Falling in Love...Again chapter 5

 Falling in Love...Again

Chapter 5
1999 (The Millennium party)

The anticipation was unbearable. The new millennium was hours away, and I had one thing on my mind, well two things...the crashing of all computers at midnight and lovely Avery. Word had it she was going to the big Y2K party at the local hall, and I was determined to see her again. To impress her. I dug out my best button-up shirt, a sleek black number that I hoped screamed "effortlessly cool," and paired it with dark jeans and polished boots. Not too formal, not too casual, just right for someone hoping to catch her eye.

When I arrived, the party was already in full swing. Neon lights flashed in time with the bass-heavy music, and the crowd buzzed with a mix of excitement and nervous jokes about the world ending when the clock struck midnight. My eyes scanned the room, searching for her, and then I saw her.

Sweet Jesus, sexy Avery.

She was 18 but she could have been 22. She was impossible to miss. Her hair was now dyed a brilliant shade of red matching her leg cast. It framed her face in edgy layers that somehow managed to look wild and perfectly styled at the same time. She wore a short and black leather skirt that hugged her curves, paired with a red blouse that partly revealed her toned stomach and perfect firm and round breasts.

One long, black leather boot on her good leg, while her broken leg was still in a bright red full-leg cast. She'd dressed the cast up, of course, tiny black ribbons criss crossed over it, turning the injury into an accessory, a statement.

She leaned casually on her crutches, as she animatedly chatted with a group of friends. Even with the full red cast on her left leg she moved with confidence, while keeping all her weight off it. She shifted effortlessly on her crutches, the cast seemingly a part of her fiery, unapologetic presence rather than a hindrance. Each hop was deliberate yet graceful, a blend of in your face defiance and charm.

My heart thudded as I approached, captivated by how she transformed something limiting into another facet of her magnetic personality.

"Avery!" I called over the dance music track from Lime, that group from Montreal called Babe, We're Gonna Love Tonight.

She turned, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Miles!" she shouted back, her smile as vibrant as her hair. "You made it!"

She moved toward me with ease, her crutches clicking rhythmically against the floor. She didn't walk so much as glide, each motion smooth and effortless, as if the crutches were an extension of her punk-rock persona.

We talked, laughed, and caught up like no time had passed since our last meeting. She was electric, her energy infectious. When the music shifted to a fast-paced punk track, Avery didn't hesitate.

"Come on," she said, grabbing my hand.

"What?" I laughed, startled. "You're going to dance like this?"

"Of course," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "I'm not letting a stupid broken leg ruin my night with you. It's just a few broken bones"

She swung herself into the middle of the floor, moving her crutches with the kind of flair that made her the centre of attention. The crowd cheered her on as she hopped to the beat, her leather skirt swishing with each movement. Her red cast caught the light, making it look like part of her outfit rather than an injury.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, off her strong right leg. She was a dream, a vision of some kind.

A slow song drifted through the air "A man and a woman", soft and intimate, creating a pocket of quiet amidst the chaos of the party. Avery caught my gaze, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Without a word, she let go her crutches aside.

With a small, confident hop, she closed the distance between us. Her hands rested lightly on my shoulders as she shifted her weight, her good leg steady while her broken one extended gracefully. She positioned herself so her casted leg nestled between mine, the smooth surface of the red cast brushing against my thigh.

She leaned into me, her breasts pressing close, her warmth tangible. Her balance was effortless, even with the cast, as if leaning on me had always been second nature. Her scent, a mix of something uniquely hers, filled the air between us.

Our eyes met, and the world seemed to pause. Slowly, I slid my arms around her waist, steadying her as she tilted her face up toward mine. The moment stretched, electric, until she closed the gap easily being so tall, her lips brushing mine in a soft, spontaneous kiss.

It was magical but like everything with Avery, it was gentle at first, then deepening as she leaned into me, her fingers threading through the hair at the back of my neck. The cast between us didn't create distance, even with my full erection; it pulled us closer, a reminder of her resilience and fiery spirit. I held her tightly, feeling her melt against me as the music wrapped us in its melody.

The night felt endless, yet somehow, it passed in a blink. The warmth of her kiss still lingered on my lips as the countdown to midnight faded into the early hours of the new millennium. Avery was a force, her laughter, her hair, the bright red cast that didn't slow her down for a second. She drew people in, and I was no exception.

I wanted her so bad.

After our kiss, we stayed close, her arm looped around my neck as I helped her navigate the party. She moved with her usual boldness, leaning on me for support, her crutches often forgotten. At times, I'd catch her glancing my way, her expression softening in a way that made my heart race.

By the time the party began winding down, most of the guests had drifted away. The buzz of celebration was replaced by a quieter, more reflective energy. We found a spot on a worn leather couch, tucked away from the remnants of the crowd. Her cast stretched across a coffee table, the shiny black sock over her toes catching the faint light.

"I don't want this night to end," I admitted, my hand resting lightly on her leg, just above the cast.

She smiled, her head tilting to rest on my shoulder. "Me neither. But, you know, life has a way of pulling us in different directions."

Her words felt like a warning, though her tone was gentle. I turned to face her, searching her eyes. "Then let's make a promise, no matter where life takes us, we find our way back to this."

She lifted her pinky, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "A pinky promise, huh? That's serious business."

I linked mine with hers. "Dead serious."

We lingered for a while longer, stealing moments that felt like they belonged only to us. But as the first hints of dawn began to creep in, reality caught up. I helped her to her crutches, steadying her as she stood.

Outside, the air was crisp, and the world felt impossibly quiet. I walked her to the car waiting to take her home, every step feeling heavier than the last. She turned to face me before getting in, her expression unreadable.

"Thanks for tonight," she said softly. "It was... perfect."

I leaned down, brushing a kiss against her cheek. "Not goodbye, okay? Just... see you later."

She nodded, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place crossing her face. But as the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, life's unpredictable current swept us in opposite directions.

The memory of that night, though, remained bright and unshakable. It was a promise, a beacon in the back of my mind, and no matter how much time passed, I never stopped believing we'd find our way back to each other.

Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 6 to come
K