The loud knock on the door made Amari's eyes snap open. His mother waited a few seconds and opened the door allowing light from the hallway to flow through the room.

"Yes..." He said still laying on his side.

"The Smith's are coming over for dinner tonight. I expect you to be on your best behavior." Her stern voice was killing his sleepy mode.

Sucking his teeth he pulled the covers over his head, "And why do they need to be here tonight?" 

"It's New Year's Eve. You don't want to spend it with friends?" His mother asked pushing her hair off her shoulder. 

"They're your friends. Not mine." 

She rolled her eyes,  "Amari, get up and clean this room. Stop playing with me." 

He pulled off the duvet and sat upon his king-sized bed. His family had been friends with the Smith's way before Amari was born. After following his mother's orders he came across an old polariod picture. 

The photo's edges has been grazed and dusty from the lack of protection. His gasp filled the room in surprise. He had forgotten all about the photo. Y/N stood next to his lanky five year old frame. It was the first day of kindergarten. The two had been best friends. They bothed smiled toothless smiles in the picture. 

His smile went limp when his alarm beeped. Amari placed the picture on his desk. His outfit was laid out on the made-up bed. The dinner was formal. He rolled his eyes at his mother's choice of having a fancy dinner. 

"Amari!" 

His mother's shout followed through the entire estate. Grabbing his phone he trotted downstairs to the foyer. The rest of his family was already waiting. The Smith's car pulled into the driveway. Of course they drove a shiny black Cadillac.

He scrolled through his email aimlessly trying to distract himself. Amari hated when he looked awkward and so to avoid confrontation he'd be on his phone. His families joyful tones carried warmth into the household. They all greeted one another but Y/N was the last one to enter. 

His mouth agape as he watched her enter. It felt like slow motion. Amari hadn't seen Y/N in about eight years. She was a grown woman at this point. Her legs were oiled up and coco butter wafted into the area. Her heels clicked on the floor and her sparkly black dress looked one of a kind. 

"Hello Amari," She spoke giving him a soft smile. 

His silence ended noticing his parents staring at him, "Hey, Y/N."

Utensils hitting ceramic plates was the only thing that could be heard. Both families were tired of talking and invested themselves into eating the night away. Amari's mother couldn't keep her eyes off of Y/N. 

"Are you planning on going to college, Y/N?" 

She sipped her water before speaking, "Yes ma'am. I plan on attending Tulane." 

"That's wonderful. If only Amari would put in the same effort as you in attaining higher education." 

Amari looked at his mother sideways. She changed when company came over. And he was about to act an ass, "Ma. At least I'll have integrity. Isn't that more important than money, popularity or friendship?" 

His rhetorical question caused a few confused stares. Y/N caught his shade. Her heart sank. He was still on this mess from years ago. She laughed and pushed the green beans around on her plate. 

"At least there's potential instead of denial and hate." Y/N's words oozed with bitterness. 

Their parents automatically knew what this was about. Amari's mother noticed the tension and kicked her son under the table. His eyes landed on Y/N's. Both of them were ready to play the petty game. 

"Excuse me. I'm going to the bathroom." Y/N sat up from her chair and made her way upstairs. 

"You need to go apologize to that girl now!" Amari's father finally spoke shaking his head. Sucking his teeth he excused himself from the table and went to find Y/N.

She didn't really have to go to the bathroom. Y/N entered Amari's room on accident. She had been wandering. Her sense of direction was lost. She hadn't been inside his house in years. But tears prickled her eyes noticing the old picture on his desk. 

"We were so little." She whispered holding the picture to her chest. 

Amari couldn't find her anywhere. Walking past his room he noticed that the door was open. He watched her admire the picture of them. Shaking his thoughts from his head he cleared his throat. 

"What are you doing?" 

Y/N jumped at the sound of his voice, "Sorry. I didn't mean to be in here."

He noticed her wiping tears from her eyes, "Listen. I came to apologize." 

She chuckled, "Are you sure. I can just go."

Y/N made her way towards the door. He blocked her path and gazed at her with a serious expression, "I'm serious. Let's just go talk on my balcony."

"So you can throw me off of it?"

He placed a hand on his heart pretending to be hurt, "That'd be a waste of my time."

The two shared a laugh. He opened the doors to his balcony that overlooked his backyard. The parents were already out there placing fireworks down. A small couch was already placed there for them to sit. 

"Shall we?" He asked leaving space for Y/N to sit. 

Y/N reluctantly sat down, "I've already forgiven you." 

10

"You have?"

She nodded her head, "I've forgiven myself for what I did to you and vice versa." 

9

Amari spoke after her staring into the dark night, "I know what I did was terrible. It messed us both up."

8

Y/N moved closer to him inhaling his cologne, "Neither of us deserved that."

7

He placed his hand over her's, "But we deserve each other." 

6

"That's what we we're fighting about in the first place."

5

Their fingers interlaced with each other. The warmth spread through both of them. Y/N felt butterflies erupt in her stomach. Amari couldn't stop smiling. They were always meant for each other. 

4

Y/N laid her head on his shoulder, "I've always love you, you know that right?" 

3

"I should have just spoken up about my feelings. They never faded."

2

He had the last word, "I know."

1

Screams and shouts erupted through the gated community. The two sat right next to each other. Holding on as tight as they could. Y/N's big eyes locked onto his. Taking a chance he brought his lips to her's enticing them into a kiss. 

"Happy New Year."

authors note: this been sitting in the drafts since dec 31. but happy new year guys! i hope this year is better for all of us. 

vote and comment.