Chapter 1: New Year
“When the clock strikes 12, a single spark begins a magnificent show that painted the dark sky and sees as it captivates anyone who sees its glow, and at that very moment, a person comes to your mind, and you can't help but wonder if that person is watching the same brilliance of the fireworks in the sky, like a blank canvas that you color as you start another 365 days of your life."
Annalise's P.O.V.
"Hey! Wake up!"
I heard someone said from my left side. Someone keeps on shaking me, like forcing me awake. Whoever it is, is so annoying.
“Big Sis! Time to wake up!” Argh! That voice again. Can't a girl sleep in peace?
“Hey, big sis! Wake up! Do I have to repeat myself over and over again before you understand?”, Okay, this is getting old. What's the deal with this one? Can't someone take a hint that I want to sleep?
“Big Sis!”
“WHAT?!”, I angrily shouted while annoyingly sat upright on the bed and turned to glare sharply at the culprit. My eyes landed on a curly dark brown-haired girl with a pair of dark brown eyes.
Sam, one of my younger sisters, has both her arms placed at the side of her hips while one of her eyebrows rose, looking at me defiantly. “I've been trying to wake you up for a while now. Get up!”, she said, looking at me with a frown plastered on her face.
My eyes continue to shoot daggers at her as I took the alarm clock from the nightstand beside the bed before taking a look at the time.
11:30 pm
What the- 30 minutes before midnight? My eyes widened at the time. I looked at her incredulously. “Why in the world do you want to wake me up at this time?! It's 11:30 in the evening for goodness' sake!” What got into her that she wants to wake me up at this time? She knows how I love my precious sleep.
“Exactly, it's already 11:30 in the evening, which means you only have 30 minutes to fix yourself up before the countdown, or else you will miss the fireworks and food too.” She retorted while rolling her eyes at me.
I abruptly raised my hand to stop her from rambling further. “Wait, fireworks? What do fireworks have to do with anything?”, I inquired. Why would there be fireworks?
She gave me a disbelieving look. What? I was just asking. What's her problem?
"Did you lose your brain somewhere?"
I jumped at the sound of that voice. I turned to see who is it and it landed on a girl with straight black colored hair with a pair of dark-colored eyes. Nic, Sam's twin sister.
She’s leaning on the wall beside the nightstand, staring at me. That low chilling voice of hers is something. If Sam’s voice is high-pitch, hers is the complete opposite. How long has she been standing there? Why didn't I felt her presence a while ago?
"Or you are just so sleepy that you forgot you're sleeping in the middle of New Year's Eve?" she added while raising one of her eyebrows in my direction.
My eyes widened at the revelation which brought a smirk on her face. I mentally facepalmed. Of course, how could I forget? That’s the very reason why I was tired. We spent the morning and afternoon preparing for tonight. Gosh, I'm so forgetful sometimes.
“You better hurry. Don’t wait for Philip to go up here and drag you downstairs.” Nic's statement caught my attention as I returned my gaze at her.
"Don't talk about someone who’s not even here.", I said.
The smirk remains on her face as she looked at me while one of her eyebrows rose. "Are you sure he's not here?" she taunted.
It took me a while to realize what she said. My eyes widened at that. You've got to be kidding me. He’s here?! What is he doing here? Why? How?
"He's waiting for you downstairs.”, Sam added. No way.
"What is he doing here?!" I screamed unexpectedly.
"I overheard that they will celebrate the New Year here with us and Mom agreed," Nic answered while she put her hands are on the pockets of her pants.
What?! “Why?” Why didn't he inform me that they will spend the New Year with us?
Sam just shrugged her shoulders. "How should we know? You're his best friend, so you tell us." What? How should I know?
I rolled my eyes at her. "Why would I ask you if I know the answer, dummy?" Jeez. If I know I wouldn’t have bothered to ask her.
"Then ask him, yourself. I'm not entitled to answer your question, you know." Sam said as flipped her air and crossed her arms are wrapped around her chest. She’s such a bratty child.
