The apartment was big, one floor with a ton of space for the living room and kitchen, there was even a balcony by the big, glass windows where the entire city was visible from. Every last corner of the apartment was adorned with festive golden and black decorations, and signs of the New Year. It was rather evident that it was a high school party, the alcohol looked cheap and people looked young, although unlike at Halloween there were a few groups of people that looked to be Brady's age, some even older, and everyone was dressed in suits and night dresses. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air as Brady sipped a can of beer, staring at the party. "Why the long face?" A voice greeted behind him. "Happy New Year, Brady." The college boy smiled as he turned around and saw Cowboy walking towards him. "Hey, Happy New Year," Brady raised his beer at his friend. "Nice suit." "Well, thank you, very, very much," Cowboy did a little spin, showing off the expensive, black, three piece suit he was wearing. "You look nice too, handsome. Well, except for that long, sad face you are wearing, of course." "Sorry, it's just..." Brady took another sip. "I didn't even want to be at this stupid party. This was Andy's idea." "I know, I know," Cowboy sat on the arm of the couch, next to Brady. "But you are here now, right? Might as well make the best of it. Besides, I am with you now." "Yeah, thank you for coming on such short notice. I really needed someone," the college boy pointed at the rest of the party. "I don't know anyone here." "That's what friends are for, right?" Cowboy placed his hand on Brady's shoulder, squeezing a bit. "Besides, parties where you already know everyone are boring, the dynamic has already been established, those parties are nothing more than a place full of expectations. But oh, parties where you don't know anyone... ah, those are real parties because every stranger is just a potential friend, enemy, or lover waiting to be found." "I don't want a lover, I'm dating, Andy, remember?" "I said they could be friends too," Cowboy looked around the place before pointing at a girl sitting on the couch opposite them. "For example, she looks interesting." Brady looked at her for a second, sighing. "Or that guy over there," Cowboy discreetly pointed at a guy with headphones, alone, leaning against the kitchen island. "He looks like he has a story to tell." The college boy looked but only to sigh again. He couldn't take his mind away from Andy. "Or look at-- oh, shit." Brady raised his head, looking first at Cowboy and then to where he was looking. His eyes open as wide as they could, his mouth open. "Is that... Ness?" Cowboy took Brady's beer and took a sip. "Well, well. Look who decided to join the party." And sure enough, it was Ness. Dressed in a stylish outfit, wearing parts of what Brady swore was his magician outfit only with golden touches now instead of red, Ness was chatting animatedly with a group of people by the balcony. "Fucking great," Brady muttered. His ex was at the party and not only that but he looked absolutely amazing. "Looks like life still has a handful of surprises left for you," Cowboy couldn't hold back a grin. "Maybe this party won't be a total bust." Brady scoffed as he stared at his ex across the room. It was a funny feeling because, at the same time, he felt both the urge to go talk to him and to leave the party entirely. He tried to make up his mind but couldn't because, as if sensing Brady's uncertainty, Ness turned around and looked at him, their eyes meeting across the room. The college boy stayed petrified in that position for what felt like minutes, even an hour, but deep down Brady knew that instant lasted only a couple of seconds. Maybe it was out of respect for the old times, maybe it was recklessness, or maybe it was because he was still mad at Andy, but Brady stood up and took the initiative. The lights were low, people were dancing on the middle of the living room, red, blue, and purple lights shone across the room as the party music blasted through the speakers with a song Brady would later find out was Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions Vol. 52 which, despite never having hear it before, oddly fitted the moment. Finally, he was standing in front of Ness. The green boy regarded him with a guarded expression. An awkward, tension-filled silence hung between them. "Hey," Brady spoke first, almost coughing, trying to keep his tone casual. "Ness, I... I didn't expect to see you here." To his surprise, Ness shrugged, a nonchalant expression drawn upon his face. "Life is full of surprises, right?" His voice was loud, almost deliberately rude. "What