New Year's Eve could be nothing, but magical when spending it at a vacation resort in the mountains. Snow covered the ground, gleaming from the stars that sparkled in the crisp, clear night. With the New Year's just around the corner, everyone couldn't wait to celebrate.

Everyone, except for Ben Adams.

Being the high school team captain of Tourney, Ben has to use every spare moment to improve his skills, so he didn't let anyone down. Right now, he and his father—the current Tourney coach and earned the memorable nickname 'Beast' in his time as a Tourney player—were practicing in the indoor Tourney field to prepare Ben for the upcoming championship game.

They were completely drenched with sweat, but Ben couldn't stop.

He had to make his father proud.

"Keep working left, Ben," Mr. Adams instructed knowingly as he held up a practice shield and stick. "The guy trying to block you in the championship game won't expect that."

Ben nodded, barely able to breathe beneath his helmet. "By going left—"

"He'll look middle for the pass," his dad—and coach—interrupted before Ben could make the inference on his own. "You take it down the field and score when he's not expecting it."

Nodding once more, the team captain tried using the instructed play against his coach. Spinning pass his father, Ben swung the Tourney stick toward the goal. The ball whistled through and hit the back of the net with a powerful force. It was a perfect shot, however . . .

"You need to focus, Ben!" 'Beast' harshly scolded his son. "You won't be able pull off a win with a sloppy shot like that."

"Sorry," Ben apologized unsympathetically. "I'll try harde—"

"Boys?"

Interrupted once more, the two turned to see a beautiful woman walking into the indoor Tourney. Her luscious brown hair was up in a fancy bun that matched her yellow sequined party dress. Her outfit made it clear she had other things on her mind besides practice.

Sighing softly, Belle Adams reminded, "It's the last night of our vacation. Did you really forget about the New Year's Eve party tonight? We promised we would go to thank my father for paying for everything."

"Yes, I remember," Mr. Adams quickly reassured to appease his wife. "I thought we could get in a quick practice before it started. Ben needs all the help he can get to win the ga—"

"What he needs is rest," Belle reprimanded firmly before turning to her worn-out son. "There's a party downstairs for teenagers. Your suit is hanging in the bathroom, but I want you to shower first. That is not a request, young man. If I find out you came back here again, I will ground you from playing the championship game. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am," Ben grumbled as he trudged out of the indoor field.

Though, truthfully, he couldn't have been anymore grateful to his mother.


Meanwhile, in the lounge area of the resort, another parent was about interrupt a daughter from enjoying her favorite hobby.

Curled up in a comfortable chair, Mal Fae was completely lost in her charcoal drawing. She quite enjoyed the peace and quiet, not realizing it was from everyone heading to the holiday celebration. If she had noticed, it wouldn't have really mattered. With her purple-dyed hair and unusual light green eyes, no one wanted anything to do with Mal.

With her main focus being on the drawing, Mal flinched right away when her sketchbook was taken from her hands. Looking up to give the perpetrator a piece of her mind, the inspiring artist luckily stopped herself before she lashed out at her father—who was standing over her with a pointed look.

"Mali, it's New Year's Eve," her father—an infamous businessman with the reputation of being called 'Hades' and possessing dyed dark-blue hair— enlightened sternly. "All you've done this entire vacation is draw and paint. Normally I would be fine with that, but you need to socialize. Make some new friends."

Mal scoffed at the suggestion. "Why make new friends when I'm always leaving?" she retorted with a slight bitterness to her tone. "I've barely been able to keep in touch with my friends since we first moved four years ago. The only exceptions have been Jay and Uma, but Uma really doesn't count since she's family."

"That will change when you're back in their school next week," Hades assured calmly. "For now, there's a teen party happening during the adult party your mother and I will be attending with your uncles. She laid out an appropriate outfit for the occasion."

Sighing in defeat, Mal relented, "Fine, but since it's my vacation, I'm not wearing the wig."

"I wouldn't expect you to," Hades claimed as he finally studied the artwork, a gleam of familiarity in his eyes at seeing the portrait—a teenage boy dressed in a fancy suit with a crown sitting cock-eyed on his head. "Where have I seen this boy before?"

