“Hey, guys!” Romeo said cheerfully, standing on the balcony walkway outside. He wore a new steampunk coat I hadn’t seen before. Made from tailored black wool, the coat had intricate black-thread embroidery and twin rows of vertical black buttons running down the front and back. As usual, his monocle dangled from one of the coat’s buttons. Buckled black boots covered his feet. “Don’t I look festive?” he jested while holding his monocle up to one eye.

“Romeo!” I said, holding out my arms.

Romeo wrapped me up in a huge hug. “So good to see you, Sam!”

“What up, man,” Christos smiled.

Romeo released me and his eyes roamed all over Christos. “Wow, Sam, I forgot how hot your boyfriend is! Can I lick him from head to toe?”

“No!” I laughed.

“How about just a nipple?”

“No, Romeo!” I insisted.

Christos chuckled, indulging in Romeo’s bad behavior.

Someone had to put a stop to it. “Down, Romeo!” I ordered jokingly.

“Easy girl,” Romeo faux-frowned. “I was just window shopping,”

“Seriously, dude, I’m flattered,” Christos beamed, totally at ease with Romeo’s fawning, “but I play for the opposing team.”

“Oh! Can I be your water boy?” Romeo pleaded. “Hand you clean towels in the locker room? Bend over and pick up the soap in the shower when you drop it? I’ll do whatever you want, Christos. Have your way with me!” He stepped past me, dropped to his knees beside Christos, and wrapped his arms around Christos’ legs. Romeo began bawling insincerely, “Please, Sam! Just one sip from his chalice! I want to taste his sweet nectar!” he whined.

“No, Romeo!” I giggled. He was so ridiculous, and I loved him for it.

“Sorry, man,” Christos laughed. “I’m sworn to Samantha.”

Romeo sneered and rolled his eyes. He stood up and smoothed out his black embroidered steampunk jacket. “You’re such a wuss for the puss, Christos,” he said dismissively.

“That I am,” Christos chuckled.

“Well, we should go,” Romeo said, finally over it, “before Kamiko withers away in my car.”

“I’m still not dressed!” I blurted. “I can’t go out on New Year’s in a t-shirt and jeans!”

Romeo frowned. “Have you even picked out an outfit?”

“No,” I said guiltily.

Romeo rolled his eyes.. “In that case, I better get Kamiko or she might die of starvation while you do.” He winked at Christos.

I stamped my foot and groused, “It doesn’t take me that long to pick an outfit!”

Christos and Romeo exchanged a doubtful look.

“You guys suck!” I stormed into my bedroom while Christos and Romeo broke into laughter.

SAMANTHA

Fortunately, I’d finished my hair before Christos had come over earlier. While Christos, Romeo, and Kamiko chatted in my living room, I threw on some eyeliner and lip gloss, and set about picking out an outfit.

My mind drifted as I rifled through my closet.

I still hadn’t told my parents about wanting to change my major to Art. I’d wanted to avoid starting World War Smith at my parents’ house over Winter Break, so I hadn’t brought it up. I’d have to tell them sooner or later. But tonight was New Year’s Eve, and I planned on celebrating it with the man I loved. Christos had been amazingly supportive since we’d met. Going forward, I hoped that I could give back to him the devotion he’d shown me.

I finally decided on skinny pants and matching heels, a print shirt, and the new, super-cute pleather coat I’d snagged off of ebay for twenty bucks. I grabbed my favorite clutch purse and came out of my bedroom. “Ta-da!”

“Wow, Sam, you’re runway hot!” Kamiko said. She stood up from the couch and gave me a big hug.

“Thanks, Kamiko,” I smiled. “How was your Winter Break?”

“Pretty boss,” Kamiko said.

I was confused. “You mean you enjoyed it?”

“No,” she smirked, “I mean my family bossed me around the whole time. Not just my parents. My older brothers and sisters, too. Since I’m the youngest, it’s like having six parents. They ragged on me all break because I got a B+ in O-chem. So I locked myself in my room the whole time and binged on watching episodes of Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors while drawing both show’s characters in my sketchbook.”

“Did you draw Catbug?” Romeo asked.

“Sugar peas!” Kamiko squealed, flinging her arms wide.

I wasn’t sure who or what a Catbug was. I suspected I’d find out over the course of winter quarter while hanging in Kamiko’s dorm room between classes.

“Everybody ready?” Christos asked.

“I think so,” I said. Romeo and Kamiko nodded at me. “Let’s hit it!”

We all piled into Christos’ 1968 Camaro downstairs.

“Where are we going, Christos?” Romeo asked from the back seat. “Sam said it was some kind of awesome surprise.”

“It should be pretty awesome,” Christos replied.

“Are you going to kidnap us, tie us up in some morbid dungeon, then have your way with us?” Romeo mused.

“Only Samantha,” Christos joked, rubbing my knee.

“Always a bridesmaid,” Romeo sulked.

Christos fired up the Camaro, its engine rumbling in anticipation of the open road as Christos pulled the car onto the street outside my apartment.

SAMANTHA

A short time later, we pulled into a parking lot just south of the airport, right next to the water in the San Diego Bay. The sun rested on the horizon. The sky overhead was a mix of purple and magenta hues dabbed with golden clouds that caught the last of the sun’s rays. It was beautiful.

“Welcome to the marina,” Christos said as he shifted the Camaro into park.

“What’re we doing here?” I asked excitedly.

“Going for a boat ride,” he replied.

Romeo leaned forward, both hands on the seat back in front of him, poking his head between me and Christos. “I knew it! You’re going to take us to a deserted island and make us your pirate slaves! Christos, please tell me you’re going to wear an eyepatch!”

Christos grinned. “Sorry, man. I left it at home. Besides, the closest island is San Clemente. The Navy owns that, so it’s not deserted.”

“Is San Clemente filled with sex-starved Navy men? If it is, you can drop me off there. I won’t complain,” Romeo smiled.

 I laughed. “OMG, Romeo! Do you ever quit?”

“My apologies, Sam, I’m just so excited to see you all again after break. You know how reunions make me a horny bitch.”

Still laughing, I climbed out of the car and flipped the front seat forward so Romeo and Kamiko could get out.

“I can’t wait to see this boat,” Romeo said excitedly, clambering out of the car.

“Maybe the captain will make you his cabin boy,” Kamiko said, following.

“I hope he looks like Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab,” Romeo tittered. “I’ll walk his gang plank any day, if you know what I mean.”

“I remember that movie!” I said. “We watched Moby Dick in high school during AP English.”

“I bet Romeo fantasizes about Ahab hunting for Romeo’s white whale,” Kamiko quipped.

“You guys!” I pleaded.

Christos chuckled, totally amused.

“Well, it’s more of an olive-colored whale,” Romeo snickered like a crazy man, “but yeah, I’d totally let Gregory Peck as Ahab hunt for it all he wants, as long as he harpoons me before the night is over.” Romeo wiggled his butt at us.

I clapped my hand to my forehead. “I think Romeo’s disease is contagious,” I sighed to Christos. “Guys, can we talk about Santa Claus, or something non-sexual for, like, five seconds?”

“You know,” Romeo said mischievously, “I always loved it when my parents put me on dirty old Santa’s lap as a kid…”

I scowled, “Okay, you just ruined Christmas for me, Romeo. Like, forever.”

Romeo cackled with glee as we walked out along the dock toward wherever our boat was moored. We passed dozens of different kinds of boats of every shape and size. Were we getting on a sailboat? Or one of those cool motorboats that went a hundred miles an hour?