A.N. I know that the last couple of chapters were a little bit sad () but it is necessary for the plot. As I said before 'just bare with me'. Happier things are to come. The next chapter might be a bit different in style (tense, POV etc) because I think I need to show some different perspectives.

Oh, and……… HAPPY NEW YEAR

I drop onto a chair and exhale heavily, trying to release a little bit of the tension that I've been holding in all day. I'm just tired of seeing them together, smiling sweetly and laughing. Ginny's whole family seems to love Samantha, even if they still think she's just Ginny's friend. I think the only reason she hasn't told her parents is because she doesn't want their suspicious looks whenever the couple are on their own.

I stand up and start getting changed, knowing that people will start to get suspicious if I'm away too long. Everyone is in the living room, laughing and joking and getting ready for tonight. Samantha has arranged for us to go to a New Years party and everyone seems really excited. Except me.

There's a knock on my door.

'Just a minute, I'm getting changed.' I call through the door.

I hear a creak and Ginny pops her head through the door. I grab my shirt in the calmest way I can and try to button it while hiding the fact that my hands are shaking.

'Hey stranger.' She says grinning at me. 'Yeah, I know: privacy, but I really need to talk to you and you've been a little…off…lately…'

She trails off and when I look round at her she has somehow managed to make her way through the door and across the floor of my room and is standing right next to me. Her expression is odd somehow, like she feels a little awkward.

She is looking right at me and I feel lost in her eyes. I really love her eyes. They're like a mood ring that changes colour with your emotions. I can imagine her eyes are like that because they contain so many colours that they seem different every time I see them. But they're always dark, whether grey or green or brown or whatever colour they seem, they always have a darkness to them. Not in any sinister way, but in a way that always makes her seem sad, even when she's smiling. My favourite is when her eyes are darkest blue, like an inky sky: like they are right now.

'Are you okay,' she asks, breaking the silence, 'You're shaking'

Her expression becomes worried and her bow furrows. I tear my eyes away from hers and look down at my hands, still fumbling with the last button on my shirt. My hands are shaking quite visibly and its taking most of my strength just to keep breathing.

'Here, let me.'

She reaches up and does the button on my shirt and grins again but the smile quickly fades back to her worried face.

'I think maybe you should sit down; you don't look very well. How are you feeling?'

'Ummm...' Then I get an idea, 'Not too good. Maybe I should give this party a miss.'

Ginny frowns slightly and gives me a pleading look.

'Ok, I'll come' I accept defeat. She looks at me and smiles. 'So, what did you want to talk about anyway?'

Ginny looks slightly nervous and starts shifting her gaze.

'Oh nothing really, I'll tell you later. Besides, we both still need to get ready.'

She walks quickly out of the door before I can say anything else.

'Bye'