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A wooden stage congregated by people of all ages stands facing the water, fairy lights twinkling around the perimeter. The gentle hum of conversation and soft jazz is interspersed with the knocking of high heels and dress shoes against the wooden planks. A sudden flurry of booms comes from somewhere across the city, leaving red and gold glitter crackling in the sky.
“Did we miss it!?” One girl asks in a panic.
“No, no – there’s still two minutes.” Her friend responds, his watch face lighting up at the flick of his wrist and disappearing back beneath the sleeve of his coat.
Sitting alone on a wooden bench nearby, Will watches the groups around him talk and laugh amongst themselves, while children pose for their parent’s photos holding sparklers.
“There you are! I was looking for you, are you alright?” Sarah’s voice appears from his side and he turns to look at her through glassy eyes.
“Yeah, yeah I just needed to sit down.” He says, his words laconic, with the hint of a slur.
“You want to come over by the water?” She asks, bending one knee down to his sitting height.
“No, no I’m going to stay here.” He smiles at her, eyes closed and head wobbling. “But you go, if you want.” He opens his eyes, one slightly after the other, the smile still lingering on his face.
“Don’t be silly,” she says, “move up.” She gestures for him to slide along and he does so, letting her sit where he had been.
Another boom from somewhere else sends ripples of doubt through the crowd once more, with phone screens lighting up and dimming intermittently.
Will’s head follows the sound from the sky, and then tilts slowly back down.
“It’s funny,” he sighs, his words exhaled. “We’re trying to countdown together,” he takes a deep breath in through his nose, “but we’re all on different times.” His eyelids droop to a close, his head nodding down. “It’s like, even when we’re together we’re alone.”
The music stops and a voice comes through the speakers to start the countdown.
“10, 9, 8-”
The crowd picks it up and chants along. Sarah wraps her arm around Will and brings his head to rest against her chest.
“5! 4! 3!”
“Sometimes,” she says, “but not now.”
The crowd screams in unison and the fireworks fizz up into the sky from the other riverbank, adding to the beacons that are now visible for miles around.
“Happy new year.” Will mumbles, nuzzling his cheek into her.
Sarah wraps her other arm around him and kisses his head.
“Happy new year to you too.”
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