Hey people! :D

Sorry for not uploading a little, but I've been busily writing! I have like... four or so chapters to update for you today! Oh and hey, look, I realize we've gotten QUITE a few watchers, but I haven't heard from any of you... What happened to reivews? Don't people know how to use the button? It's kind of depressing when I upload so much and get nothing in return :(

Interesting fact: In Massachusetts, USA... There's towns called- Newbury, Newbury Port, Quincy and Danvers... Now, here in Australia, I just realized WE have an Ipswich too! And guess what street you can find there? Parry street. Is that all Irony or what?!

How we chose the name Faxon (rachel), Newbury (Alex) and Quincy (leah)- was we went to Google, typed in- names from the 1600's... and then looked at lists, and chose a few... but all these names appearing as towns and streets near Ipswiches and MA, it's just so weird!

Anyone else weirded out? :P

Also- IT WAS EMI'S BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAY!! 21st of September ;) same as Alex's- though they're only in like.. early September here... OH! And that's right, they have 'all-year-round' school, like we do here. It's just easier to work with, since I don't know the American school semesters that well. :)

Anyways... Enjoy! and PLEASE! I hope to see some major reviewing going on! I miss talking to you people! :(

I stood in the bathroom in front of the foggy mirror for a long time in my towel, using up my hair straightening time. Instead my wet dark locks were curling and it was too late to try anything on them. I stared into my reflecting eyes when there was a knock on the door.

I jumped as Pogue snuck his head in, eyes looking me up and down quickly before he smiled, "Ten minutes Rach, you've been in here for like half an hour."

"Sorry, girl has to do what a girl has to do," I laughed, turning back to my reflection.

"Stare at yourself until your hair dries? Is that what you're trying to accomplish."

Yes. "No!" I said quickly, "I just- oh forget it, I have to get changed." A green lucky charms shirt with shorts and converses. I was grabbing up all my things on the bed, shoving it into my purse when I spotted something that wasn't there the other day…

-Lot's of love, Quincy. PLEASE use it.- A condom packet.

I rolled my eyes and grinned, Was she possibly the weirdest friend ever? I thought about it though, we hadn't used one first time, but I took the pill, that was dealt with. Easy. I didn't pull an Alex and have pregnancy scare.

"What's that?" Pogue said, arms wrapping around me and making me jump, hiding the thing in my hand. "Uh oh, looks like I'll have to confiscate something," he chuckled.

"No, no… don't-" I tried to keep it from him, pushing one hand against his chest as my other was outstretched away from him. I couldn't help but smile as he grabbed for it.

He was pushing me back and I jumped onto the bed, standing up and hiding it behind me. He grabbed me around the waist, swung me around and laid me on the floor, climbing over me, legs straddling my waist and grabbing for my hand.

"Oh come on! Not fair! So, big ass, not fair!" I yelped as he tickled me with one hand and slid his hand up my other one with the condom packet enclosed in my hand.

"Let me see," He smirked, grabbing my wrist and pinning it to the floor. I went to reach up but he grabbed that hand too, folding it behind my back and prying my hand open. He looked down at the packet and started to laugh and so did I.

"She' such an OCD girl and a mother." I rolled my eyes, letting him take the packet.

He folded it around in his fingers for a moment before flicking it and letting it land on the bare skin above my chest, under my collarbones. He smirked, leaning down, "We have a full stock of one condom."

My other hand was still pinned and the one that was closest was behind my back, so I tried helplessly to reach up and kiss his lips. He closed some of the distance, his tongue pressing against my lips in desperation.

It was quickly getting heated as I grinded my pelvis into his, arching my back. He pulled back, breathing heavily, "We should go… this really isn't the place,"

I nodded quickly, my breathing upbeat like his, "Let's go…"

-

There was a party closer to town, a huge bonfire, beer, couples, music, vehicles 

parked anywhere and everywhere. The way I remembered it.

Pogue's hand was clasped around mine, hand touching the bare skin at the small of my back every few seconds. I smirked and stopped near a car, grabbing two beers from a tub and handing one to him.

He smirked and we drank. It wasn't that lively here, just a nice night out, to be honest. "So Pogo, tell me… what's on your mind?"

