New Year's Eve
A few days before New Year's eves Robin was getting excited, he was going to the cinema to watch a film with Marian. It may only be a Disney film and as embarrassing that that would be once his friends found out he was looking forward to spending time alone with Marian. This was his chance to show her what he was really like.
"How do I look?" he asked Much as he walked back into Much room. He had on his green hoddie and black jeans, his gel with hair into spikes.
"You look fine," said Much, barely looking up from a magazine he was flicking though. This was the fifth time Robin had come back into the room after redoing his hair.
"Good," said Robin "Well, wish me luck."
"Dose Marian think this is a date? Or is she thinking you are going as just friends?" asked Much sitting up. He didn't want Robin to go into this thinking it was more than it was. He didn't want to see Robin get hurt by diving head first. He could do that sometimes.
"Friends, date, what dose at matter?" asked Robin "I am spending time with Marian…"
Much shook his head "You are a love stuck fool. You know that don't you."
"You are just jealous," said Robin "Maybe if you asked Eva out…."
"Why….why would I asked out Eva?" asked Much an little too quickly and not as casual as he would of liked.
"Robin laughed at Much face, "I have seen you checking her out…" he said. "You like her – don't you…"
"Yeah…well….she is a good looking girl…." Said Much carefully "John, fancy Alice you know….." he quickly added trying to change the subject away from his lack of a love life.
"Really? Alice Cook?" asked Robin. Much nodded his head, "Good for little John.":
"Much was glade the conversation had moved away from himself and his love life, "And I know for a fact both Will and Allan like Djaq….all we need is a love triangle in our gang…." Much shook his head. "We really don't need teenage novel romantic drama right now…"
"Both of them?" asked Robin with a laugh – he wasn't surprised about that. "I don't think Djaq would stand such nonsense from them. If they try anything she would knock them both into next week…"
"You might be right there," said Much fairly. Djaq wasn't the sort of girl who would like boys fighting over her.
"Robin looked at his watch, "Right, time for me to be off… see you around." With that Robin rushed out of the house.
"Just like a hyperactive dog," mumble Much
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"Robin had an enjoyable time watching the film with Marian. Even if it was a Disney one it was pretty good to watch it. After the film they went to grab a milkshake "So, New Year's? Who is going to be there?" asked Marian
"Everyone," said Robin "Much, John, Djaq, Will, Allan…. Will's brother…is going to be there too, and maybe Allan's brother Tom as well…."
"I mean adult wise." Said Marian
"Oh," said Robin "Much's parents are going to be there, Will's dad, your dad…maybe John's parents and one or two of dad's work mates….but it will fine – I mean they will leave us too it…more or less…. I hear that Djaq is staying at your?"
"Marian nodded her head, "Yes, should be interesting, a bit different from my usual sleepovers… but that's not necessary a bad thing." she said "Meet her parents – and they seem alright. I think they are happy that she got a friend that's female."
"After they had their milkshakes, Robin wanted to walk Marian home – but Marian had other plans with meeting up with other friends. "Alright," said Robin a little disappointed. "See you in a few days." After Robin started to head home – Marian went on her way towards town to see Alice. On the way she got stopped by Guy. Marian had known Guy a while now – and put up with him as much as she could. While she thought he was slightly misunderstood – he was part of the Black Knights and Marian knew the Black Knights were trouble.
"I am having a New Year's Eve party and I was wondering if you would want to join me?" asked Guy
"Marian paused for a moment, "I am sorry, but I have already got plans for New Year's."
"Oh," said Guy disappointedly "That Is a shame. Maybe we can hang out some time?" he asked.
"Maybe," said Marian "I have to go now… I don't want to be late,"
"Your friends can wait a few minutes surly." Said Guy
"Marian shook her head, "No, really… I need to go…."
"Guy nodded his head, "You may go," he said
Marian looked at Guy, That comment made her angry "I do not need you permission to do anything," she said in a firm voice. "You do not have the right to think that. You cannot tell me I may go…like…like you have power of me…you have no power over me…." With that Marian walked away without looking back.
"New Year's Eve come around fast. Robin and his dad come to an agreement, the adults had the front room while the teenagers had the back – but they had to leave the door open. The food would be keep in the kitchen and they were allowed limited alcohol.
"By eight o'clock in the evening all the outlaws were in the backroom. "I wish I was allowed to bring my snails," said Allan
"You really love your new pets don't you?" said Djaq with a smile – Allan seemed to talk non-stop about his new snails. Once the novity wears off Djaq thought they wouldn't heard anything else about them.