"Around the resort," Mal answered with a forceful, careless shrug. "I couldn't sleep one night so I went on a midnight tour of the place. He was in the indoor Tourney field when I walked by. He looked completely exhausted, but he didn't seem to care."

Nodding absentmindedly, her father deduced, "Judging from the drawing, you see him as . . ."

"A prince trying to prove he's ready to take over the kingdom," she finished, acting as though she wanted the conversation to end. "If he keeps over-working himself, he won't survive long enough to become king."

"Maybe you'll see this 'prince' at the party," Hades suggested while carefully closing the sketchbook so no drawings would be ruined. "But here is some advice: stop seeing yourself as a villain or a villain's daughter. You are so much more."

"I know what I am, but only you and Mom see that," Mal grumbled before she held out her hand. "Besides, people will treat me differently when they discover who I really am. Can I have my book back, please?"

Sighing half-heartedly, her father handed it over, warning, "Don't be too harsh on yourself, Baby Girl. Maybe that prince will see you for who you really are: a princess ready to spread her wings."


Less than an hour later, the two teenagers arrived separately at the party, feeling completely out of place compared to the kids wearing goofy party hats and blowing on noise-makers. Everyone appeared to be having fun, but the now freshly showered and nicely dressed Ben was wondering when the celebration would end. Although he admittedly loved the break, Ben needed to get back on the field before his father becomes irate at him for slacking off.

In another section of the party, Mal sat alone, wearing black skinny jeans and an over-sized lavender-purple sweater to keep herself warm. No one paid her any attention. Those who did snarled their noses at seeing her unusual hair. Mal was used to that negative reaction, which was why she usual wore a blonde wig when attending school or a public social event—to keep people from viewing her as a freak.

At the center of the room on a raised stage was a karaoke contest in full swing. Once a couple teenagers finished their duet, the emcee encouraged, "How about that performance from a couple snowboarders! Let's see who's gonna rock the house next . . ."

The audience applauded as the host tried spotting anyone willing to sing to a room full of strangers. Spotlights swirled over the crowd as music played louder to get the adrenaline pumping through the party-goers.

Finally, one spotlight landed on Ben while the other shined on Mal.

Both appeared startled at being chosen among everyone in the room. They each shook their heads in reluctance, but it was no use. Some bystanders pushed Ben up the stairs while the emcee helped Mal onto the stage. Somehow, microphones were shoved into their hands without them realizing.

They were stuck onstage. With no possible way to escape, they became the center of attention. Before either one had a chance to do anything, the music started.

Well, Ben thought as he submitted to his fate. Might as well try. . .

Reading the lyrics on the screen of the karaoke machine, Ben started singing softly barely able to get the words out.

"Livin' in my own world

Didn't understand

That anything can happen

When you take a chance. . ."

At first, no one seemed to pay them much attention. That was quite alright with Mal. If this stranger was willing to risk public humiliation, she might as well help him prove everyone wrong. After all, her family couldn't have been any more into performing if they tried.

Opening her mouth to sing, her voice was just above a whisper, but it was sweet and pure, fitting for the song.

"I never believed in

What I couldn't see

I never opened my heart

To all the possibilities . . ."

Ben couldn't believe that the teenage girl had such a beautiful voice. He was just one step away from leaving, but after hearing her sing like an angel, he felt completely compelled to stay, alternating lines of the ballad with the girl.

For the first time, they locked eyes with one another, both experiencing something they never had before. A spark of electricity ran through Ben's skin while Mal felt a warm glow flood through her body. They smiled, singing more loudly and boldly than before.

Suddenly, everyone in the room noticed something special was happening on the stage. Kids crowded around the edge of the platform to listen to the music better. Ben finally started to enjoy himself, nervous forgotten as he stared into Mal's eyes. As the two moved to the music, they never took their eyes off each other.

The crowd cheered and applauded when the duet ended. Though he was breathless and little stunned by what happened, Ben leaned forward, introducing himself, "I'm Ben."

