The New Year...there's nothing new about it. It's just another year of disappointmenr. loneliness, and drinking. At least during Christmas time you get gifts to help soften the blow of seeing everybody with somebody. Everyone has someone except for me, Alex Meltzer. You couldn't find a more miserable 25 year old than me. I have a crappy job that barely helps get me by in life, most of my money goes towards a bottle, and all the girls that I have been with are nothing but back stabbers and gold diggers. At least my brother knows how to throw a New Year party, especialy since he invited the in-laws.

   "Hey Al," calls out my brother James. "Why don't you come join us for a game of Texas Hold-em?" Such a jolly guy. Wish i could be as happy as him.

   "I think I'll pass; I'm enjoyinh the view of 'The Big Apple' from here."

   "You sure? It looks like you might freeze out here."

   "Yeah, I'm sure. From this balcony i can see almost all of New York."

   "Yeah, but can you see that cutie Lindsey from there?" Lindsey Weston. Now there was a girl that has everything. She has knowledge, a great paying job, an amazing personality, always kind hearted. and so beautiful that it would make the angels run thick with envy.

   "Lindsey's here?"

   "Of course she is, I invited her and I think you should go talk to her. It's better than sitting out here turning into an ice cube."

   "I think she would rather 'talk' to you instead." She always did flirt with James. Never knew what they talked about, but they always chatted with each other. Just looking at the two laughing and giggiling together makes me want to hurl.

  "Oh, now Al..."

   "Could you leave me be for a little while? Come back and get me when the ball's about to drop. Also, could you bring me back a beer when you do?"

  "Yeah, sure thing Al." He walks away with not such a jolly face anymore. I'm left with my thoughts and a dry throat. Wishing I had a drink after that, i reluctantly go inside and make my way to the refrigerator. There I look around and find myself a nice cold beer. I also grab some pain pills too. As I'm about to make my way back to the balcony i catch Lindsey's eyes looking at me. I break away from the stare and quicken my pace a little back to the balcony. I stand there, just looking out at the city as i chug my drink.

   I start to feel depressed, but that doesn't stop me from finishing my drink. The only thing i can think of is "I need another beer" and how far the drop from this balcony would be.

   "What's going on Alex?" I turn around and see Lindsey looking at me.

   "Not much, just celebrating the New Year."

   "It seems you celebrate the same during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and all the other holidays too." She smiles with a chuckle and i do the same. I slowly turn away from her and go back to looking out at the city.

   "Why aren't you inside having fun with everyone else?" She walks up next to me trying to look at me, but i shift my eyes away from her.

   "I'm having a blast." I just wish she would leave me alone. It's hard enough seeing people together. Now I have to talk to the only girl that i have feelings for. Ha! What a New Year this is going to be.

   "Alex, is everything alright?"

   "Of course everything is alright. Why wouldn't it be? Everyone is having fun with their wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, and life partner." I start to raise my voice and walk back and forth. "I'm having fun too right? Enjoying a beer and a party. So, everything is alright. Fan fricking tastic!" I look back at Lindsey and see she seems a little frighten. "I'm sorry Lindsey, it's just been a rough day is all."

   "Rough day or rough life?" I turn and look at her.

   "Why do you care? I mean it's not like I'm dying or throwing my life away." For some reason i find what i just said to be sort of a lie. We just stand there in the cold silence until I speak up. "You should get back to the party. I'm sure you want to get back to talking to my brother." She gives me a confused look.

   "Why would I want to talk to James?"

   "I know you like him, and if I wasn't around I'm sure he would feel the same way about you too. You always hang around him, so it's obvious you like him."

   "I do talk to him, but don't you know what we talk about?"

   "Do i want to know?" Of course i didn't want to know, but i knew she was going to tell me either way.

   "We talk about you, Alex." Talk about me?

   "What kind of things do you talk about me?" Lindsey rolls her head and cracks a smile.

   "We talk about how you act, how you can be pretty funny sometimes, and what a good husband you could make some day." There's a laugh. Where's a beer when you need one.

   "Who would want me as a husband? I'm not made for that." The question repeats itself in my head. Lindsey turns towards me. She looks straight into my eyes. Soemthing about her stare gets to me. Her eyes so pretty and gleaming with beatuy. I never realized how breathtakingly beautiful she is.

   "I would, ALex." Before I know it, we share a kiss. As the countdown to the ball drop reaches zero two things happen. A new year begins and my new life starts.