In Catherine's mind, love was not as lovely as it had been portrayed in the romance books she had read or the films she had frequently seen. Love was too bittersweet for her..
She didn't believe in a happy family and grew up without romance.
Catherine hates celebrations. Christmas and New Year's, she really hates those moments since. 1) Since both of his parents chose to walk separately and were no longer under the same roof. 2) Since the laughter for the cherished moments has faded because there's no love in each other's hearts.
Catherine also hates her birthday. She last had a birthday celebration with both of her parents when she was fourteen.
And, in 2015, she will celebrate New Year's Eve by herself for the first time—that is, until her phone keeps buzzing and her friend's name appears on the display.
Celine is calling
Celine's name kept popping up on her phone screen, and she kept trying to reach her until Catherine answered the phone. However, Catherine waited till the buzz stopped and Celine stopped phoning her because she was not in the mood to answer.
Celine:
Will you not answer my call?
Really? Are you ignoring my call in this situation?
Hey Little Sisterrrr!!! I'll be knocking on your door in a few minutes if you don't answer my call.
Catherine exhaled deeply. She truly didn't want to engage with anyone, but Celine wouldn't leave herself alone at the moment, and battling her would be quite challenging due to her uncompromising nature. Celine had been severely traumatized by Catherine.
It was not a message from Celine that was frightening her when her phone's notification sound rang once more. On Catherine's screen, another name appeared.
Maximilian
See you at Karaoke City, you won't regret it.
I'll be enough to entertain your loneliness.
Axel Maximilian was going with her on New Year's Eve, leaving Catherine stunned. The man who had been unsettling her in every way, the man who had unintentionally turned into her support system in the quiet, because he was always there for Catherine when she was struggling without her having to call out for it.
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Unexpectedly, it took only an hour to set up. A private room, two beer towers, a dozen tequila shots, two types of empty whiskey bottles, music, and ready-made microphones.
Given that the New Year was only fifteen minutes away, the three of them decided to sit down, take a short timeout, and take in the food and drinks that were still left after singing in shifts through roughly three hours.
Nobody pressed as to why Catherine was in Manhattan or why she was canceling her trip to Hudson. They had been drinking a liqueur, singing, and laughing at their own dumb jokes for the last three hours.
Fortunately, none of the three were highly susceptible to alcohol.
"Ah-ah.." Celine put the mic on. "Okay, guys, let's prepare a speech welcoming the New Year." With a smile, she pointed towards Kat and Max.
"You go first." Max has obtained the microphone from her. "You're the eldest one among us here."
Catherine chuckled, her body leaning back lazily, and she noticed how Max's expression was very uneasy. Celine squinted as she persuaded Max to follow her lead.
"All right, you're really making me nervous about this, Celine, ugh." Max and Celine exchanged glaring glances, and Celine gave him the finger, the middle one, but they made it up with a toast—a half glass of whiskey after.
"Now go! We're running out of time." As the minutes passed and the new year drew nearer, Celine reminded him.
"Um, yeah.. right. Cheers to our first New Year's party. Thank you for joining. Happy New Year! I'll see you more often, so please be patient for another year. Together, the three of us—as well as Mrs. Roseline, of course—will have an amazing time ahead."
Celine and Catherine raised their glasses and shared a toast, even though Max's little speech was completely meaningless.
"Okay, my turn." Celine swiftly grabbed Max's microphone and placed herself in the middle of the karaoke room's little stage.
"Well, so far... This has been an entertaining party—amazing for me, and I hope you feel the same way, Catherine..." Celine raised the glass in her left hand toward Catherine, who was still comfortably seated on the sofa.
"If you ever need someone to celebrate, any occasion, call Max. He'll definitely make it an instant hit, right, Max?" Catherine giggled, and Max shook his head.
"Kat, I love you.. and please be happy for the next year ahead, and like we have planned and wanted.. let's go to HawaiI next year, after our Birthday!!"
Catherine sighed while Max screamed, stunned by what Celine said. "No fucking way, Hawaii in February? That sounds fun?"
"Duh, o-fucking-course." Celine brags about her idea. "Okay, Kat, you're up. Let us hear your dream for the New Year."
Catherine was silent for a moment. Honestly, she never had a chance to give a speech like this at the New Year Party, a speech about the dreams for the New Year, talking about the wishlist in life. But there is always a moment to do it for the first time.