"That's why you should get up and fix yourself,” Nic added and straightened her footing properly while facing me. “Oh, and by the way, he went inside your room a while ago." She suddenly blurted.
My eyes widened again that I swiftly stood up from my bed. “WHAT?! Why?!”, I yelled, startled. My goodness, just what happened at the time when I was sleeping?
Sam jumped at the volume of my voice while Nic remained indifferent. What? How would you react if someone came into your room without even asking you first?
"My Goodness! Stop shouting!" Sam complained as she covered her ears and stared at me irritatingly.
"Why didn't you stop him from going inside my room?!" I asked both of them. I was so annoyed by this. Who knows what trickery he did in my room while I was sleeping. He probably poking fun at me, and at New Year's Eve for goodness' sake.
Sam stared at me innocently. “What? You didn’t have any problem whenever he would go inside your room before.”
I rolled my eyes. “That's different. I know that he will go inside.” I just sighed and calm my breathing. "At least tell me if he pulled a prank on me while I was sleeping?" I said with irritation. I know my best friend so well. If I find out that he pulled some prank on me, I’ll kick him out of our house. Let’s see him try.
I heard their discreet laughter to my question. "Rest assured he didn't. He just went to check on you. He doesn't want to disturb you while you were sleeping." Nic answered.
Thank Goodness he still spared some respect to someone who’s sleeping.
"Stop with the questions.” Sam suddenly reprimanded. "We’re going downstairs. Mom sent us to wake you up. Come down after you’re done." She said she closed the door and went downstairs with Nic.
I stretched my arms up first before consciously walked to my bathroom to freshen up and wash my face before changing some clothes. I just wear a blue denim long sleeve dress and my maroon-colored cardigan.
I then sat in front of the vanity table and combed my curly dark brown-colored hair and let it down. I stared at my reflection first and checked my overall appearance. I even stared at my pair of dark-brown eyes for a brief moment and smiled a bit. Then, I fixed my bed.
The minute I arrived downstairs, I saw Nic and Sam in their little world minding their own business in the living room.
Sam is focused on her phone while sitting cross-legged on the single sofa chair while waiting for her nail polish on the feet to dry. Growing up, Sam has a girly personality. It’s so obvious from her appearance. She’s even wearing a red dress with a polka dots pattern imprinted on it. She let her hair down and attached a ribbon clip that matches the color of her dress.
Sam is the type of girl who’s excited about growing up. I couldn’t even compare to her when it comes to make-ups and cosmetics. She knows most of it than I do. She’s also picky and spoiled. She even wants Nic to do the same thing and have the same things that she has. However, we share our common love for animals and she can be kind when she wants to. I still wonder sometimes where did she got her other attitudes.
I then averted my attention to Nic. She’s sprawled on the sofa with both of her arms behind her head as a pillow. Her face is hidden beneath a black cap she put above her face with her eyes close. If Sam is the girly type, Nic is the neutral and cool type of girl, someone who’s mostly indifferent, silent, expressionless, and simple. She's wearing a pair of black jeans and a maroon shirt with a black jacket. She held a boyish personality. Sometimes, I wonder if she’s a lesbian or not?
She reminded me of myself when I was a kid with the way she acts. She’s more boyish than me though. She's the type of girl who would rather do video games and sports than worry about what she wears and the way she looks. We share the same talent when it comes to drawing. She's also a daddy's girl and not to mention, she's pretty violent. She tends to throw some punches and death glares at people. No wonder some kids at their school are afraid of her.
I just shook my head at the two of them and smiled. They may be twins with similar features, yet they have different styles and personalities. I wonder how their twin senses work?
I took a glimpse through the window and saw my Dad and my wonderful best friend, Phil, outside talking. From here, you can see that they are putting the firecrackers in place for the countdown later when the clock strikes 12. That idiot. I’ll get him back later for what he did to me.
