The house was booming with loud base music, drunken laughter, and the plop of ping-pong balls in beer cups. Everyone was there. You awkwardly tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, sticking close to your best friend, Karrisa.

You never thought a girl like you would be invited to a place like this. This wasn't really your scene, as much as you wished it was. People were everywhere, all ready to ring in the new year. Across the room, you spot those guys.

Michael. Michael with that flowing blonde hair. Michael with those beautiful blue eyes. Michael with that sweet southern accent. God, still as handsome as ever. You'd been in love with Michael for years. Since you were both missing teeth and still playing pretend at lunch time.

When he moved away, you felt a little lost. You thought you'd never see him again - until he moved back to town. You were determined to make him truely see you this time around. Not as just a girl from the neighbourhood, not as some immature, dorky girl from down the street.

You'd spent more time looking and noticing, trying to get his attention.

In doing so, you noticed someone else.

Wes.

Wesley Harold Bennett. Your next door neighbour. The boy who's been a thorn in your side since the day you became aware of each other. He was arrogant, annoying, and a jerk back then, and you knew he'd never change.

At least, you assumed he wouldn't.

Paying more attention to Michael had lead you to notice more of Wes. Not his jerky, sarcastic attitude side you always cop, his more... sweet side. God, you never thought you'd think that.

You noticed how he treated his friends with compassion. How he cheered people up when they were upset. How his face lit up when someone bought up baseball. How he'd hold a girl's hair back when she threw up in a bush.

You didn't know why you notice, or why you felt this way, but the longer you fought for Michael, the more your attention drifted to Wes.

You swallow, clutching your can of soda and clinging to Karrisa like a lifeline. You were in too deep. You weren't built for this. Thee clock neared midnight, and as the time moved on, one question lingered.

How was tonight going to end?