A New Year Party

Being surrounded by famous people looked different than what she had always imagined. She’d have preferred just the handful of people she’d admired sitting comfortably, having a chat with a hot beverage. Instead, she was in a room of people she’d never heard of, others she wasn’t particularly a fan of and others she knew their names and faces but not their work.

Bringing her glass to her lips, she took a sip of her champagne as her gaze scanned the room, feeling some regret for agreeing to come to this New Year’s Day gathering. Home underneath a warm blanket falling asleep on her couch not long after the ball dropped was much more preferential than standing in a room full of strangers.

She turned to place her glass on a nearby table, jerking back in surprise as she was met with the reason she bothered with the party.

“Hey, Abigail I’ve been looking for you.” He smiled cheerfully. “What are you doing over here being a wallflower?”

She placed her champagne flute down on the table before turning to him with a smile. “Yes, and I you. I – “

“Did you enjoy the show?”

“Yes,” She replied tersely. “It was good.”

He furrowed his brows. “That’s the only comment you have? No remarks of any kind? Your lack of enthusiasm indicates that you didn’t enjoy it at all however I know for a fact you love fireworks shows”

“They were pretty, Kris, I’m just tired. I wanted to let you know that I’d been looking for you to bid you goodnight. I’m going to head home.”

“Wait – I was hoping you’d stay a little longer. I’ve been busy the majority of the evening so it would be great to spend some time with you.”

Smiling tiredly, she shook her head. “Kris, I understand but it’s getting late, and I – “

“Please, just three – no one or two more hours? Please?”

Abigail sighed softly, cursing how often he’d use that cute face of his to manipulate her. “Fine, one hour, and then I’m going home.”

He grinned. “I’ll take you home myself after.”

“As long as you remember it’s only for a single hour.”

“I know, I know” he chuckled. “One hour and one hour only. Thank you.”

“Yeah.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “So, I’ve noticed there are quite a few faces I don’t recognize. Does Jimmy just pull in strangers off the street?”

“No, they’re people who are interested in the film industry be it a writer, actor, or any other role. These parties are more than just something for all of us to enjoy the celebration of a holiday it’s also a bit of a networking event. Jimmy invites as many of us currently in the industry to meet with those looking to get in. It a good opportunity to be able to provide advice and make professional connections all while having fun.”

“That’s… I hadn’t expected that. How long has he been doing this?”

Kris lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I’m not quite sure but I’ve attended at least five times.”

“Have you helped anyone?”

“I couldn’t say for sure how much impact I’ve had but I mean, yes, I’ve given advice and given my card out a few times and tried to help out where I could. Technically I’m still gaining experience but I – “

“There’s no need to downplay your accomplishments.” She turned to him. “And while you don’t have as much experience as others, I don’t doubt in due time you’ll have more than you ever thought you would.”

“Thank you for saying that. Now why don’t we – “He cut himself off. “Rob!” He called out. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to one of my favorite co-stars.” Kris took her hand and pulled her past a few people.

“Kris, hey man! How’s it going?”

“It’s going well. I didn’t think you’d make it.”

“Yeah, it was heads or tails, to be honest, but I made it, just in time to watch the ball drop.”

“Cutting it close.”

“What can you do?” He shot her a glance. “Who’s this?”

“This is Abigail, I brought her here to meet everyone and to keep me company.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Abigail.” He held out his hand and she shook it, smiling politely.

“It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“I’d be careful hanging around this guy, he’s known to be a bit of a diva on set. Don’t let him drag you around to all his events either.”

“Hey!” Kris protested. “Come on, I’m not that bad. Besides, we all know who’s the real diva on set.”

“You mean Rob here?” A voice cut in.

“No, we were actually talking about you.” Rob retorted.

Abigail shifted uncomfortably listening to the playful banter between them, struggling to keep her polite smile on her face as she waited for the conversation to end or at least for an opportunity to leave. Glancing around the room in search of a clock, she jolted upon feeling Kris press his hand against her back. She lifted her lips in a small smile upon feeling the back-and-forth movement of his thumb, a small comfort gesture he’d picked up over time.

After several more moments, Kris took Abigail’s hand, tugged her away from the group that had formed, and led her through the crowd to what she hoped would be the exit.

“Kris, good evening. I was hoping to catch you. I wanted to see if you had some time to talk about some upcoming work.”

