Author's Note Hey since, I never really thank you guys who review this, I thought I better now, because you've been great. And, seriously if no one had reviewed I'd probably have stopped a while ago. Special thanks to Alien1, who always reviews and says the nicest comments! Oh, this grossly long! Well, here I go....
Nick's POV
The party was in full swing and the girls had yet to make an appearance. Not that I really cared, I'd actually prefer if Holly and even Maddie didn't come, because I liked to be protective over them. And, I knew what would happen if they did decide to come. But, I was strangely interested in Allie, so at the same time I hoped they'd come.
"So, any different from New York?" Andrew asked. He was leaned against the counter, holding a beer in hand. We guys were all in the kitchen eyeing our options for the evening.
"Well, I have yet to see any gang members, but we'll see," I laughed.
"Gang members?" Scott looked at me. And I swear I could see fear in his eyes.
"Yeah, they'd come and then we'd rumble," I told him, trying to keep a straight face. Conner, Andrew, and Parker all erupted in laughter.
"Oh right, funny," Scott chuckled.
"Hey, where's your sister?" Parker asked, looking at Conner. "Come to think of it where are any of your sisters?"
Conner shrugged, "Not a damn idea," If I was in his shoes, and Holly skipped out all day without a word, I'd be so pissed.
"I know they were coming together with Kristina," Andy replied. Was I the only one who actually communicated with my sister?
"Holly told me they were going to your place Andy, and they were going to drink before coming here. It was supposed to be a little girl's party," They all looked at me stunned. Probably wondering how I'd known.
Parker spoke first, "I wish I could've been there,"
"Are they stupid, how are they going to get here if they're already drinking?" Andy asked incredulously.
"They said they'd cab it." I answered.
"But, isn't Chris there? Allie hasn't even gone to the Andy's since the night she and he broke up..." Conner muttered.
"I'm pretty sure he was going to his Dad's this weekend," Andy replied quietly, as if ashamed.
"Cheer up guys, c'mon!" Parker grinned, patting our backs. "We're five really good looking guys we have practically bottomless amounts of alcohol and a nearly a houseful of hot girls. Things are definitely alright, and it's only 10:00!" We all laughed at Parker's shallow mindset. "I mean we can so get lucky..."
"We got'cha, buddy!" Conner replied, trying to get him to stop talking.
"Well, cheers!" Scott offered and we all clinked our glasses together. "To the opposite sex,"
"Hear hear," We all grinned, and downed our drinks.
Maddie's POV
We girls were all lounged around the living room floor, all holding drinks as if they were our lifelines.
"This is boring!" Holly laughed.
"Yeah, let's get out of here!" Decided Allie standing up.
"Wait, we have to clean up at bit, I mean I don't want my Dad coming home and finding this!" Maddie signaled to the mess that was all around the room.
"Well, we can clean while we wait for the taxi," Kristina reasoned, still the least drunk person.
"You should drink a bit more," Allie told her, going to pour some alcohol in her glass.
"Someone has to watch out for you guys and I make sure you don't tell the taxi driver the wrong address, or try to even drive there!"
"Whatever," Allie mumbled, "I'll drink this for you then," She added, downing the shot.
"I'm just going to go call the cab," Kristina grinned, leaving.
"Okay, Kay..." Allie laughed at herself. "K, kay," The phone rang, scaring all of us. "Holy shoot, what was that?" Allie questioned, looking uneasily around.
"The doorbell?" Holly asked, just as confused.
"The phone... oh shit; do you think it's my Dad?" Frantically I went to look at the caller id. All it said though was private caller. Putting my hand on the phone, I took a deep breath. "Do I sound sober?" I questioned, the other girls.
"Definitely," Holly nodded. She however was just at drunk as me.
"Hello?" I said picking up the phone.
"Honey," Yes, it was my Dad.
"Where are you?" I questioned. Hoping he wasn't coming home soon.
"In New York,"
"New York! All the way in New York? Are you on your way home? " I repeated shocked. "Wait; are you with Mom, at my home?"
"Yes. You still think of New York as Home?"
"No, slip of the tongue," I bit my lip, hoping I didn't hurt him. "I mean it was just home for so long, it always has seemed like home, and well it's hard to change that..."
"Oh. What I'm about to tell you is very serious. I'm here, because Charlie broke into your house-"
"Charlie broke in! Is Mom alright? I mean he and, well is she alright?"