We both leaned facing each other between two chevys. He fidgeted for a moment and ran fingers through his hair, "Just stuff,"

"What stuff?" I asked, taking another swig of my beer.

He shrugged, "Actually, I'm kinda worrying about Caleb. He hasen't called me in two days, and he said he'd keep me updated."

"You're worried about him by himself."

"I shouldn't be," He sighed, "he's been quiet since-" we both locked eyes for a moment and then down again, "I think it hurts him too much to see all of us… well… happy. He's slipping Rach, and I'm really worried about what he'll do."

"He needs a girl," I rolled my eyes, "and we need to find him one."

Pogue nodded, "I've been looking already… but I'm no Caleb," He smirked at me, "we've got two very different tastes."

I shrugged one shoulder, "You've got the better taste."

He groaned but smiled, thrust himself off the car and closer to me, "Damn Rach, you got me excited…"

I laughed and swung my arm around his neck, "Isn't that uncomfortable?"

"What?"

I dropped my eyes and he blushed, "Ah, that…"

I smirked and put my beer on the hood of the car turning him around so that his back was pressed against the car and I reached up on tippy toes to press my lips to his ear, "Do you need help with that?" I trailed my hand down his chest and stomach.

"Rach…" He groaned lowly into my ear and his lips attacked mine, before I pulled him away from the crowed into the darkness and slammed his back against another unoccupied vehicle, lips and body parts clashing, sounds erupting…

When we wondered back to the party, hand in hand again, we were both estatic. The music had become louder somehow and I was in need of another beer.

We walked over towards the fire again, Pogue's hand touching the small of my back every few seconds. The boy never got enough-

"Rachel!"

I swung around to see Andy pushing through a couple and walking around a car. I turned around like I hadn't even noticed him and kept walking, pulling Pogue along behind me.

"Aw, Rachel! Don't be like that! Come on! You know I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!" He called but I ignored him and kept walking. Pogue seemed to pick up the pace behind me.



He leaned down to my ear, "Are you sure you're not going to forgive him?"

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned on him, eyes scorching and anger flaring, "Forgive him? What kind of planet do you live on?!"

"Rach-"

"RACHEL! I'M SORRY!"

I glare at Andy as he came close, putting his hands on my shoulders. I pushed him off, "Go away."

"Rachel, please!" Andy said, his voice desperate.

"Don't you think-" Pogue started but I snapped at him.

"Shut up! Both of you just…" I made an irritated noise and pointed at Andy, "You leave me alone! I don't want to hear it. You screwed it up, Andy! You screwed it up big time."

I turned from him, glaring at Pogue for a moment before storming off in the classic Rachel way. I was so pissed off I could burn a building.

It was a few minutes before a hand clasped around mine and Pogue pulled me around, "Rachel, stop being a drama queen and-"

I threw him off, the air around me shuddering as some kind of invisible force had pushed him away from me, "What is wrong with you, you moron?! You're taking his side! Even when he tried to- no, he did kiss your girlfriend?!"

"Rachel…." He said in a hushed voice. I was fuming, and was sure electricity currants were running down each strand of my hair. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest as he tried to touch my hand. This better be good, and damn fast too. "…maybe you're over thinking this? He sounds pretty honest when he said he didn't mean it."

"Are you high?!" I squinted in disbelief at him. Who the hell was speaking from his mouth?

"Rachel, listen to me!" He grabbed onto my forearms, "I know what it's like to make mistakes."

I narrowed my eyes on him, "You know what it's like, huh?" To be honest, now I was more than pissed. I was pissed and scared.

He sighed, "Rachel, what if I told you something that… might come as a surprise?"

I unfolded my arms and put my hands on my hips, leaning my weight on one foot, "Try me."

He sighed again, but this time nervously, "Remember that first night in the bar? In the hall, you and me?" I had my tongue between my teeth, jaw off centred. He continued as I clearly showed to sign of speaking, "Well… I want you to know that I did it for you. Because I wanted to be with you."

"Oh?"

He sucked in a breath and looked down, "I was dating another girl at the time."

My muscles tensed and my breathing stopped. You had to be kidding, right?! "Excuse me?" I blinked.



"I told her it was over the next day, I swear! I couldn't stop thinking about you. Just you." He stepped closer, his fingers touching my forearm and then dropping, "Rach…"

"You were in a relationship… and you still screwed me around?" I muttered, jaws clenched.

