fireworks. all around them, there were fireworks. of blue and orange and red and green and pink and purple and yellow and gold—all morphed into one. a celebration of happiness, of forgotten sadness of the past year—of new-found hope and new want and craving.

something of an indication to keep going—to keep looking forward.

so, as she turned to lilianna, who had finally gotten a smile on her melancholy face, she smiled. she smiled, because although the past year had been the worst of her life, something bright had come out of it.

a new friend.

a new spark of hope.

a new chance.

and so, when the clock counted down to ten seconds, and laughing and screams of elation filled the streets, she knew exactly what to do.

she looked at lilianna, and smiled.

"happy new year."

and just like that, the clock chimed 00:00.

- r.

a new chance, a new spark of hope. no need for tears anymore, no need to sit around and mope; first january, 19