do you want?" Brady scoffed, "thought I'd say hi," he offered. "You know, keep things... civil." "Civil?" Ness raised an eyebrow. "What for? There's nothing to be uncivil about, we are not together anymore." "We're not," Brady frowned. "But we were friends before, remember?" "Friends?" Ness laughed, it was fake and forced, yeah, but it didn't hurt any less. "We never were friends. I was your best friend's little dumb brother before, you barely even talked to me until I replied to your Instagram story." "I uploaded that story on p...!" Brady stopped. Had he ever told Ness he had purposely uploaded that Instagram story with the sole intention of making Ness break the ice? He didn't remember but decided now wasn't the time for that conversation. "It doesn't matter just... I don't know, how are things going for you?" Ness' eyes narrowed. "Why do you care?" Brady took a deep breath, "really? Don't you feel a bit immature playing it this defensively? Jesus, things don't need to be this awkward." "Well I'm sorry but we're exes," Ness grinned wide, sarcastic. "It's always going to be a bit awkward. Want it not to be this awkward? Then date someone your age." "Ouch," Brady looked around, taking a few steps behind, dumbfounded and hurt. Yet, there was truth to Ness' words. "You're right, after the clusterfuck that was spending a Thanksgiving with you I should've stopped dating little teens." "Should've stopped...?" Ness' repeated, his expression, light and dismissive a moment ago, suddenly darkened. "Oh, God, Brady, are you already dating someone else? Moving fast, eh? And not just anybody, you are dating someone my age?" Ness chucked. "Trying to replace me much?" The college boy's jaw tightened. "It's not about moving fast, it's about moving forward. Plus, judging by that little show you pulled off in front of your parents I should be the one complaining, not you, but well, life goes on." "Typical Brady," Ness rolled his eyes. "Always has everything figured out." "I don't-- the point is learning and growing. You never listened to me, all you wanted was to rush through a relationship, I had to beg you to enjoy the stage we were at." "Well, then," Ness leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "I am happy you found someone who does obey everything you say." "Wow," Brady shook his head with a smile. "I never asked you for anything that wasn't reasonable, I always tried to meet you half-way and compromise, but you complained every time things weren't done your way." "Sure," Ness scoffed. "Well, congrats for finding someone perfect for you and then coming and rubbing it in." "I'm not trying to rub anything in!" Brady tried to soften his tone. "I just wanted to keep things civil, to talk to you without arguing for a change. We were two souls that hurt each other but it doesn't have to stay that way, we can talk and-- "Save the philosophical talk," Ness looked away. "It still doesn't change the fact that you moved on, and I'm here trying to figure things out." And in that moment, Brady felt someone he didn't expect: he felt sorry for Ness. "Ness, hey, I..." "Good luck in your new relationship," Ness lifted a hand, covering his face as he moved away and disappeared into the crowd. The sudden silence evelopped Brady, wearing him down. He was unable to shake the mix of emotions stirred by Ness, sadeness, a hint of regret, and ocean of anger, frustration, and exasperation, all combined. The party continued around him, the party music floated on the air like an intoxicating drug, a deadly perfume that so desperately wanted you to have fun; the lights shined in his eyes but, for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still in the apartment where both past and present collided. After a moment, Brady moved past the dancing crowd, everyone so fancily dressed, with alcohol flowing through everybody's veins as they jumped to the rhythm of the music. It was an electric atmosphere, one full of adrenaline and mistakes on the making, black and gold balloons filling the floor and walls. Back at the couch, Brady spotted Cowboy engrossed in conversation with someone. It was the girl he had pointed before. Cowboy noticed Brady almost immediately, a hand on his golden hair, and with his hands offered to wrap up the talk but Brady, defeated, shook his head. As Cowboy kept on talking with that girl, Brady went to the kitchen to fetch himself a drink. It was amazing how cheap young people were. The alcohol was abundant but there was nothing fancy there, only stuff that guaranteed you a hangover the following morning. Yet it was obvious that whoever owned the apartment must have money: it was spacious and right in front of Santa Fe