On the New Year's Eve, Alexander, Sam, Snake and I decided to go spend it in Islington. It seemed really fitting to do so. Besides, I liked spending time in Islington, even though Alexander hated seeing me there. I assured him it was okay and that I was fine and I want to be there, but he was acting like a protective father sometimes.

As much as it was cute, it could also be annoying.

But more than everything, Alexander and I were good. Perfect even. We spend a lot of time together. The holidays were a bit hectic since there was a lot of presents and food with a lot of things happening around us, but we spent them mostly together.

Alexander was changing, too. For the better, of course. Everyone could see the change in him and everyone loved it. He was more kind to his parents, he was playing around with his sister and he was joking around with Rosanna.

And to me ... he was like a perfect boyfriend. Like a boyfriend I wouldn't even imagine him to be. He was gentle, attentive and a very good listener. He was the guy I never let myself dream I could have in life someday.

And I think I maybe, just a little bit fall in love with him. I mean, how couldn't I?

He wasn't perfect in the world's eyes, not even close. He has flaws and he makes mistakes, it'll take some time for him to open up again and see the world in its colours, not just as black and white as he's been seeing for so many years. But a part of me believes he's perfect for me.

And tonight is the last day of the year. Meaning I'm leaving this and him in just three months - even less.

I dress in warm clothes. I look like the least sexy person in the world but when Alexander sees me wrapped in clothes from head to toe, he gives me that smile that always makes my heart pace even faster. "You look adorable as fuck, Little one."

"I'm sure I do," I mutter under the scarf I have wrapped over my mouth. Alexander only grins back.

"Make sure to put that scarf off your lips at midnight so I'll be able to kiss them." He winks at me. And I just want to die. I want to melt into a puddle at his feet.

"I don't know if you deserved it, really," I tease. "I might find someone else to kiss."

Alexander's eyes darken at this and all trace of laughter is gone from his eyes. He steps a threatening step forward. "Do it and he dies."

Oh, Jesus. "Uhm, I was just joking," I mumble nervously, getting serious, too.

"Yeah. Better be," he says, all grumpy now.

Yeah. That's the thing that stayed exactly the same on him. His mood switches. Although he mostly does them when he's with me. Because, in his words, I know a way to put him in a bad mood, as I know the way to put him in a good mood.

We say bye to the family before we leave. Amelia is all happy because Rosalyn and Alfred let her be up later than usual with them. She probably won't stay up until midnight, but I got to say the kid is determined and I wouldn't be surprised if she did.

She wasn't afraid of fireworks, she was excited to see them.

When Alexander and I come to Islington, Sam and Snake are already waiting for us. Sam is bouncy and happy, already the tiniest bit of drunk. I'm determined not to drink today. Alexander felt the need to have this talk with me. He said he usually wouldn't forbid me anything, but he said he'd feel more comfortable knowing I wasn't drinking so there's a lower chance of anything happening to me.

Protective much? Yep. That would be him. But I agreed, not because of him entirely, but because I don't trust myself with alcohol.

Alexander said they're going to race one last time this year. And although there wasn't any snow, it was still freezing and the roads were dangerous. I voiced my concern about this to Alexander but he only said that he's been doing this for years and that I mustn't worry. He also added that it was cute that I was worried for him, but that's not the important part.

"You really dressed to impress, didn't you?" Sam laughs in my ear when she hugs me.

"Don't bully her, Sam. She's dressed just perfectly. At least other guys won't look at her as much as other times," Alexander says before I can answer Sam.

I glare at him. "You said I look adorable when we left!" I protest.

Alexander only winks at me.

"Oh, the nerve," I grunt. "He actually lied."

Alexander leans down to my ear and says, "Stop fishing for compliments, Little one. I literally tell you every 15 minutes how gorgeous you actually are."

My body becomes hot everywhere.

Sam breaks me out of my love haze. "Come on, let's watch the last race this year."

And as we stand by and watch Alexander showing off to the people that love him and praise him, I try really, really hard not to go over there to him and pull all the girls that are coming to him away by their hair.

I keep my narrowed gaze on him the whole time Sam and I talk, watching them closely. I'm acting like a jealous girlfriend, but hell if I'll let any of them hanging on my man.

I wanted to ride with Alexander tonight, but he didn't let me. Just in case something happened, he said. And then I had another outburst by how dangerous it is and asking him why the hell he's doing it then if it was so dangerous.

I didn't want to get into a fight with him, though, so we left it at that. Even though I was not happy about the thought of him racing and the possibility of anything happening to him. It was a big risk and he just seemed not to care that much.

"Oh, Gabby, relax, will you? He hasn't stopped looking at you since you two came here. All these girls? They're invisible to him because it seems like he only has eyes for you," Sam suddenly says when she catches me giving a group of girls in Alexander's presence murderous glare.

I look at her in doubt. "I doubt he's looking at this," I point at my body, "when he can be looking at that." I point to the girls over there. It seems like the cold doesn't bother them and doesn't come to them.

Sam stares at me for long moments with a disbelieving stare. "Are you fucking serious, pretty face? Why would he even want to even look at any other girl when he knows he's got so much better waiting for him?"

When I just silently stare at Sam, she continues, "Gabby, for God's sake, girl. Have more confidence in yourself. You're gorgeous, drop-dead gorgeous. And your personality is made out of gold. Alex knows what he has. And he's not letting you go that easily, either."

I'm still so full of doubts. Not because of Alexander entirely, but because I'm still so self-conscious. And why would Alexander even be with someone like me when he can have so much better?

"I don't know, Sam. Sometimes it feels like he just wanted me because I wasn't like them, keeping quiet and hiding whenever he spoke to me." I shrug, biting my bottom lip.

