Happy New Year! I can't believe I'm writing another New Years' special already. I feel like I just wrote my last one a few months ago. How the time has flown. Thank you so much for your support, even when I'm not posting. I hope 2023 will be another good year for my fanfiction.

Enjoy the last post of 2022!

-CL

Maxon and I place our glasses down on a passing server's tray. "C'mon, Bella, let's dance," Maxon says, pulling me onto the dance floor. I giggle, a tad bit tipsy from the champagne. Yes, I'm a lightweight. Maxon and I start to jump up and down to the music and others follow suit. Soon there's a mosh pit of people surrounding us.

I feel my calf tense, but I keep jumping, not wanting to look like I'm out of shape. "Hey, Maxon?" I call out, hoping we can exit the mosh pit and I can relax. I see him talking to Kriss. Well, fuck. "Maxon?" I try again. He doesn't hear me, and I don't want to leave the mosh pit without him, so I stay in the middle, still jumping.

A server somehow gets through the mosh pit, handing out more champagne. I grab two glasses, not wanting to think about life. "Thanks," I shout over the music. The server smiles, nods, and walks out of the mosh pit. I instantly drink a glass in one go. I stand there jumping with the empty glass until another server walks by with a tray filled with other empty glasses. I put mine on it and quickly drain the other, the two empty glasses now on the tray. "Thanks," I shout again, but this time I giggle. Maybe I should take off my heels. Then my leg won't be so tense. I bend down and unstrap my shoes. Thank God I wore heels that have a simple strap. I pick up my heels and let them dangle in my hand.

I hear the song coming to an end. Please, let the next song be a slow one. But it isn't. It's another fast-paced song, making me stay in the mosh for at least three more agonizing minutes. I want to stop jumping, but I know that if I do it'll be awkward. I continue jumping and feel both of my calves tense again. Seriously? Now I have two to worry about? I glance at Maxon and see he's still in deep conversation with Kriss. "Maxon," I try again. The music's too loud and he doesn't hear me once again. Shit. I decide to start slowly jumping toward Maxon.

It takes a good amount of the song, but soon I'm close enough to hear a bit of Maxon's conversation with Kriss. You shouldn't eavesdrop, you know. What the hell, he left me to talk to her, and I'm right by them, so I don't give a fuck if I eavesdrop. Fuck, I'm so drunk. A server comes around with more champagne; I take two more glasses and throw my heels on the ground. Let's see if Maxon notices me now. I glance over and see Maxon and Kriss still having their conversation while jumping, but now they have glasses of champagne. I drain a glass and try to hear their conversation, but now the music is louder so I can't. Fuck, can something just work out? I drain the other glass of champagne when I see a server coming around with a tray to collect unwanted glasses. "Thanks," I whisper, well aware the guy can't hear me. I just don't want Maxon to hear me. I want him to see me.

The song transitions into two more upbeat songs and I'm stuck with jumping. I feel my calves become even tenser. Shit, I've got to get out of here. With or without Maxon. I decide to try to get Maxon's attention during the span of another, God forbid we have a slow song, upbeat song. "Maxon!" I shout. Sadly there's a huge drum solo in the song that starts, so it drowns out my voice. I decide I'm done with this shit, grab my heels, and jump-walk over to Maxon. "Hey, Maxon, I-" but then Kriss pulls a bitchy move and jumps into a position where she's blocking me. "What the hell?" I shout in frustration. Kriss turns to face me and smirks. "Bitch," I whisper under my breath. I sneakily jump-walk into Maxon's view, but Kriss follows me, still blocking me from Maxon's view. "Fuck," I whisper-shout. Alright, fine. "Maxon!" I shout as loudly as necessary. "I'm leaving," I say, still jumping. I don't turn around to see if Maxon heard me.

I'm jump-walking out of the mosh pit when I feel my calf tendons lock up. Holy shit. I stumble but regain my balance. I immediately stop jumping and start to limp-walk over to a chair. I sit down and massage my tendons. Fuck, what am I going to do? I glance up and see Maxon trying to exit the mosh pit. "Bella!" he shouts. I wave to show that I heard him. He finds a way out and rushes over to me. He notices me massaging my calves. "Are you alright, Bella?"

"I think I'm good for now," I say, cautiously stretching out my leg. "But I just-" I start, but then I get a charley horse in my right calf. I cry out in pain, trying to make the spasm stop. "Maxon!"

He comes over to me and pulls up a chair. "Just breathe, Bella. You need to relax and let it pass." Maxon grabs onto my hand. "Breathe!"

"I can't!" I say, tears starting to run down my cheeks. I cry out again and scrunch up my leg.