“Richard, good evening.” Kris released her hand and motioned for her to head towards the exit. “Yeah, I think there’s some days available coming up in the next week or so.”

Abigail slowly made her way through the crowd, hoping she could make it to the exit without stepping on any toes or pushing into anyone. As she neared the exit, she paused upon seeing one of her favorite actors, hesitant to approach him. Deciding to seize the opportunity presented to her, walking directly to him to introduce herself.

“Nathan Fellon, hello I’m Abigail, I know you have a lot of fans eager to meet you, but I saw you and wanted to take this opportunity and greet you. I’m a big fan of yours.”

He smiled tensely and she could sense that she was disturbing him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Abigail. I don’t believe I’ve seen you before. Are you interested in pursuing a career in acting?”

“No, I’m a writer, a novelist, I just came with Kris, I mean Kristopher Edan, as his guest.”

“I see, not interested in screenwriting at all?”

“I don’t think I could manage that kind of pressure, a demand put out many scripts be it for television or movies.”

“Churning out novels can’t be easy either. Especially with many deadlines and revisions that need to be done before the work can be published.”

“True, very true.”

“Do you write fiction or non-fiction?”

“I enjoy writing both, though I have more leeway with fiction, so I tend to write those more often.”

“Any specific genre?”

“Yes I – “

“Abigail, sorry I kept you waiting.”

She glanced up at Kris, giving him a smile before turning back to Nathan. “I apologize, I’m heading out for the evening. Thank you for your time, I truly appreciate it and I do apologize for interrupting what seems to have been a break.”

“That’s alright. It was a pleasure to meet you. Have a good evening.”

Abigail waved eagerly before following Kris out of the building and into the parking lot. She suppressed an urge to squeal out in excitement at having had a conversation with one of her favorite actors. She grinned widely, feeling happier about the entire event than before.

“You seem excited.”

She let out a breathy laugh. “I am. I just got to meet one of my favorite actors, how can I not be?”

“I thought I was your favorite?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you’re a favorite. I wouldn’t spend so much time with you otherwise.”

He chuckled. “So, did you happen to kiss anyone yet?”

Abigail furrowed her brows in confusion. “Why would I -oh, right.” She finished in realization. “That’s for people in a relationship and I’m currently not in one.”

“Would you like to be in one?”

She turned to him, puzzled by his question. “What?”

“Could I be your first kiss of the year?” Abigail stared at him stunned. “I’m sorry, what I mean is that I like you and I have for a while and I’d like to ask you out, as well as on a date and to kiss you if you’re okay with that but also not in that order.”

Abigail let out a burst of laughter and then nodded her head. “Yes, I would be okay with it.”

Kris closed the distance between them, leaning forward he pressed his lips against hers for what felt like just a brief moment but in that moment, she didn’t feel a burning desire of lust, instead, she felt a sense of calm, a sense of peace, comfort, and contentment. She smiled, attempting to hide her confusion, when the kiss broke. She hadn’t realized that someone could make her feel almost safe.

“Are you okay?”

Clearing her head, she looked at him with a warm smile. “I’m fine. I do want to say though that I’m a little surprised you’re asking for a label as most people would prefer a getting to know you phase before moving into relationship status.”

He frowned. “We’ve been getting to know each other for two years and that’s been plenty of time for that stage.” He took her hand and began to lead her to his car. “I’d like for us to go out on a date, maybe tomorrow evening if you’re up for it, or the day after.”

“I’d like that.” Abigail stumbled when he suddenly stopped, turning to look at her.

“You’ve never been as oblivious as I feared, have you?”

“No, I haven’t,” she admitted. “And to answer your unasked question it was because I was afraid, I was reading too much into things. I didn’t want to misinterpret anything out of fear that my feelings were clouding our interactions.

He turned himself fully to her and took both her hands in his. “I’m sorry Abigail. I let too much time pass by, and I left you confused. If I’ve done anything to hurt you over these past few years, I sincerely apologize for that as well.”

“Thank you, Kris. I’d like to apologize to you as well for ignoring what turned out to be genuine affection for me from you. Fear isn’t a reason to ignore someone’s feelings.”

“I appreciate your apology.” He smiled warmly before turning to lead her once more. “Now, have you made any New Year resolutions? If not want to make some together?”

She laughed and nodded her head. “Yes.”