New Year's Day

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: I imagined this scenario as I listened to New Year's Day (it's in Taylor's new album) SO PLEASE READ THIS SCENARIO, THEN REPLAY IT IN YOUR HEAD AS YOU LISTEN TO THE SONG PLEASE THANK YOU (plus you can ALSO listen to it as you read for that extra vibe lolz ok tnx byebean)


After college, you flew to a different country to work. You didn't go to Amsterdam yet because it would not be the same. It would not be the scenario we had in mind. I have no idea where you went, maybe Singapore, but still, you went away because you just really can't take this country anymore.

I stayed, worked for 2 years in a food or make-up company (of course duh), and got transferred to Boston for me to take my post-grad.

It was Christmas season, and we both went back to the Philippines. It has been years since we have seen each other. We both went to the same grocery store to buy ingredients for the Christmas feast, not knowing the other was there too. We celebrated with our families, but unfortunately had to go back to work a few days after.

I went back to Boston because we were to meet with representatives from Google to make a collaboration, it was the only time we could meet with them 'cause idk they're busy and Singaporeans don't really do Christmas. You brought all your Christmas gifts with you in your luggage, 'cause you were headed straight to your business trip (you see where I'm going with this? Okay? ok.)

The house I rented was cold as I entered, my pathway was full of snow which I had to rake off. Made hot cocoa for myself with marshmallows (this is important maybe) and just spent a nice evening as I received a text from a friend at work, Gracy:

"Hey, the snow storms are pretty bad in our area. Can I spend New Year's with you, girl?"

"Sure, bring people."

I went to the grocery at night to get baking ingredients and wine. You were getting oreos, hoarding rather. You felt so lonely you had to leave Belle and Nacho after a few days of spending time with them, so you just had to have someone with you -- Oreos. Same grocery, again. We didn't see each other, again.

Went to get Starbucks as usual the next morning, as I sped off to work because I got too caught up watching Friends the night before. I walked in, and Gracy ran up to me

"Dani, is it okay if I invited a few friends. Actually, scratch that, when I say a few, I say like around 10?"

"WHAT? That IS few. Of course, it's alright. Who are these strangers??"

"'Cause I mean, you are SOOOO late right now --"

"Sorry, had to get coffee."

"Classic. Anyway, the Singaporean people came in early and of course we had to entertain them because you know who usually does that single-handedly--"

"Sorry."

"Yeah, we had to huddle up to decide who speaks first! But good thing they're pretty nice people, and I kind of accidentallyinvitedthemtoNewYear's hehe"

"WHAT??? YOU KNOW YOU'RE GONNA DRINK SO MUCH WHY INVITE THEM?"

"Because I KNOW I'm gonna drink so much haha! Girl, some of the men are A+ okay, and I'm pretty sure Jack and Peter are definitely gonna be no-show's."

"Oh come on, you have to be a little nicer to them, you know. They do try." I replied, as I try to push her to walk because this chit-chatting is making me more late for our meeting.

"The only one stopping me from breaking up with him is you, okay? You always say, give him another chance it's not like he cheated on you. He IS cheating on me WITH HIS CAREER!!"

"Breathe, bitch. We got a meeting to go to." I said, as I pushed open the glass door.

The visitors stood up as our team entered the room. And there you were. We stood there for half a minute, and both company's representatives were already taking their seats, yet we just stood there. In shock, in awe. All I knew, my heart skipped a beat.

"Ms. Villegas, the Google Singapore team has been waiting for 15 minutes now. Shall we begin?" Gracy looked at me, she gave me that knowing look. That look that said "OH MY GOSH TELL ME ABOUT THIS LATER!!"

Our eyes were locked, and I had to release myself from it. "Oh sorry, let's begin."

The meeting ended, and I was gathering my papers from the meeting table and was about to leave, but you walked up to me.

"Ela." Your eyes were happy, joyous rather. And so were mine. Your smile was confused. You didn't know what to say.

"It's been a long time, physics." I said.

"It has. I've --"

"Ms. Villegas, your 12:30 is ready. We served McDonald's to them as you requested." A short, chubby girl who apparently was my secretary interrupted our long overdue conversation.

