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When Gilbert was invited to a New Year's Eve party he expected just some friends and bottles of liquor all sprawled around the floor and confetti being thrown every time someone passes by in searching for food or anything they can get edible into their stomachs. He did not expect to be dragged into a place lit up by colorful lights illuminating the walls, a bar with comic and vinyl memorabilia, and pastel blue couches to be the place he would be surrounded in. He was at a karaoke bar. The bar with multiple TVs with the New Years' ball drop on display, cheesy Christmas music still being played in the background. His knitted deep green sweater he wore over his navy blue scrubs because that’s what happens when being forced to go straight to a party right after being on call for the day. Yet, this is not what he had envisioned at all. People were either sitting on the couches laughing or drinking what he assumed was milkshakes and playing board games or others would be in the rooms blasting to tunes playing karaoke. Still, he found himself in awe and a bit confused that was until he found his hand being introduced to a glass with spider-man on it, the drink topped with whipped cream and a candy cane.
“Here drink this. It tastes like a candy cane but spicy.” His best friend shoves into his hand and forces him to take a sip.
“Moody I think you mean it taste like an alcoholic candy cane,” Gilbert tells him but he keeps drinking the milkshake because it does taste pretty freaking good.
“Same thing it tastes like Christmas and magic.”
“How did you even know about this place? Wait a minute let me rephrase that who even invited you?” Moody pouts and takes a sip of his drink and sets it at the table.
“First off rude Blythe. I have friends that are not just you, you know and it’s from one of Ruby’s friends they met in some art and wine class. I don't know but the point is it's freaking awesome and Ruby is awesome so I knew it would be great. So say thank you to your very best friend if not, you would have been a grouch eating a sad sandwich in the hospital cafeteria.” Gilbert rolls his eyes and looks at the condensation falling from the glass cup.
“I am not a grouch. I had to work. “
“Okay yea but you still would have been alone after you finished work. Hence a grouch.” Gilbert shoves Moody with his hand lightly pushing him off to the side and his best friend laughs.
“Fine thanks Moods.”
“See now that wasn’t so bad was it. Now drink up grouch and party.”
To be fair Gilbert didn’t expect the milkshakes to be that damn good the place had a plethora of different flavors but he had to admit the chocolate and peppermint were his favorite and it wasn’t because it was topped with chocolate candies. That he wouldn’t admit. But now with the three boozy milkshakes and fries filling his stomach he couldn't help but admit he was feeling better about the new year. Gilbert didn’t know exactly what it was that he was expecting to happen but it was something but he told himself to enjoy the moment. So here he was in a karaoke room lit with a small dangly mirrorball singing a duet with Moody.
“And at last I see the light!” Moody screams into the glowed-up microphone trying to keep a tune going.
“And it’s like the sky is newuwwuww!” Gilbert hears the crack in his voice as he tries to belt out the line and he feels Moody come closer and places his hand on Gilbert’s cheek and lightly slap it.
“And it’s warm and real and bright!” Gilbert pushes Moody trying to get him back from him slapping him.
“Dude don’t be fucking rude.” Moody mocks him and they both laugh.
“I need a break I’ll be back.”
He did mean to have a quick break to just get himself a bottle of water and cool down from the high of everything but he found himself bound to another room much quieter expecting no one to occupy the space. Though he realized quickly he wasn’t quite right. It was instant he wasn’t as warm as he thought he was, his knitted sweater felt more constricting and his hair more curly and unkempt. The room was aglow with violet lights reflected against the wall, warm fairy lights hung against the ceiling making it seem like a night beneath the stars, and sitting on the velvet sofa with her back against the wall was the one person he knew he had been waiting for.
Her hair was in a messy bun small curls framing her face, a splatter of freckles upon her face and glitter stars and confetti stickers on the bridge of her nose reminiscing the twinkling of the lights but much more delicate. Her eyes were closed. She was wearing dark green corduroy overalls and a cream sweater underneath. She was every bit of newness and magic described in those cheesy movies and fairy tale Disney films he binged watched with Delphine throughout Christmas eve. And he wanted to get that spark of magic beneath his fingertips to have that feeling of a possible change to happen in his life and somehow he knew it was her.