"Um.. I guess.. Thank you, guys." Catherine raised her glass and pointed to Celine and Max in turn. "Truly, this has been an entertaining party. Kinda agree with Celine.. Max, you have a great idea for arranging our small party like this. Who knows, we might be doing Karaoke on New Year's Eve."
Celine smiled while Max looked deeply at Catherine.
"And um.. thank you again, I think.. Um, well.. You saved me from my idiotic or insane act this year. Without you guys, I have no idea what would happen. And I appreciate your unwavering kindness toward me. You guys are like guardian angels to me; I've said this before, but especially to Mrs. Roseline." Catherine's voice sounded shaky.
She was even biting her tongue. She still had a lot to say to Celine and Max, but her lips were unable to express it since her heart was very tight and her tears were flowing freely.
Celine stood up and gave Catherine a strong hug. She called her "baby," something that Catherine persistently denied while also comforting her and laughing of her.
They continued to give each other hugs and discuss their wish lists—Celine's, actually—for a moment.
Meanwhile, Max was gazing at Catherine. His vivid gaze softened and deepened in passion.
Axel Maximilian—someone who, seeking to end up more than three hours early in a karaoke room, cancels his family holiday and avoids the flirtations of his Tinder girlfriends.
From the beginning, he was only interested in Catherine's character since she seemed too uncaring, too mature for her age, and too naive for such in-depth comprehension. However, Max's desire to protect and spend more time with Catherine altered as he witnessed and went through an abundance of situations with her, especially afterwards he saw how fragile the girl ended up in his arms.
A knock on their karaoke room door distracted him from his centered gaze on Catherine.
Reminding them of the approaching New Year's, the staff knocked on their door. At last, Celine and Catherine left their own world and entered the real one. Maximilian continued on guard, asking about a private event at the venue and chatting with the staff. They planned to start a modest fireworks show on their building's rooftop and provide complimentary food and cocktails to every visitor that night.
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The rooftop was crowded with cheers, fireworks, drinks, and the countdown to the new year. Max, Celine, and Catherine joined in the celebration, but they stood aside, practically at the side of the party.
After the new year later on reached, Catherine and Celine celebrated countless hugs and giggles, with Max posing as a protector yet again.
They headed back to the karaoke room after a while. They talked about groups having fun there or couples kissing on New Year's Day. Celine even made fun of Max, believing that if he were with his women, he would come next like. Max didn't counter with it, but he also remained silent, letting Celine carry on with her diversions.
A few minutes later, there was no music playing in their room as they were all occupied with their phones and exchanging congratulations for the New Year. Soon enough, Max made the call to pick a song to play and sing along.
The track called "A Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay came on the screen, and the music started to play.
The three of them loved this song, but Max had another significance for it because he always interpreted his favorite songs as meanings or expressions of his feelings or sensations that he was struggling to convey.
So he chose this song wholeheartedly, while his gaze shifted to Catherine. The girl was cheerful again, enjoying the melody with Celine in her embrace.
The two girls' antics always made Max laugh. Celine genuinely made Catherine feel like a younger sister, even though they were five years apart in age. Additionally, Catherine consistently displayed her loving and innocent side to Celine.
With the microphone still in their hands, Catherine and Celine started improvising as the song came to an end, with Celine practically yelling for Max to select the next song.
At the moment, Max had an idea that spoiled their party and gave them precious memories.
"Give me a song title that starts with the letter A." The only person who took longer to consider than Catherine was Celine, who told Max the song's title without hesitation.
"Always by Bon Jovi," she told him.
Max cracked a smile, liking Catherine's chosen music.
"Good."
"Oh, I like this one!" Catherine said with a grin on her face.
While Celine continued to seek various music, Catherine started singing the opening lines of the song she had selected, with Max occasionally joining in.
"Why does it have to be a song that starts with A?" she asked while keeping scrolling through the playlist.
" Being familiar with each other's playlists will make it more interesting. Yet, it's fine if you can't find one."
After saying that, Max suggested a list of more songs that Celine might like from his music library.
Celine said, "Wow, this old man," yet she clearly sounded as if to were teasing a fuss over Max.
"All the Small Things by Blink 182, let's go!" Eager to sing along, Celine followed Catherine after choosing the music.
The range of music fascinated them. They danced, sang, drank, as well as acted out that they were on top of a DJ. Time happened to flow by with barely anyone catching that.
While the music is still playing, they continue having a party, singing, dancing, and drinking. Celine gives up drinking and lies down on the couch, giving Catherine and Maximilian, who are still eager, in the end, gaining momentum.
The moments when everything started. the new beginning for them both.
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