"She wasn't here when it happened,"
"Holy crap, I mean Holy! What'd he do? What happened?"
"He messed up the house really bad, but Maddie this is very serious the police know and still haven't been able to find Charlie."
"Oh... but Mom's alright? If she's hurt, than I'd just... "
"Yes, but we have reason to believe that Charlie might-"
"Well, if Mom's fine it really doesn't matter does it?"
"Honey, he might-"
"So, did you go to Mom's work? Ohh, did you meet Mark?"
"Yes, he-"
"Mark is so great isn't he? Y'know I've known him since I was like six, he's such a nice guy. When I was a kid and we had parent outings and Mom couldn't make it, sometimes he'd go and pretend to be my..." What am I doing? Uh, dammit! Why am I bringing this up to Dad?
"That was nice of him," He answered in a strangely stiff voice.
"Yeah, but it's not like he did it often, and I knew he wasn't my Dad, I knew you were out somewhere. Obviously, because I had to have a Dad, even though you didn't live with us. Mark was never your substitute, he was just, just Mark..." I said. Oh shit, my way of rescuing the situation is even shittier.
"Maddie are you alright?" He questioned me carefully.
"Why do you ask that? Because, I am a-okay. I am totally fine, great." I told him.
"You just seem- hmm, you sure you're fine?"
"Perfectly fine, simply wonderful,"
"Have you... Nevermind that, would you like to speak to Mom?"
"Yeah! But, hey Dad I love you, and I'm sorry if, well earlier I made it seem like Mark was there for me when you weren't. I know he was, but he never would or never could replace you... By the way when are you coming home?"
"I don't know at the moment, but we'll see. I'll go get your Mom, I love you too honey,"
Holly sent me a confused look, "Madds what is going on?"
"He's going to get my Mom. I didn't sound drunk did I?" I asked them.
"Yeah ya' did," Kristina laughed.
"Shitters!"
"Yeah, cause Madds when you're drunk you talk a lot more and you ramble on and on, and well you kinda did," Holly told me.
"So, do you think he caught on?" I asked nervously.
"No, he probably was too taken back by 'um well, you saying that the other guy was like your Father," Allie answered, giggling.
No POV
At a quarter to eleven four girls stumbled out of a cab and into the party. Kristina being the only sober one made sure the driver was paid, before following her friends who were far drunker than her up the porch.
"It's my house, but I'm almost afraid to go in!" Allie laughed.
Maddie beside her looked almost in tears, "I think I should go home, I mean Charlie broke into my house this is crazy not only that, I still can't believe what I said to my Dad-"
"Madds, don't worry about it and please drink some more," Holly told us walking past them both and into the house. "Wow, snazzy," She grinned at all the people.
"Hah, look, that kid is like dancing like a, like a loser!" Allie grinned.
"Eww, look at all these Hartford snobs rubbing up together, it's nasty," Maddie complained.
"I completely agree," Kristina looked around disdainfully.
"Both of you drink some more!" Holly exclaimed. "Hey gimme this," She grabbed a beer out of some guys hand. "Chug this," She handed it to Kristina, "I'll get you one too," she looked over at Maddie.
"Whose is this?" Kristina asked seemingly grossed out.
When Holly turned around with a drink for Maddie, Kristina still hadn't drunk it, "Drink it! And, Madds here you go,"
"Drink up girls," Allie grinned.
Looking at each other Kristina and Maddie raised their drinks, "Cheers," They said sardonically.
TEN HOURS LATER
Holly's POV
Groaning I stretched. Ugh, that had to have been the most uncomfortable sleep I had ever had. Rolling over I hit something hard. What? Squinting to the morning light I opened my eyes slowly. Hugging my arms around myself, I nearly screamed. I was naked. Looking over at the body beside me I jumped back in surprise, causing me to fall off the bed.
"Ok, that hurt," I mumbled, rubbing my sore elbow. Peering up over the bed I looked at the body again. It was faced in the other direction not allowing me to get a glimpse of the face. It was however a male body, a seemingly naked male body, the lower half disappearing beneath the covers. Grabbing one of the sheets from the covers, I pulled it slowly trying not to wake the boy. I tugged it until I had the whole sheet free and then quickly covered myself.
