Resolutions

Earlier in the morning Tim called me inviting me to a New Year's Party at his house. For some reason, I still get surprised for being invented to this kind of things, it's not like I'm a popular kid or anything, and I only met Tim last year, because he was in my English class and I was seated next to him; so it's not like we are that good friends.

I accepted his invitation; I definitely didn't want to spend my night with my parents, and besides, most of my friends will be there, so I'm sure it will be fun.

I took a quick shower, got dressed and straighten my hair; and I was ready in less than twenty minutes. Not bad Dan, not bad.

I talked with Phil last night and he was going to go out with his friends too, so I guess we won't be texting each other tonight, well, not as much as we do normally, I suppose. I wish he could be here with me, I am sure it would be ten times better, but that's one of the problems of living three hundred miles apart, it's just not a thing you could do.

It's not easy either to know that he is in some place I don't know with people I never met. But I try to not thing too much about this, I trust Phil, and that is the most important thing in any kind of relationship. I had relationships before where things were not like that and eventually they ended up in constant fights and arguments about trust. Not good times.

"Are you ready to go Dan?" my mum asked me, appearing from the living room. I nodded affirmatively. "Me and your father are going to go to a friend's house too for New Year's, and your brother is coming with us. It will probably be over around one in the morning, but I will call you first to let you know when we are coming to pick you up."

"Sounds fine." I replied. We got in the car and she drove until Tim's house.

When I got there things were still pretty calm, not many people around and the usually loud music was still low. I didn't like to arrive late, but getting too soon was equally bad. I spotted Tim and he welcomed me, giving me a cup with something inside.

"What's this?" I asked.

"It's a cocktail that me and some friends found out the other night. It tastes amazing, try it and tell me what you think."

I approached the cup near my nose to know what it smelled like. I could smell the alcohol but there were also a bit of coke and lemon. I took the cup near my lips and let some of the drink enter my mouth. I let it rest a little before swallowing it. It didn't taste bad; in fact it was quite nice (if you could taste behind the alcohol which must be 80% of this cocktail). Meanwhile, Tim was watching me carefully waiting for an answer.

"It's… nice, I guess." I said, the best way I could. "How much alcohol it's in here?"

"Ahh… I can't tell you our secret receipt but I can tell you it's enough for you to have a good time after a couple of glasses." He said laughing, winking at me.

"Right…" I have to be careful to what people give me in this party. I don't want to wake up tomorrow with no memories of tonight.

"Well, see you later Dan, I have to go take care of some things in the kitchen and welcome people. Enjoy the party, and your drink!" And he's gone.

I turn towards the living room and sit on the couch. Not longer after that I feel someone poking my shoulder. I turn around to see Sara looking at me with a really anxious expression. First I got worried, but then I realized what was happening as soon as she spoke the first words.

"Dan... You… And Phil… You know… Him. Arrrghhhhhh!" I'm not even kidding, that's the sound she made. How did I forget about Sara?

"Hi Sara, nice to see you." I said, trying to look the most relaxed possible. She almost jumped to the couch, sitting next to me.

"Tell me everything. How did you meet him? Is he nice in person? His eyes are really as blue as they appear?..." Her questions continued and I waiting for her to finish to answer them. If it was any other person I would probably just tell them to fuck off, but in this case, it's Sara, she is a nice person, and besides I used to have a crush on her before meeting Phil (and knowing her obsession with him!).

We talked for a while about Phil, but I didn't tell her anything more private like those nights in his bed or when we were almost caught by his mum. It felt good to talk about him to someone, even little things. I didn't tell anyone about me and him, firstly because it was nobody's business and secondly because I am afraid that my parents find out. My dad is somehow old fashion, and I don't think he would like to know that one of his kids have a boyfriend (or something like that). So, I will keep this to myself for a while.

After a while Sara calmed down and now we were just talking like we used to. I was already in my second cup of Tim's secret cocktail and he was right. If I'm not careful I will end my night throwing up somewhere, since my vision was already getting funny, and I was laughing a lot more than sober Dan.

By this time most of the people have arrived and the house was fully crowded. Only half an hour to midnight, and cups of champagne were being ready for the New Year.

I walked around the house for a while, talking to other friends that were there and I only had the opportunity to talk to them during school. I have to say that most of them were already wasted but it was only funny to see the different type of drunken people.

Out of nowhere someone shouted:

"Two minutes to midnight guys!"

Everyone grabbed a cup of champagne and got ready for the countdown.

I was a little sad for not being able to share my first kiss of the year with Phil right at midnight, but I think I can wait until I see him again. Hope he is already, he hasn't told me anything yet.

"TWENTY SECONDS!"

They turned the music down and everybody started to get still, looking at their watches. Soon after that the countdown began.

"TEN!"

"NINE!"

"EIGTH!"

"SEVEN!"

"SIX!"

"FIVE!"

"FOUR!"

"THREE!"

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Everyone started shouting and kissing and hugging each other's. I wished a good new year to everyone that come closer to me, giving some hugs and cheek kisses.

Right after that my phone started vibrating in my pocket. I picked up.

"YES?" I shouted, trying to hear the person on the other side.

"Happy New Year Dan" I heard Phil say.

"Happy New Year Phil" I replied.

Please, that this New Year brings me more good things than the last one, and mostly, good memories next to Phil, I wished.

a/n: Sorry for the delay uploading! I had the most stressful weekend, with exams and studying and going to concerts, so I only had time today to write this chapter. Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for reading! :] xx

-Mariana