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I was once told that the way you spend New Year's Day determines how you will be for the rest of the year that begins. And I knew how it was going to happen, which was the same way I did every year: either sleeping or watching other people celebrate all over the world on television.

I guess that means I tend to spend every New Year sleeping and watching other people live their own lives.

Although this year I decided to let myself be dragged to the party by Rose ... A few months ago I returned to the town from a mission and spending quality time with my best friend and other colleagues would help the routine and know about their lives.

The party has been quite entertaining, we are all having fun and I am a bit drunk but aware of what I am doing, I look around me and I find it ironic that despite wanting to do something different this day I still see others living their own lives I'm just not in my room with a wide flannel and panties watching tv ... this is where I wonder what was happening in my head when I thought it could be different if I came when it is the opposite and I know that my life will continue to be the same ...

So… while I'm taking this in… How come I find myself leaning against a wall and a not-so-modest bulge in someone's pants wedged between my legs?

I only have a couple of minutes to think about what happens before Travis finally breaks our kiss, allows me to breathe, looks at me with eyes full of shine and desire and a sensual smile leaving me alone with the deep words of parting from him:

- This is the fifth time the strap of the dress has been released on your shoulder Jane ... You should do something about it - as she plays with her hair and walks away from her.

I watch him until he disappears down the hall, only after he left, the rest of the party with every person we meet including our boss direct his attention to me.

Out of breath, with the lipstick smeared and the glass of champagne still shaking in my hand, a voice in my head echoed with the following words:

Shit! What the hell does this new year have in store for me?

Two thoughts run through my mind at this moment:

A- Damn, it's cold

B- What the hell was that?

Both A and B wouldn't exist if someone hadn't given me the best kiss of my life and run, seriously… Who does that anyway?

I don't know what I'm most upset about if it's the fact that he kissed me in front of everyone and without explanation or the fact that he abandoned me afterward, leaving me alone to deal with everyone's reactions and my thoughts. completely confused by that little trick of his.

I can still feel my face burning from everyone's stares, if they didn't look at me in shock they would laugh pervertedly at my situation. Diego was in the first group and Mark in the last.

You would think that they would have cared more to have seen the performance of someone who never shows emotions freely, someone who never does things impulsively and is always in control, but when I made the stupid comment about that to the crowd, the only response was Rose:

- Hey Jane! He practically acted behind the backs of all of us and the few who had a view of his sector are more than drunk, he also kissed you as if it were the end of the world, that coming from him is more than amazing.

At this point, I just remember burying my face in my hands and running out of there, God! I'm going to kill him, but not before I get some answers first.

My blood is still boiling as I make my way from the party to Travis's apartment and you might think I'd be anything but frozen right now, but you're wrong, my black jacket buttoned over my little black cocktail dress is thick but doesn't seem to remove it's cold and it's not long enough to keep the air from whipping my bare legs or pulling up my skirt.

After finally reaching Travis's apartment and climbing many stairs I slam his front door and yell at the top of my lungs.

- Travis! Come here right now!

I don't care if his neighbors get mad at me, or if they call me crazy, all I care about is putting my hands around that pervert's neck. I'm still pounding on the door and my mind is on just breaking it when it opens slowly and Travis with a benign look looks at me with happy eyes and a soft smile on his face.

- What's up to Jane, are you coming for more? - He asks nicely.

- That? No… pervert, I came to ask you what the hell that was all about.

Travis lifts my chin with the tips of his fingers and with an eye full of love and desire he says:

- What is it you don't understand Jane? I like you so much.

And in 5 seconds with one arm around my waist and the other on the back of my neck, he kisses me again in a very erotic way, sticking his tongue out again ... he gives me another 5 seconds to orient myself when he stands up again before bending down. behind the door.

- Now go home if you know what is good for you.

With that he gently closes the door in my face and snaps the lock into place, as I stare at Travis's door I can't help but think:

Did he just steal a second kiss from me and get away with it? What the hell is wrong with me?

XXX

If there is something that I have learned in life, it is that if you want to prevent the situation from getting worse, keep a low profile, does an enemy want to take away the light of life? Keep a low profile and hiding behind a wall or tree is the solution.

