A New Year's Eve Kiss (Part Three)

Courtesy of theaddkid.blogspot.com




“Thirty…twenty-nine…twenty-eight…”
The countdown is in full swing, and I still can’t see anyone I recognize. Dustin is still nowhere in sight, and I can’t seem to spot Mel or Derek, either.
It certainly doesn’t help that I’m not exactly the tallest person in the world, and can barely see anything beyond the masses of people surrounding me.
And as if I’m not anxious enough, for some strange reason, I feel like someone’s watching me, which sounds stupid considering the place is packed full of eyeballs, so, of course, someone’s watching me.
In fact, several people are, but mostly because I’m trying desperately to squeeze by and in between them, and with the constant pushing that already exists during times like this, they don’t seem to be too thrilled about it.
Still, I can’t seem to shake this feeling of being watched. I ignore it, continuing to make my way through the crowd.
The chorus continues. “Seventeen…sixteen…fifteen…”
“Alicia!” I hear someone call from behind me. It’s a man’s voice, deep and distinct, and it stands out powerfully even amidst the giant blend of all the other voices surrounding me.
“Ten…nine…eight…”
I keep moving towards the yellow sign, still looking for my brother and my friends as I squeeze through the impossibly crowded street.
“Seven…six…five,” I still keep going, even though it's becoming near impossible to do so now.
“Alicia!” I hear the man call out again, his voice becoming louder and louder each time he does.
He must be looking for someone, too, in the same boat as I am. Just then, I feel someone grab me from behind, pulling on my arm with a firm, strong grip.
“Hey, wha—”
Next thing I know, I'm being turned around, and I come face to face with a pair of sharp hazel eyes; eyes that belong to a man.
An extremely handsome man.
For a few seconds, I find myself frozen in place, unable to do anything else but stare at the seamless mesh of evergreen, warm brown, and crystal blue staring back at me.
For the briefest of moments, somehow, everything else easily fades away, moving out of focus.
The countless faces, lit billboards and skyscrapers become blurred out, the sounds of music and rowdy voices tuned out, and all I'm left with is the face of the man standing before me, and the sound of my own shallow breathing filling my ears and the thud of my heart beating hard in my chest.
Then, just as soon as it went out of focus, everything comes flooding back in a flash, and I realize the countdown is coming to an end.
"Three…two…one! Happy New Year!"
The magnificent chorus booms through the cold night air, everyone counting down to the very last moment at the top of their lungs as the Times Square ball finally drops, and just like that, the new year is upon us.
Cheers and whistles replace the former countdown chorus, and as I quickly scan and observe everyone, I see excitement and hope for the future in their faces and voices.
Almost immediately, fireworks hit the dark night sky, various blends of bright, vibrant colors and hues splashing across it, contrasting with its sheer darkness.
Before I can form another thought, the man leans in and easily takes my lips in his.