"It wasn't like that… it was bound to happen anyways. We weren't in a happy place, Rachel!" He pleaded.

I stepped back slightly, "Okay… I'm tipsy, so I must be imagining things. I want to go home, I want to sleep, and I don't want to speak to you until I've had both those plus a bath."

He blinked, "Rach-"

I turned from him and walked back to the car. I got in and started it up, barley waiting for him to get in and close the door before reversing quickly. It was so silent at home as I threw open the front door and walked to the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it.

Bathtubs full of soapy hot water were about as good as a double patty burger and large drink of any sorts. It was irresistible.

I spent at least an hour in there, soaking and letting my mind cool down. Four times I had to concentrate on wiggling my toes and not thinking about what had happened tonight.

I wrapped up in a towel and opened the door, walking out and pausing to look down at Pogue sitting against the wall, arms on his knees. He looked up, but didn't speak. Neither did I.

I changed and climbed into bed, curling up and waiting for tears, but nothing came. I'd used up all my tears years ago, and plus, this was nothing to cry about. Nothing at all. I'd go to sleep and in the morning it would all be gone. Everything.

-

Saturday morning was possibly worse than a Monday. I woke up and walked right into my father, his hands capturing me in strange places as we steadied each other, realized who we were and walked in opposite directions. Pogue stood in the kitchen, a glass in his hand. We both shoved shoulders in the kitchen, not speaking a word to the other.

I made two pieces of toast, leaving one in the machine and walking out the front to the car. I started it up and reversed into the drive way, getting out again and grabbing up a bag of things. I sighed in my room in front of the mirror before turning to my door and walking to Pogue.

I swallowed and looked up at him through puffy, squinted and tired eyes, "I'm going to Alex's to pick her up. You will go pick up Reid."

As I turned to the door he called out, "Do I get any kind of goodbye?"

"No," I growled and slammed the front door.

When Rachel was angry for something, she wasn't going to let the person live it down until she got into their head.

It only took about an hour and a half to get to Alex's, my anger tending to press my 

foot harder down on the pedal. I parked outside the white house that looked as if it belonged somewhere near the beach.

I sighed and took my bag out of the car, smoothing down my short white skirt and grey tank top. I skipped to the door and knocked on it.

"Rachel? Is that you, dear?" Mrs. Newbury looked at me with wide eyes, flinging her arms out and pulling me to her stone hard chest.

"Hi… umm… how are you?"

"Oh I'm wonderful! Alex didn't tell me you were coming!" Her smile faltered slightly, "She never tells me anything anymore…"

"AH! It's the wicked witch!" Scott pushed his mom out of the way and bounded down the stairs to me, "Whaddup homey?" He raised his hand and I made the mistake of clapping mine to it. His clasped around mine, making me feel like a doll, jerking my arm and swinging me around.

"Scott… Jesus, you're going to slam me through the wall!" I yelped, grabbing onto his shoulder and steadying myself.

"Sorry, Rachy. Come in! Alex is in the shower, maybe we can turn the cold water on on her."

I rolled my eyes and ruffled his hair, "You haven't changed."

"Over a few months time? Nah!" He waved a hand.

I walked into the house looking around. Alex had been right, it was totally the same from when we were kids. James lounged on the couch and I smirked as he looked up, eyes fixed on me and looked away quickly.

"C'mere Jay, say hello, give 'er a kiss, make her welcome, we know you missed her." Scott walked past his brother on the couch, slapping him upside the head and then attempting to sit on him.

"Geddoff!" James shoved, rolling around.

I grinned at him, "Hi James. How's your summer going?"

"Brilliant." He choked, now in a head lock from Scott.

"Is that thy fair Rachybug I hear?" Alex said as she walked down the stairs in a tight black dress that slightly frilled around the end above her knees, black connies on.

I yelped in happiness as we both threw ourselves at each other and hugged like we'd been apart for years.

"Girl, you look tired, what did you do last night," The way she said the last part was as if she was implying something along the suspicious line of, "did you get laid last night?".

It then occurred to me… I hadn't even told her.

I bit my lip, "Stories for the road my dear. We sort of on a short schedule here."

