"Three! Two! One! Happy New Yeeeear!"
The crowd burst out on a cheer and the heavens lit up as a hundred fireworks—red, orange, green, blue, and gold—scattered like glitters in the dark moonless sky.
For a stolen second, Stellar closed her eyes and her lips moved as if chanting a silent prayer.
"Were you making a wish?" Holden asked when Stellar opened her eyes. He zeroed in on her and steadied his gaze.
The serenity in her face erased the worry lines she had been wearing since they met two days ago.
Nodding her head, Stellar spoke, "I made a promise to myself that… I will love myself more this year." She then took a sip of her ginger ale and let the sweet bubbles tickle her throat.
Holden agreed, nodding his head as well. As if on autopilot, his hand landed on top of her bun, squeezing it because he can't shuffle her hair like he always did.
"Hey! Don't mess with my hair," she said and playfully slapped his hand, to which Holden raised both of his hands in surrender.
