2. Fireworks

Evan led me down the long driveway lined with limousines and town cars. We approached the parking lot, and I recognized Evan’s BMW.

“When did your car get here? ” I asked suspiciously.

“I drove it here earlier, ” he shared with a crooked grin. That’s when I realized this was part of his plan, the surprise he referenced when we left the hotel.

He opened the passenger-side door and pulled out a backpack. He unzipped it and handed me a pair of sneakers. I eyed him apprehensively, recognizing the shoes that were supposed to be at Sara’s― which meant Sara was in on this too.

“I figured they would be more comfortable than the heels, ” he explained, tossing his black dress shoes on the floor of the car, along with his tux jacket and tie, and lacing up a pair of sneakers. I sat on the passenger seat, switching out my shoes.

I had tried to figure out his plans in the past with little success, so I learned just to go along with them without too many questions― unless he walked us to the edge of a cliff and asked me to jump. Then I would have something to say.

Evan found my hand again, and we continued toward the cobblestoned street lined with lanterns. My shoulder brushed against him as we walked with the crisp air swirling around us. The sky was clear, allowing the full moon to follow us like a spotlight.

We hadn’t walked very far when Evan pulled me between two hedges that lined the bordering property.

“Evan, where are we going? ” I demanded in a panic, fearing we were trespassing and about to get caught.

“They’re not home, ” he assured me, our feet crunching in the glistening layer of untouched snow. I looked up to find a tall mansion with dramatic peaks. The windows were dark.

“But I’m sure they have an alarm system or something, ” I argued, looking around nervously, anticipating the arrival of flashing lights. I continued after him, faltering on the collapsing surface. I was forced to lift my layers out of the ankle deep snow to keep from tripping.

“Stop worrying, ” he laughed, supporting me by my elbow. “My mother knows the people who live here and even invited them to the party tonight. They’re in Brazil. I spoke with them myself about what I wanted to do, and they couldn’t care less. We’re not going in their house or anything. ”

“Really? ” I questioned, slightly doubtful.

“Really, ” Evan confirmed again with a smile. “Trust me. ”

We walked beneath the long shadows of the mansion to the back terrace. I stopped in my tracks at the sight of a flickering light. “I thought you said no one was home. ”

Evan laughed again, amused by my overly panicked state. “They’re not. This is for us. I paid the limo driver to start the fire and bring over our bags. ”

“Oh. ”

It was a charming setting, with two Adirondack chairs set before a fireplace on the stone terrace, sheltered by an overhang. A portable Bose system and my gift were set on a small table off to the side. “I like this, " I beamed up at him.

We walked over to the small fireplace and stood in front of the crackling fire, absorbing its warmth. Evan stepped behind me and slid his arms around my waist, holding me against him. I turned to face him with a ridiculous smile spread across my face. “I’ve missed you. ”

“I’ve missed you, too. ” Evan bent down to find me. His nose was cold against my cheek, but his breath on my lips instantly warmed my entire body. He pressed his firm mouth softly against mine, and lingered there just long enough for me to lose my breath before pulling away. My eyes remained closed, savoring the buzz on my lips.

“I’m glad you came tonight, ” he said, hovering inches away. “I know it was hard for you. But it meant a lot to my mother. ”

“I’m glad I came too. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss hearing all that was said about Vivian. She’s amazing; I had no idea. ”

Evan leaned over and kissed me, running his hand down the side of my face.

“Do you want your present? ” Evan asked when he pulled back. I began to smile, but faltered. Confusion flashed across his face. “You don’t? ”

All I could hear were Stuart Mathews’ disapproving words, and I wasn’t so sure I was excited to give him my gift any longer. “Can we wait? ” I requested awkwardly.

“Uh, no, ” Evan responded with his brows pulled together, retrieving the small rectangular box from the table. “But, you can open yours first if it makes you feel better. ”

I took it from his hands nervously.