I observed the way they talk and couldn't help but shake my head at my best friend. What a total sweet-talker. Of course, he and my Dad get along. He always knows what to people to get their attention. With the way he acts, I tend to forget why am I friends with him in the first place. We were so different from when we first met. I’d never imagined we would end up as best friends.
I'm pretty sure my mom is at the kitchen with Phil’s mom, Claudette or Aunt Claudette as we usually called her. I could hear them talking from here. They must be preparing the food for the celebration later.
Mom and Aunt Claudette are also close friends as well as our Dads. They both agree on the same things from their hobbies to their works and other stuff. They even told us to get along before. That's how we ended up as close family friends.
We live a simple life, away from my family's fortune. My family line aren't born rich but they strived their way up to become successful before. So, both of my parents came from rich families. My dad's family owns a business. Dad was supposed to run it but he passed it to my Aunt. Both of them shoved their fortune aside and decided to live a normal life, away from any image of fortune.
They said it's better than to mingle with rich people. It's a way for us to stay out of any complications that have been going on in the world of the rich. They don't want us to face the same world they did before. That's fine with us. We live a comfortable life and we stayed together so that's enough reason to be grateful.
However, that doesn't mean that we can escape from it. Our family now holds an important role in the society. So much was expected to us. So, when Dad left the position as the head of the family it to live a normal life, I became the bearer of that responsibility and I don't think I can escape it this time.
Right now, Dad does different jobs. A referee on a basketball tournament, a tutor, and a teacher. He's also one of the sports committees and board of directors that plays an important role in our subdivision. He loves his job and I can see how committed he is to do them.
Mom, on the other hand, has a business for selling collective items such as clothes, bags, shoes, etc. and she's working with my Aunt Welmie. I can see that she's enjoying having her own business as well. They both love their careers since it's far from the responsibilities that were expected from them. Being members of a higher family, we were treated as a disgrace before. I don't exactly know what happened but it looks like the issue evaporated now.
We also have wonderful grandparents. Though it took some time for us to know them, I was glad that our relationship wasn't affected by their relationship with our parents. They visit us sometimes and tell us different stories. They even spoil Sam with things and buy us gifts or treats.
Okay, back to reality.
From the looks of it, everyone’s busy in their little world and minding their own business. So, they woke me up even if I don't have anything to do while they mingle their own business?
Wow. How nice of them. What a great surprise wake-up call.
If I only knew that things would end up like this, I should have just stayed in bed and sleep.
___________
I decided to go to the kitchen and myself something to drink. When I got there, I saw mom and Mrs. Atrevido talking while cooking. I don’t even want to know what they are talking about. Probably about some trending gossips or stuff. Unlike them, I’m not a gossipmonger.
They must’ve felt my presence because they stopped talking and glanced in my direction.
"April, good thing you're awake." Mom said with a smile. I just nodded and smiled at her before glancing at Mrs. Atrevido.
"Happy New Year, April!" She greeted me with a smile.
"Happy New Year as well, Mrs. Atrevido." I greeted back with a smile.
She waved me off. “I already told you to call me Claudette or Auntie, dear.”
I just smiled at that. "Why didn't you told me that you're going to spend the New Year with us?" I asked. She frowned. Uh…Did I asked something wrong?
"Allister said he already told you about it.”, she answered. Okay, now I’m confused. I don't recall Phil mentioning it to me. I would never ask her if I knew.
Unless…That jerk! He never had any intention of telling me in the first place! That guy loves surprises so much that he used it to poke fun at me. My jaw clenched at the thought.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself before interrupting them again from their talk. "Sorry to interrupt, but can I have something to drink?" I asked. I’m parched plus I need a drink to further calm my nerves about my best friend.
"Sure. We made Strawberry Limeade. It’s in the fridge." Aunt Claudette answered as continues chopping some carrots while talking to mom.