"Mal," Mal greeted in return.

Neither one could stop smiling. An excited, fuzzy feeling filled them inside—

As if the world had just become a lot brighter.


"You have such an amazing voice," Ben complimented as he and Mal walked outside in the cold, sparkling air. "Are you a singer?"

"Not professionally, but me and my family do like to sing randomly," Mal claimed with a careless shrug. "My cousin can play a few instruments and is an incredible singer. We used to joke about her singing at the drop of a hat. Every time there's a family event, our family makes us sing together because they like our voices."

"You are an artist though, right?" Ben assumed as they stood on the outdoor patio. "I recognized the charcoal residue on your hands. My grandfather always has the same black smudges on his."

"I've won a few art competitions," Mal admitted almost bashfully, though she was really happy to talk about a hobby she truly loves. "I use charcoal, ink, paints—"

"Do you make stain glass?" Ben accidentally interrupted.

"I wish," Mal denied with a soft sigh. "It's beautiful, but I don't have the patients for it. Does your grandfather?"

"He bought everything to try it, but became swamped with other art projects from clients," Ben informed with a slightly upset tone to his voice. "He built a shed to work on stain glass projects in, but he's never started any. I've been inside and the materials are impressive. If I had the time, I would definitely give it a try."

"What are you busy with?" Mal wondered, though she already had her suspicions. "Singing like a champ in front of teenage crowds?"

Chuckling softly, Ben insisted, "That was the first time I ever did something like that. I practice for Tourney nearly year-round, so I can't really do anything fun or spontaneous like singing."

"Are you sure about that?" Mal teased as her smile grew. "You sound too good for that being your first time. I'm sure you've at least sung in the shower."

"Of course!" Ben agreed with a smart-ass smile. "My shower-head is very impressed with me."

The two laughed at the harmless as everyone gathered outside. In unison, the crowd started chanting, "Ten! Nine! Eight!"

Ben and Mal glanced at each other, before looking away just as quickly. The countdown continued until . . .

"Three! Two! One!"

Fireworks burst in the sky, displaying showers of red, gold, and blue to mark the new year. Everyone cheered as they blew their noisemakers to celebrate. Meanwhile, Ben was feeling a little awkward.

People usually kiss each other on New Year's Eve, Ben thought. And she is so beautiful. Should I risk it—?

Before he could decide, Mal surprised him by placing an innocent kiss on his forehead. Snickering at his confused reaction, she explained with a smile, "It's a tradition with me and my parents. When we leave the house or go somewhere, we give the person leaving a kiss on the forehead in departing. It's kind of like a reminder that someone cares for them. My mother came up with the tradition while watching a little girl, way before she met my father. The routine stuck when they married and had me."

"That's really sweet," Ben complimented with a smile. "Maybe you and I can hang out tomorrow before I have to leave."

"You wouldn't recognize me," Mal claimed with just a slightly saddened tone. "I love my purple hair, but people judge me for it. Whenever I'm out in public for a special event or at school, I wear a blonde wig to cover it. They take me seriously when I look . . . average."

"I'm sure you still look gorgeous," Ben praised, causing the girl to blush at the flattery. "Maybe I can call you tomorrow?"

"You're moving a little fast," Mal teased, her face still a little warm. "You sing one duet with me and now you want my number? Do you do something like that with every girl you're infatuated with?"

"You're the only girl I'm infatuated with," Ben insisted seriously. "I have never met anyone that compares to you. You are beautiful."

Blushing even deeper, Mal joked, "I guess you deserve my number after that compliment."

Exchanging phones, the couple took a few moments to exchange numbers. Taking pictures of themselves to use on the contacts, the phones were exchanged back to their rightful owners. However, a new text popped up on Mal's cellphone; her mother needed her. She turned to leave, unbeknownst to Ben.

"Singing with you was the most fun I've had this vacation," he sincerely said. "Where do you—"

He turned to look at her, but she was already walking through the crowd. Ben stood absolutely still, mesmerized as he gazed after her. "Mal . . ."

It was definitely the start of something new.