"Of course – do you know how long I wanted a pet for?"
"What dose Tom think of them?" asked Luke at once. He seemed to be enjoying spending New Years with older teenagers – no doubt he would brag about this to the other years 7 when they all got back to school.
"Allan shrugged "Who care what he thinks."
"Why isn't he here?" asked Luke "He told me that he would be.
"Allan shrugged his shoulders a little "He changed his mind – I am not my brother's keeper. You've got his number you asked him yourself." Luke rolled his eyes and walked away taking out his phone. Mumbling something about bossy older brothers. Will rolls his eyes at this and the others laughed.
"John was more quite than normal – not that anyone was surprised. He was missing Roy. Rou should of been with them right now. John knew Roy would have been disappointed if he didn't go to the New Year party. John still felt guilty for enjoying himself, even a little bit. The others seem to understand that while he did need some time alone, they also made sure to get him to talk about other things.
"Marian, was also enjoying her time with the outlaws. As much as she complain about them- she knew they were all good hearted people. It was better spending New Years with them then spending it with the Black Knights.
"Djaq went up to Will "You seem happier," she said. She had been concern about Will for weeks now. From his dad accident and loosening the flat it couldn't have been easy, she fear Will had been isolating himself more and more. But it seem a trip to Scarborough did him some good.
"Will nodded his head, "Well…dad is happier," he said "And Luke…."
"What about you?"
"I'm alright," said Will with a smile. "A new year a new start right?"
"That's what people say," agreed Djaq.
"As the evening went one - they had time playing their music and dancing, and they even played an old game of twister. Then to take a break they all sat down on the floor drinking lemonade or Fanta. "Hey Allan? Did you ever kiss a girl under the mistletoe?" asked Will remembering Allan's plan to do just that
"Yeah. Yeah I did." Said Allan at once.
"Oh yeah who?" asked Much not believing it. News and rumours at their school spread very fast. And nothing stayed secret for very long. And Allan wasn't the best at keeping things secret – especially when it comes to girls.
"I'm not telling," said Allan at once "I swore to secretly."
"Of course you have." Said Much. Not sure if he should believe Allan or not.
"Allan rolled his eyes. "I don't have to tell you anything," Allan stood up "Come on, what are we doing sitting around for? Let's get dancing – though this was a party not a mother's meeting." With that everyone got up and turn up the music.
The teenagers all sat in a circle – there was still over an hour until midnight "Okay – what is your new years revolutions?" asked Djaq interestedly – she took revolutions seriously.
"Please," said Allan "Revolution are rubbish, no one keeps them and then we do the same thing next year."
"Come on," said Robin "It would be a laugh," he said "I'll go first." He sat up a little straighter. "My new year revolution this year is to…. Stand up more to bulling I see at school… not just the black knight stuff….but anyone who needs help." …Much, what about you?"
"I don't know," Much said thinking hard "Guess work harder at school."
"That's a bit dull." Said Robin at once.
"Alright then," said Much annoyed "Work harder at school and….. And….. Not to complain as much…."
"Good luck with that one," said Will with a small smile.
Robin looked at Djaq "Djaq?"
Djaq looked thoughtful for a moment, "I am going to try not to lie."
"You lie often then?" asked Much surprised.
"More than I should," said Djaq carefully "I am not always honest …. And I do lie sometimes to my parents and I don't like lying so I am not going to do it…"
"I think being a teenage means we lie all the time," said Allan.
"Well, that is just a stereotype that is spread around by mass media like films and stories." Said Djaq "I am not stereotype and I refused to fix in a small stereotype box."
"Will?"
"I don't know," said Will with a shrug "I haven't really thought about it…." Will tried to think about it more. But nothing seemed right, "Come back to me…."
"Alright…Lukey?"
"I think mine will be…" Luke paused for a moment, "Helping out more…." He looked at Will "I can help out more you know,"
"You do plenty." Said Will at once.
"Only when you tell me too," Said Luke "I can do more, I am not a little kid anymore….I'll prove it to you."
"Allan?"
"I would say not to get in fights with Tom… but that is not going to work," said Allan "Can't you come back to me as well?"
"Fine – Marian?"
"I think, I am going to do more to help the local community," said Marian – she had been thinking about that for a while. At the moment a lot of people were losing their jobs and green spaces were getting built on. She knew she could do something more.
"How?"
"I am still working on that," said Marian "But I can do more – and I want to do more."
