Kiss Me Like the World is Going to Disappear:
No Warnings. Just some kissing, and an asshole ex.
A/n: who doesn’t wanna get smooched on new year, I say as I sit alone in my house, in bed at 10pm, not going out or getting smooched.
You navigated the crowded living room, people dancing and laughing, all excited for the new year. Everyone was buzzing with happiness, and you felt nothing but dread. New Years Eve was coming close, and midnight was only an hour away. You were eager to get the evening over and done with.
Almost immediately after stepping through the front door of the luxurious pent house, you were tempted to make a U-turn and careen out of there. Amidst the thick crowd, you had caught a glimpse of your ex.
“No, no, no,” your friend, Maria, had said the moment you seized up and started back-pedaling. Maria worked on movie sets and had landed the invitation for you. “We’re going to have a good time, okay? just stick with me for the rest of the night.”
That plan was immediately thrown out the window once Maria attached herself to some blonde model.
You frowned as you spotted her again, glued to the model. They were across the room, on a couch next to a lit up pool.
“Nice,” you muttered. You were on your own for now. All you had to do for the night was avoid your ex and try to look like you fit in. Easy.
After a few more minutes of floating around the room, not particularly a part of any conversation, you drifted to the bathroom. The entire penthouse was hot and bothering, not to mention you were almost cornered by your ex, who was clearly more than tipsy. A dark haired woman, petite and pretty had been hanging around him all night, and you were weary of her presence.
The bathroom was unnecessarily large, with sofas and flowers. You placed your glass of champagne on the counter top. Standing in front of the porcelain sink, you gripped the edges, shoulders hunched.
“Okay, y/n, you can do this, get back out there and dodge that slimy bastard like it’s no one’s business.” Your pep talk was making you far more uncomfortable with the situation that you wanted.
You peered into the mirror, at your red lips and the tight gold dress. The way your hair was styled perfectly to accentuate the curve of your cheekbones, and the cut of your jaw. Breathing out, you rubbed your forehead.
There was a knock at the door. “Hello? Is everything alright in there?”
Swallowing, you called back. “Yes, just a moment!”
You opened the door, and were greeted by the dark hair woman you had seen around your ex.
“You okay, y/n? you were in there for a while.” She seemed sincere. There was genuine concern in her eyes.
You stuttered in surprise. “How do you know my name?”
She laughed softly, and despite the noise of the house, you could hear her. “You mind if I join you in there?”
Opening the door, you let her into the bathroom. The woman wore a short, dark green velvet dress with silver studded heels. Her lips were painted dark plum, with sharp black eyeliner. She was incredibly pretty. You had to admit to yourself, you felt your heart trip at the sight of her.
No, she was with your ex. You had to scold yourself.
“You’re Y/n Y/L/n, I know all about you. I’ve been talking to your ex all night.” She said.
You scoffed. “So I’ve noticed. What are you doing hanging out with that asshole?”
She shook her head. “He’s a friend of my brother’s. Pietro?”
You had no recollection of a Pietro. “Sorry, no clue.”
“That’s alright.” She said, easing herself onto the sofa. “Your ex has been talking none stop about you. At first he recognized you, then after god knows how many glasses of champagne, he wouldn’t stop gushing about how sorry he was, and how he regretted making so many mistakes.”
You wrinkled your nose. “Is he trying to get you to apologize for him? Because he might as well add that to the list of mistakes.”
She laughed again, rich and melodious. “No, definitely not. Pietro told me what happened between you two. He’s an asshole, for sure. I knew you were trying to escape from him. I could tell by the way you’ve been running around the house all night.”
“That’s incredibly apt of you.” You responded, sitting down next to her. “Thank you for coming in here. I feel like I’m going crazy trying to avoid him. He’s everywhere.”
“No problem. Just don’t go out there for a bit, I heard him say he wanted to serenade you at the stroke of midnight and sweep you off your feet.”
“Jesus Christ.” you pinched the bridge of your nose. “What a fucking loser.”
The woman snorted. “Cheers to that.”
You held out your hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Wanda.”
The two of you stayed in there for what felt like hours, chatting about your lives, and how you two ended up at the party. Wanda groaned about how she hated crowds, While you told her about Maria, and drifting through the crowd.
“I’m only here for Pietro. He said it would be fun, but I got caught taking care of your drunk as hell ex, while he goes and chases skirts.” Wanda sipped from a flute of champagne.
“That’s awful,” you murmured, watching the way her tongue darted out to catch the drops of alcohol on her lips.
“Mmm hmm,” she agreed, not missing your gaze for a moment.
You cleared your throat. “I’d rather be at home, honestly. Just watching the ball drop by myself.”
“What? You haven’t found anyone after that charmer out there?”
You chuckled. “Definitely not. It was pretty recent. I’m just trying to find someone a little more, romantic.”
“Romantic?” Wanda grinned. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know,” You dropped your gaze, a little embarrassed. “Someone who sometimes like to cook for me instead, maybe someone who doesn’t mind slowing down and smelling the roses. Someone who doesn’t want me to wear makeup 24/7 and look perfect all the time.”
Perhaps it was the champagne talking, but you kept going.
“I want someone who doesn’t expect me to come back to them after they’ve cheated and hurt me, or blame me for their problems, when really it’s because the’re distant and always in another girl’s bed!” you snapped at no one in particular. “And now what am I suppose to do for New Years? Wander around at a party only to be reminded at every turn that someone in this house was willing to hurt me so many times? Watch him kiss some other girl while I stand there alone?”
Neither of you spoke for a while.
“Y/n,” Wanda said softly. She rested her hand on top of yours. “You deserve so much better.”
You let out a heavy sigh before nodding. There were no tears left in your system.
Wanda stood up, brushing off her dress. She extended her hand. “Come on, you’re not alone for New Years.”
You took her hand gratefully, and she led you from the bathroom.
The ball was already dropping, and someone had turned on the large television set.
Wanda turned to you, still clasping your hand.
She smiled, brushing away the stray hair on your cheek.
You breathed out, reaching up to hold her wrist.
Her hands found the back of your neck, while you slid your arms around her.
You leaned in, keenly aware of her sweet perfume.
She shut her eyes, and you did the same.
You pressed your lips against hers. The noise faded away, leaving a faint call of “Happy New Year,” as the memory of warmth and hands imprinted itself into your memory. Wanda held you tightly, and you felt nothing but her.
