1 hour left...

I spent most of my time hanging out with Tyler. We talked a lot and got to know each other better. He and I might have stayed together 'til midnight if Mal didn't text me, asking where I was. I had to say goodbye and meet up with the others.

"And she finally decides to join us!!" Reece says as I take a seat by them.

"No offense Harley, but I thought you ditches us again." Mali says

"Sorry..." I say guilty

"It's fine, but we were all discussing while you were gone-" Emma starts

"-And we think that you need to resolve some things before the year ends." Mali finishes. They were about to talk more until Kaden interrupts them.

"You and Jaxon need to fucking fix things already." He says. I watch him and my other friends stand up and leave the table. Jaxon, who was sitting diagonally from me, sighed at their actions.

"I tried to reason with them, but they weren't havig it. They said that we really need to patch things up already." He says

"I...I think they're right." I sighed and looked away from him

"Things are still difficult and kinda awkward between us, but if I keep acting this way, then I have a feeling I'll be losing more people that I care so much about."

"Chris left, and I don't want to lose you guys too. I've lost so many people in my life already, and all those times I just let them go. This time...this time I'm gonna not gonna let you leave. I care about all of you."

I looked at Jaxon with a slight smile on my face.

"Even you, Jaxon."

A smile breaks out on his face. He stands up and sits on the seat next to me.

"So does that mean-"

"Yup!" I cut him off

I was brought into a tight hug as soon as I said that. I fell weight lift off my shoulders. It was as if I could breathe again.

The hug soon became a group hug as all our friends join in. Jaxon and I laughed as Reece goes on and on talking about how he saved the day again.

Of course this was all so sudden. There was still a little bit of that unsure, doubtful, hurt, complicated feelings inside me. I had to force out a laugh some times, but other than that, I was smiling again. It didn't feel like a chore to smile and be happy.

I watched all my friends laugh at one of Reece's jokes, and I decided that it was time to start a new. It was time to start things fresh. I pushed back all my feelings and focused on the now.

That was when I really started smiling and enjoying myself.

All I had to do was let go.

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30 minutes left...

This year was the most complicated year I have ever had. There's just been so much that was going on. All I know is that I'm thankful I met these amazing people.

I don't know what to expect for the upcoming year. All I know is that I have a feeling it's gonna be a very crazy ride.

But I'm ready for it. This year has made me stronger and now I'm ready for whatever the new year has to offer.

Things are changing, and so am I.

10 minutes left...

As we were all excitedly talking about our plans for the new year, I noticed Tyler nearby our table. I waved him over, so I could finally introduce him to my friends.

As he walked over to our table, Mali and Emma's eyes widen in recognition. They watched him like a hawk as he took a seat next to me.

"Guys, this is my friend Tyler" I introduce him

"Nice to meet you all" Tyler smiles, his dimples in full display.

"Hello, Tyler! Where are you from? I don't think I've ever seen you around in school." Mali says, starting the interrogation

"Oh I'm from another school" He answers

"How'd you meet Harley and become friends with her then?" Emma asks

"I saw her sitting at the bench I usually sat on, so I decided to talk to her. We've been meeting up there everyday since that day" Tyler says

And the two girls continued asking him questions, which Tyler politely answers. Reece and Kaden assumed their own conversation, and Jaxon was staring at Tyler with a weird expression on his face.

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5 minutes left...

The roles have switched and now Reece and Kaden were talking to Tyler while Mali and Emma talked ABOUT him. Jaxon was off in his own little world, so I decided to bring him back before the clock strikes 12. I poked his arm that was resting on the table.

"Hey...you okay?" I ask. He blinks once then twice before smiling at me

"Yeah! I'm fine" He says

"What are you thinking about?" I ask. He looks at me for a while before shaking his head.

"It's nothing important" He says

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Harley. Everything is fine." He assures me. I nod my head hesistantly before jumping in the girls coversation. Every once in a while, I'd look back at Jaxon and everytine I did, he was once again in lala land thinking about who knows what.

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.

.

60 seconds left...

Everyone has now moved outside where we can watch the fireworks. Everyone looked at the huge screen that projected the time. We all counted down in our heads.

I looked to my side to see my friends beside me. Everyone was smiling and laughing.

I was really glad to end the new year like this.

.

.

.

People yelled in unison

I suddenly felt a hand intertwine with mine

I stopped counting and looked up at the owner and looked at him curiously

"What are you doing?" I ask in confusion

"This."

As the fireworks exploded, I felt myself get pulled into his chest. His soft lips found mine, and I was suddenly in the most gentle and magical kiss I have ever experienced thus far. His hands are on my waist and he was holding my closely to him. From my tense and shocked posture, I soon melted into the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him a little closer to deeped this kiss a little. I didn't want things to get too heated and ruin the purity of the kiss.

We pulled away for air. He rested his forehead against mine and looked at me with the biggest smile on his face.

"Happy New Year, Harley" He said, still breathless from the kiss

"Happy New Year, Tyler." I giggle and kiss him again...

...unknowing of the jealous and sad look that Jaxon had on his face.

////////////////////

HAPPY

(^how ironic xD)