Challenge 48: New Year

[IsabellaRose]

THE CHALLENGE

It's a little late, so maybe making resolutions and New Year's parties are past us, but... what about trying to keep the resolution two weeks in? What about fallout from the party? the unintended kiss? the celebration that turned far more intimate than planned? 

For this challenge, write about a character dealing with something leftover from New Year's Eve. Perhaps they made a resolution they're having trouble keeping. Perhaps a kiss, promise, or dare took them somewhere they never thought they'd go and now they're weighing their plans vs. this new reality. Perhaps they made a bet and now they have to pay up. Limitless possibilities... 

Deadline

• Midnight (EST) Saturday 24 Jan, 2026

Limits

• 1 entry per person
• keep it around 2,000 words, no penalty for going a little over but remember, everyone has to read these to vote

Prizes

• 1st Place: 4,000 EcchiCredits
• 2nd Place: 2,000 EcchiCredits
• 3rd Place: 1,000 EcchiCredits

[Elena Ichinomiya]

Evening loom over the city. The excitement of new year has long gone, as quick as it comes. The rush hour on the streets once again fill the urban sighting, reminding us where we belong. The hurried pedestrian come in an out of subway, eager to reach their homes, and some, the embrace of a family. Skies remain dull, as if it reflects on the urban living beneath. But it doesn’t compare to a lady who walk somewhat in slow pace amidst rushing pedestrian.

Lanna is in deep thought. Not about her work, it was alright. Not about dinner either, someone already on it at home. The concern that bother her mind Is the very person who cook the dinner tonight. Mieli. Since she moving in with her, she handle most of the chore at her place. Laundry? Mieli got it covered. Cooking? Say any menu and she would try her best to get it ready on the table, piping hot. Lanna told her there’s no need for that but Mieli insist that she feel restless if she not doing anything at home. Though Lanna appreciate the girl resourcefulness, she didn’t let her move in with her just to play maid.

So a week before new year, Lanna decide that she plan to put actual spark in their new relationship. The problem is, Lanna is somewhat stiff for a partner and Mieli is pretty much her yes-woman; she never objects or throw suggestion that would sounds against her idea. But Lanna want this to work.

But now a week has passed, and today mark the middle of the January on calendar, yet she still not manages to put more color in their relationship. It’s annoying, should she give up? But she already promised Mieli and the girl told her she wants to see where this would go. As cringe as it can get, she just can’t bear the sight of those hopeful eyes become dull with disappointment. Mieli just had this aura about her. Not that Mieli is a pushover let alone spoiled person mind you.

“I should’ve ask her out” she said. But where to? They already visit pretty much dating spot in this city. Lanna schedule is pretty much tight this month so going away from town is not the option on the table right now. “Maybe…I should make dinner for her this time?” She thought but the last time she cooks, it only inconvenience Mieli “I almost burn her tongue with that pasta…” Lanna grumbled.

Before she know it, she is already in front of her apartment door. She knocked in which Mieli open the door, greeting her with the same smile, same familiarity…yet always gives different kind of warmth inside. Lanna just walk past her and laid on the couch, sighing as she throws her bag away. “Long day at work?” Mieli said. “Same as always...different days…” Lanna said. Mieli smiled and ask if she want to eat something specific. “I thought you already made one” Lanna said. Mieli sheepishly replied, “usually yes, but maybe this year, I should let you choose rather than shoot in the blind”. Lanna tilt her head, “what gives? It’s not like you ever burn the kitchen or make any weird food since you move in”. Mieli chuckled before she replied, “I decide to play as full time housewife for you this year”.

Lanna went quiet. Housewives? Was that her resolution? Before Lanna ask if Mieli is teasing her, the girl speak up first. “I admit; it was a challenge. Usually I would wake up early to prepare breakfast and bath, now I tried to wake at same time as you do. Oh and I did think about calling you while at work but…I got cold feet because I might bother you”. She then added, “I even had trouble on how should I greet you when you come home. I mean, no way a housewife would greet their lover with a deep bow like a servant”.

Lanna wasn’t sure how to put this. “Mieli, isn’t it too much of a stretch for a new year resolution? You can just settle in with learning new recipe or getting a better gig to pay our rent” she told the girl. Mieli sighed, “after hearing your resolution, I decide to make it my goal too. Don’t get me wrong, I like how things are between us. But…is it weird if I want us to be more…bold?”. Now that got Lanna thinking. For once, Mieli act without permission. Usually she always throw a thought to Lanna. There’s even at one point she ask Lanna if she could go ahead to sleep before her. Regardless, Lanna is now aware she’s not alone with the thought of how to make more spark in their relationship. Funny because turn out, they both had trouble fulfilling it. Since Lanna don't have any suggestion in mind, she decide to give Mieli some slack.