“Go on, open it, ” he encouraged impatiently. I tore the silver paper to find a long rectangular box that looked expensive. I held my breath when I opened it. A gleaming smile spread across my face when I pulled out two concert tickets.

“Evan! ” I jumped up to wrap my arms around his neck. “Yes! This is the perfect gift. Thank you. ”

“You're welcome, ” Evan replied, hugging me back. “I wanted to be the one to take you to your first concert. ”

“When is it? ” I inspected the ticket for the date. “The end of the month. Great. I won’t have to wait too long. ”

“I almost bought a third one for Sara because I know how much she loves the band, but I decided this was just for us. ”

I laughed, already hearing Sara’s groan in my head when I showed her the tickets to the sold out show she’d been dying to see.

I put the tickets back in the box and tucked it into the inside pocket of my coat. Evan looked at me in anticipation. I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge to make up some reason not to give him his gift― but I knew I had to.

“So, I hope you like it. ” I removed the shiny green wrapped box from the bag and handed it to him, holding my breath as he opened it. He took off the lid and looked from what was inside to me, then back down again.

“Does this mean? " His eyes lit up and his mouth curled into a stunning smile as he set the box on the chair. Despite my reservations, I couldn’t help but smile back― his excitement was too contagious. “You got in! ” He swept his arms around my waist and picked me up. I yelled out in surprise, laughing. “Em, I’m so happy for you. ” He kissed and hugged me again.

“When did you find out? ” Evan couldn’t stop smiling.

“Ten days ago, ” I shared as he set me back on the ground.

“Wow. That must have been hard not to tell anyone, ” he admired, knowing how much I'd wanted this. “Stanford. You totally deserve this. You didn’t even tell me that you applied for early admission. ”

I averted my eyes sheepishly. “It was hard. But I did tell Sara― sorry. ”

“When I said anyone, I didn’t count her. She’s a given. ” The excitement continued to seep in. “Now I just have to find out which school accepts me so I can join you. ”

My smile faltered again.

“What? ” Evan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

I opened my mouth to speak, but then immediately closed it.

“Say it, ” he demanded. “Let me in that head of yours before you start thinking things you shouldn’t. ”

“Too late, ” I confessed with a guilty shrug. I paused again before I revealed, “I heard your dad. ” Evan opened his mouth, about to spew some not so happy words, when I interrupted, “He’s right. ”

He stopped and stared at me. “About what? ”

“You can’t make one of the biggest decisions of your life based on a girl. ”

Evan smirked. Not the reaction I expected. “Okay. ” My eyes widened at his casual response. He continued to wear his infamous amused grin as he added, “Because Stanford and Berkeley are horrible schools, and I’d be jeopardizing my whole future if I went to California. You're right. We should just break up now since there’s no point in us considering each other in any decisions we make about our futures. ”

“Evan! ” I balled up the wrapping paper and threw it at him. He laughed and batted it into the fire as if he’d planned it. “That’s not what I meant, ” I huffed.

“I know, ” he chuckled, pulling me toward him, “but you can’t listen to my father. He only thinks he knows what’s best for me, when in fact he has no idea who I am. ” He kissed the top of my head and added, “I would never make such a huge decision based on a girl. ” He paused long enough for a jolt of panic to make my back tense, before completing with, “but you’re not just any girl. I’m… We’re going to California. ”

I buried my face in his chest and squeezed my arms around him. “Yale’s the best law school in the country, ” I rebutted without conviction.

“And who said I wanted to be a lawyer, ” he responded, squeezing me back. Suddenly, he pulled away and declared, “I want to teach you how to dance. ”

My heart stopped. “You what? ”

Evan laughed.

“I can’t dance. ”

He laughed again. “I know. That’s why I’m going to teach you. ”

I groaned and clenched my teeth in dread as he approached the Bose system. I was trying to figure out how to conjure up an ounce of grace as he inserted his iPhone and scrolled through the song selections. I scanned the empty terrace, scouting for potential tripping hazards. Then I took in the puddle of chiffon around my sneakers and exhaled in defeat― this was going to be a disaster.

