Two Lives, One Friendship, No Regrets - xiii.

It wasn't right, she thought. I should have called him, or Ara at least, to greet them a Merry Christmas.

New years day is just around the corner, not to mention her first day at work would be the next day. Having his text message emblazoned in her mind made her nervous every time she picked up the phone to attempt a phone call to her friend.

She called a few friends and her parents to greet them an advanced Happy New Year. It wasn't really why she called them. She wanted to know if it was pointless to come back into town for the New Year; she wasn't sure if everyone had already made plans. It turned out her parents were going away for the holiday so she was free to stay at their condo in town and meet up with her friends who she found were going to a pub to ring in the new year.

Packed and ready to go back home after being away under a week. Why not? She thought. Might as well take the opportunity while she wasn't busy at work yet.

Ding dong.
Nothing.

Ding dong.

More nothingness.

Maybe no one's home, Georgia thought. She decided to drop her things off at her
parents' place and hurry on over to Phoenix's before she scurried to meet up with the rest of her friends.

Just as she turned around to leave, the door burst open.
"Georgie!" Ara squealed.
"Hi Ara!" They embraced.
"Where have you been?"
"Phoenix didn't tell you I moved away?"
"But you didn't even say goodbye!"
"I'm here now for the New Year. Where's your brother?"
"He's out of town," Ara replied.
"But-"
"Yeah, I he had something important to take care of. I'm not sure when he'll be back. Wanna come in?"
"I gotta go. Do you have plans? Come with me! Please?"
Ara's face brightened up, "Really?"
"Yes, please! You'd be doing me a favor. I'm going to need help to fend off Charlie if he gets drunk again."
Ara knew first hand how frisky Charlie could be when he was intoxicated. It was a good thing she had her big brother around to protect her that time.
"Ew, if there's a reason why I'd refuse to go it'd be because of him.".
"Aw Ara, don't think I'm forcing you to come out."
"No, I know you're not. I'd be glad to go out. I don't want to stay cooped up at home on New Years Eve!"
"I wouldn't want you to be either. I can't believe Phoenix left you alone on New Years!"
"I don't blame him. He has pretty important stuff to do."
"Architecture can wait... I'm pretty certain."
"Not when --" Oops, Ara thought.

"Not when what?"
"Oh nothing. What do you want me to wear?" Ara asked managing to change the subject.
"You don't have to dress up too much. Just work off what I'm wearing. See? I'm not super dressed up." She showed off her simple cocktail dress as took off her jacket and made herself comfortable in the living room. As soon as she sat down, she got up and followed Ara to her room.
"Wait a minute. I just realized," she started.
"What was it?"

"Why don't you don't have plans to go out with your friends?"
Stepping out of her closet dressed in a lovely turquoise cocktail dress she replied, "They all went away to Cuba for the holidays and won't be back until-"
"Oh my! Ara, you look great in that! Wear that!" squealed Georgia.
Ara smiled brightly and loved that she could find a big sister in Georgie.
"Really?" She asked.
"You're fishing, aren't you?" Georgia jibed.
Ara giggled, "For what?"
"For compliments!" They laughed a bit and after an hour were ready to party up to the break of dawn.

Passing by Phoenix's picture a slight frown crossed Georgia's face. Oh how she wished he was there tonight. Where could he be?