The room buzzed with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. Everyone was counting down, phones out, ready to capture the moment. Tamsy stood beside you, his usual calm replaced by a subtle nervous energy.

“Ten… nine…” The crowd’s voices blended into one. Tamsy’s eyes flicked to yours, and he took a small step closer, as if gravity had shifted.

“Three… two…” His hand brushed yours, almost accidentally, but his gaze never left yours. You could feel his heartbeat—fast, uneven, alive.

“Happy New Year!” Fireworks erupted outside, painting the night sky in bursts of color. Tamsy’s voice, low and hurried, barely reached your ears.

“I… I’ve liked you for a while,” he confessed, words stumbling over themselves. His face flushed, eyes wide and honest. He smiled nervously, hoping you’d understand.

The noise faded around you, and for a moment, it was just the two of you under the shimmering lights. His hand lingered near yours, and even without a word, everything felt… right.