Stella's POV

Parties and I usually don't belong in the same sentence because just as I would start to finally relax and enjoy myself...BAM! That's when everything would go completely wrong and the night is ruined. Just like at the party Kate forced me to attend at the start of the school year where my past yet again returned to haunt me. Therefore, when Kate approached me at the beginning of the Christmas holidays with the idea of hosting a New Year's Eve party, I was very adamant that it was going to be a failure.

"You know, Kate, I'm not a party animal. Why can't we celebrate New Year's Eve as a family?" I plead, the word 'family' slipping off my tongue without giving it a second thought. Although I was irritated about the party suggestion(because once Kate gets something into her head, it doesn't leave!) I smiled at the sign of the progress I'm making: a few months ago, I would have never dreamt that I would call my foster parents and siblings my family after just losing the two most important people in my life. Life is really full of surprises!

"If you don't like the idea, then, why are you beaming?" Kate picks up on my pleasant facial expression so I change it to a sour one.

"Happy, now?" I ask sarcastically.

"No because I need you to invite Storm and her family along with...what's the name of the boy who came to see you?" She slaps her forehead whilst trying to remember.

"Noah and no, I won't invite either of them because there'll be no party."

"What's with the look in your eyes?" Kate tilts her head to one side as if she's a detective attempting to solve a mystery.

"What look?" I question, confused on where this new topic has sprung up from.

"You had a dreamy look in your eyes when you said his name," she smirks as if she knows something I don't want her to know.

Does she know? What does she know? Why am I freaking out like this?

"No, I didn't," I insist but I can feel my cheeks turning a shade of scarlet.

Not now!

"Your cheeks are saying something completely different!" Kate points out, having too much fun with this scenario.

"You won't be laughing when none of the guests turn up at the party."

"You won't be laughing when you're stuck at a party with nobody else to talk to but the kids, Harry, Frida and I."

"Wait, hold on a second, you never said that you're inviting Frida!" I whine.

"Invited. So I suggest you get you phone out pronto and start texting Noah and Storm."

Following her instructions, I tap on Storm's name and is about to ask her about the party when another thought hits me.

"Wait, if Storm's family is invited does that mean...River is included?" I question, panic filling me at the possibility of being at the same party as Storm's older sister.

Yes, there's less tension between us two since River sent an apology letter, which seemed mostly sincere, but I definitely wouldn't be able to handle the uneasiness she would bring to the party. See, the party is in a couple weeks and the night has already been ruined. Also, there's Storm's parents...most of what I have heard from their daughter is they're not the most likeable people - in the nicest way to put it! However, apparently, they are changing for the better since the whole 'Me and River' fiasco.

According to Storm, her parents have been insensitive for years. It will take a long time for them to leave the people they used to be for good.

Why do I have to invite her family? Why can't I just invite Storm? We've only started getting back on track with our friendship and there's already tension.

"Yes, River is part of the Jackson family so she is," Kate answers casually as if she just hasn't confirmed that the person who blames for her best friend's death is invited to our party.

You mean blamed. Remember River said in her letter that she's trying to move on from the past.

True, but look at me.

I'm still learning that the past is a place of reference not residence.

I'm still learning that my future needs me more than my past.

I'm still learning that while I'm letting go, I will lose many things from the past but I will find myself.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Kate. I mean to have River here," I voice my concerns.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. Maybe it is what you both need so that it'll be easier to move on from the past."

"Why does everything that comes out of your mouth sounds wise?" I ask.

As a response, Kate chuckles.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frida is the first to arrive, wearing a white, long-sleeved chiffon top along with a gold sequined skirt and a pair of rose gold strap stiletto; her hair has been done into cornrow lemonade braids.

"Love the outfit and the hair, Frida!" I gush.

"Love yours too," she returns the compliment.

My hair has decided to cooperate with me so there are by far less tangles than usual and I've tied into a low bun. It's my first time wearing this dark sequined dress since it was the last gift Mum bought me before her death: it's been at the back of the wardrobe these past few months so it's been erased from my memory up until I was looking for something to wear earlier on in the evening.

Storm and her family is next. As I welcome them in, panic comes surging into my body when it is time to greet River.

"Hello, River," my voice is trembling just like the rest of my body.

"Hello, Stella. How are you?" I take the constant movement of her feet while speaking as sign of nervousness.

"Fine, thank you. What about you?"

By now, the whole house has gone silent to watch the interaction that everyone there is wondering how it would turn out.

"Better. Thanks for the invitation," River's eyes are wandering as she realises the lack of noise around us.

"No problem. I hope you enjoy tonight," I reply.

"You too."

Taking that as the end of the conversation, I make my way to Storm, who congratulates me for handling it so well, as I exhale shakily.

Storm's POV

After ensuring I've greeted everyone at the party(Mum would have a heart attack if I was so impolite), Stella and I enter her back garden to escape from the party. It's quite a pleasant night: we are able to see some stars and it's not too chilly, which is perfect because I selected a long-sleeved silver-blue sequined dress with my pair of white and silver FILA disruptors. I've got matching earrings and my hair is in two French braids. It's funny who all of the women who have attended tonight have coincidentally gone for the sequin theme: Kate with gold sequined trousers, Mum with a silver sequined jumpsuit, River with a silver sequined skirt. I have to say that Frida, Stella's social worker, has rocked the sequined outfit the best tonight. After talking to her for a bit, I've come to the conclusion that she seems like a kind woman and Stella has got lucky.

Stella and I start to have a lengthy conversation so that we don't even realise time passes.

"Guess who's here!" Noah(obviously) has to make a loud entrance as he joins us in the garden.

I check the time on my phone.

"You've taken your sweet time," I tease.

"Sorry, there was a delay so do I not even get a hello or -" Noah stops speaking when his eyes fall on Stella.

"Wow, Stella, you look amazing - not that I'm saying you never look amazing because you always do - not that I look at you a lot like some creepy weirdo," the three sentences that comes out of his mouth are said so fast, that they sound like one sentence instead.

I've never seen Noah so jittery!

I turn to Stella and find her cheeks turning the shade of a tomato while saying, "Thank you."

"I'm going to get drinks. Noah, come with," I say and before he can argue, I grab his arm and pull him inside the house.

"When are you going to tell her?" I ask, getting straight to the point once Stella is unable to hear us anymore.

"Can you stay one night not annoying people?" Noah avoids the question.

"Hmm, let me see....no!"

"Get outside, the fireworks are about to start," Frida warns us.

Noah smirks, knowing he's managed to wriggle out of this situation.

"This conversation is not over," I announce as we enter the garden and join Stella, whose cheeks have returned to their normal colour. Everyone else from the party is already here and a countdown until midnight has started.

Stella's POV

What a year this one has been! A year ago today, I would have never imagined that I would become an orphan and be put into foster care.

I would have never imagined my life would never be the same.

I would have never imagined I would return to the town my parents and I left so many years ago.

I would have never imagined my secrets would be .

I would have never imagined I would become friends with two people who care deeply about their reputations and teach them about being themselves.

Storm's POV

As soon as it hits midnight, the dark sky is full of bright and vibrant colours as the shrill shrieks of fireworks echo throughout the gloom. Looking beside me, I find Stella's eyes have become misty as she whispers:

"I'll always love you, Mum and Dad. I'll never forget you."

This year has taught me so much. About love, loss, grief, family, friendships, secrets and identity. Let's see what this new year will bring.