11:55
Five minutes until the new year.
Five minutes until he could start all over.
Five minutes until he could have a new life.
And he definitely planned on it.
With already disobeying him and coming to the New Year's party, what else did he have to lose?
11:56
He fixes his mask before downing the rest of the carbonated liquid in his cup. He doesn't drink alcohol.
He looks over the crowd of anonymous guests until he sees the only familiar mask.
The only one he knew that belonged to a certain person: his best friend.
11:57
He makes his way over the raven haired boy who is talking to a tall stranger.
Both are smiling, obviously flirting with each other.
Standing behind them, he tries not to make himself noticed.
He just needed to be close to someone he knew.
11:58
He sighs.
Two minutes until the new year.
Looking out among the crowd, he stops.
Staring across the room, another pair of eyes stare back into his.
He bites his lip nervously and looks down.
He's never been good at making eye contact, especially with strangers.
11:59
He glances back up only to see the stranger has disappeared.
He wished he could have seen the person's face.
The only thing he noticed that would sort of help him, was the stranger's tall.
Stupid mask.
Why did this year's theme have to be Mardi Gras?
He blinks and turns to face the huge screen TV as he begins to hear the count down.
"5..." He sighs.
"4..."
He drinks the rest of his pop and sets the empty cup down on the table next to him.
"3..."
He glances at his best friend to see his hands cupping the taller man's face, wide grins covering both of their faces.
"2..."
"Here's to a new year," he mutters to himself.
"1! Happy New Year!"
He watches as his best friend and the stranger kiss.
His eyebrows furrow in confusion as he feels a gentle hand wrap around his upper arm.
He turns and looks at the person behind him before instantly being pulled into a kiss.
After a moment, he brings his hands up and runs his fingers through the man's soft, black hair.
He knew those lips anywhere.
He almost cries with happiness as he realized who it was.
And he does.
Tears escape his eyes as he pulls away from the kiss.
"Jacob," he whispers.
Jacob smiles, "Miss me, baby?"
"So much. What are you doing here?"
"You really think I'd break my promise?"
Troye cries more but grins widely as he hugs the elder's neck.
He was finally saved.