park. Actually, if you removed all the drunk teenagers, the set up was pretty elegant -- the golden accents, the shimmering lights, the joyful ambiance the music created. As Brady poured himself a drink in one of the red cups, a stranger approached him with a smile. "Hey," the stranger said. "I've never seen you around. New here?" "Yeah, first time," Braddy nodded politely. "Nice," the stranger took a sip. "And you are...?" "No one," Brady looked away and took a sip. He tried to be dismissive but the stranger didn't seem to catch the hint as he only moved a bit closer. "Come on, everyone's someone," he persisted. "What's your name?" Brady sighed and only then, when he finally glanced at the stranger, he realized it was the guy Cowboy had mentioned: looked interesting. And yeah, a bit. It was mainly due to the fact that the stranger was at a party and had a pair of yellow and pink headphones hanging from his neck, and instead of wearing a suit like everyone else, was only wearing a t-shirt with the picture of a suit printed on top. "Eh..." Brady doubted so, instead of answering with Brady he offered: "My name is Ruaidhrí." "Rua-- what?" The stranger looked genuinely confused. "Okay, yeah, sure. If you are Ruadry then I am Floyd, like Pink Floyd but only the Floyd part ." "Okay, Mr. Floyd, first of all, it's Ruaidhrí," Brady corrected. "And it's my middle name, it means Red King in Irish." "Sounds like something out of a fantasy novel." Brady pointed to his head, and the red hair growing out of it. "Irish roots, man. It's real." "Okay, Mr. Red, I'll take your word for it. Nice to meet you." "Likewise," Brady raised his cup. "Mr. Floyd." Floyd raised his cup and toasted with Brady before both of them took a long, deep sip. It was easy to drink when you are sad, far too easy actually. Before Brady knew it, he and Floyd were already refilling their cups. "Why the long face?" Floyd asked suddenly, his hands over the kitchen island. "Long face?" Brady looked at him, his face blank. "Who said I have a long face? I'm perfectly fine." "Alright, don't spill your secrets, Red," Floyd chuckled. "But I can tell when someone's not having the best time. I've got a knack for it." Brady raised an eyebrow. "Do tell." Floyd moved from Brady's side, walked behind him, and settled on the other side. "Just look at the party," he pointed at the living room full of dancing people, the flashing lights, and the electronic music. "There's a difference, you know? Between being alone and being lonely. Everyone here is at this party, everyone except you and me. We might as well be watching it from outside. So, what's your story?" Brady hesitated for a moment, staring at the yellow and pink headphones on Floyd's neck. Maybe it was because something in that guy's face inspired trust, maybe it was because he was a stranger and didn't have any effect on his life, or simply Brady took the chance to unload the weight on his chest. "I had a date, here, today, but he couldn't make it. We fought," Brady took a long sip of whatever cheap stuff his cup had. "And my ex is here, I went and talked to him, you know, keep things civil. We fought too. So here I am." "Tough," Floyd nodded. "A friend of mine told me that there are pros and cons for dating everyone," Brady stared at Cowboy who was still sitting on the couch, chatting. "And that you should only keep dating them as long as the pros outweigh the cons." "So, your ex had more cons..." Floyd ventured. "Like you wouldn't believe," Brady chuckled. "He isn't a bad person, I liked him a lot. He was just... I don't know, too young?" "Well, your friend's right, you should never date someone who requires more effort than it is worth," Floyd shrugged. "But people aren't simply checklists, and even if they were, my checklist would be totally different from yours, each one of us has a completely different one. But people, even if they are the right one, they need to be at the right moment, at the right time." "That happened to you?" Brady inquired. "Something like that, yeah," Floyd smiled but it was a distant, cold smile. "There's this someone I've been trying to find, haven't had luck yet but I have one suspect left. It's fun and all but sometimes I wonder... why does he hide and make me find him? I was mad about it at first, until my brother told me that it was because he probably isn't ready yet. I am the right person, or at least I hope to be, but we are waiting for the right time. I mean, if we only get one chance, I sure as hell don't want to blow it." "And how do you know that guy is the one?" Brady raised his chin. "What if he isn't and you just spent all this time waiting?" "Ooff, you like making hard