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[indent]Ava didn’t know what was worse about these final moments: that Anna had maintained her too-happy-for-her-own-good positivity or that everyone seemed to be in copious amounts of it as the final countdown was starting. Sixty seconds of idiots going around, hugging and smiling at each other. Either they were family members or they were people who just felt overjoyed that it was a new year. Just because it marks the end of the shittastic year that was 2017 didn’t necessarily mean that 2018 would be any better.

And yet, as the crystal ball came down and a dramatic tune came on from the DJ that was meant to hype up the final countdown, she saw exactly what she expected. Husbands and wives arm-in-arm, their sons and daughters joining in and various significant others all were looking at each other as if they were gazing into each other’s eyes for the first time. Nothing would give her more pleasure than knocking some sense into the masses, but she had to refrain from doing that. She was actually trying not to be the problem child. No matter how large the urge, it was, at the least, something amazingly shocking that she had a neutral expression.

Not even halfway through the final countdown and she had enough. Ava had enough of the smiles and laughter and all of the jovial energy. She took back what she wasn’t going to do. Ava had promised herself that she wouldn’t knock some sense into these people. She really tried not to, but if she didn’t get away from everyone, she was going to lose it. So, she politely - well, polite for Ava - excused herself from whoever remained of the crowd after Anna had left a bit ago. She couldn’t even tell you who was left if you were to provide a collage of pictures of those around. Perhaps it was rude, but Ava didn’t care at this point. She just had to get out of there.

Thankfully, she rushed out of there before people decided to hog the floor space and block the exit(or entrance, depending on perspective) to the balcony. Compared to the jungle inside, the chilly breeze that rushed at her, causing the smallest hairs all over her body stand up was a welcomed feeling. Though initially irritating, once Ava had allowed herself to get used to it, she let out a relieved sigh. 

She leaned forward against the balcony railing, her eyes falling on the Manhattan skyline. She never did take the time to appreciate just how beautiful it was. She has heard stories of its genius and how each building, no matter how different they were, held a certain individuality, yet somehow complimented the one next to it. Not to mention the dark sky and the stars, and all of the buildings lit up like a fucking Christmas tree, it provided with a calming sight. It almost made it seem like those inside the party wasn't as obnoxious as they had been all night.

[color=mediumturquoise]“Well, at least it’s quiet out here,”[/color] she commented lowly. Ava sighed, trying to block out the cheers. [color=mediumturquoise]“I guess it’s officially the new year. Yeah, like I give a damn.”[/color] Ava sourly scowled, turning her head to see another person out here. She was surprised, to say the least. She figured everyone at the party was all about that life. [color=mediumturquoise]“So, what’s your excuse? Just enjoying the view or had enough of all the white privilege doing white privilege things?”[/color][/indent]

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[indent]When he had felt the force of his darling, twin sister brush past him, Alexandros couldn’t help but chuckle to himself as he saw her dainty figure make surprising headway through the crowds of people. They, of course, didn’t see it as entertaining as he did, but they simply didn’t know Ava like he did. She wasn’t in favor of these settings and he knew more than anyone how she felt about new years. He wouldn’t put it past her to complain to anyone who would listen to how idiotic the concept of “new beginnings” was. 

Oh well, that just meant he would be able to scope out the room without having to worry about her policing what he did. He was thankful that his parents also seemed nowhere in sight. Though, at some point, in the last hour, Alexandros had lost Richard. They were going strong with a game they were playing with some random girls and see who could get the most numbers. It usually started with one flirting with a girl and the other going a few minutes later when they had purposely felt accomplished. In a way, it was like a game of tag. And though these girls seemed to be the type to be confident about their own selves, it couldn’t be denied that both Alexandros and Richard had different approaches to flirting. Alexandros was a little more upfront as compared to Richard’s subtle approach

So, perhaps that was why Alexandros was able to score more phone numbers than Richard. And being the person that he was, Alexandros flaunted that in Richard’s face. Perhaps he had been too busy being too self-involved in his own success or something else was at play, but Alexandros found himself with all of the numbers and no best friend to brag it to. 

He let out a sigh, turning around so that his back was pressed against the bar. He scanned the immediate area, seeing all sorts of potential. Looks have been given to him as he moved from one person to the next, not sticking his contagious eyes on one person for longer than a few, curious seconds. What he wanted to do was to see all of the selection before he made his move. After all, even Zeus had to scout before pouncing.

He finished his drink and asked the bartender for another. Though it seemed the female bartender was hesitant to give him another considering Alexandros’ not-so-legal age, he shot her one of his trademark smirks. Something about it seemed to sway her under his spell. And, again, Alexandros went back to screening the room.

Until he saw someone that caught his eye. There was just enough time left on the countdown to the new year for him to squeeze through the crowd of people already starting the countdown from twenty down to zero. He managed to speed up his walk into a borderline sprint and in the final ten seconds, without so much as saying but a single word, he embodied the great Zeus and brought this beauty close to him, earning a surprised shriek. There was an obvious, initial shock to being pulled into a kiss, but once the lips met and the confetti and exploded on top of the room, their eyes met and all defiance had left the room. 

And, as Alexandros had given this scarlet-haired gem a single glance, his eyes had another focus: Audrey. She was no more than five feet away from him and much like she had done so the entire night, they had engaged in back-to-back death glares. It was the case an hour ago and it was the case right now.

“That was...amazing,” the girl Alexandros had just kissed said, almost out of breath.

He didn’t even acknowledge her, though heard her voice. He smiled. [color=dodgerblue]“It most certainly was.”[/color][/indent][/color]