Anne thought new years eve can be described in two words glitter and messy. She loved the idea of ringing in the new year with a new prospect of hope but at the same time, she felt it was a bunch of bullshit that was just commercialized to make people feel better for messing up throughout the year. New year, new me was not something she lived by because the fact was that broken and messed up things that happened or occurred all though should stay in the past should not be forgotten. It was to Anne that because of those bumps in the year it made a person who they were and the fact of the matter is broken things have beauty. So what? this year wasn’t the best but it was the best in terms of her loving the chipped parts of herself. Though, Anne didn’t think she can handle another conversation with people in the bar about the concept or how their New Years' resolution is to go to the gym. She wanted authenticness. She wanted a connection before she rang in the new year. That leaves her to find this small place of magic in a room where it was muted from the screams of people but the lights making it seem like she was in a snow globe and the soft tunes of music playing from the karaoke machine. It was a bit of the magic she wanted. But that didn’t stop from hearing the door close and small shuffle footsteps.
“You know I can hear you right? My eyes may be closed but my senses are tingling and it senses a presence.” Anne explains her eyes are still closed but she hears a small chuckle. It sounded deep, hearty, and comforting something she wasn’t expecting.
“Well you have impeccable senses should I be worried that I might have stepped into a room with an undercover superhero?” Gilbert teases the woman still sitting in front of him but decided to sit right beside her looking up at the lights.
“You should. You see I have the power to mold the minds of young children helping them gain their own opinions and ideas never forgetting their imaginations. It is a tough job for a hero like me.” She smiles as she thinks about the 1st graders she works with every day. Anne felt the stranger sit beside her.
“Oh well then considered me in honor of being graced in the presence of someone so powerful,” Gilbert says and closes his eyes. It feels nice to just be somewhere else for a bit.
“Now tell me what’s your superpower?”
“Oh no, I consider myself more of a sidekick not a main character type of energy. But I suppose my superpower would be that I fix boo-boos on tiny human beings and research how to help these tiny human beings.” He shrugs and smiles as he remembers the little boy who ran up to him hugging him with his tiny arms thanking him for fixing as he said his “boo-boos” and explaining how he wants to make people feel better one day too. Just like him.
“Shut the fuck up! You are not a sidekick; you sir are a superhero at best. How dare you diminish your power!” Anne opens her eyes and lightly slaps the stranger’s arm sitting next to her. A pair of hazel eyes meet her startled and then smiling. Now Anne is the type of person who believes it is what is on the inside that counts. That beauty cannot take you everywhere no matter how good-looking a person is. But this man was good-looking. Okay, to Anne he was handsome as hell. Anne seriously considered why he was here with her than out somewhere on a yacht or some fancy dinner. His eyes were warm resembling pools of honey and ivy growing on moss-covered stones. His hair was curly and a little messy but she loved that. There was a small curl that laid against his forehead, his lashes were so long, tiny freckles were painted on the bridge of his nose, and his chin was as if he was marble and carved by the greatest artist. But the icing on the cake for Anne was that he was wearing scrubs and that made him look a mixture of hot and adorable.
“I’ll take being a superhero then. But in honesty, it’s a job and a job I love it’s so tiring and can be demanding but the look on the little faces when you tell them how brave they are or when you make them see how it’s not so scary and they puff out their chest acting like they are little heroes is the greatest accomplishment.”
“Now wait a minute scrubs. I’m going to call you scrubs if that’s okay with you and don't worry it is not a joke it’s a compliment. I mean anyone can see you look good and I mean good in them. But back to the subject at hand, I have two questions. First are you real? And two where the hell have you been all my life?” Anne tells him honestly and faces him his face blooms red and she can tell he’s not used to this much praise and his hand goes behind his neck suggesting he may be nervous.
“The answer to the questions is I am very much real if not you would not see me get very much nervous as if I’m back in middle school. And two I’m asking the same question to myself. Now my turn I’m going to call you a star nymph because frankly, you resemble one and that just means you are very much enchanting. So my little nymph, one why are you here by yourself? And two are you single?” Anne laughs and throws her head back her eyes crinkle and she turns her body towards him their knees touching.
“Well to answer the first question I wanted to escape the crowd for a bit and two yes I am single.”
“So you’re saying there's a shot for me to take you out on a date? Or am I being too presumptuous? Please feel free to smack me if I ever go out of line.” Gilbert turns towards her and she scrunches her nose her cheeks turning pink.
