New Years One-Parters

~ New Year 2024 ~

The winter winds swept through the hair which stuck out from under her beanie. Yawning, she checked her watch, the small screen lighting up her face: ten forty-two.
She looked out over the houses below, smiling fondly at her town of five years. To be honest with herself, she was glad of the independence she had gained by moving away from her parents, but she always regretted the Hogmanays she spent alone.

She sighed, her breath dancing, and looked towards the war memorial on the hill half a mile away.
Her brow furrowed, however, when she saw a figure in the distance.

"Good evening." it said, sitting down next to her on the icy bench.
"Sorry, you looked lonely and I don't have family this side of the country. I'm Kit."

"Erm, Abigail." She replied, shaking the outstretched hand in front of her.

She looked up at Kit. They didn't seem threatening but then again, it could be an act.
"The stars are wonderful tonight, aren't they?" They said calmly.

"Yeah, it'll almost be a shame that the fireworks will cover them."

"Haha, yeah," Kit chuckled, "Is that what you're here for too?"

"Yeah. It's always too busy down in the parks." she added.

Abbi leant forward and sipped from the drink which warmed her hands. She looked across at Kit's dark eyes which were fixated on the stars.
"Hot Chocolate?"
"Ooooh yes please!"

Their lighthearted conversation continued for the rest of the evening, stopping only for interchanged phone numbers and sips of constantly refilled hot chocolate.
Abigail learnt that Kit was working as a high school teacher, volunteering in one of the many charity shops and was in their late twenties - like her.
They also lived alone, which secretly pleased her.

After what seemed like a lifetime (in a good way), Abbi checked her watch.
"Oh shit!" she exclaimed "20 seconds!"

They both suddenly felt very excited. They leant over Abbi's watch and giggled like children.

"Ten!" they cried in unison.
"Nine!"
"Eight!"
"Seven!"
"Six!"
"Five!"
"Four!"
"Three!"
"Two..."

"ONE!!!"

"Happy New Year!"

Abbi looked once again at Kit's ecstatic, illuminated by the January fireworks.
'Fuck it' she thought, reaching towards their soft androgynous hair and kissing them.
Their warm breaths combated the cold air and they smiled into eachother's cheeks.

"Happy New Year, Kit"

"Happy New Year, Abbi"

and it would be, a very happy
new year.