The start of a new year always feels the same. Well in my opinion at least.

I don't understand why people say "New year, new me." Or when people set resolutions. Not saying that they shouldn't. By all means do what you want. But I just never saw the point. I never accomplish my resolution, so I never make one anymore.

*beep*

I pick up my phone from beside me and look at the message.

A smile plays on my lips once I'm done reading the message. I love waking up to messages from him.

*beep*

I read the time on my phone and see that it's 11:30am. After sending Mateo a quick reply back, I drop my phone back on the pillow next to me. I stretch out my arms and legs and let out a sigh.

Well it's time to get this day started.

~

As I add the final touches to my makeup, I try to come up with ideas of what Mateo has planned. He can be very creative, that's another thing I love about him. He didn't tell me anything specific, all he said was to be ready by six.

I check the time on my phone and see that it's 5:50 already. I slip on my shoes and start heading down the stairs to the living room. I had already told Mom I was going out and she was fine with it. She has been very accepting about this whole relationship. Oh and she loves Mateo, like loves. Whenever he comes over, she always sends him and his family food before he leaves. His Mom does the same to us and we are very grateful that both of our parents accepted the relationship.

Walking into the living room, I see Mom just watching TV.

"Mateo isn't here yet?" She turns to look at me and a small smile is on her face.

"No he's about to though. Dad is still at the hospital?"

"Yeah," she sighs and turns back to look at the TV.

I can see that it's starting to bother her. I know he loves his work and what he does. But sometimes I feel like he only focuses on that.

"It doesn't bother you? The fact that he's hardly ever here and if he is, you always have to go to banquets with him," I tell her and she shakes her head.

"When you get older you'll realize that not everything is like how the movies are. I love your Dad a lot, and he knows that. I know it seems like he's never here but when he is, he makes sure to tell me he loves me and always asks me how are you and Christopher doing."

Well I didn't expect that. I never knew he would ask about me. Maybe because most of the time when he is home, I'm with Mateo.

"Well how come he never actually talks to me or asks me to stay home?" I turn my body so I can give her my full attention.

"One time he told me that he doesn't want to bother you. He can see how happy you are with Mateo and he wants you to enjoy high school before you graduate. You know how your grandparents were with him growing up. They hardly let him do anything, so that's why he doesn't say anything to you. And he works so he can provide for us, plus he loves doing what he does." She has a point. I've never looked at it that way. I always thought he would say something about the things I do. But he always agrees with Mom and is open to whatever I tell them.

I nod my head and turn my head to TV since I have no idea what to say next. It's quiet for a couple minutes, all I'm able to hear is the low hum of the TV.

Mom breaks the silence and asks me something that I have been thinking a lot of recently. "So have you thought about college?"

College. I'm sure all seniors either love or hate the topic. The start of a new part in your life. I've been thinking about it a lot and I'm very indecisive. At first I wanted to take a gap year, but now that I'm feeling better and more open, I sort of want to go. I know it doesn't really make a difference, I'm gonna go either way and get the experience but I'm just not sure. I've been looking at some schools, I've told Alison about it. She makes it easier for me to understand everything.

I know she wants to go to California and that's great for her but I'm not willing to go that far. She showed me some schools that are an hour or two away and I agreed to look more into it. The more she shows me, the more I'm willing to go right after high school.

Mateo and I haven't talked about what's the plan once we graduate. I'm kind of scared to tell him, I just want him to get upset about what I want to do. Either way I'm not gonna change my plans for him, but it'll be best if we both agreed on a few things.

"Yeah, Ali has been helping me look into some schools not far from here. But I'm still deciding if I want to wait a year and then go, or just go after high school." She nods her head and turns to look at the TV.

My phone vibrates and I look down at it and see that Mateo is outside. I stand up from the couch and bend down to kiss Mom on the cheek.

"Be home early Veronica," she says and I nod my head in agreement.

"I will. I'll see you later. I love you," I tell her as I walk to the door.

"I love you Vero."

Stepping outside, I close the front door behind me and lock it. I turn and see Mateo in the same spot he always waits for me in. Leaning against his truck on the passenger side.

I walk up to him and when I'm close enough, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight against him. He's a great hugger.

"Are you ready to see what I have planned?" He grabs my face with both of his hands and looks down at me with a cute smile.

"Yes. I have been trying to figure out what you have planned. I feel like it has something to do with New Years but I don't know," I chuckle and he bends down to peck my lips lightly.