“Well, scrubs the fact that you permitted me to smack you just in case; already has me thinking about the first date. But I warn you I value my opinions and being known as a strong independent woman. Think you can handle that?” Anne nudges his knee with hers looking at the contrast between her pants and his scrubs. So different but yet the same.
“ Well, my little bewitching nymph you would be glad to know my father raised me to be nothing more than a gentleman and admire women of strength and spirit.” He tells her and she smiles a big smile and he smiles back.
The two sitting figures caught in a trance both faces illuminated by the iridescent colored lights. They don’t notice it but they get closer each time they speak to one another. Anne now sitting with her legs crossed in front of him as she explains the importance of the belief in New Year and her stances on boozy milkshakes which Gilbert learns is strawberry shortcake and she learns Gilbert’s belief in the only correct flavor is chocolate peppermint and only that. He notices the stars on her cheeks reflecting against each of the lights and how her hair becomes enigmatic through the violet hues surrounding them. The color creates an auburn halo around her almost as if she’s glowing. She’s like the stars and glitter that are painted on her cheeks. Then there is Anne who can’t help but notice how his eyelashes kiss his lower lases, how his sweater feels like soft knitted wool, and how each time he moves she gets a whiff of mahogany and cinnamon. Then there are times where she feels herself wanting to feel his curls wrap around her index finger like a coil and run her hands through his hair. They became two souls in a karaoke bar that somehow found each other in a snowglobe-like room with a brown-headed boy and red-headed girl that can only be known to make a mosaic of symphonies in the best possible ways.
“Here give me your hand.” Gilbert gives her his hand. She was soft and the contrast of how small her hand was in his made his heart do flips. He sees her take out a washable green marker from her pocket and starts writing on his palm. “I teach first graders I have all sorts of craft materials in my pockets.”
“I love that. It’s like finding treasure when you least expect it. My niece would say it’s magic.” He says and watches her write what looks like her number.
“You may just be a kindred spirit. This is my number call me when you’re ready to wow me.” She winks at him and hands him the marker as if to say it’s his turn to write his number down.
“I like the sound of kindred spirits and you’ll hear a call from me. Or you can call me when you’re ready to sweep me off my feet and slay dragons.” Gilbert writes down his number on her palm and ends it with a happy face. Anne smiles at that and he smiles from the look of her being happy.
“You know you made this New Year pretty fun. Thank you scrubs” The sound of people gathering and yelling to get ready for the ball drop is being ricocheted through the shouting of people out the hallways and the bar.
“You should be thanking my best friend he dragged me here. If not I would have been at work all by myself eating a seasonless sandwich in the cafeteria. But this is better and I owe it all to you my little nymph.” The sound of the tv is louder and the host of this New Years' eve show is known telling the people at home to get ready to count down from ten.
“We make a pretty great team don’t we?” she scoots closer whispering as if it is a secret for them to hear and only them despite them being the only two in the room. The countdown beginning people shouting from ten, nine, eight,...
“I think we do. Does that mean I’m your sidekick?” the countdown continuing. Seven, six, five, four…
“No were equals you and me.” Anne looks him in the eye, her hands on his forearms, and leans closer so close she knows for sure that his cologne has a hint of apple.
“Can I kiss you?” Gilbert nervously asks Anne and she nods and whispers the rest of the countdown “three, two,-” Gilbert doesn’t let her finish counting down as he kisses her.
“One” both breathing out and smiling, the sounds of whistles and confetti poppers echoing from the outside and ricocheting throughout the room. Both lips finally meeting and then like that it made ever since in the word of having something unknown become everything all at once. Their kiss was slow and sweet, Anne guiding her hands to meet at the nape of his neck and Gilbert's arms wrapped tightly around her waist trying to bring her closer. Trying to keep one another almost to imprint the other into them. Breaking apart and leaning their foreheads upon one another their chest moving in a similar cadence never breaking out of the trance; as if their breaths and heartbeat followed the same rhythm and tine to one another. Anne could feel Gilbert’s thumb gliding along her waist and Gilbert can feel her fingers coming through his curls.
“Happy New Year” Anne whispered their lips grazing again and her cheeks instantly heating up at the thought of kissing him again.
“Happy New Year” Gilbert nudged his nose with hers and felt her fingers grip his hair a little tighter. Gilbert is about to go in for another kiss.