I opened the fridge and immediately saw a pitcher of strawberry limeade. I took it out and placed it on the kitchen island. Mom and Mrs. Atrevido kept on talking while I took a glass and poured the right amount of strawberry limeade in it.
From what I am hearing, they're talking about their family, friends, their children, society, and showbiz. I just heaved a sigh and shook my head.
Mothers
I was drinking my juice when I heard footsteps heading towards the kitchen then heard someone spoke. "Mom, Auntie, Can I have some juice?"
I automatically rolled my eyes when I heard the voice. I don’t need to turn and look in the direction of the voice to know who it is. It’s so obvious. I’ll just ignore him though. It’s not like he will notice me anyway.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Aunt Claudette smiled at her son. “Sure, Al. There’s some juice in the fridge.” She then glanced in my direction before looking on the kitchen island. “On second thought, it's on the kitchen island.” She said, pointing at the pitcher of strawberry limeade on the kitchen island. I then heard footsteps coming closer in my direction.
Since I have nothing else to do, I grabbed my phone from my pocket and browse the messages and images on my phone.
I smiled when our group photo. My friends and I took this photo when we were celebrating this year's Christmas four days ago. We had a mini get-together and exchanged gifts with one another. We had so much fun that we finished in the evening.
I was scanning my phone when I heard a loud collision of the glass and the kitchen island. I gasped at the sudden sound.
Goodness! The glass might shatter!
I turned to the person who just did that, only to see Phil with a smile plastered on his face who’s still holding the glass.
“Allister!” Aunt Claudette scolded, looking at Phil with wide eyes.
Phil sheepishly smiled at them then muttered, “Sorry.”
He then turned to me and smiled innocently. "You’re awake." He stated while pouring some juice into the glass.
I glared at him and just nodded in response before returning my gaze to my phone. Does he have to smash the glass to get my attention?
From the corner of my eye, I saw him sat on the vacant chair in front of mine and drank his juice. "Busy texting someone?" he asked, looking at me.
I just ignored him and continue browsing my phone and didn't bother to give any attention to the person in front of me.
Moments later, I heard him cleared his throat and speak again. "Uh…Hello? I asked a question." I still ignored him. Let him talk for all I care.
Moments later, "Seriously, am I talking to someone, or is it just me in here?" He said again. I saw him shook his head while he heaved a sigh. Someone doesn’t like being ignored. Well, too bad for him.
I drank the remaining juice in my glass before standing up and went to the sink to put my glass there. I could feel his gaze following my every move. Then, I immediately walked out of the kitchen.
Since I have nothing to do here and it looks like he’s just gonna pick on me, I’ll just go back to my room before he can have the chance to do that.
I walked towards the stairs and headed up. However, before I can take three steps up, I already heard that low chilling voice of my great sister.
"Don't even think about going upstairs and sleep again.", she said with an authoritative voice that made me stopped. I glared in her direction. She didn’t even bother to look at me! Doesn't she know that she should face the person she's talking to? How rude.
"I'm not going to sleep. I'll just be in my room. Call me when it's time for the countdown." I proclaimed before making my way upstairs without waiting for her response. She's so bossy, just like Dad.
I immediately lay on the bed when I arrived at my bedroom. I took my headphones and plugged them into my phone. I picked a piece of music then relaxed against the soft pillow as it begins to play.
Everyday I run a race
Just trying to get ahead
Don't think about where I am now
Just where I want to be instead
I'm losing so much precious time
But will I be satisfied in the end
Oh, in the end
I don't wanna spend my life
Trying to fight for what's not mine
I don't wanna lose myself
In someone else's dream
I know I was made with a purpose
To reach past the surface
Live life fearlessly
I want nothing less
Than to be who I'm meant to be
I was so lost in the music that I didn’t realize that I was singing along with it.