"Bella, Bella, look at me," he says, concern evident in his voice. "Please, Bella." My tear-filled eyes find his concern-filled eyes. "I need you to breathe and relax." Maxon squeezes my hand. The spasm recedes and comes back. I cry out again. "Breathe." I take in shaky breaths, in and out. Maxon gently stretches out my leg so it's straight. He gently picks up me into his arms and grabs my heels that I must've dropped. "I've got you, Bella." He walks past someone and calls out, "Marlee, I need some help here."

I hear a voice that sounds vaguely familiar say, "Of course, Your Highness."

The spasm escalates again, but this time I try not to cry out. I know we are by a bunch of people, so I want to stay quiet. I bite my lip; I realize I drew blood when I feel it dripping down my chin. "Maxon-" I start, but I feel someone wipe the blood off my face.

"Here, Lady Bella," the familiar voice says again. "If you need to, bite down on this." I'm handed a towel that has a blood stain on it. I try to focus on the stain, thinking about what it looks like. Anything to dull the pain.

"Marlee, how close are we?"

I hear a door open. "In here should do." Maxon walks into a room that's simpler than mine. "This is my room. It's deserted around these halls and the walls are thicker here."

"Bella, if you need, you can scream now," Maxon says, laying me on the bed gently.

The spasm recedes for a little while, but it comes back with a vengeance. I cry out in pain. And then the spasm escalates to an all-time high and I scream. "Maxon!" I yell out, wanting him next to me, supporting me.

"I'm right here, my dear." He grabs my hand and kisses my hair. "Breathe through it. Marlee, grab the flask that's in my suit jacket's pocket." I hear some rustling and then a bottle is being put to my lips. "Bella, drink this." I do, and I sputter, trying to force it down my throat. I only take a sip, but it won't go past my lips. I don't get any down. I shove the bottle away. "Thanks, Marlee."

"Maxon-" I say, but the spasm escalates, but dramatically falls and soon it's gone. I heave a deep sigh. "It's done." I become aware of my surroundings and see Marlee, the girl who did my hair and makeup on the first day I was here, and Maxon without his suit jacket on; he just has his white shirt and tie on. And holy shit the muscle. I grab Maxon's arm, feeling the muscle flex beneath my fingers. I glance around the room and look at Marlee's belongings.

"Bella, can you stretch your legs?" Marlee asks, walking towards the end of the bed. I stretch out my legs with a wince; my tendons are still locked and sore. Marlee turns to Maxon. "We are going to have to get her to walk."

I notice the sweat and tears dripping down my face, ruining my perfectly made-up face. "I'm sorry you guys," I say, "for dragging you into this. I deal with this alone any other time. This is the first time I've had a charley horse in public. I usually get them while I'm sleeping. This is not the first thing you should be experiencing in the new year."

"Oh, Bella. I didn't have anything else to do anyway. Have you seen Dr. Ashlar about your charley horses?" Maxon asks.

"Yes, I have. I must not have overused my calves jumping."

"Well, we have to get you walking," Marlee says gently. "Preferably before somebody starts looking for you two. Maxon, can you help her stand up?"

"Yes," he says, already helping me to my feet. I wince as soon as I put pressure on my legs.

"Fuck, that hurts," I say, putting my foot flat on the ground. I try to walk, but I can't walk normally. I have to limp. "I know stairs are going to be hell," I say. "I remember barely even being able to pull myself up with the railing. I think I'm good enough to walk though-for now. I'll go barefoot. My tendons will slowly unlock within the next few days. I can't walk that much, though. Probably to my bedroom and that's it."

"I'll help you, Bella. Marlee, you can go back to the party. I'm not coming back and neither is Bella. Thanks for the help."

"No problem, Maxon. If you need anything you know where I'll be," Marlee says, walking out the door.

"Let's go, Bella," Maxon says. He grabs his suit jacket and flask while I start limp-walking slowly toward my room. Maxon follows me at my pace. He has his arms out just in case I need his support. Luckily Marlee's room isn't that far from mine so we arrive at my room in a couple of minutes. Maxon opens my door and helps me get on my bed. "Here, Bella," he says, making sure I'm comfortable before he climbs into the bed. I notice he put his jacket over a chair. Maxon clears his throat. "I know this is weird," he says, flushing a bit, "but do you need help getting changed?"

I'm half asleep, so I answer, "I don't really care right now. I'm about to pass out, so I'll just stay in my dress. It's actually pretty comfortable…" I trail off, yawning. "Can you stay with me tonight? I'm going to need help tomorrow morning because my muscles will be stiff from sleeping."

"Of course, my dear. Good night, and happy new year." Maxon kisses my hair before he allows me to put my head near his chest, snuggling closer to him.

"Night," I say. "Happy new year," I manage before I doze off in Maxon's arms-just the way it should be.