“Dude! There you are! Oh- I’m sorry.” Moody came barging in with two glasses of beer in hand.
“No it’s okay, I should go my friends are probably worried about me too. I haven’t seen them in a while and frankly one of them might be drunk and crying in the bathroom right now. And scrubs I expect to see you real soon.” She gives him a quick peck on the lips. “I mean it, ill be waiting.” She takes one more peek at him before walking out. Moody looking at Gilbert about to say something.
“Best New years ever.” Gilbert sighs out looking up at the ceiling with a goofy grin and Moody comes over and hands him one of the beers, the condensation cold to the touch against his palm.
“Diana honey deep breaths,” Anne tells her best friend who is currently heaving throwing up any evidence of alcohol in her stomach.
“This fucking sucks. Anne, I’m sorry you’re spending your new year with me like this.” Diana cries out and tries to smooth out the hair that stuck to her face. Her palms sweating and her skin flushed tightly hugging herself next to the toilet. Anne kneels beside her rubbing soothing circles with the palm of her hand.
“You didn’t ruin anything besides I met someone he-” She’s interrupted by Cole barging into the restroom leaning against the sink.
“Anne Shirley Cuthbert you met someone my little girl is growing up.” Cole teases and pretends to wipe a tear and Anne rolls her eyes while Diana throws up again. Anne catches the rest of Diana's hair before it gets ruined. To then Cole and Anne helping their best friend up and Anne gets a paper towel running the towel under water to clean up Diana’s face.
“I did. I just don’t know his name I called him scrubs because he was wearing them. But I wasn’t complaining he looked great in them and I know his ass looks good in them as well. We even exchanged numbers.”
“Did you kiss?” Cole smirks and Diana lets out a small squeal leaning her head against Anne’s shoulder.
“Omg, you found your soulmate. What are you doing call him now.” Cole tries to grab her phone. Anne swats his hand away and lets Diana support herself against him.
“Shit. It’s not here anymore. It must have washed off. What am I going to do?” She looks at the palm of her hand no remnants of the green marker. Her mind went overdrive to remember the numbers that once were there. “Those damn washable markers” she last thought before she gave a sigh hoping she can catch him soon or one day again.
On the other side of the room, Gilbert felt himself go after his phone after Moody begged him to call her right then.
“Shit her number is gone! Moody her number is not written on my hand! Shit, it washed off, well this is just my luck.” He knew something was too good to be true. She could still be there in the club but there were very left lingering. “Those damn beers and washable markers,” he said to himself before going out the door. He didn’t have her number but he had the imprint of glitter stars and confetti stuck on his hands as if it was holding on to the memories before they can ever fade and become a stranger to him.
Anne and Gilbert never really forgot one another the day after they each visited the karaoke club Gilbert in the late afternoon trying to see if there was the recognizable dark cherry hair he became so fond of. And Anne visited later that night wondering if she will see the same blue-green scrubs and curly hair she so helplessly wished she could tangle her hair around again. They hoped as if they knew there was something special and it was what kept that small glimmer of spark in the back of their mind throughout the early months. Though throughout the year and more months passed, flowers bloomed, leaves changed colors and fell like pieces of puzzles finding their home, and the small frost slowly invading the vines along with the stones of the streets the spark dimmed.
It was the same routine for Gilbert working on New Year's Eve checking in on his tiny superheroes and giving candy to each of them. Discussing plans for the New Year with families and getting gifted handmaid cards from his patients that he swore he would put up in his office. So here he was with stacks of Crayola pictures, construction cards, and gift baskets in his hands making his way to the elevator to go back to his office.
“Need a hand?” Gilbert hears from down the hallway to see a familiar face that volunteered his time now and then helping the kids paint. All the kids loved him he even took Delphine once to his classes.
“Yea, that’d be great.” Cole grabs the baskets from his hands and Gilbert presses number four on the elevator.
“So any plans for the rest of the day. It’s New Years' Eve after all.”
“Not really just going to go home.” He tells him honestly letting out a small huff of air. He doesn’t want to admit it but he’s thinking of the red-headed teacher.
“You’re telling me the infamous hot doctor has no plans, no hot date, nothing? Well, that won’t do. You’re coming with me lets go party doc. Meet my friends I have a feeling you’re going to get along great with them.”