My head popped up at the sudden strum of a guitar followed by a round of drums. Evan started nodding his head to the beat, walking slowly over to me. He reached for me, cradling my hips in his hands and rocking me to the punk song.

“Ready? ” he asked, taking my hand and spinning me around as I laughed. When I turned back to face him, he started bouncing up and down, forcing me up with him. The thumping energy surged through me and I found myself jumping alongside him. He smiled in approval and proceeded to thrust his head in time with the thrashing bass. I rocked from side to side and jumped in a circle, swinging my arms― my skirt swirling around me.

We po-goed around the terrace for another song until I finally collapsed in an Adirondack, giddy and out of breath.

“You’re amazing. ”

Evan stood in front of me, admiring me with flushed cheeks.

“I’m sure I don’t look so amazing now, ” I noted, blowing the strand of hair stuck to my nose as a line sweat ran down my temple.

“That’s not what I said, ” he corrected. “You are amazing. ”

I could feel my cheeks changing color, and my lips stretched into an embarrassed smile. “What did I do? ”

“Just you, everything about you― you’re amazing, ” he stated simply.

“You just love that I’m such a great dancer, ” I teased, making him chuckle.

Evan pulled me to my feet and met me with a kiss that set off a thousand fireworks through my entire body. Wait. Those were fireworks. I turned to witness a sprinkling of red sparks in the sky. We stepped out from under the terrace to watch the brilliant spectacle.

“Happy New Year, ” Evan said into my ear, pulling me around to kiss me before I could say the same.

It was the most dazzling fireworks display I'd ever seen; I could feel my heart beating in my chest with each explosion. The sparks felt like they were going sprinkle down upon us. Every so often, I’d glance up at Evan to find him watching me adoringly. Then he’d redirect his attention toward the fire in the sky.

When it was over, my toes were numb from standing in the snow and I was shivering. The fireworks were so mesmerizing; I hadn’t registered that the temperature had dropped until now.

“Let's get going, ” Evan said, rubbing my arms when he noticed me shaking. “You're about to freeze into a lawn ornament. " I followed him to the terrace where the fire had become a heap of glowing embers. Evan walked to the side of the house and returned with a couple gallons of water to douse the remaining heat in the fireplace. I packed up Evan’s package and speaker system while he put the fire out.

When we neared the front of the house, Evan’s black BMW was idling in the driveway.

“The limo driver? ”

“Is awesome, ” Evan declared in awe. When we ducked into the warm car, I pulled off my gloves and thawed my hands in front of the blowing heater vent. “Now where? ”

“Hotel? ” I suggested, trying to sound nonchalant.

Evan grinned knowingly. “Mine or yours? ”

The question suddenly made me think of Sara. I wondered how her night had gone, and where she and Jared were right now.

“Where do you think they are? ” Evan asked, as if reading my mind.

“You don’t think they…” I questioned.

“He was excited to see her again, ” he shrugged, “and she looked incredible tonight…”

“I know, right?! ” I agreed emphatically. “But you don’t think they would… do you? ”

Evan shrugged again. “Let’s just pick a room and hope it’s empty. ” He leaned over and found me waiting. What started as a soft kiss, pressed into a more urgent one, coated with want. The nervousness that shot through me at the thought of going to the hotel room, was quickly replaced with a need to get there as quickly as we could.

Evan pulled back, breathing heavily, “Yours. ” He buckled his seatbelt and put the car in gear, speeding out of the driveway. That’s when we met the line of slow moving limos pulling out of the mansion’s driveway and were practically forced to stop. “No way, ” Evan groaned, banging his head against his head rest in frustration. I laughed.

While we patiently waited to move more than twenty feet a minute, Evan stated, “I think this is going to be a great year, Em. ”

“I hope so, ” I squeezed his hand that rested on my lap and thought, It can’t be any worse than last year.

