Right Place, Right Time - Rhea Ripley

Chapter 18 - New Years Party.

December 31st 2020:

Today was New Year's Eve! The day me and my best friends had been planning for weeks. One of the girls I met at the gym, Scarlett was hosting the party at her big house. She was the youngest of us all, only 18, her parents were out of town so it was going to be epic. Scarlett greeted me at the door with a warm hug and then Demi arrived soon after, she had to sort something out and couldn't come the same time as me. The rest of the group started to trickle in one by one until everyone was finally here. The house was already filled with the sound of laughter and music as people mingled in the living room and dining room.

Here we all were, me, Alyssa, Gina, Scarlett, Maisie, Izzy, Jen, Demi and Lewis. The group of friends I had spent the last year of my life with. As the night went on, the laughter only seemed to grow louder. Everyone was having a great time, dancing to the music that was playing on the surround sound system in the living room. Scarlett had really outdone herself this year, the house was decorated to perfection with streamers and balloons. The smell of food filled the air, coming from the kitchen where Lewis and Demi were working their magic. They had cooked up an amazing feast, complete with all of our favourite dishes.

Scarlett opened her alcohol cupboard, revealing a vast array of spirits, wines and beers. She offered everyone a drink, but we all decided to drink at a slow pace for now, not wanting to get too drunk too quickly. The music continued to play, with everyone taking turns to dance, creating some incredible moves on the dancefloor. Even the shyer ones among us, like Maisie and Izzy, were starting to loosen up and join in. The air was electric with anticipation, as we knew that when it came time to count down to midnight, something special was going to happen.

Lewis came up to me and patted my back, "You're looking great. I remember how nervous you were when I first met you in the gym like wayyy over a year ago by now, haha. You and all the other girls have become like family, you know that, right? I mean... not that you weren't before, but like... you get it?" He laughed, and I smiled.

"Of course I get it, you're all like my second family. And you're looking great too, going to the gym really suits you. I remember how you used to hide in the corner and just watch us, haha. You've really come out of your shell, you know? You should be proud of yourself." I smiled warmly at him, giving him a little squeeze on the arm. "And I wouldn't have gotten through this past year without all of you. You've been amazing. So, what's the plan for midnight? Anything special?" I asked, suddenly feeling Lewis' mood change,

"Right, don't tell anyone about this but I have a little crush on Alyssa." He blushed, and I couldn't help but grin. "I've been practicing a little dance for when we play that slow song, hoping she'll ask me to dance. Fingers crossed, right? I hope she and I can start this new year as a couple..." I clapped him on the back, feeling genuinely happy for him.

I remembered Alyssa mentioning something to do with liking Lewis a few weeks back, but kept my mouth shut, hoping Lewis would take that step in asking her out. I couldn't help but feel a little giddy for them both. As the night wore on, the alcohol started to flow a bit more freely, and people began to loosen up even more. The dancefloor was packed, with everyone dancing and laughing together. It really was a sight to see.

Demi pulled me aside, to ask me how I was feeling. She had known me the longest out of everyone here, apart from Alyssa. She was always there for me, offering a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. "You know, I just want to thank you for being such a good person to me this past year. You've really helped me through some tough times, and I don't know what I would have done without you," she said, her eyes shining with emotion. She took a deep breath, "Would you like to go into 2021 being my girlfriend?"

My eyes widened in surprise as I looked at Demi. "Really?" I asked, a tiny smile forming on my lips. "Of course!"

Meanwhile, Lewis and Alyssa were talking, joking and laughing together, their eyes meeting every so often across the room. He couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but at the same time, incredibly happy. He had really grown to like her over the past few months, and the thought of spending more time with her was almost too much to handle.