TIME: The New Years of their Senior Year

Drabble Five: The New Years That Was

[Part Two]

Kelsi smiled as widely as she could as she shooed Martha away.

“No, no,” She insisted when Martha turned her concerned gaze on her, “Go join Jason on the balcony, I’m fine.”

It was obvious that her friend didn’t believe her, but Martha did believe that Kelsi wanted some space and alone time, so she parted with her reluctantly.

A grim wave of sadness washed over Kelsi, as she watched everyone outside pairing up to wait for the fireworks that would ring in the New Year. If everything had been as it should, she would have been standing out there with them, and she knew exactly who she’d be standing out there with.

Huffing, Kelsi tried to overlook how much she had been looking forward to this New Years party. Being in Juilliard had been exciting, but she had dearly missed her home and friends. She blamed Ryan that she couldn’t enjoy it, and though she had tried all night to engross herself in her friends company, she had been thinking about their fight for most of the night.

After they’d taken the plane trip down, they had finally broached the topic of Ryan’s chagrin for the past month in the taxi ride home. To Kelsi it had seemed so silly, and she hadn’t wanted to fight. Ever since she had been assigned the project with James, Ryan had been agitated and fidgety whenever they talked about it. Part of her had hoped it was because of jealousy.

She knew how much of a problem he had had with James at Juilliard, but she hadn’t known how much until that car ride. She liked James plenty; he made her laugh, but at the end of the day, he couldn’t bring a smile to her face in the blink of an eye like a certain blond did. She had been so angry at Ryan then, partially because of his dislike for James, but mainly because she was sure he hadn’t told her the real reason he didn’t like James. She had hoped it was because he had felt the same unspoken feelings between them, but after their argument, Kelsi wasn’t sure anymore.

When she had told Martha of his behaviour about James, Kelsi had been assured of the almost certainty that Ryan was going to admit his feelings for her. She knew all the wildcats had been expecting the last two members of their circle to pair-up, but the cold-feelings between them when they had arrived had been clear enough for everyone to see.

Laughter from the balcony interrupted her thoughts, and Kelsi bitterly wondered how much of a fool she was for having waited for Ryan. She had blown off James’ offer of a date in the hopes that something would happen.

Her thoughts were once again interrupted, this time someone was clearing their throat, and the noise came from behind her.

“Kelsi?”

The subject of her tormented thoughts was right behind her, and was looking very uncomfortable. She wanted to ignore him, but told herself she could face him.

“Yes Ryan?” She replied as nonchalantly as she could.

He seemed to hesitate, but continued. “I know you’re still upset about it, and you don’t want to talk about what we talked about in the taxi, but you have to know why I don’t like James.”

Kelsi’s breath hitched in her throat. All her expectations for him from the past three months came flooding back.

“Hmm?” She asked, encouraging him, no longer bothering to sound disinterested.

Ryan shifted awkwardly on his feet. “It’s a well known fact – well amongst all the guys at least, that James is a, er . . . womaniser, I guess you could say,” He wrung his hands. “I didn’t want you to get hurt Kels.”

That hadn’t been the answer she had been hoping for at all. She turned to join the others on the balcony to nurse her wounded heart, but was stopped by Ryan’s hand on hers.

“Not done with you yet,” He said, some of his confidence returning as he grinned up at her. “That was the first reason,” He pulled her back to face him, taking both of her hands in his.

“This is the second.” He said softly, before leaning down to kiss her.

It was short and sweet, and both were content when he pulled away.

“You’re supposed to kiss a girl when the New Year starts.” She mumbled.

Ryan snorted. “Like Chad and Taylor haven’t been glued to each other since this party started.”

Kelsi laughed, and eagerly dragged Ryan outside to the balcony where the rest of the wildcats were. They were met with approving nods and stares by their friends, but it wasn’t long before everyone’s attention was brought to the countdown.

10

“Can I ask you something?”

9

Ryan nodded. “Sure.”

8

Kelsi’s eyes gleamed. “You were jealous, weren’t you?”

7

“Guilty as charged.” Ryan said shamelessly.

6

Kelsi pulled him into a hug.

5

“Ryan Evans, promise me you’ll never make me wait that long again.”

4

“It’ll take him two years to work up the courage to propose.” Sharpay next to them muttered under her breath.

3

Ryan grinned down at the girl in his arms. “You’ll still spend forever waiting for me on our Friday movie nights.”

2

“You know what I mean.”

1

“I know . . . I promise won’t.”

Happy New Year!

Ryan sealed that promise with their second kiss, and felt safe in the recognized superstition that one would spend the rest of the New Year, the same way one started it.

A/N: Happy New Year! Hope your New Year is as exciting, or even more than Ryan and Kelsi’s. For New Years I’m off to the beach to soak up some rays, so you won’t see anything from me before the 2nd of Jan!

Review and your leisure

Mizani