"Mmm you're kind of right. Come on," he unwraps his arms from around me and opens the passenger side door. I quickly hop in and watch him as he makes his way to the drivers side.

Let's just see what he has in mind.

~

"A picnic?"

He brought me to the field and he had a little picnic set up which was very adorable. We walk hand in hand to the blanket that's laid on top of the grass.

"Yeah, I thought we should end the year doing something that'll be memorable," I look up at him and he has a smile plastered onto his handsome face.

"I love it," I reach up and kiss his cheek. He starts to blush and I begin to laugh.

He gently pulls me down to the blanket and talks out all the snacks he brought.

This is going to be fun.

~

We finished eating the snacks and now we're watching the sunset. That's kind of our thing. We usually always come to the field around this time to watch the sunset.

I feel like now is a good time to tell him about college. I don't want to tell him right before graduation. Now seems like a good moment.

"So," I clear my throat and sit up. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something."

He leans on his elbow and raises a brow at me with a smile. "What about?"

"Well recently, Alison has been showing me colleges, and I've been more interested in finding out more about it. It's not a final decision yet. The ones I've seen are two hours away and I would be able to have a dorm there. It's a driving distance which I think it's good if I ever want to come back home for the holidays. I don't know, maybe you could look into it and see if you like it." His smile drops and he looks as if I said something wrong.

"Two hours? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Veronica I don't wanna go to college right after high school." He sits up straighter and I'm taken aback by the tone of his voice.

"Why do you sound upset? I didn't say anything bad, and like I said, it's not final." I reply confidently.

"I'm upset because you didn't tell me first. You went and asked Alison first instead of me. I know she's your best friend but you and I always tell each other everything. I thought you wanted to wait a year."

"When did I say that? I never told you that. We haven't even talked about this." Now I'm getting upset, I don't know why he's making it such a big deal.

"I don't know Veronica," he runs a hand across his face. "You make it seem like you're not ready to be alone yet and now you're taking this huge ass step like it's nothing. And what happens if you go, what am I just supposed to visit you when you want me too. Shit for all I know you can be doing stuff over there and I wouldn't even know about it."

I scoff and stand up. If this is how the conversation was going to be, I wouldn't have even brought it up.

"Oh so now you're turning this on me," I laugh and cross my arms over my chest. "And maybe this will help me. Maybe it'll teach me how to be responsible for myself. Also why would you think I would do something behind your back." What he said really hurt. Throughout this whole relationship we haven't really argued. I know it always happens in relationships but I didn't expect it to feel like this.

He stands up and begins to pick up the blanket and everything else he brought.

"I trust y-"

"No you don't. If you did you wouldn't have even said that." I cut him off.

"Veronica," he sighs. "Well how else did you want me to react. You just threw all of this on me okay. I don't know what you want me to say. You aren't gonna hear what you want to hear." At this point I'm mad. I'm trying to hold back the tears that want to flow out of my eyes.

"I know that Mateo. You could've at least thought about what you said first." I begin walking to the truck and ignoring Mateo's presence behind me. I don't want him to see the tears that already escaped. I get into the truck and look out the window. He gets in and I'm not looking in his direction, I just don't want to see him right now.

I know he doesn't mean anything bad, but it's just...I don't know.

The truck comes to life and he begins to drive me back home.

~

We arrive at my house and I take off my seat belt. I wiped my cheeks to get rid of the tears that were still there.

"Veronica," he grabs my hand. "We'll talk about this when we're calmer. I'm sorry if I sounded rude, I'm just upset that you told me all at once." I nod my head and let go off his hand. Usually I get off of the truck and Mateo stays in the truck. But today he gets off and walks to my side.

He pulls me into a hug and a few tears fall from my eyes. I didn't like that we had this small argument. If it hurt me then I know it must've hurt him too.

I pull away from him and clear my throat. "Text me when you get home," I say while looking down. He gently grabs my chin and lifts my head up. His eyes soften once we make eye contact. He bends down and kisses my cheek and sends me a small smile.

"I will. I love you Veronica," he says while stroking my cheek lightly with his thumb.

"I love you Mateo."

Sending him a half smile. I turn around and start walking to the front door. When I get there I turn around and see Mateo standing in the same spot he was just a few seconds ago. He waves at me and I wave back. I unlock the door and step inside but not before waving at Mateo again.

Well this start of the year feels different.