Post by effy on Feb 25, 2011 21:14:47 GMT -8
Elbows perched on the steel railing, Janet starred across the horizon, waiting. The booming chants rang in her head like church bells, accompanied with thunderous cheers and clapping. The sky was still a murky black and they were already celebrating.
Three.
Janet took a quick look at those still inside, honoring the meaningless tradition of staying inside on New Year's Eve until the first moment of the New Year. Faces pressed against the glass, eyes wide like tiny planets. She rolled hers to them and swiveled back, taking a small sip for the glass she held perched between her fingers.
Two.
There were still several people below the balcony setting up the last fireworks in the middle of the street. One in particular looked up, catching her eye, and smiled. She smiled back and gave a quite wave, and he set back to his work. Quickly, the workers backed into the sidewalks and the cheers began again.
One.
The doors to the balcony were all flung open at once as streaks of bright colors erupted into the skies. People quickly crowded into the small space, juggling glasses above their heads and giggling like maniacs. Annoyed, Janet shoved her way back inside taking a seat in a newly-unoccupied plush chair.
"Miss Porter?" called a voice, belonging to a young man with a seriously-looking expression, falling into a mock bow. He looked back up, a mischievous grin on his face. Janet rolled her eyes teasingly. He took a seat next to her, still smiling.
"Had fun setting up the fireworks, Quince?" she asked, mocking her friend. It was not like him to do something that kept him away from a party, and she had been trying to bother him as much as possible about the fact.
"Had fun ignoring the party, Janet?" he retorted, pushing her shoulder. "It looked like, uh, fun..." he said, dripping wish sarcasm. Janet ignored him. It would be much, much more fun now.
Three.
Janet took a quick look at those still inside, honoring the meaningless tradition of staying inside on New Year's Eve until the first moment of the New Year. Faces pressed against the glass, eyes wide like tiny planets. She rolled hers to them and swiveled back, taking a small sip for the glass she held perched between her fingers.
Two.
There were still several people below the balcony setting up the last fireworks in the middle of the street. One in particular looked up, catching her eye, and smiled. She smiled back and gave a quite wave, and he set back to his work. Quickly, the workers backed into the sidewalks and the cheers began again.
One.
The doors to the balcony were all flung open at once as streaks of bright colors erupted into the skies. People quickly crowded into the small space, juggling glasses above their heads and giggling like maniacs. Annoyed, Janet shoved her way back inside taking a seat in a newly-unoccupied plush chair.
"Miss Porter?" called a voice, belonging to a young man with a seriously-looking expression, falling into a mock bow. He looked back up, a mischievous grin on his face. Janet rolled her eyes teasingly. He took a seat next to her, still smiling.
"Had fun setting up the fireworks, Quince?" she asked, mocking her friend. It was not like him to do something that kept him away from a party, and she had been trying to bother him as much as possible about the fact.
"Had fun ignoring the party, Janet?" he retorted, pushing her shoulder. "It looked like, uh, fun..." he said, dripping wish sarcasm. Janet ignored him. It would be much, much more fun now.
JANET GWENETH PORTER