“It’s going to be different, that’s for sure, ” he continued, “especially since you’re moving in with your mother. Where did that come from anyway? ”

I shrugged. “I figured now was a better time than any to recognize I have a mother. ”

“Okay, ” he noted slowly with a nod of his head. “But this weekend? All in, huh? ”

“What do you mean? ”

“If you’re going to do something, you’re going to give it everything you have. You’ve decided to reconnect with your mother, so why not move in with her? ”

I shrugged again, never consciously recognizing that that was one of my character traits. But he was right. I was an overachiever, needing to excel in everything I did― so why not this?

“What’s your therapist going to say about your decision? ” he asked, and then shook his head when I wouldn't answer. “You stopped seeing her, didn’t you? ” I still wouldn't say anything, knowing how he felt about the therapy. “How come? ”

“I’m fine, ” I defended. “I don’t see the point. Besides, Sara’s a better therapist than anyone with a PhD, and she doesn’t force me to write down my feelings. ”

Evan chuckled. “That’s probably true. ” His laugh tapered and he became serious. “You know if you ever need to talk…”

“I’m not much of a talker. ” I directed my attention out the window, not wanting to stir the emotions I'd made a point to shut off.

“I know, ” he accepted softly. After a moment of silence, he added, “This year will be better at school, too. ”

I glanced at him skeptically.

“Really, ” he assured me. “You know something stupid had to have happened over the break. Somebody got a nose job or slept with their best friend’s girlfriend. They have short memories. ” Evan squeezed my hand, and I hoped more than anything that he was right.

My stomach fluttered with nerves when we pulled up to the hotel. While we waited for the valet attendant, Evan said, “Let’s not go into this with expectations. We can do whatever comes naturally. ”

I stared at him. “Are you serious? Of course I have expectations. I’ve expected to have sex with you for about six months now. ”

“Okay then, ” Evan replied with a smile. “We obviously have the same expectation. ” I laughed, easing the nervous tension.

We left the car in the hands of the valet and made our way to the elevator. Evan held my hand the entire time, and my whole body was jittering so much that I couldn’t find anything to say.

Before I opened the door, Evan turned me around and said, “Close your eyes. ” I obeyed. “Deep breath. ” I inhaled deeply and relaxed my shoulders with the exhale. I awaited my next instruction but felt his lips upon mine instead. Their touch surprised me. My calm breath faltered and my knees weakened. I opened my mouth to the rhythm of his, feeling the warmth of his tongue on mine. Fumbling in my pocket for the key, I tried to open the door while remaining connected. It didn’t work.

I pulled away long enough to insert the key and open the door. Then I tugged Evan toward me, finding his lips again. Evan started to unbutton his jacket as I backed into the room. That’s when I heard, “You’re back! ” I pushed away from Evan mid-kiss and spun around, slamming the door in his face.

“Sara, hi, ” I fumbled, trying to catch my breath. I cracked the door to find Evan rubbing his forehead, “So, Sara’s here. Umm, I guess I’ll see you in the morning. ”

“Uh, okay, ” Evan said slowly, looking at me like I was acting weird― only because I was. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning. ” I shut the door before he could even kiss me goodnight.

“What’s wrong with you? ” Sara demanded. “You could've let him in. ”

“No, it’s late, ” I said in a rush, taking off my jacket and tossing it on the chair, my face on fire.

“Oh, wait, ” she shot out. “You two thought you’d have the room to yourselves. Oh, Em! ” She started laughing hysterically.

“Sara, ” I scowled. “It’s not funny. ”

“Oh, it is, ” she countered. “For the first time ever, I like a guy and don’t sleep with him. And you were finally about to have sex and didn’t get to. Oh that’s so fucking funny. Em, I’m so sorry. ”

I groaned and collapsed next to her on the king sized bed. “This had better not be an indication of how this year’s going to be. ”

Sara rested her head on my shoulder and draped her arm across my stomach, “It’s the end of our senior year. Then we're off to college. It's going to be the best year of our lives. Believe me. ”

I groaned, not sharing her optimism.