“3. . . 2. . .1. . . HAPPY NEW YEAR!” everyone around them shouted and as the fireworks started exploding John had meant to turn around to Clara and wish her exactly the same but when he did he suddenly found her lips on his own.
“Happy New Year, John,” she smiled broadly and after the peck she had just given him his heart was beating so quickly that at first he couldn't find the words at all.
“Happy New Year,” he gulped.
“What do you say? One more dance?” she asked happily and didn't even wait for his reply before she dragged him inside. John could do nothing but follow her.
His brain was still trying to process what had happened as they were again moving over the dance floor. It had just been a peck. Nothing more than that. But somehow it was the most confusing thing that could have happened to him. John hadn't even thought about kissing her, he would never have dreamt about it but then it had happened and now it seemed to be the only thing he could think about.
One dance turned into several. They paused only to get another drink and headed straight back to the floor and for a brief moment John wondered what had happened to Raymond and Thomas and Thomas' wife but when he looked into the direction of their table it appeared to be empty. Clara was laughing or smiling the entire time. She was utterly exuberant tonight and even though John was starting to get tired he couldn't bring himself to tell her and ruin her mood. He had never seen her so happy before and he wanted her to stay this way for as long as she wanted. Maybe that was all the kiss had really been. Just an expression of joy and of friendship. After all, it had been really, really short and over before he had realized what was even happening.
It was 3 am when the music was starting to become slower and slower and only then did a yawn appear on Clara's face and they both agreed that it was probably time to go home.
She held his arm the entire time as they walked, still laughing despite seeming utterly tired.
“That was a wonderful evening,” Clara said joyfully.
“Yes, it was,” John agreed. It had been. At least after midnight.
She stopped in front of her door to search her purse for the key and after a moment she found it and turned back to John.
“Good night, John,” Clara said and went on her toes to peck him on the cheek.
He didn't really understand what had gotten into him in that moment but John caught her in the movement and instead pulled her up to his lips. It was still a chaste kiss, even though it lasted longer than the one she had given him at midnight, even though he could feel her opening him to him. John still let her go and took a step back.
“Good night, Clara,” he smiled and turned around to walk up the rest of the stairs.