We met New Year's Eve, the count down a mere two minutes away. I sipped my drink, making eye contact with a slender figure sprawled out on the couch. Their combat boots on the table. I made my over to her, and sat down.
"No New Year's kiss?" she asked with her drink against her lips. I was caught off guard by her question.
I felt her turn to look at me waiting for an answer. "5...4..." the crowd hummed. The loud music and crowd seemed far away from me at this point I was caught in the moment of being with this woman. "2..." I felt myself lean forward, I was relieved when I felt her lips against mine.
I felt her smile, she pulled back after what felt like forever. I sat in disbelief. She looked over to me questionably. "Sorry...I don't usually do that." I said quietly.
She let out a short laugh. "What? Kiss random strangers or kiss woman?" I smiled down at my feet.
"The first one."
I spoke again. "Why are you sitting here alone?"
"I'm not, you're here." She said with a deviant smile.
I lightly rolled my eyes. "Okay why were you?"
"I didn't bring a date."
"But, the invites were specifically for couples... She cancel last minute?"
"No, I'm the host."
"Oh...I'm sorry...um-"
"Why are you here?"
"I um... a friend...-" She got up and left.
I sat dumbfounded. 'She really fucking left.' I searched for my friends in the crowd. Finally finding one leaving the bathroom, Tiffany. We walk to her fiance Wayne. That's when I see him talking to the woman from the couch.
He moves aside introducing us. She reaches out her hand, "I don't believe we have met. I'm Liz." I return her handshake "Bella" She holds a bit longer than usual, eye contact as well.
She stands back looks at all of us. "You three enjoy the party, I have business I must attend to." With a nod she disappears.
Tiff and I dancing to the booming music, laughing, and having a great time. Wayne joined in. I yelled to them that I need to get some air as I started my way to the balcony.
People sat smoking in the chairs, I went to the other side. Liz was in the corner on the phone, she took a drag the red ring glowing letting the puff out as she spoke again.
Sounding very serious I looked away trying to mind my own business. Checking the messages on my phone, all from friends and family wishing me a happy New Year.
Liz had sat down her phone, she sat back with a foot on the table. I decided to give it one more shot.
I turned around and approached the small glass table. "Can I sit or are you going to run away from me again?" She took a hit. Studying me, letting the smoke out.
"Sorry" I took that as a yes and sat down.
"That's all you got?" She eyed me from the side.
"You were stumbling."
"So?"
She shrugged. It was quiet, she continued smoking as she asked "Why did you kiss me?"
"...I...We all deserve a New Year's kiss. And you were staring at me..." I look to her.
She gave me that deviant smile again. "What? You have a very nice butt."
"Oh, so you were checking me out then?" We laughed.
"Maybe."
She spoke again. "So Bella...What do you do?"
"I'm a Kindergarten teacher."
"Mm,that has to be interesting."
"Oh yes, the kids are a handful and the parents aren't any better."
I said with a smile. I could see the little twinge of a smile on her lips.
"Is it safe to assume you don't have a girlfriend?" Liz asked. I blushed.
"Yes, I am very single."
"Mmm why the very?"
"Oh um, my um ex cheated on me, since then I haven't really dated or even talked to anyone."
"Well that sucks." She said.
"Yeah, well enough about me, what do you do for a living?"
She groaned before speaking. "I am an artist but I... I guess you can say that I lost my muse."
"Mm and what happen to her?" I asked seeing right through her suit of armor. She eyed me smirking.
"Well for starters it wasn't a great relationship, we fought a lot, we had started drifting apart, started talking to new people. We kind of just became roommates. We fucked one last time, as a goodbye, never seen her since, she left that morning." Liz shrugged taking a swig of her drink.
The party had died a little, we had spent an hour talking. Tiff came out, "Bells there you are! Been searching for you."
"I've been here." I said.
"We uh are going to go to the car just wanted to make sure you're okay...but I see Liz is great company."
Liz smiled to her. "I can occupy her all night if you want." She said. I couldn't believe my ears. Tiff looked to the both of us.