Note: A huge thank you to my editor neuroparenthetical for his patience and tremendous help as my life-long battle with tenses continues.
New Year's Eve: Part 1
Looking at himself in the mirror, Sam smiled. He was pleased with the reflection that met him. Though still a modest 5'8" in height, in the past few years he had transformed from a gangly teenager into a surprisingly well-put-together young adult of 18. Since starting high school, his formerly wiry frame had filled in with a fair bit more muscle, and, thanks to varsity football, it was well-toned and not overly bulky. Short-cut, dirty-blond hair and piercing blue eyes accented a smile that was known for being innocent or mischievous - whichever most befit the situation Sam found himself in.
Pulling on his favorite Star Wars T-shirt, Sam admired the way it now hugged his torso and drew attention to his decently developed biceps and pecs. Not a gym rat by nature, Sam was much more at home reading or playing Nintendo, but after having made the football team (barely) in his junior year, he had decided to spend more time training, if only to be taken more seriously by his teammates.
That's how he had met Eve.
Back at the tail end of the summer, Sam had been at a football training camp that had included players and coaches from around the city. During a break, Sam had jogged off the field, over to the nearly empty stands, to take a seat and adjust the straps on his pads. As he'd gotten to the foot of the stands, he had spotted a girl 4 or 5 rows up, reading a book. It had been the cover of the book that he had noticed first. It was one of his personal favorites:
The Last Command
by Timothy Zahn.
Looking at the reader, Sam had noticed just how cute she was. Medium length brown hair, slightly wavy and tied back in a short ponytail, had revealed an oval-shaped face, a slightly upturned nose, large, intelligent eyes, and soft, gentle lips that had that naturally pouty look to them. Wearing some generic runners' shorts and a purple tank top, her body was lithe, with just the right number of subtle curves to it.
Without much thought, Sam had said to her, "I always thought that Thrawn was the best villain to come out of Star Wars. Vader was always about strength and intimidation, but Thrawn is just so calculating and manipulative... in my mind, much more intimidating."
The girl had looked up, slightly startled, obviously not expecting anyone to notice, let alone speak to her. She'd smiled nervously at Sam. "A bold statement, but one I can absolutely agree with." She'd lowered her voice and added in a conspiratorial way, "I always thought Vader and the Emperor were a bit too over-the-top as villains. But don't let the fanboys hear you say that."
Sam had winked back. "Your secret is safe with me." They'd both chuckled for a moment before he'd added, "I'm Sam, by the way."
Smiling back, the girl had replied, "Eve. Nice to meet someone who knows their expanded universe."
And that had been it. The rest of the week they'd chatted on and off whenever they'd had a chance. It turned out that Eve's brother, Stu, was coaching with one of the other teams, and she had decided to tag along if only for a change of scenery, and to get out of the house. Once the camp had ended, Sam and Eve had exchanged contact info and agreed to hang out soon.
At some point in the fall, they had transitioned from friends hanging out to boyfriend and girlfriend, sharing their first kiss one evening while out at the movies. That first kiss had been tentative, yet mutual, with both of them leaning in to press their lips against the other's. As with so many teenage first kisses, it had been uncertain and a bit awkward. Excitement mingled with fear at how the attempt would be received by the other. There'd been an undeniable electricity as their lips had touched. Both of them had opened their eyes to look at one another as they'd realized it was something that they both wanted.
Later, neither of them could even recall which movie it had been, as they had ended up spending most of it making out.
Smiling as he recalled the past few months, Sam turned from the mirror, grabbing his phone and wallet as he headed out of his room.
It was New Year's Eve, and the plan was to spend the night over at Eve's place. Her parents were headed out for the night, and her brother was planning on having a get-together in his basement apartment. That would leave the house to Sam and Eve for the night.
"Are you guys staying at Eve's tonight?" his mother asked him as he walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, Stu is having a few friends over tonight. Nothing crazy, just some movies and snacks and such."
"Alright, have fun and see you next year," she said, laughing at her own joke.
Sam shook his head, smiling despite himself. "Every year. You make the same joke every year..."
"And you laugh at it every time, anyways," she replied. "You kids have fun."
"Thanks, Mom. See you next year." Sam winked at her, headed out to the driveway and hopped into his car.
It took Sam about forty-five minutes to drive across town and out to the subdivision Eve's family lived in. Pulling up to Eve's house, a large two-story with a brick façade and dark brown siding, Sam parked his used Corolla in the driveway behind Stu's truck.
There were a half dozen people milling about the kitchen, dining room, and living room. Stu and his girlfriend were mixing drinks and laying out food, while several of their friends were chatting and hanging out. Stu spotted Sam as he came into the kitchen from the central hallway, "Hey man! Glad you made it."