questions, eh Red?" Floyd finished his coup and poured himself another one. "To be honest I've also been having fun in the meantime. That is the risk of it all, you can't..." "You can't tell someone you aren't ready and expect them to wait," Brady knew, he simply knew. "Right. I've been having my fun, not stupidly but fun. However, when it comes to waiting it's like your friend said, you need to ask yourself if the wait is worth what you'll potentially miss out, pros and cons. It's a price to pay but only you know how much someone's worth, and how much you are willing to pay." They stayed like that for a moment, sipping their cups and staring at the party. It was the end of the year, another one gone, another one that went away just like that. Maybe all those highschoolers were dancing because of that, to say goodbye to the year, to welcome a new one. Who wouldn't want a clean slate, a fresh start? "What about you?" Brady finally asked. "What's your story, Floyd?" "Aside from all that love stuff?" Floyd adjusted his headphones, his hand lingering on them for a moment. "The last few years me and my brother, I mean we coexisted in... I don't know, peace? Like we mostly kept out of each other's business but there was always some stuff between us, bad blood, anger, sadness. At least until a few days ago, he and I finally patched things up, we talked and cried together, and for the first time in years I feel like his is my brother, like I know him, truly know him." "That sounds good." "It is," Floyd nodded. "It is but... I don't know, I guess I thought it would be like in the movies where we just talk about our shit and suddenly become best friends but instead of that we are like two tribes who, after being at war for so long, now have no fucking idea how to friends." "Oh," Brady sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah," Floyd raised both his eyebrows. "You know," Brady turned towards Floyd after a moment. "You should go see him. Your brother I mean." Floyd stared at Brady, confused. Brady persisted. "Yeah, I mean, dude, you aren't even enjoying this party." "I came with some friends," Floyd pointed at a girl and a boy on the dance floor. "So?" Brady shrugged. "Invite them too. It's fucking New Year, start this new tribes that are friends chapter with the right foot. Like, go get some tacos or something that your brother likes..." "He is a fan of milkshakes," Floyd mentioned. "Milkshakes? That works! Go get some milkshakes and burgers, and spend the New Year with him. I mean, he will know you care when he sees you wanting to spend an important date with him. Plus, just let him show you one of his activities, like... he likes video games? Play a few with him. He likes... I don't know, fucking gardening? Then let him show you his garden." Floyd laughed with that last one. "Okay... I'll... fuck, I think I'm going to try that," Floyd was smiling, half disbelief, half genuine fun. "I'll do it. Imma get out of here and get some milkshakes but... what about you, Red?" "Me?" Brady shrugged. "I'm still here without my date and stuck with my ex." "Dude, just fuck him," Floyd's tone was lighter, more alive. "If he has more cons than pros, then ignore him, this is your party now. Wanna drink? Get fucking drunk. Wanna dance? Make that dancefloor shine. Make him see what he missed out." "Damn," Brady took in a deep breath. "Okay," he nodded. "Okay, I'll make him see what he missed out on." Floyd's smile was wide, his face suddenly full of light. Brady was grinning too, suddenly the air so heavy, the atmosphere so dense, felt light. In that moment, Floyd raised his cup. "Two strangers in a bar," he said. "Red and Floyd." Brady chuckled but raised his cup too. "Red and Floyd." Their plastic cups clinked and they poured down that awful cheap liquid down their throats, putting the cups down before staring at the other with smiles on their faces. Floyd nodded, Brady copied him, and each went their own way.
The beat of the music pulsated through the apartment making the walls feel like bones and the speakers like a heart. The entire building was a living thing and the dancers and partygoers were nothing but sailors swallowed by the beast, making the best out of a shitty deal. Brady spotted Cowboy near the edge of the room, he moved through the ocean of people, a man on a mission. Cowboy looked up, catching Brady's eye with a curious grin. "Come on," Brady extended his hand. "Let's dance." Cowboy passed a hand through his golder hair and adjusted his suit before taking his friend's hand, making their way through the crowd towards the center of the room. The atmosphere was electric, bathed in the warm glow of fairy lights, and the