"Gabby, stop this. I know Sin. Believe me when I tell you that he's serious with you. You don't even come close to the other girls and he loves that. He was sick of having the same all the time, anyway." Sam puts her hand on my shoulder and squeezes it in reassurance.

I look at where Alexander is and this time, I don't look at the girls around him. This time I look straight at him. And I find him looking. Straight. At. Me.

And it's in that moment that it feels like the world stops. Everyone fades away and no one else is important, only us. Our look from across the street is that powerful. I feel it in my bones even.

My knees wobble a bit. I see Alexander's got a small smile on his lips. A guy comes to him and says something and I watch him form a reply with that sinful mouth of his while keeping his eyes trained on me the whole time.

It's that moment that I realise that what we have is not only in my head. It's very real. He knows it. And everyone else knows it. Or, if they don't, they will soon.

"I think I love him," I suddenly say to Sam, still not moving my eyes away from Alexander. It's like there's an invisible force that doesn't let me look anywhere else but straight at him. And I wouldn't want to look anywhere else, either.

"Even a blind man could see that," Sam replies. "And he loves you, too. So much it's actually making me a little bit sick in my stomach just watching you two together," she jokes.

I break the gaze with Alexander and look at Sam now. "You think?" I ask her uncertainly.

Sam levels me with a look. "Sweetheart. I know."

I've been thinking about telling him, though. That I love him. But I still got doubts running in my head, thinking it might be too soon or that maybe he doesn't feel the same. I can't be sure of what's going through his mind. I know what's going through mine and I want him to know, too.

"I think I'm going to tell him," I say to Sam, grinning now a bit, both excited and nervous just about thinking how it'll go all down.

It can go two ways - good or a bad one. Yet I'm still hoping for the best. Hoping it's not too soon and that I won't ruin what we have.

"Are you asking me for permission? Because my answer would be - why the hell haven't you told him already?!" She winks at me.

I look down at my toes. "I'm afraid of his reaction, to be honest."

Sam gives me a look. "Doubting yourself. Yet again," she says with a sigh.

Yeah, good point. I'll tell him when I get a chance.

The race will start in a few minutes now and we all eagerly wait to see how it'll go, even though we all know who's going to be the winner.

I'm filled with relief that Alexander will be riding alone without any of the girls that are all to eager to wrap their arms around him. Yeah. Not going to happen, babes.

They're driving in a different route tonight because the ones they usually drive on are all too dangerous. That makes me even more nervous.

But I trust Alexander knows what he's doing.

We hear the roar of motorcycles, preparing themselves, and then a piercing noise of a shotgun. And they all fly forward.

I can't see where they're driving, I can only hear them in the distance.

"You sure you don't want anything to drink? You seem a little nervous." Sam offers. I look at her, all happy with Snake's arms around her.

I think Sam's got deep feelings for him but she's afraid to show them. I know her enough by now that I know Snake and she are not only 'just screwing' anymore, but they're closer to a real relationship with pristine feelings.

I keep quiet about it, though, so I don't mess anything up between them. They know what they're doing, I tell myself.

"No, thank you. I promised Alexander I won't be drinking tonight. And I don't even feel like drinking. Ever." I scrunch my nose up. I think alcohol is the thing that's a big no for me.

"Stop tapping your foot so hard, then. You're going to make a hole in the ground, girl."

Truthfully, I didn't even realise I was doing it. But now that Sam mentions it, I also see a few people looking at me in annoyance. I immediately still my foot and give them an apologetic smile.

By the time the guys come back on their motorcycles - Alexander being first, of course - it feels like I'm going to explode with the tension. And only when I see Alexander's smile and a triumph look on his face do I let myself finally relax.

When Alexander gets off the motorcycle, he's immediately surrounded by the people and so it's impossible for me to even get to him.

I wait by the side, twisting my head to spot him in the crowd, but there are just too many people between us. Jesus. It's like he's a celebrity.

It's also nearing the midnight, just a few minutes until the New Year and I can't stop thinking about the kiss Alexander promised me.

It looks like it won't happen now since he can't even see where I am.

People swamp him away from his motorcycle, everybody wanting a piece of him and trying to have fun with him. They all show much respect for him and there are a lot of them I know that even fear him.

I go stand by his motorcycle and just look around myself, letting myself enjoy the scene. It's loud here tonight, louder than usual, and there are more people here than any other night. The air is also filled with happy energy and everyone seems to be in a good mood.

I came to actually love this place. It holds a lot of memories for me now.

I hear the countdown begin and see some people are too early with their firework.

"10, 9, 8, 7 ..."

Alexander is still nowhere to see. I swallow down the disappointment that formed in my throat.

"5, 4, 3 ..."

"Here you are. I was afraid I was going to stay without my kiss for the New Year." I don't know from where, but Alexander is suddenly in front of me.

He doesn't give me time to react in any way or form a response for him. He lifts me up on his motorcycle, pushes my legs apart so he can step between them and removes the scarf from my lips.

"2, 1 ... Happy new year!"

I hear the fireworks go crazy and people start yelling and laughing.

But what makes everything so much more perfect and magical is Alexander kissing me right in that exact moment.

I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing him even closer with my legs. We're both smiling into the kiss, both high on happiness.

"Happy New Year, Little one," Alexander moves back a little just to say these words.

"Happy New Year, Alexander."

I kiss him again. Because I can. And I want to.

And then when we get our fill, minutes later of heavy kissing, we stay in each other's arms, watching the fireworks exploding in the night sky, creating a very magical moment.

And with my head on Alexander's shoulder and with his arms around me I only have one thought in my head: this is what being on the top of the world must feel like.