So, I'm just gonna warn you guys that I'm in another weird slump. I'm at the point where I'm like, "Alright...where the hell is this going, now?" and so it's really hard to force myself to right. Don't worry, though, because I'm determined to figure it out. :P
- Veg

New Year's Eve- it's a time for change. For myself this year, it's all for the better. The party is at my house this time around, with my new friends joining us.

"Where are the kids tonight?" Pat asks, searching through every cabinet in my kitchen. I inform him that they're with their father, and he mutters something to himself about "god damned alcohol." I point him in the right direction. "You'd think I'd know this by now..." I just laugh and glance over at everyone in the living room. Kevin sat on the couch, strumming his guitar with Kendall and Jo watching next to him, while Maggie strived for the attention of Carlos and James, who both clearly weren't paying any attention and Logan awkwardly watched it all, awaiting my return. Pat snickers when he notices my observations. "Of all the people to have together at the same time..." I quietly nod and he hands me the newfound bottle from the pantry. "They're not gonna get all, like, pansy-ass on us for drinking, are they?" I just shrug, pretending like that wasn't the first thought to come to my mind.

"They'll get over it," I say, with a hope they will. We're silent for a moment as I frantically search for a bottle opener, taking note of the microwave clock that reads 8:31 PM.

"So, uh, how're things going so far with you and Logan?" Pat finally asks.

"Good," I immediately reply, wanting to forget the little incident with Camille the other day.

"You know...if he hurts you, I'll kick his ass," he casually tells me, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Thanks, Pat," I reply, rolling my eyes and slamming the silverware drawer shut.

"I wasn't kidding." I wish you were. "You know, I think it's time he and I have a little talk..."

"Oh my god, no," I immediately say, ignoring my excitement over just finding what I was looking for. "I swear to god, Pat-"

"I just want to make sure-"

"No, no, no, no, no!" I retort, then calm down and sigh once he stops. "I can take care of myself. You don't have to play dad to me."

"That's what you always say," he grumbles before following me back into the living room. I dramatically present the bottle of Smirnoff, and Maggie and Kevin proceed to loudly cheer.

"Two claps for Brooklyn!" Kevin shouts before he, Pat and Maggie all clap twice in unison. I can't help but burst out into laughter, remembering the night that started: after the first night of one of our shows this summer, we sat in this diner down the street for hours, tormenting the poor workers. Needless to say, we were kicked out.

The other five shoot us a look of confusion. "Oh, sorry," Pat says, rather rudely and clearing his throat. "It was one of those "you had to be there" things." In response, Logan mumbles something indecipherable under his breath and rolls his eyes. Kevin grabs the bottle out of my hands and quickly changes the subject.

"Alright, let's open this fucker up," he says with a smirk, gesturing for me to hand him the bottle opener.

"I can already see where this is going," Logan says with a sigh as he returns to his rightful place at my side, wrapping his arms around my waist. I can only pray that our habits don't bother him that much. The bottle opens with a pop and Kevin immediately hands it to me.

"Do the honors," he dramatically says as I grab it from him and take a quick swig of the cheap vodka. "And don't forget to save room for the cheap champagne, either..." He shoots Pat a look, who quickly puts his hands up in defense.

"I'm sorry! It's all I could get!" He says.

"Oh, just shut up and drink," I say, shoving the bottle back toward him. I look at Logan from the corner of my eye; he's pretending not to pay attention, but I know he is.

Brooklyn drank. Pat drank. Maggie and Kevin drank. Even Kendall, Carlos, James and Jo stole a sip. But I didn't. I couldn't. I wouldn't.

Brooklyn doesn't care much; then again, alcohol tends to do that to a person. On the other hand, Pat is quick to mock me. "God, what a fucking pansy," I hear him mumble before taking another swig. Everyone else distracted by Kevin, carefully coming out of the kitchen with an armful of shot glasses.

"I have an idea," he says in a singsongy tone.

"Really, Kevin?" Brooklyn teases. "Drinking games? What, are we in 8th grade again?" Mentally, I quirk an eyebrow, only able to think, "Please tell me she's kidding."

"Actually, we were far past that in middle school," Pat snorts. Oh, god, please tell me this is a joke.

"Alright, alright," Kevin says, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "How about Never Have I Ever?"

"Ah, what the hell." Brooklyn says with a shrug, taking a seat next to him and pulling me over with her. Everyone follows, creating a circle on the rug. "You don't have to play if you don't want to..." She quietly tells me, resting her head on my shoulder and hugging my arm.

"It's not like he'd end up drinking, anyway," Pat quietly sneers to himself.

"Okay, can you chill?" Brooklyn finally defends. "You've been acting like a real dick tonight."

...awkward silence.

"Oo-kay, so..." Kendall finally says, filling the silence by clearing his throat.

"Who's gonna start?" Maggie asks with a shrug.

"I will," Brooklyn immediately says. She looks directly at Pat and narrows her eyes into slits. "Never have I ever cheated on someone."

