Another one-shot for one of RaeKitano's challenges. All this one has to be is a New Year's themed one. Enjoy.

I sigh as I get ready for a friend's New Year's party. I don't normally go to many party's, but this is New Year's and Chelseigh insisted I come. So of course I had to. It was either that or risk her beating me up. I mean, that girl can get pretty scary.

"A Pheonix Chelseigh, really?" I hear an exasperated huff on the other end of the phone. This is a conversation we've had a few times already. It was he brilliant idea to have her New Year's party be a masked one. Of course this means she want me in full out costum.

"Come on Phil, you know you'll be the best looking guy there. Even if you look a bit girly." I don't mind girly and she knows it. I'm sure I'm going to stick out though, maybe that's what she wanted.

"You'll going to be the center of attention tonight babe." See I told you. She just wants everyone to notice me, though I'm not sure why.

"Come on, just give it a shot. Who knows maybe you'll luck out and meet someone." The only person I want isn't even going to be there so I don't really see the point. Though I have to admit when I look in the mirror I don't look as bad as I thought I would.

"Okay, I'm already dressed anyways. I'll be at your place with Darren in ten minutes." Darren is my older brother who for some unknown reason likes to tag along with me and my friends all the time, usually bringing his friend Rick along.

"Atta boy! Rick not coming tonight? No, he had another party he had to be at. You know him, he's always got something going on when he's not glued to my brother." Though I actually wanted him here tonight. Things wouldn't be boring with him around, and yes he's the guy I mentioned earlier. Cliched, I know.

"Yeah, I don't know why he still sticks around. Anyways I've got to go and put the finishing touches on the place before everone starts getting here."

"Okay, see you in a bit. Mwah!" I hang up and look in the mirror again. Eh, I can deal with it for a few hours maybe.

"Hey, Darren! You ready?"

"Yeah, yeah here I a- what in the world are you wearing?" The look on his face is priceless, and in any other circumstance I might have laughed about it

"I'm suppossed to be a Pheonix, just shut up and let's go." He's looking me up and down like he can't believe his eyes.

"Rick will hate it that he missed this." I'm sure I'm blushing, not that he'd be able to tell. Just what I need. Rick seeing me in this stupid get up.

"Oh, just get in the car."

When Chelseigh opens the door to her place my jaw drops and she giggles.

"So, what do you think?"

"Wow, but one question. Why do you get to dress as some sexy winter fairy thing and I get this?" I wave my hand to take in my outfit.

"Oh Phil, quit worrying so much. You look great. I predict you will have your fair share of attention tonight." You know what? She was right.

Not even thirty minutes after I showed up I'm surrounded by guys and girls alike. I'm sure if they knew who was under the mask they wouldn't be here. Either that or Chelseigh put them up to it. It seems like something she'd do.

"Hey man." I look up to see my brother coming to stand beside me wearing a huge grin.

"You seem to be pretty popular tonight."

"Eh, it's just because I'm in this crazy outfit and they all can't belive it. They all probably think I'm insane."

"I doubt that. You think too little of yourself. Anyways I came over here to see if you've seen Rick around here anywhere."

"Um, of course not. He had somehwere else to be, remember?"

"Yeah well, I talked to him and appearently something came up and he's not going after all." I almost jumped at the possibility of him coming here, but refrained. I doubt he'd even notice me even if he did come. He hasn't before.

"No, I haven't seen him. Besides why would he come here, I'm sure he has plenty of other places he can be at right now." Darren just gives me the oddest look before talking again.

"Yeah, sure. You're probably right. Anyways, I'll leave you to your fun." With that he walks off across the room and starts flirting with some girl leaving me to think. Rick, come here? I mean I did ask him if he would, but I never thought he's actually take me up on that.

The party's in full swing when I feel a tap on my shoulder and someone wispers in my ear.

"Hey would you like to dance?" I turn around and see a man dressed as Zorro.

"Zorro, really? You know it's been forever since I've even heard anyone mention Zorro?" He just smirks at me.

"Hey the party was kind of a last minute thing for me and it was the only thing I could think of to throw together. So will the fair lad care to dance?" I look him up and down. Even without getting the full view of his face I can tell this guy is good looking, and from what I can tell he is definately my type. Though something seems a bit familiar.

"What the heck, why not?" The likelyhood of me not seeing this guy again after tonight is pretty high.

On the dance floor I see my brother with the same girl from before. He looks over at me and then does a double take, then smirks. I have no idea what that's about, but I gave up trying to figure him out a long time ago. I look away and see Chelseigh who winks at me. Now that one is not hard to understand.

I've actually had more fun then I thought I would when I was getting ready and my Zorro companion has been great company. I've been laughing all night. Midnight seems to come too soon.

"So you know, one would think dressing up as a pheonix would be weird, but somehow you managed to pull it off." This comment comes out of nowhere and I open my mouth to respond when I'm interrupted by Chelseigh.

"Okay everyone! The New Year is coming. It's time to start the coutdown.

I look up at Zorro and smile.

"Ten!"

I wonder if I'll get a New Year's kiss after all.

"Nine!"

In fact I wonder If I'll ever see this guy again.

"Eight! Seven!"

Maybe I should make it my resolution to stop pining over Rick.

"Six! Five!"

Zorro guy is now smirking at me and something about that smirk seems familiar.

"Four!"

He lifts up his hands to take off his mask.

"Three!"

I gasp, it can't be.

"Two!"

I try to say something, but he puts a figure over my mouth and shakes his head.

"One!"

"Happy New Year love." With that Rick bends down and plants a kiss on my lips. I can hear Darren wistling and cheering us on next to me. Happy New Year indeed.