Christmas came, and as soon as it was here and carols were sung, gift wrap was torn and food was consumed, Christmas was gone.

On December 26th, I found myself staring at the countdown I had on my computer.

"365," it said in alternating red and green.

There were 365 days until next Christmas.

That sucked almost as much as my second realization hit. I only had two weeks left until second semester.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "There's still time left," I told myself. "I'm not leaving just yet. There are two more weeks..."

Damn it, I was determined for my break to end with a bang.

I had a lot left to do before school started, and I had to make the most of it.

Firstly, there was Eliza's party. I swear, I wouldn't miss that for the world. And now the boys were all coming? Talk about a good time.

Secondly, there was my Secret Santa. After my last visit to the garage, I was extra determined to give Xander the best gift I possibly could, because the look in his eyes that day...

Aaron was right, I realized, as I drew a few preliminary sketches in one of my many sketchbooks. Besides, the best gifts were the ones from the heart, right?

And lastly, but probably most importantly, there was my date.

I prayed to all gods that it would be perfect. I would do anything to make it go right. Hell, I was close to slaughtering a goat in the name of a crush I had on a boy with hazel eyes, dimples and tattoos.

Yes; yes I was that specific.

If you couldn't already tell, I really, really wanted things to work out.

I really, really did.

On the day of, just two days before New Years Eve, I received a text.

My eyes glanced quickly at my lit screen as I sat in front of the mirror in my bathroom. My make-up had to be better than perfect, today.

XO - Coming by today?

I grabbed my phone to text Xander, "Hell no," when another text came through.

MM - YOU HAVE TO PROMISE TO CALL ME AND TELL ME EVERYTHING WHEN YOU GET BACK.

I smiled. That's what friends were for.

Of course darling :) I texted back to Mischa, before replying to Xander:

TR - I've got a date with Roman. Sorry not sorry!

I threw my phone onto my bed, laughing to myself. I didn't need anymore distractions. I had to get ready.

April had come over the night before to help me pull my outfit together.

"Show a little skin," she'd said.

"April," I had replied. "I'm not trying to freeze."

"It'll be like, seventy tomorrow, Thal."

"But, what if we're out late? We're going to the beach, Ap. It'll be cold at night."

"Soooo, is that a no to this crop top and jean shorts?"

"It's an absolutely not," I shook my head. "I'm also not trying to look slutty."

"Thalia," my friend had said, "nothing you own is slutty. If you want slutty, we should go through Leigh's party clothes from her freshman year of college."

So, after multiple conversations like that, we'd decided on a light grey skater dress that I could pair with some knee-high socks and high-top Converse. I was going to the Santa Monica Pier, so I wanted to be comfortable.

Once my foundation, eyeliner and lipstick was in place, I pulled my hair into a high ponytail so, as April said, Roman could "see my pretty face."

I'd obliged, even though it wasn't like he hadn't seen it before.

Finally dressed, I grabbed my phone from my bed, checking it one last time.

I scrolled through my waiting texts...

MM - Hooray! Everything is going to be fine, so you can relax Thal! Double date next time? :P

AK - Is your hair up? LET ROMAN SEE YOUR FACE THALIA ROSE.

XO - Damn! Where have I been?

RC - Ready?

I smiled at the messages from my friends, and I was just about to text Roman back when I could hear my mom's voice filter from the bottom of the steps.

"Thalia!" She exclaimed. "There's a very handsome young man down here, and he's waiting for you!"

My smile turned into a full-on grin, heart thudding in my chest.

"Coming!" I called. Then, I grabbed my jacket and threw my phone into my purse.

Checking my reflection one last time in my vanity, I took a final deep breath.

It was now or never.

"Half full, Thalia," I said to myself. "Your glass is half full."

Then, I fixed my dress and rushed from my room, descending the stairs to the boy who waited below.

-~*~-

Is anyone else as excited as I am for this date???

Here's a Haiku to give you a taste of the next chapter. *clears throat*

Thalia and Roman,
finally are together.
I hope you're ready.

Seriously, guys. Buckle your seatbelts, because some big time secrets are 'bout to be revealed.

Here we goooooo...

*ExesAndOhs*