“Ten, Nine, Eight.”

My eyes were bloodshot. I didn’t bother counting with everyone.

“Seven, Six, Five.”

I was tired of this already. I watched the same couples holding each other. Ready for their midnight kiss.

“Three, Two…”

Everyone held up champagne. I cried.

“One. Happy New Year!”

The clock hit 0:00, balloons fell, and the 1999 banner dropped to reveal another in it’s place. It read “Year 1999.”

The new year. The same year.

I wept alone.

The cycle would never be broken.