" Everyone is on their way
But I am standing still
Comparing my Behind the Scenes
Against their highlight reel
I'm burning so much energy
Won't let it keep distracting me anymore
Anymore, oh "
"I don't wanna spend my life
Trying to fight for what's not mine
I don't wanna lose myself
In someone else's dream
I know I was made with a purpose
To reach past the surface
Live life fearlessly
I want nothing less
Than to be who I'm meant to be "
"Nothing less than
Who I'm meant to be
Live life with purpose
Reach past the surface
It's who I'm meant to be"
"I don't wanna spend my life
Trying to fight for what's not mine
I don't wanna lose myself
In someone else's dream
I know I was made with a purpose
To reach past the surface
Live life fearlessly
I want nothing less
I want nothing less
Than to be who I'm meant to be ”
I stopped when I heard the sound of someone clapping. I turned to see who is it and my eyes landed on the person who was leaning against the opened door with a teasing smile plastered on his face. Who is it? None other than Phil himself.
"I wasn't informed that there's a live concert going on in here.", he said while walking towards me, still smiling with his arms wrapped around his chest.
I paused the music right before it can start the next music before returning my gaze at him. "Why are you here?" I asked him with one of my eyebrows rose.
"As far as I am concern, I am not forbidden here." He said as he sat beside me on the bed. Psh. That doesn't answer my question.
I straightened up leaned against the headboard. He did the same. “Bad mood?”, he asked. He has the nerve to ask? Argh!
I glared at him fiercely. "How would you feel when someone came into your room unannounced with the mission to disturb your sleep?", I asked rhetorically.
His eyes widened as he looked offended. "Hey! I didn’t intend to disturb your precious sleep. You know I would never do that.” He said dramatically as if the idea alone was absurd.
I glared at him frustratingly. "So, you did sneak into my room while I was sleeping, you jerk!”, I confirmed with an accusing tone.
He just grinned playfully while maintaining his laughter as he put his arms around my shoulder. “Oh, come on. Don't be so cranky about it. I just took a peek at you.”, He said.
I immediately removed his arm around me. "Then don’t just barge into someone else's room!" I yelled at him.
He just laughed and ruffled my hair. "I’m sorry. You just look so peaceful while sleeping like an angel.", he answered and smiled. I just sighed and shook my head at his antics.
"Why didn’t you tell me that you are going to celebrate her with us?" I asked, pointing at him.
He sighed. "It was meant to be a surprise, but I was the one who was surprised instead when I saw you sleeping peacefully.”, he answered back. I rolled my eyes at him. What? I was so tired at that time. How should I know that he's coming here?
When the matter was solved, we then talked about the recent events that happened these past few weeks. We also talked about the Christmas celebration we had with our friends until it shifted about my cousin.
"Did you visit my cousin last week?" I suddenly asked. I’m curious about his current status with my cousin. I wonder what happened to them.
"Yes. I visited her last Wednesday." He answered with a private smile. Someone’s giddy about it.
I smiled knowingly at him and wiggled my eyebrows at him. "Any improvement so far?" I asked while smiling playfully. I haven’t heard any updates about his courtship to my cousin these past few days. I wonder what happened with his visit.
He just laughed and ruffled my hair again. Why my hair? "Yes. All thanks to your help." He answered, smiling.
I smiled back and shook my head. "It was never my help that improved it. It was the resolve you have to accomplish something that you experience for the first time." I said as I look ahead to my window and saw the radiance of the night sky. "It's amazing to see two people who are attracted to each other. They bring warmth to the people within their distance and held each other's gaze like they couldn't look away."
I then returned my gaze at Phil. "You better make sure that you won’t hurt her on purpose, or else I’ll be the one to smack your face if you do.", I warned him. Even though he is my best friend, that doesn’t mean that I won’t punch him in the face if he hurt my cousin. I’d like to see him try and see what he’ll get from me.
"Ouch, so our friendship is at stake here? I’m deeply offended." He said dramatically as he put his right hand over his chest, looking at me offended.
"Want to get hurt right now?" I smiled sarcastically at him. "Besides, what are you afraid of? It’s not like you will hurt her, right?" I challenged with a hint of warning while my eyes shoot daggers directly at him.