"John?"
"Get more into Boxing," he said. "I want to get better at it. Roy wanted me to do it more also…." John trailed off.
"Okay – Back to Will…" said Robin
"I don't know," said Will really shrugging with thinking of something, "Try not to lose my temper…."Luke laughed at this.
"You're temper isn't that bad," said Marian
"It can be at times," said John more knowingly.
"Allan?"
"I think mine will be…." Allan paused for a moment he was also struggling with what to say. "I think mine will have to be…. To focus on my school work…. I mean…. I not the smart person here I know that… and…my old man is a loser…and he muck about at school….and look where he ended up….."
"Fine enough."
"Hold on," said Much "Why is it okay for Allan to have that as a revolution and not for me?"
"Robin grinned widely "Thought you weren't complaining?"
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"The last few minutes before Midnight and the excitement was high. They had joined the adults in the living room and all cheered loudly once the countdown ended.
"A hour later Marian and Djaq left and the boys all got around to making their makeshift beds. They was two air beds and two camp and the sofa bed.
"You sure you alright sharing?" asked Robin to Will and Luke. It make sense for everyone the two that would have to share were the brothers.
"Will yawn "Yeah – we had to share were we are now anyway…..doesn't make much of a different."
Robin sometimes forgot that Will and his family had lost their flat. It couldn't to fun for three people sharing one small room. But hopefully they would all find somewhere new to live soon. Robin pushed the thought from his mind as Allan flopped one on of the air beds letting all the air out of it. "That can be your bed," said Robin
"Come on, Robin, You're are joking right?" said Allan not getting up. "You won't get me sleep in a deflated bed…"
"You sort it yourself then," said Robin causing Allan to groan a little.
It wasn't long before everyone was in bed "Scary stories?" asked Allan in the darkness not wanting the night to end.
"Can't you just shut up and go to sleep?" asked Much lifting his head from his pillow.
"I like scary stories." Put in Luke in a helpful kind of voice.
"No you don't," come Will's voice
"Luke punched Will "I do now. I am not a little kid anyone…."
"I know a good one," carry on Allan "One none of you would have heard before, Come on don't be boring now…What do you think John?"
"Just tell us the damn story already," said John sounding half asleep. "There was a sound of Allan sitting up on his bed. "Okay," he said "Are you children all listening carefully."
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''p Marion and Djaq spend a few hours talking together. "So, how long have you and Robin known each other for?" Djaq asked. She didn't want to waste time talking about what boys were good looking and she didn't want to talk about things like makeup either. She want to more inadept chats.
"All our lives," said Marion "We were next door neighbour one point as well." Marion open a draw and took out a photo album. She flip thought it. "Here's a photo when we were both under one year old." Said Marion showing Djaq
"And how long as Robin fancy you for?"
"He said he wanted to marry me when he was three years old." Said Marion "And well…." She paused for a moment "Since starting Secondary school he has become more of a twat."
"I think that normal for teenage boys."
"That might be so, but between Robin and Guy and everything else…I do not have time for all that drama." Marion closed her photo album "One thinks himself a hero and the other wants power over something. Both of them need to grow up…." Marion paused for a long moment. "Why do you hang around with them… the outlaws?"
Djaq shrugged a little "I like them. I can be myself with them instead of someone I'm not."
Marion paused for a moment, "I might be barking up the wrong tree here – but I think Allan and Will might like you more than a friend."
"What makes you say they?" Djaq asked a little too quickly.
"Just a feeling." Said Marion "But you may need to be aware. I mean… in case Allan and Will would start fighting over you." Djaq open her mouth and Marion quickly carried on "It might not happen – but you might to talk to talk to them – just in case."
"Talk to them about what?"
"Well, do you like either of them?" asked Marion "Or do you see them as just friends? Or do you just want to be friends at the moment…. Just so everyone knows where you stand. I mean….if they did start fighting that would not only damage your friendship with them but Allan and Will have been best friends a long time as well."
Marion sure give Djaq a lot to think about. Djaq didn't know how she felt about Allan and Will. Sure out of all the outlaws she talked to them the most. She liked Allan's wit and she like Will's protective natural. But was there any deeper feeling there? Djaq didn't know.
...
The boys didn't wake up until noon the next day. Robin's dad cooked everyone a cooked breakfast to eat and soon everyone had to go back to their own houses. Robin looked out of the kitchen window as he washed up and smiled to himself. All in all the New Year's party was pretty good. And he hope this year was better than the last one.
