Jan 31st, 2006
“5-4-3-2-1. . .Happy New Year!!!” Champagne corks popped all around the room, and thrown confetti landed in everyone’s hair and clothes. Everyone began to remove their masks and grant the first kisses of the year. Adrienne moved to untie hers, but instead he turned to her, all charm and confidence, and took her hand. “Happy New Year, Adrienne,” he said, looking into her eyes. He brought her hand to his lips, and placed a chivalrous kiss on it, never breaking eye contact. Across the room, her cousin and confidante Lexana was watching. “Oh no, now she’s going to blush and look like a twelve year old,” she worried. “I can’t look.” She covered her face with her hands. Near Lexana, another set of eyes was watching the scene unfold. They belonged to Geoffrey, the boy who had broken up with Adrienne to go on his trip to Europe unattached, but had returned and wanted her back now. He had been about to approach her, sweep her off her feet and bring her back to him, but the young man who had not yet removed his mask beat him to the punch. Geoff could only hope that she would push him away and give him an opening, but before that could happen he had to wait through this wrenching moment and remain silent. Adrienne removed her hand from the mystery suitor’s grasp and untied her mask, letting it dangle from her wrist. She looked at her hand, then looked back at the boy. “I think you missed,” she whispered, stepping closer. She stopped just short of stepping on him and reached to untie his mask. Before she could, he was kissing her, and she forgot all about any mask. Lexana and Geoff were in shock. Then he was gone, and she was standing alone in the center of the room, and she still didn’t know his name.