He just laughed at what I said. Oh, don’t he dare just laugh it off. I’m serious with my statement. I don’t want to see my cousin cry over some romantic relationship issues. He knows how I felt about those kinds of issues. "I can't promise you anything, but I'll do my best to be a good boyfriend to her." He answered instead.
"Slow down, Romeo. She still didn’t say yes." I reminded. He’s confident. Are all playboys that confident with themselves?
He then returned his arm around my shoulders and playfully pinched my nose. First, he ruffled my hair. Then, he pinched my nose, what’s wrong with this guy? "Not yet, but it will be soon." He boasted.
I slapped his hand away. His ego is off the charts. He may have a lot of experiences with girls but if my cousin will say yes to him, this will be his first official relationship.
We were interrupted by a cough from someone. We turned to the person and our eyes landed on Nic. She was leaning against the door frame while her arms are crossed around her chest. She was wearing her black cap now.
"Are you two done?" she asked, looking at us.
"Hey, buddy." Phil greeted her with a smile and waved his right hand at her. Nic just nodded in his direction.
"Countdown is starting." That’s just what she said before going downstairs.
The sound of Phil’s laughter suddenly made me turned in his direction "Your sister’s a lesbian or what?”, he asked, nodding at the direction where Nic disappeared to.
Nic? I just shrugged my shoulders. "I don’t know.", I answered. Yes, she is boyish, but a lesbian? That may be too much because I don’t recall Nic liking some girl or someone. For all I know, that's her natural personality.
He chuckled “I guess we’ll never know." He shook his head and stood up. "Let’s go." He offered me his hand, which I accepted, and helped me gain my footing. We both went outside the room and closed the door before heading downstairs.
The moment we arrived downstairs, we were greeted by the sound of a blowing whistle. "Took you long enough! Let’s go outside!" Sam announced excitedly before running outside. We laughed at her antics. Someone’s excited.
Now that I noticed it, we’re the only ones who are still inside. When we stepped outside, everyone’s there waiting with the fireworks all set and ready for the countdown. Dad is beside the fireworks, waiting for the time and our cue to light it up.
"Okay, on a count of 5." Mom started. We all joined her and count together.
"5...!
4…!
3...!
2...!
1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" We shouted all together. As if on cue, Dad lit up the fireworks while we started to make some noise with the blowing whistle that Dad bought for us. We also heard children and adults using their blowing whistles and use some fireworks.
Aside from fireworks, Dad also used other kinds of firecrackers to create some noise and light shows. Other people produced some noise by the use of their aluminum tools or whistles.
Several colorful fireworks burst from the sky and shine like glimmering stars. What a beautiful sight. Everyone watched the beautiful show. It’s so breathtaking to watch, making the night more memorable and special to people.
Fireworks are something that can never be removed in New Year. It's the beautiful show that everyone's been waiting for. It's enthralling to see how many people it captivates. People are so focused on its beauty and it never disappoints the attention of the people and gives its all, knowing full well that it's only a matter of time before it loses its glow became a memory etched in the minds of the people.
Everyone started to say their greetings to each other. Before I could forget, I immediately opened our group chat on my phone and greet them with a happy new year.
"Should I be jealous that greeted them first before me?” Phil whispered behind me, making me jumped. I rolled my eyes at him and smiled. Idiot. Of course, I’ll greet them first. I wasn’t able to greet them personally.
I quickly went towards him, hugged him, and greeted him with a smile. "Happy New Year, Best Friend.", I said. He grinned and hugged me back. "Happy New Year as well, Best Friend.", he greeted back.
I chuckled as he kissed my forehead. Together, we watched the fireworks with different colors, sparkling at the night sky beautifully with the brilliance of the stars.
It's simply glorious how a single spark marked as the start of our journey in a new blank chapter of our life that's waiting to be written by our own hands.