golden and black touches that adorned the walls and ceiling. The city shone beyond the windows, beyond the balcony, sparkling in the skyline like a constellation of steel and bone, a dazzling mosaic of lights, a breathtaking view. "Ready?" Brady challenged. "I was born ready," Cowboy smiled. Slowly at first, but then all at once, they began moving to the rhythm, allowing the magic of the moment to envelop them. The dance floor was no longer an apartment but a stage, the music swirling around them like a waltz at the edge of the world. Cowboy extended his arm, and as Brady held him by the hand, the blond boy made the red haired one twirl under his arm in an exaggerated and flashy movement, they were both laughing. The room seemed to fade into a blurry background of purple and yellow hues, the light focusing on their faces as they spun and twirled. Out of the corner of his eye, the college boy saw Ness, on the outskirts of the dance floor, staring with crossed arms, nothing but a silent witness before the young green boy turned his back and vanished into the shadows behind. As the music reached a crescendo and the beat dropped, Brady and Cowboy found themselves in the center of the crowd, bathed in the radiance of the lights, surrounded by the laughter and cheers of everyone around them. People started forming a circle, clapping at the rhythm of the music. Brady looked at all the people around him, staring at the two of them, feeling a sudden grasp of pressure. It was then that he felt Cowboys hand on his cheek, soft and gentle, making him look at the blond boy in the eyes. It lasted only a second but it made Brady feel a thousand times better. Around him everyone kept clapping, chanting "Ey, ey, ey" expecting them to do something. Brady didn't know what to do but Cowboy had it under control. He danced slowly towards the college boy, pressing their bodies together before turning around and --with their bodies still close together, Cowboy's back against Brady's front-- he started lowering his torso while keeping his legs and butt in place until Cowboy's hands touched the floor, his ass sticking out against Brady's groin. Then, the blond boy started moving his hips around, twerking. The entire crowd cheered, dancing around, clapping. Brady didn't let his mind take over so he simply took hold of Cowboy's hips and started dancing as well. He had never seen Cowboy twerk but if how he moved in bed was anything to go by, Brady wasn't surprised he was that good. As the circle dissolved and the next song blasted in the speakers, Cowboy, undeterred, kept dancing, seamlessly merging in the celebration. However, Brady excused himself from the dancefloor and stepped out onto the balcony. Outside the music sounded somehow louder as it flew out into the night, but also weirdly distorted and muted, the beats digging deeper, the voice unintelligible; all the cheers and whistles felt a mile away. It wasn't quiet on the balcony, but it somehow felt nostalgic, as if a big event was taking place a few feet away but he was watching it unfold from another world. "Like those you're in a bathroom at a party youtube videos," Brady joked to himself. As he stared out into the city sprawling before him, the college boy felt the cold air of the last night of the year hit against his body, unforgiving and sharp. At the other end of the balcony there was a couple, a girl and a boy, whispering lovingly into each other's ears. He was holding her by the hips as she held a cigarette, smoking now and then. It was odd, but Brady suddenly felt the urge and impulse of smoking one, he had never done so before so he couldn't understand why it was calling to him now, only that it did. When the couple stepped apart and seemed to walk back into the party, and the girl put out her cigarette, Brady approached them. "Hey," he said, clumsy, but neither the girl nor the boy seemed disturbed, faced, or even annoyed by his presence. On the contrary, the expression on their faces was welcoming and warm. "I just... can I have a cigarette?" The couple exchange a look, so light and lively. "Here," the girl offered, handing him the entire pack. "Happy New Year." Brady took one out but he didn't have a light. Like reading his mind, the guy took out a lighter and, protecting it from the air with one hand and turning it on with the other, he moved it towards Brady, making the flame dance to the rhythm of the music inside until the tip of the cigarette shined red. "Happy New Year," Brady thanked as they stepped away. The couple went back inside, his hand on her hip, hers on his shoulder. Leaning against the rail of the balcony, alone now, Brady inhaled hesitantly, drawing all the