Now here Gilbert found himself dragged at yet again the same karaoke bar it looks the same as last year. Only instead of a peppermint shake in his hands, it’s a strawberry shortcake milkshake. He’s not wearing his scrubs, Cole at least let him change. He’s now wearing dark jeans, a navy blue dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, and converse. The atmosphere isn’t different at all there is confetti everywhere and he sees Moody with his girlfriend dancing the most awful dance but they look happy. Gilbert finds his feet taking him back to the same room. It was empty and he sits in the same spot she did under the violet neon lights looking up at the ceiling. The milkshake was long gone now on the floor and he can hear Cindy Lauper songs playing in the other room. It was nice it kind of felt like being in a snow globe with all the lights reflecting back and forth. He knew then why she chose to stay in this place. Closing his eyes again drowning out the world for a while he hears the click of the door.
“Is it a habit stealing people’s hiding places?” The voice speaks softly footsteps padding their way sitting next to him.
“Only special ones.” He hasn’t yet opened his eyes too scared to think he’s dreaming.
“This must be pretty special.”
“You have no idea. Met a girl she was redhead, I called her a nymph, she was vibrant though I suspect underneath she could have a fiery temper.”
“I do not have a fiery temper!” She whacks him with her hand against the back of his hand.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it.” Gilbert’s eyes are now open and he smiles at the girl he was hoping to see again.
“You’re lucky your cute scrubs. Hey, no scrubs today, not even a doctor's coat.” She dramatically pouted and he laughed. Anne liked his laugh a lot and she wanted to kiss him badly.
“I’m starting to think you only wanted me because of the uniform.” He teased and she looked even more beautiful she’s wearing a black dress that shimmers, her tights shimmer, her hair long and cascading against her back and her face still covered with small specs of glitter and stars as the last time.
“Excuse me, I would never. I want all of you.” Anne blushed but never backed down from his gaze, their fingers closing together and intertwining. Both facing each other, his hair is still all over the place and his freckles against his nose still look painted specks of wishes.
They talked for hours catching up and arguing which Disney movie is better and which superhero would win in a fight. They laughed and made secret jokes and held hands throughout, never letting go of their knees now touching as both sat crisscrossed on the couch.
“It’s a minute until midnight. You going to kiss me scrubs?”
“That depends. Will you put your number in my phone this time and go on a date with me tomorrow.”
“To be fair I’m an elementary school teacher they had to be washable. But yes, I’ll put my number in your phone.” He leans in and kisses the corner of her mouth and she smiles so wide it almost hurts. They haven’t even kissed and she is already putty. Anne likes him a lot and she knows there is no way she’s letting him go. He’s her magic.
“And the date?” The last seconds of the countdown head outside of the room.
“Kiss me and I’ll answer.” He does and they fall together like two lost flames trying to find their way back home. It was a spark that was ignited all over again and it became stronger. Anne stood on her knees, Gilbert’s left hand grasped around her waist the other through her hair. Anne’s hand around the nape of his neck her nails slightly scratching through his hair. Anne missed his hair more than she liked to admit his curls were soft and she loved how they instantly wrapped around her fingers. He tasted of strawberry she tasted of peppermint. Anne smiled at that knowing he thought the same thing. He got her favorite flavor and he got hers.
“Is that a yes?” Gilbert asked their foreheads pressed against one another.
“Yes.” Anne kisses him again and they both smile into it. Gilbert pressed kisses along her cheeks and her forehead and her jaw. Anne stopped him and cupped his cheeks looking at him. Mossy greens stared back at silver blues, pupils dilated and faces flushed. His face had some remnants of glitter and she giggled at that knowing it was from her. Gilbert kisses her lightly again.
“Happy New Year! Oh my god, Anne did you and Gilbert just-” Cole comes in and stops at the door.
“Cole!” Both said at the same time at the smirking artist who laughs and winks at them leaving them be.
“You know him?” They both ask the same question and laugh.
“It's a small world.”
“So Anne huh? It suits you.” Gilbert brings her closer so she’s sitting on his lap and kisses her forehead.
“Gilbert really?” His eyebrows shot up making a confused face and rolling his eyes. Anne kisses his cheek telling him she’s joking.
“Shut up”
“Make me” They meet each other in a kiss.