“We could” Lanna said “maybe this is the spark we’re looking for” but then she added, “what if we jinx it?"

Mieli smile remain etched to her face, “If it were, I’m sure it’s for a good reason”.

Lanna couldn't argue with that, "Then let's make it count"

As gentle embrace wrapped around Lanna, Mieli voice welcome her in new form of love.

“Thank you. And welcome home, darling…”

[IsabellaRose]

Just One Night

She woke slowly, the kind of waking that slowly brought the quiet realization that this wasn’t her bed.

Again.

The sheets smelled like him, clean cotton and something woodsy, maybe cedar or that cologne she once teased him for using too sparingly. Her legs were tangled in his, and the faint weight of his arm curved around her waist. Sunlight sliced through the curtains and painted soft shadows across the room. She didn’t need to look around to know where she was. She knew this pillow, this mattress, that tiny, chipped mug with something green half-clinging to life on his windowsill. She was back. Again.

Goddammit.

It had started on New Year’s Eve. A glittering party, too much wine, and the monolith of that stupid moment at midnight when everyone turned to someone, everyone, towering over her. She knew she'd be clutching her champagne flute with a forced smile as everyone else around her found somebody. But with only twenty minutes to go, he’d found her, laughing, eyes bright.

“Guess it’s just us,” he’d said, and she’d laughed too. “You realize we’re going to have to kiss someone at midnight, right?”

She told him, “don’t look at me like I’m your charity case.”

He had laughed. “Please. You’d be the upgrade.”

She’d told herself it was harmless. They flirted like that all the time, ever since that late night when they shared a cab home. He was safe, smart, funny, and clearly not into her. That made it easy, which made it fun.

But one joke turned into a another and then a second drink, which turned into teasing banter and flirty smiles that weren’t serious… until suddenly they were.

“I’m serious,” he’d said, leaning just a little closer. “You’re kind of amazing.”

She had raised her brow, a classic gesture, half denial, half flirting. “You’ve had three glasses of cheap champagne.”

“And I stand by my drunken, overly romantic opinion.”

She should have walked away. She should have laughed and joined everyone on the dance floor, but instead she’d said, “Well, if I’m amazing… maybe I should be the one choosing you.”

He froze, and something in his smile turned. “I wish you would.”

That had been the moment, the tightrope between joking and real, and she had stepped directly into it. But she had been laughing, and flushed, and suddenly warm all over, and when the countdown hit ten and he reached for her, she didn’t stop him. It felt less like falling and more like surrendering to something that had always been there, just waiting for the right midnight.

She didn't remember how they had ended up at his apartment. Something about just one night, and no need to be alone, and damned if she hadn't wanted him more in that moment than anything else. They had stumbled through his door like a cliché, still dressed for the party, barely making it to the bedroom. It had been incredible. Not just good, not just satisfying, but the kind of sex that ruins you a little for everyone else. He’d been responsive, generous, and devastatingly intuitive. She had never felt so... wanted, so seen.

And in the morning, before he stirred, she’d slipped out like a thief, her heels in hand and shame chasing her down the stairs. One night, she had reminded herself. That’s all it was.

But then she’d laid awake every night, thinking of him, remembering that night, touching herself and never coming close to how she felt with him. She’d seen him at work, because of course they worked in the same damn building. He’d given her time and distance, just a simple text.

I won’t push but if you ever want to talk or just want to come back I’ll be here. No questions, no pressure.

Of course she had wanted to reply, but she didn’t, at least not right away. But eventually she did… just a friendly acknowledgement. It would have been rude to leave his message unanswered. That was all it took to start a string of texts that were supposed to be friendly but always ended with ellipses, unspoken somethings. Soon there were late-night phone calls when she couldn’t sleep. She resisted, she really did... until she didn’t. That night she sent a curious you up? that turned into can I come over?

And now, two weeks later, she was waking up in his bed again, his arm around her like it belonged there.

She closed her eyes and let herself feel the quiet ache of wanting. It wasn’t just the sex, though yes, the sex was still incredible, unfairly so, but it was everything else. The way he looked at her like he knew what she was thinking. The easy laughter. The stillness when he just listened. It was too much.

Is this love? she wondered, or is it just that he’s the best thing I’ve had in a long time?

She didn’t know. But when he stirred beside her, sleepy and warm and already smiling against her skin, she didn’t get up and sneak out. She snuggled back into him and let herself think, at least for a moment, that maybe this might be something after all.