Disclaimer: Mine. Except for snow and Coke.
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Allie glanced at her watch before sweeping her gaze around the small, slightly deserted park, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. Maybe the people were already celebrating the last day of the year, drinking away their memories and recollections as a sign of welcoming the new year. She frowned a little, adjusting her glasses before spotting a figure lounging on the snow-ridden grass not too far away, auburn hair visible amongst the pure white surrounding it.
The brunette trudged over, gloved hands in pockets, her jacket enveloping her, wondering absent-mindedly if her redheaded friend was similarly bundled up. For all she knew, the girl had only thrown on a scarf and the first jacket she saw in her haste to get down here. A few more paces and Allie was looming over a small figure lying spread-eagled on the snow, thankfully covered head to toe in a thick, woolly jacket and boots, a bright green scarf covering nearly half her face as brown eyes twinkled back at her.
“’Sup, fairy princess?” Allie greeted, and plopped down beside her best friend, her bag behind her, smirking. She’d always thought the meaning of her name was completely contradictory to her slightly uncouth behaviour. Perhaps uncouth was a bit too strong; but she’d never seen her act fairy-like in the least.
“Shut up, noble and exalted one,” Shay retorted, her voice muffled by the scarf. She huffed, and pulled it down, before sticking a tongue out.
“Doesn’t beat fairy princess.” Allie rolled her eyes, smirking again. Their breaths came out in white puffs of air, winter at its finest. “Ready for another year, mate?”
Shay pushed herself up, and wrapped her arms around her knees, making her look fragile and vulnerable, unlike the near adult that she was. “I honestly don’t know. It’s like, I’m tempted to live in the memories, not because I’m so reluctant to leave them, but I wonder if... The new ones would be as memorable; as worthy to be created.”
The brunette snorted, not unkindly, and let out another puff of breath. “I get you. This year’s been... Well, it’s been a lot of things. You know?”
Her friend nodded. “I guess... It’s been crazy. We discovered our best-friend-ship thanks to a member of the monkey family, got addicted to Dekker, and never failed to get high on those cancerous yogurt sticks, among other things.” She laughed a little, a slight smirk pulling at her lips.
“Damn yogurt sticks.” Allie agreed, before laughing along. “And don’t forget, ma chérie, that you found something else too.” She winked, rolling her eyes at the innocent look Shay was pulling. “Does mushy, cheesy and sappy ring a bell?”
“Sorry, no bells on me.” Shay replied nonchalantly, a soft blush permeating her cheeks. “Shut up, dude.” She retorted when Allie started guffawing. “Gosh, I’m pathetic, aren’t I?”
The younger of the two smirked again, and answered, “Nah; you’ve just gone soft, is all. Like the princess you were meant to be.” At this, the smirk dissolved into giggles as Shay merely rolled her dark eyes, before picking up a handful of snow and flung it smack dab into her best friend’s face.
“Alright, peace! So touchy. Anyways,” Allie quickly put her hands up in surrender, sticking her tongue out at the snickering redhead. “Any new year’s resolutions, ma chérie?”
“Besides continuing to be a badass?” Shay raised an eyebrow, a slight smile on her lips now. “I don’t know, man. I’d probably come barrelling into the new year, all blunt and Gryffindor-like and whatnot. And no one ever completes their resolutions; it’s like, an excuse to have a purpose when you don’t know your own.”
Allie snorted again, before nodding in agreement. “Well, you can’t exactly blame them, I guess,” she replied simply. “But tomorrow’s the new year. Auld Lang Syne and all that. What do you think will happen?”
The slight smile on Shay’s face became a half-smirk, before it softened. “Aside from finally escaping the bonds of uniform and public exams?” The thought made her stomach tightened in fear and anticipation, but she pushed on. “A lot. That’s all I can say.”
Allie glanced at the redhead, her face filled with pensive thoughts, before grabbing her bag and rummaging through it, producing two bottles filled with sweet, dark liquid. “Never too late in the year for some Coke, I always say. Well, since today, at least,” she amended unashamedly, and handed one of the bottles to her grinning friend, whose short legs were crossed Indian-style as she sat up eagerly.
Both girls uncorked the bottles, and clinked them together as Allie said, “To a lot,” before gulping the drink heartily.
