"Just a few more minutes, Yang!" Ruby exclaims.

Her eyes dart between me and the tv. The ball is about to drop for New Year's. It had been a nice year. Nevertheless, we are both eager to ring in the next. Too bad I won't get a New Year's kiss.

I sigh at the thought. Ruby picks up on it and asks, "Something wrong, Yang?"

"It's... nothing," I reply.

"Come on, just tell me," she says.

I'm running out of time now. The countdown has started. "It's just," I say.

You're gonna lose it if you don't do it now. "Will you kiss me for New Year's?" I ask quickly, wincing as the words come out.

3. 2.

As the countdown hits one, Ruby jumps on me.

Then, the cheering sets in. By now, it's background noise. Ruby is kissing me.