There was a new year's party going on, and everyone had put their names in a hat, and those who got picked had to sing one karaoke song, regardless of if they wanted to or not. Yoruno had already sung "American pie" for what Kid called 'a gloriously symmetrical 8 minutes' and now it was the next person's turn. Since most of the solo songs had already been sung, they drew two names out of the hat. The two papers read 'Soul' And 'Hailey' The announcers called them up, And despite their protests, they were nudged out of their chairs and up to the two microphones. Soul glanced at Hailey and then the microphone in his hand. "No way in hell..." Hailey was way too anxious, and she kept murmuring "I don't sing, I don't sing, I don't si-" She was cut off by the beginning of the song's instrumental. Soul was uncomfortable up on the stage - he hadn't been on one since he was thirteen. He looked out into the surrounding crowd, and glanced down as his part came around. "I remember what you wore on the first day, you came into my life and I thought, hey, you know this could be something..."
He kept looking down as his voice rang out, and some people dropped their mouths in surprise of how good he sounded. "'Cause everything you do and words you say, You know that it all takes my breath away, And now I'm left with nothing..."
Hailey's knees were shaking a bit, but she cleared her mind of stress and joined in "Maybe its true, That I cant live without you..." There were a few more cheers for Hailey's voice as well. Soul gave a shy half smile. "And maybe two is better than one... but there's so much time, to figure out the rest of my life, and you've already got me coming undone... and I'm thinking two is better than one." She smiled slightly in return "I remember every look upon your face,"
"The way you roll your eyes, the way you taste, you make it hard for breathing." He sang a bit more confidently now, paying no attention to the crowd cheering them on. The two sang "'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away, I think of you and everything's okay, And finally now, believing"
"Then maybe it's true that I can't live without you, and maybe two is better than one," he stepped a bit closer to her, his eyes piercing into hers and a crooked smile drifting across his face. She blushed a bit, taking his hand. "But there's so much time, to figure out the rest in my life And you've already got me coming undone"
"And I'm thinking two," he sang right to her at this point. "Is better than one." He ran his thumb over the back of her hand as the memory of their first meeting drifted into his head. "I remember what you wore on the first day, you came into my life and I thought, hey..."
She smiled, still blushing a bit "Maybe it's true, that I can't live without you Maybe two is better than one"
"There's so much time to figure out the rest of my life, and you've already got me coming undone," he brought his hand to her face and his fingers brushed over her cheek.
"And I'm thinking Oooh I can't live without you 'Cause baby two is better than one There's so much time, to figure out the rest in my life"
"But I'll figure out with all that's said and done, two is better than one." He moved his fingers lightly down her arm and entwined their fingers. "Two is better than one."
The song finished and the crowd around them cheered as he reached down and kissed her cheek. "You know how I said I thought I wasn't ready?" he murmured in her ear. "I am now."
She hugged him, blushing yet speechless. He smiled and put his arm around her shoulders as they walked away from the stage.
The microphones were put back as they walked outside to watch the fireworks. He kept his arm around her shoulders and looked up at the sky. A few of them went off, and Hailey gazed at them in awe.
"Y'know, when I was little, I thought fireworks were flowers blooming in the sky." she said, remembering how the sky looked back then.
He chuckled a bit. "I guess that's one way to look at it." Hailey rested her head on his shoulder "They are very pretty, though..." He smiled a bit and then leaned down, kissing her lips. He started out soft and light, but eventually made it deep and hard, cupping her face in his hands.
Hailey was a bit shocked, considering that this was her first kiss, but she kissed back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Soul wrapped his arms around her waist and held her body against his, kissing her deeply. When they broke from the kiss, she smiled, and said "I love you, Soul."
He smiled down at her, pressed his lips to the area below her ear, and murmured "I know."  He then pressed his lips back to hers and ran his fingers through her hair. The kiss lasted a while, and when it was broken, Hailey and Soul looked at each other through half-closed eyes. He leaned their foreheads together and brushed his fingers over her cheek. There were cheers coming from inside, They all were shouting "Happy New Year!!"
Soul chuckled. "I guess we missed the countdown."
"Its fine, as long as you have your resolution for the new year." she said.
"I WILL SURPASS GOD THIS YEAR! I KNOW IT!" a familiar voice shouted from the roof. Soul looked up at the roof and rolled his eyes. "He's at it again."
"BLACK*STAR!" Tsubaki nearly shrieked. "Get down from there!"
Hailey  giggled a bit, but it soon became a laugh.
Soul smiled and then laughed along with her. After the laughing ceased, Hailey asked "So what is your New Years Resolution?"
Soul stood there and thought for a moment. "I guess I don't really have one. I mean, last year it was to finally become a Death Scythe, and I got that, so I guess there really isn't anything else."
"Well, as for me, it already happened a few minutes ago."
He looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"My resolution was to find someone who truly cared about me for...well, me." she said
"Hailey, I've always cared about you," he said softly.
"...you mean, you really have the same feelings for me?" she asked.
He lightly rolled his eyes. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here right now. I don't play around with people's feelings."
She smiled, kissing him, and He kissed her back. When the kiss broke, she smiled, and Yoruno walked outside. "Hm? I thought you were going to watch the fireworks alone, Hailey." he said.
Soul glanced away from Yoruno and took a step back from Hailey. Yoruno smiled realizing the situation, "Sorry I interrupted."
He turned around, beginning to head inside. "Happy New Year, you two."
Soul glanced at Yoruno as he walked away and muttered "Well, that was awkward."
"It wasn't awkward. That's just how Yoruno reacts to those situations." Hailey said. Soul nodded. "I've noticed."
She held Soul's hand "Soul, do you think I'll become a better miester this year?" she asked.
"Of course," he said sweetly. "Everybody gets better with time. I'll be completely honest, Maka used to suck."
"Better not let her hear that." she giggled.
He laughed. "Don't worry, I think she's tucked away in a corner reading."
She smiled, "I see. But if she does come, you'd better brace yourself for one heck of a New-Year."
He smiled back and rolled his eyes as he pressed his lips to hers again.

2013 had started on the right foot.

-FIN-