What happened last night? I remembered being at Maddie's and coming here, but then what happened? Crawling back onto the bed I poked the stranger. Peering over his head I finally identified him to be Conner.
"Mornin'" He murmured stretching his arms.
"Ok, please tell me you remember what the hell happened last night," I told him, looking at him anxiously.
"Holly?" He questioned shocked, sitting up.
"You don't remember anything either?" I asked him scared.
"Well, I sure remember the beginning of the party, but-"
Interrupting him, I looked at him frantically, "Did what I think happened last night, really happen?"
"Shit, shit-" He cursed, looking around the room.
"Ok, so the thought of doing that with me is shitty, alright then. You don't have to rub it in quite so hard," I told him, starting to get off the bed offended.
Holding me back he looked at me, "No the situation is shitty, because we were drunk, damn, it was your first time to right?" I nodded. "Shit, yeah, well cripes I'm an ass,"
"No you're not I was just as drunk!" I said in his defense. Trying to forget how just a over a week ago at the party we threw, I had told myself that sex was something big. And, I wasn't just going to throw it away. I had wanted my first time to be special. I had, but now. Now it was gone.
"Damn, I'm older, oh shit, I'm so sorry," He whispered, looking at me.
"Conner, I was there, it was my fault and if what happened did happen than there is nothing we can do about it, but deal." I was slowly trying to digest the information and just take responsibility for my own actions.
"I'm older, but you're more mature," He laughed. "But, Holly this is serious,"
"Not really, I mean to some people this happens every time they go to a party." I replied. I had to take this, I couldn't just freak out.
"Yeah, but,"
"No buts, look I uh, better get dressed," Getting off the bed, I looked around for my clothes, only to find them scattered around.
"Hey Holly, I remember something..."
Flashback
Allie entered her kitchen happily that night grinning. "Drinks, drinks, drinks," She muttered looking around the kitchen. "Right, in the fridge," She smiled widely opening the fridge.
Walking into the room Conner was surprised to see his sister was finally there, "Allie," He exclaimed.
"Ooh, hey, Conner, whoa you and the boys really loaded up on alcohol!" She replied, pulling out a couple drinks.
"Well, what did you expect?" He questioned with a smirk.
"Yeah, well I hope this time you don't have a plan to ruin my life," She told him, giving him a look.
"Shit, Allie, where were you all day?" Conner finally asked her.
"Oh, Conner don't you ever feel you need a day to just... hmm... tootles," She sang leaving, just as Holly entered. "Oh, Hols, here's your drink,"
"Allie, please-" Conner began, but it was too late. Allie handed Holly her drink and left. Sighing he leaned against the counter.
"Why so glum?" Holly asked nearing him.
"You saw what happened," He nodded to the door.
"Look, of course she's going to be like that. Don't you ever get upset? Or, just feel suffocated with life? I mean, well she'll be back to normal soon," She reasoned, to him.
"I hope," He sighed.
"Smile," Holly commanded. Conner gave a fake smile. Nudging him in the stomach Holly demanded, "A real smile,"
"How much did you girls drink?" He asked her grinning.
"I don't know, but how little did you drink?" She questioned him. "It's your party and you're like practically sober,"
"I am not sober," He defended himself.
'I didn't say you were, I said you practically were...." She told him walking away.
"Wait, aren't you going to stay with me, I promise I'll drink more," He told her, holding her arm.
"Well, in that case, I shall," Holly replied grinning.
"Good," Conner stated.
End of Flashback
Danny's POV
I rolled over and smiled, at seeing Maddie in my arms. Thinking of last night, I frowned to think she might not remember much from it. I hoped at least she'd remember something, so she didn't freak out upon waking up next to me. When she had arrived at the party last night I immediately wanted to talk to her. But, had been shocked with what I overheard her telling Andrew.
Flashback
"Madds, you finally came," Andy grinned seeing his sister, especially happy that she didn't look to drunk at all.
"We have to talk," She told him grabbing his sleeve and walking him over away from everyone.
"Are you alright?" Andy asked looking at her funny.
"Dad's in New York. Something happened... someone broke into my house and messed up the whole place," Maddie explained, looking deadly serious.
"What?" Andy exclaimed.
"Some one ransacked the place,"
"Okay, okay, I get that, but do you know anything about who did it?" He looked at his sister's guilty face.
"It was Charlie," She admitted.