"Sorry. Catch up soon." I said, and I left the room.

I went home, and I felt anxious but in a good way. You stayed in the car you rented for the week. You got twister fries in your hands, thank God.

December 31 came and I took half the day off to prepare for the evening. I roasted chicken, baked chocolate chip cookies, and chilled the wine and champagne I bought the other day.

The door bell rang.

"Yo bitch I brought raw steak." Gracy said as she entered my house.

"It's very Christmas-y here, I love it. SO COZY!" she added.

"I cleaned the piano and guitar if you wanna jam later." I said

"But for now, let's go get steak-in'."


People started coming as I was playing New Year's Day on the piano, Gracy was singing with me. Our visitors were all around the house, catching up.

The door bell rang. Gracy took over the song, but repeatedly played it.

It was you.

I welcomed you with a bright smile as I took the bowl of mashed potato in your hands.

"You know me well." I laughed as I gestured towards the coat rack.

We walked to the kitchen and probably talked for hours. We laughed so much, we got caught up with sharing memories and telling each other work stories that we would have told each other if were still in touch.

It was 11:50. We went to the living room as everyone gathered around the fireplace. There were no fireworks, our glances towards each other took care of that.

The clock hit midnight. Everyone threw their hands up in the air as a joyous mix of laughter and "Happy New Year!!!" filled the air.

Couples kissed. Brothers hugged. We were sitting on the carpet floor, next to each other.

"Happy new year...boo"

"HAHAHA happy new year, fucker."

Gracy got drunk, the Singaporeans got drunk. We took care of them and as they fell asleep, we sat next to the fireplace, and talked all morning.

It was 7 am, and we were still up. People were starting to wake up, and tip-toe out of the house.

"We see you." I told Gracy as she tried to leave with her shoes in her hand.

"I didn't hook up with anyone, did I?"

"No, you didn't. Now, leave."

She waved goodbye, as everyone else did.

"I'll clean up with you," you said as you helped me up. And of course, our kwentos reached the kitchen as we picked up beer and wine bottles off the floor. After we finished, we still laughed about how you graduated with latin honors and got into Google, and how your friends bet on it. They all had to pay you 5,000 each.

"I would've bet my first salary that you would've gotten in." I smiled, and we had a moment of silence just staring into each other's eyes.

"I'm so proud of --" I was gonna say I was proud of you but,

"It's always been you." You interrupted, I was gonna say something. After all those times you made the first move and I did not reply immediately, I was finally going to say something right then and there.

But a car pulled up outside.

A guy quickly got out of the driver's seat, and ran towards the house.

"Sorry, I--" I ran out towards him. He hugged me tightly, lifted me off the ground. I forgot my coat. It was freezing outside, but I didn't care. Jack was here.

"You made it!!!"

"No, I didn't. I'm so late and I'm really sorry. Mom baked so much for you she wouldn't let me go without bringing them all."

"It's fine. You're here now. We had fun last night, a friend is still inside if you wanna meet him."

We entered the house and you just put your coat on and was ready to leave.

"You're leaving?" I said.

"Uh yeah, I have to umm Belle's waiting."

"Belle's here???"

"Ahem.." Jack said.

"Oh sorry! Jack this is Jerry, Jerry this is Jack -- my boyfriend." You guys shook hands, but there was sadness in your eyes, and so in mine.

"Sorry, my sister's waiting in the airport I really have to go. It was nice catching up with you, Ela." You hurriedly left the house, you walked quickly along the patio.

"Jack, sorry wait." I ran out of the house, ran towards you. I tapped your shoulder, and you turned towards me.

I reached up and hugged you tightly, with your head on my shoulder. We didn't want to let go.

I whispered, "first love never dies but--"

I released myself from our embrace and held your hands, "But I wish you good luck with everything. I've missed you terribly, Jerry. I'm really proud of you."

I hugged you again, but quickly ran back to the house as Jack wrapped his arm around me, completely clueless of my past. I was happy, and so were you.

---I leave the rest to your imagination, or at least all your parts in the scenario above. Go listen to New Year's Day again. Thanks for reading, boo. :)