Does your overly volatile mentor want to know who the hell hid the drink from her this time? Keep a low profile and hide behind her helper.

Do a former teacher and love squadmate kiss you like there's no tomorrow at a holiday event? Hide in your apartment like a turtle in its shell and live off fast food delivery for the rest of your life ... and yes, that counts as keeping a low profile too.

Well, the latter may not be entirely feasible, but at least I can spend the rest of New Years Day in the sanctuary of my apartment. Out of sight, out of mind right? And as long as there is no work, missions, or training today, I have every intention of staying out of everyone's sight and mind, especially a blue-black-haired pervert who may be prowling the streets as nothing happened.

If I stay far enough away from him, maybe the rumors and gossip will die out faster, maybe it will give him a chance to get the alcohol out of his system to get a clearer head.

God knows I need to have a clearer head after everything that happened last night!

One minute I go about my business calmly sipping my champagne, then the clock strikes midnight, and BOOM! Out of nowhere, a pair of lips are ready to suck me into another dimension as a black hole would. Yes, that fate alone would have been preferable to the gaping people I had to submit to after that kiss ... I can't even begin to imagine what kind of scrutiny I'll have to endure once I step foot in my door, better not even think about it, I'll worry about it tomorrow. Today I will stay in my warm pajamas and under the covers of my bed and I will recover all the sleep that I could not sleep last night because of everything that those 2 kisses gave me. They really shouldn't mean something and some words have probably already been forgotten and ...

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Fuck! Can't you see I'm trying to have an inner monologue here?

- I'm going! - I yell at whoever is repeatedly knocking on the door of my house.

I slip my feet into two fluffy pink slippers, wrap the belt of my pink bathrobe tighter around my waist, and walk to the door.

The idiot keeps hitting.

- I said he was coming! What's your problem ... huh? Travis?

- Good morning Jane! Ready to go out?- He asks as he plants a lingering kiss on the corner of my mouth.

I have stopped breathing for 2 reasons: the first one I kiss ... again! And this time I'm pretty sure he's sober and the second ...

HE KISSED ME AGAIN!

- You're drunk?

- What makes you think I am? - Travis asks surprised.

- Why do you keep kissing me?

- You do not want me to do it?

- YES! I say no ... What the hell? I just want to know why you keep doing it.

- I thought I made it clear last night Jane, I like you too much.

- I thought you were drunk.

- What happens to you always thinking that I'm drunk? I wasn't last night and I certainly am not now.

A couple of female giggles echo behind us and we both look up that side of the street to see Maria and Rose walking around and laughing at the scene.

- Oh shit! - I say throwing my hands in the air in despair.

Well, I can continue this conversation with Travis outside my door for the whole world to see and hear ... or drag his ass so we can talk privately, the only problem is that doing so could create even worse rumors, Either way, I'm screwed so I might as well keep the conversation outside so at least people know there's nothing suspicious going on behind closed doors.

- Are you trying to embarrass me?

- Why would I want to?

- I don't know, but that's exactly what you're doing.

- How come ... Jane, you need to give me more credit here. First, you think that I am doing things because I am drunk and now you think that I am trying to humiliate you on purpose, I promise you that I am not doing either of the two things and my intentions towards you are completely honorable ... yes, of course, above all that - he adds like an afterthought staring absently somewhere, scratching the bottom of his chin.

My jaw drops and my eyes widen at the implication of that little compliment.

- Anyway, we have a great day ahead and as cute as that little suit of yours, I suggest you change because I doubt very much that you want to be seen walking down the street dressed like that - she says looking at me with bright eyes and as naturally as If I was talking about the weather

I close the neck of my bathrobe since it had opened to reveal part of my chest, so I tighten it around my neck again.

- What makes you think that I'm going to go with you everywhere today? We didn't agree to anything and I planned to stay in bed all day.

-Well it's fine if you insist- Travis begins to move forward as if it were his house.

- And where do you think you're going? - I asked placing my hand tightly against his chest to prevent him from moving forward.

- To bed, where else?

- What the hell is wrong Travis?

- But you just said ...

- I know what I said, but that he made you take that as an invitation?

- Sorry, have I crossed a line here?