She frowned and then sighed, skipping to her brothers and jumping into Scott's arms. He hugged her close and James tickled her, forming some sort of war.

Mr. Newbury smiled and waved from the kitchen and I felt a huge pang of jealousy. Her father had always been the best to me. Always.



"Alright Alex!" I clapped my hands together and grinned, "We have to-"

"Oh Rachel, please do stay for lunch? You drove all the way out here, you must get a reward of some sort." Mr. Newbury asked kindly, and with those eyes and that brilliant smile. That man had to be one of my favourite parental figure I knew.

"Oh, I couldn't…" I started but Scott laughed loudly.

"Cut the bull, Witch. Eat with us, or you may be just what we eat,"

"Oh yes," Mr. Newbury leaned against the door frame, "we enjoy a few red heads every now and then. Spicy," He winked, "Scott, don't use that language when you're mother's in the house."

Alex rolled her eyes as she lay across James' chest, her arms folded, "Eat with us, Rachybug."

I rolled my eyes and jumped onto the couch, folding my feet under me and grinning, "Fine. Bring on the baked bodies!"

We ate outside in the sun, looking over the pool. Mrs Newbury took our plates in and said she was bringing out some cake. Alex and I side glanced and looked down, biting our lips. Scott leaned back and stretched his arms, "So, Rachel, who's the lucky boy?"

Alex grinned at her brother and then me, folding a napkin over a few times, "Yeah, Rach, do tell."

I looked down and swallowed hard, "Oh. Uh, yeah. He's um…" I bit at my lip, pausing until I stood up, "I have to use the bathroom…"

Alex's eyes flicked up with worry and then at her family. She got up too, "I'll be back." She caught up with me in the hall, "Hey, what was that? Did something happen with you and Pogue?"

"Huh? Oh… well uh," I Iooked at her as my sentence died. I sucked in more air, "Well, let's just say I found out some stuff last night."

"What sort of stuff?" She asked, grabbing my wrist. I saw it in her eyes, how worried she was.

I sighed, and looked out the door, her family was talking and laughing. I leaned forward and lowered my voice, "Alex, he was dating when we kissed that night at the bar. He'd wanted it as much as I had, but he… he was in a relationship!"

"What?!" She gasped, "No way, but he…"

"I don't know, I have barely spoken to him since last night. We're sort of on break."

"Oh… Oh crap," She looked down and then nodded slowly, "I'll get my things. This is probably the last thing you want to have to endure."

I gave her a pleading smile and she raced up the stairs. This weekend hadn't worked out how I planned. We were supposed to all be excited and on a pure sugar high, Pogue picking up Reid and bringing him over, instead of just going straight back to my place. It was going the way I wanted... but then again, who could play god?

James walked through the door just at that moment, "Want anything before you leave?" He asked, folding his arms.



I laughed and leaned against the wall, "Yeah actually. I want chocolate, a few chick flicks, ice cubes and a metal stick."

James nodded, "Someone break your heart last night?"

My eyes snapped to his, "You were listening?"

"No," He said, "I just happened to be standing here when you said it." There was a long pause where I wondered if I should hit him. He looked at his feet, "I'm sorry."

I shrugged, curling my arms around myself, "It's life."

He laughed and came to stand next to me, looking up the stairs and then back to me, "Well I know I'm not on the top of your list but… hey, if you need to talk to someone… someone who's male and will listen..."

"Call you?" I laughed.

He shrugged, "Hey, it's worth a shot, isn't it?"

I blinked, "Oh… well, alright. What's your number?"

He punched his number into my cell phone, handing it back and smiling. It could actually be handy, now come to think of it. I'd never really had a boy friend (not the separate terms) that I could just sit and talk to without chewing his lip off. Still... James was pretty hot anyways, Alex painted in almost every part of him. Or at least, not the male parts of him. Alex with a penis. Hah! That's a new one... I looked up at him, and I had no idea what made me do it, if it was the anger for Pogue, or the betrayal, or just the fact that I was totally and utterly insane, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his softly.

He moved his underneath them, tongue pressing against mine for a moment before the kiss broke and Alex shut her bedroom door.

He nodded slowly and said softly, "Or if you ever just need a make out buddy."

I chuckled, "I know who to call."

Ah yes... sweet satisfaction of making my loved ones fight :)