"Oh, fuck you," he grumbles, before both he and James take a shot of the intoxicating substance. Figures. "Alright, fine then." He glares back at her. "Never have I ever been proposed to," he snorts. "From someone I don't even fucking know." She laughs rather obnoxiously before taking her drink.

"Uh, what?" I ask.

"Yeah, Brooklyn, why don't you explain?" Pat asks with a mock of innocence. "After all, it is such a good story-"

"Fuck you." She immediately cuts him off before looking up at me. "I swear, it was nothing. I dated this guy for like a month, and I broke it off when he started getting all weird and taking about getting married." She looks back over at Pat. "It wasn't an actual proposal. But, since you want to be such a douche..."

"You know, the rest of us are still playing," Kendall hints, but she ignores him.

"Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex," she says with a smirk. Pat grumbles something under his breath as everyone watches him take his shot.

"I kissed a boy, and I liked it," Kevin sings to him, and Pat shoots him a look that basically reads, "Shut the fuck up, or you'll wake up with the shot glass stuck in your throat."

"Never have I ever woken up with a hangover in someone's house I didn't know," Pat spits back.

"Never have I ever had an STD from some grimy whore," Brooklyn quickly spits back, not bothering to take a shot.

"Never have I ever ditched my best friends on Christmas to go hang out with someone else."

"Never have I ever been a dick to my friend's boyfriend."

"Never have I ever had someone call me a bitch to my face."

"Yeah? You're a bitch. There, now you have." The two continue to go back and fourth, until Jo is brave enough to finally step in.

"Okay, okay!" She raises her voice, rolling her eyes. "I know I don't really know anything you're talking about, but I do know you're both being ridiculous." Pat and Brooklyn exchange glares again as Brooklyn snuggles into my arm again.

"I need some fresh air," she mumbles to herself before sweetly looking up at me. "Come outside with me?" I silently nod and help her up. "Sorry about that," she says with a sigh once we're on her front porch, closing the door behind us. I take a seat on the porch swing and she's quick to follow. "He can be an ass sometimes."

"Don't apologize," I say with a shrug.

"No, he was being a jerk to you," she argues, resting her head on my chest. "I'm sorry. He acts like a fucking five year old."

"Honestly, it didn't bother me," I assure her. She takes a deep breath and laces her fingers in between mine as I tangle my fingers in her soft hair.

"You're too nice. It almost makes me sick."

"Well, we make a nice contrast," I quietly tease as she glares up at me. She tries to keep a straight face, but a smile eventually breaks through. "Uh, Brooklyn?"

"Yeah?"

I love you.

"...nothing."

Pat ended up leaving, and I guess it was only for the better. The tension and pressure all disappeared after that.

I watch as Brooklyn, Jo and Maggie all gather in the kitchen, madly giggling over something that none of the guys are sure of. They look over at us, then resume their hushed conversation. "I wonder what they're talking about," Carlos says out loud, childishly scrunching up his face.

"Between Brooklyn and Maggie, I don't want to know," Kevin answers, continuing to quietly strum on his guitar.

"I'll bet you five bucks it's about me," James says, staring at his reflection in the window as he pulls his comb out of his pocket to fix the hair that there's absolutely nothing wrong with.

"And you guys call me stupid..." Carlos mumbles to himself. I don't really care what they're talking about. All I can do is watch Brooklyn and smile.

Eventually, we all died down a little until it reached 11:58 and we all surrounded the TV to watch the festivities in New York City. Brooklyn curls up next to me, her eyes lighting up as she watches what was once her home. "Have you ever gone there on New Year's?" I ask out of curiosity, twirling a piece of her hair around my finger. She nods and doesn't bother to peel her eyes off the TV.

"My dad would take me every year," she quietly replies.

5...4...3...2..

"HAPPY FUCKING NEW YEAR!" Kevin shouts, pulling us all out of a trance when we hear a popping noise. "Oh, shit..." Everyone stares down at the champagne, exploding out of the bottle as Kevin tries to catch as much of it in a glass as he can.

"Nice going, Kev," Brooklyn sneers, grabbing a full glass from him. I even end up taking one, even with no intention of drinking it. "So...here's to a new year, and..."

"A new semester!" Kevin excitedly says, raising his glass.

"New friends!" James smugly interjects, as Maggie slides in between him and Carlos. They both look down at the perky redhead with goofy smiles.

Kendall obviously feels the need to add, "Our new album, coming out next month!"

"Finally having auditions for The Sound of Music next week!" Maggie excitedly announces.

"To Brooklyn and Logan finally being together!" Carlos exclaims, a little louder than necessary.

"Even though neither of them ever followed any of my plans!" Jo teases, playfully glaring at the two of us. Everyone then gets silent and stares at me, obviously waiting for me to day something.

"Whaaatt?" I ask, childishly. "You guys already said everything."

"Oh, come on," Kendall says. "There has to be something else."

"Yeah, stop cheating," Brooklyn whines and pouts.

"Fine," I reply, raising my glass. "Here's to..." I look down at Brooklyn and smile. "Here's to my insane friends and my incredible girlfriend." They all laugh at me and I quickly peck Brooklyn's lips before we clang our glasses together.

Unexpectedly, I down the whole glass.