Hours later, I watch with interest to see if all these teenagers will decide to share a midnight kiss with someone while an adult is watching. Janna turns on the TV at ten-thirty. Then she spends ten minutes trying to get everyone to be quiet.
“BTS is performing in a couple minutes!”
Several people clearly don’t care and wander out to the kitchen. Janna, Emmie, Everett, Alastair, and Abner find seats near the TV. Kookie is glued to Emmie’s side, so it’s clear that he will tolerate BTS for her sake. Lyric also seems content to endure six singing boys’ dance performance if doing so means he can be near the object of his affection.
I, of course, am in prime viewing posture as I continue to enjoy the comfort of my recliner. A few moments later, we are greeted by the overly cheerful hosts of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. I’m gnashing my teeth listening to their canned gleefulness. But my spirits brighten as six of my favorite boys in the whole world suddenly appear. They take center stage and prepare to sing Make It Right, one of my absolute favorite BTS songs. Of course, I miss the rendition that includes Jungkook.
Next up is Boy with Luv. Now I’m really missing Jungkook, and this performance looks all wrong without a boy in the center. And I definitely am hankering for the very end of the song when Jungkook turns to look at me.
An hour later, everyone gathers around the television to watch the ball drop. All of the couples are sitting somewhere in this room. Just a few feet from me.
My gaze slides around the room. Seeking out those expectant faces. Kookie and Emmie. Lyric and Janna. Yoon and Melody. Jimmy and Harmony. Everett and Allie. Noel and Noelle. And then there’s Harper.
Poor Harper. She’s all alone. She’s surrounded by couples…and me. Yet she’s alone.
Of course, so am I. For the moment.
I know my husband. And I’m sure that he was asleep in our bed before BTS even performed. So…the only midnight kiss that I’ll be enjoying tonight will be from one of my sons. And it will probably land awkwardly on my cheek. Or my forehead.
My sons!
I glance down at the floor in time to discover Alastair and Abs. Still awake. And preparing to watch the ball drop. So…technically, there is one boy for every girl in this room.
I giggle to myself. And continue to watch all the young couples surrounding me. What will they do after the countdown?
I don’t have long to wait to find out.
I am momentarily distracted as the countdown begins. But soon enough, my gaze is sliding around the well-lit room again. Contacting young face after young face.
“Ten…nine…eight…”
Kookie still has his arm around Emmie. She’s leaning up against his side, her head pillowed on his shoulder.
“…seven…”
Lyric and Janna are occupying the loveseat. Their eyes are trained on the television screen. He is still cramming food into his mouth!
“…six…”
Yoon is sitting on the floor next to Melody. They’re both leaning up against the wall. And I smile as I notice that he’s holding her hand.
“…five…”
Jimmy and Harmony are crammed together on one end of the couch. She’s practically sitting in his lap. But they’re not even looking at each other. They do, in fact, seem quite awkwardly connected. Perhaps they’re not used to being this close to one another.
“…four…’
The middle schoolers are all seated in a curve on the floor. Everett and Noel are sitting side by side. Allie is sitting next to Everett. But Noelle is on her other side. So Noel and Noelle are separated by two of their friends. That is just as well. They’re all a little young to be kissing….
“…three…”
And none of them seem primed to search for someone else’s lips in a few seconds.
“…two…”
But as my eyes stray towards Harper again, I can clearly read the disappointment on her face. For she would like to share a kiss with someone special in a moment. But alas, she’s all alone!
“…one…”
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” everyone screeches.
And I pray that my husband somehow managed to sleep through the small earthquake that resulted from that gargantuan helping of noise.
I glance at Lyric and Janna first. Just in time to see their lips collide softly. Then my eyes slide to the right. Kookie leans towards Emmie and gives her a quick peck. On her cheek. I watch her face fall in disappointment. But he seems oblivious. He leans forward to grab another Dorito out of a bag before popping it into his mouth.
My gaze takes in the silent couple seated next to him. Jimmy and Harmony are both still staring at my television. Studiously ignoring each other. And the fact that they wanted to kiss. But were too chicken to do it in front of me. Their friends’ mother.
My gaze shifts to the floor. Yoon and Melody are still holding hands. And smiling at each other. But there is no locking of their lips.
I look at Harper. She reaches for some dishes on the table and stands up. Clearly heading towards the kitchen. To help clean up this mess.
What a nice kid.
My eyes take in the group of four younger kids still seated in front of the TV. They seem to all be watching the Bangtan Boys chatting as they stare out at New York City. But my view of them is blocked a moment later.
Twin delights suddenly pop up at my feet.
“Mommy!” gasps Abs as he leans towards me. “It’s time for your midnight kiss!”
“Both of them,” his brother adds as Alastair’s lips also careen towards me.
I sit up straight and lean towards my two adorable sons. A moment later, their lips salute my cheeks.
As it turned out, I didn’t get a midnight kiss.
I got two.