smoke inside. Of course, he coughed. The second draw was smoother, but it wasn't until the third that the college boy finally felt he was doing it right. He allowed the sensation to linger, a soft glow in his body, the columns of smoke floating from the building out into the night sky. "Mind if I join you?" A voice interrupted him. It was Cowboy, no longer on the dancefloor, was now leaning against the glass balcony door. "Didn't know you smoked." "I don't," Brady replied, coughing once more as if to prove it. "Me neither," Cowboy said as he took the cigarette from in between Brady's fingers and gave it a clean, smooth smoke. Brady smiled weakly as they both leaned against the railing and stared at the immensity of the city. Brady thought of Coan with his brother, celebrating down by the coast; he thought of Andy with his parents, probably wondering if he was mad at him; then of Ness and wondered if he was still at the party or if he had left; and finally he thought of Floyd, a stranger whose life had briefly mixed with his, he hoped he was with his brother having a good time. A year gone, a new one on its way. "Why'd you come out here," Brady asked suddenly, exhaling a plume of smoke. "I came to this party with you," Cowboy replied, as if it was the most simple, natural thing in the world. "Nice dance moves by the way." Brady covered his face with the palm of his hand, grinning in embarrassment. "Shut up," he said behind his fingers. "Nothing compared to yours." "Don't be so modest," Cowboy pushed Brady's shoulder with his own, playfully. "We totally stole the night together." "We did," Brady felt as if that moment, which happened but mere minutes ago, was in the long and distant past, floating in time. "We did," Cowboy echoed. Taking another smoke, Brady inhaled smoke but exhaled fire. "Still, I don't know why you are out here, it's almost midnight and..." as if listening to him, the music inside the party died down as everyone prepared for the countdown. "Thought you'd be searching for someone to kiss right now." "Why?" Cowboy raised an eyebrow as he grinned. "I have you." As everyone counted down the seconds, their voices slightly muted by the glass doors, Brady and Cowboy turned around and stared at everyone inside the party. Couples were moving closer to each other, groups of friends took their phones out, recording it all, and everyone who was single moved around the crowd in search of someone to kiss. "Ten, nine..." the voices echoed from inside. "...eight, seven..." it was all smiles as another year died out, "...six, five..." and a new one shone on the horizon. "...four, three..." Brady glanced at Cowboy, as the blond turned towards him, stepping closer, "...two, one..." and gave Brady a kiss, warm and cute, lasting and amazingly sweet, right on his right cheek. "Happy New Year!" the entire city shouted all at once as the clock finally struck midnight, and the music blasted once more from the speakers, welcoming the dawn of a new year. "I thought you were going to kiss me on the lips," Brady confessed, the feeling of the blond boy's lips lingered on his cheek. Cowboy simply shrugged. "That's our natural instinct, isn't it? Expecting that every major holiday, every milestone, and chapter of our lives should be also marked by an epic moment of love, passion, and romance. But... I don't know," Cowboy moved his arm and placed over Brady, hugging him from behind. "I like to fuck around, a lot, you know that, right? Well, then it must carry a little bit more weight when I say: it's worth a thousand times more to have a friend forever, than a lover for a while." Brady smiled with those words. "You can be really cheesy sometimes, you know?" "We all have our moments," Cowboy shrugged. Not holding back, Brady also turned around and kissed his friend on the cheek as well. "Friends," he whispered as he took another smoke. "Friends," Cowboy echoed. "Well, friends with benefits of course." "Of course," Brady waved as if it was obvious. "Naturally. But only when neither of us is dating someone. And I'm dating Andy." "I know, I know," Cowboy nodded. "Unless Andy agreed to do something..." Brady stared at his friends, he was at a loss for words. "That's... an interesting thought." As the first fireworks painted the night sky, both Brady and Cowboy turned towards the city as the kaleidoscope of colors illuminated the darkness, each burst was a promise of untold possibilities to come. In that shared moment, beneath the canvas of that colored night sky, Cowboy placed his arm once again around Brady's back, and Brady did so too around Cowboy's back, the pair of friends hugging as they looked at the city dawning into the new year.