"Charlie that guy we were talking about at dinner that one night? The one who got caught for drugs?" Maddie nodded, "So, your ex-boyfriend broke into the house, because...?"
"I don't know, he's crazy? And, high on something!" Maddie shouted, lowering her voice when some people looked over curiously.
"Maddie is something else going on?" Andy questioned worriedly.
"Shit, no," She answered, almost too fast. Andy gave her an accusing look. "Alright, you basically already know though, something did happen, but, but it's just something minor,"
"Minor?" He repeated disbelieving.
"Andy, can we wait to talk about this somewhere else?" Maddie asked him.
"Of course," He grinned at his younger sister, "You're staying here tonight?"
"I think so," Maddie nodded.
"You are," He told her, "I won't worry, if I know you're not out on the roads drunk,"
"I'm not drunk!" She protested. "Speaking of which, I gotta go find Allie she was going to find me another drink," Giving Andy a pat on the arm, she continued on her way.
End of Flashback
Maddie's POV
My head was pounding as I awoke. What did I do last night? Leaning back, I felt an arm around me. Looking back I saw Danny lying there.
"Morning," Danny grinned at me.
Flashback
"Here Madds," Holly handed her friend a drink, which Maddie than chugged. And, that's how it went drink after drink. Holly and Allie had disappeared to go find more alcohol.
"Maddie right?" A guy asked, coming over.
"Yup," Maddie nodded.
"I haven't really seen you around much," He commented, standing beside her.
"I'm new, kinda," She replied, smiling.
"It's getting a bit boring here; you want to go head somewhere else?" He asked her, smiling.
"Well, normally I'd say yes, well normally if I was this drunk I have said yes, but I promised my brother I'd stay here," She explained, "But, I really would want to go," She told him patting his chest.
"Well, perhaps we could go to a place a little more-"
Cutting the guy off, Danny came over and asked, "Maddie can I talk to you?"
"No," She said, tossing the stranger a smirk as she finished her drink.
"Why don't you lay off that stuff?" Danny questioned concerned.
"Why don't you back off, can't you see I'm busy... What were we talking about?" She asked turning to the guy again.
"Going someplace else," He told her grinning.
"Right and I thought that was a good idea," Maddie told him, grasping his arm. "So, Dan..." She paused, thinking of the stranger's name.
"Brent," The guy supplied her.
"Yeah, so um Brent and I are heading out of here," She exclaimed starting to drag Brent away with her.
"What are you doing? You're wasted!" Danny said, grabbing her back.
"Look man, let her go!" Brent demanded.
"Do you know who her brother is?" Danny asked. Brent just shook his head. "Andrew DuGrey and he would beat your ass if he knew what you were thinking about his sister right now," Danny told him.
Brent suddenly looked scared. "Look, Maddie, maybe he's right, maybe you... Andy is well, like I don't know... but we're kinda cool, for a junior he likes me, and well I can't I well... you see... maybe, this could happen another-" He stopped getting a glare from Danny. Continuing carefully he began, "Maybe we're just meant to be friends. You don't know how much I'm going to be kicking myself for this later, but we shouldn't... you should just listen to this guy..." He told her, leaving quickly.
"Dan you ass!" Maddie exclaimed hitting his arm.
"Madds, you'd thank me later-"
"No, I wouldn't!" She shouted, making some people look their way. Before more people could look Danny slung her over his shoulder, like a bag of potatoes, "Danny you let me down this instant!!" Maddie yelled, hitting his back. Swiftly Danny walked upstairs, dropping her unceremoniously on the bed in one of the bedrooms.
"Now listen to me," He said softly, closing the door.
"You can bloody go to hell! You can't control my life! You go around getting dates and I can't even flirt with one guy? It wasn't even flirting!" She exclaimed.
"Flirting, yeah, it was certainly moving faster than that!" Danny retorted. "And, you want to know what? I didn't accept the stupid date! I just told Ricky I did, because you don't want our relationship to be public!"
Maddie just sat there silence.
End of Flashback
Allie's POV
Blinking, I shut my eyes immediately, light was already coming through the window. Carefully opening my again, I noticed I was in my room. How in the hell did I get here? Scanning my room, my eyes stopped abruptly at a figure in a chair. Looking closely I noticed it was Nick and than everything came rushing back to me.
Flashback
Allie had been drinking heavily with Holly and Maddie for some time. Kristina had left with someone to go off somewhere. Her conversation with Conner had left her feeling quite bitter.
"Hey Allie," Looking around she saw Scott calling her.
"Yes asshole?" She questioned, walking carefully over, holding her drink tightly.
"A bunch of us are going in the hot tub you game?" He questioned.
"Oh, so I can wet again and you guys can ruin my life?"
"I promise I won't ruin your life," An amused voice said. Allie looked to see Nick Mariano who obviously had no idea what they had done, but he was definitely cute enough.
"Alright," She grinned, following them outside to the hot tub, where a couple of other guys and girls were gathered. "Blair?" She questioned looking strangely at one girl.
"Allie!" The girl exclaimed running to hug her. Nearly stumbling, she grabbed Allie. "Thanks there! Truly I haven't drunk much!" She grinned widely.
"Why are you here?" Allie asked curiously. Blair was Conner's ex girlfriend. Who had immediately dropped status after Conner and she had broken up. It was quite sad how it happened, and Allie suspected her brother wasn't really over her yet.
"Well, as much as I hate some of these people I was in a dire need of alcohol, and a friend was headed this way, so I came as well,"
"Girls, you coming?" The guys questioned. They and the other girl had already stripped down to their underwear and had gotten in. Blair and Allie giggled and headed over to do the same.
"You boys are lucky, getting to see my undies!" Allie exclaimed, grinning.
Once everyone was in the tub, Scott had lit a joint and started it around the tub.
"I feel sick," Allie complained, after she had had a hit and passed it.
"Could be the alcohol and then the joint," Nick said. "You feel like you're going to throw up?" She nodded. Helping her out of the hot tub, he went with her inside. Blair ran after bringing their clothes. Nick stayed with her holding her hair and making sure she was still alright.
End of Flashback
Blair's POV
Snuggling further into the covers, I hit a solid wall. Blinking my eyes open, I looked to see Matt. Shit, why was I in bed with Matt Geller. Looking under the sheet I sighed, I still had my underwear on. Good, if I had slept with Matt... well you know.
Conner and I had known each other since preschool. Then we had gone out in ninth grade, we were the 'it' couple. Well, he was in ninth grade, I was still in eighth. But, we dated until last year when I was in tenth grade. The reason we broke up was because we both felt under too much pressure to be together, not only that we were slowly drifting apart. Conner got crazy jealous at times and never trusted me. And, I got just as envious as the girls around him. So, one day we just mutually broke up. Since than I was never fully accepted as popular, they all thought that it was my fault the schools best couple broke up.
And, now what am I doing in bed with his brother. Who is a year younger than me? I guess a year isn't that bad, but it could be worse couldn't it? Shit, how do I get myself into these messes?
Thinking logically, I knew I had to get out, but where to? Rolling out of bed, I couldn't find my clothes. Matt wouldn't mind if I borrowed something would he? Throwing on a pair of his sweatpants and a t-shirt I quickly scribbled him a note and scampered downstairs.
I knew this house like the back of my hand; the only problem was I had no idea where I left my purse the night before. Slowing down, I saw Andy DuGrey closing the door to a room. His appearance was immaculate; obviously he was good with the whole morning after thing. He probably was just leaving his new play thing.
If I could just find my purse and get out of here without being seeing, I'd be forever grateful. But, no Andrew just had to quickly turn around.
"Blair?" He questioned dumbly. "Why are you here?"
"I happened to be invited," So, what I lied, what does he know?
"Oh, whose clothes are that?" He asked, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
"What's it to you?" I asked, hugging my arms.
"Nothing," He replied shrugging.
"Andy!" I froze on the spot hearing Conner coming up behind me, obviously not identifying me. "I um, I really, well, this is..."
"Why are you practically hyperventilating?" Andy asked his friend concerned, ignoring me. I started walking forward towards Andy, I figured this way I could perhaps leave without having him seeing me. I know Andy would tell him he saw me, but still I did want to face him now.
"Wait," He exclaimed, pulling me back to him. I tried to keep going.
"Conner," Andy warned. Was he trying to protect me or him?
"What? Is she with you?" He asked curiously, getting a hold on me and firmly turning me around. "Blair!" He nearly shouted, looking at me shocked.
"Hi," I whispered.
"Why are you here?" He asked me. Then looking closer, "Why are you wearing Matt's clothes?"