It was about 5 minutes to midnight. I was hanging out with Noelle at the bar. My water made me look like a 14 year old compared to her fruity drink. I sighed and just drank the rest of what was in my glass.

"5 minutes." Noelle muttered. She wasn't in a great mood. Dash wasn't there with her. He never showed up. She had been snapping at everyone all night. I was beginning to feel mad every once in a while. Therefore, I would have to text someone when she wasn't looking, soon that person would come and take me away. Mainly it would be Constance.

I only texted Josh over a few times. I haven't seen him since 11. He asked if we could leave around one or two. I couldn't agree with him more. A bunch of people I didn't know showed up, and it was impossible to try to find my Easton friends.

Noelle looked down at her phone again. Her eyes darting all over the screen. She sighed and threw her phone back in her Louis Vuitton bag.

"He's decided to not show up at my party. Who does he think he is? The Queen of England?!" She shouted.

I sighed, and said the same thing I've been saying all night. "He's probably going to be here soon."

"Soon?" She shouted again. "You said that 2 hours ago!"

I was getting tired of this. And annoyed. She was putting me in a bad mood. "Noelle, just get out there and hang out with other people. Everyone you know is here."

She sighed. "Everyone besides Dash."

"Noelle—" I was about to tell her to suck it up but someone put their hand on my shoulder. I quickly turned around to see who it was.

"Hey!" I smiled when I saw Josh's face. He smiled back.

"You've been here all night?" There was a slight chuckle in his voice.

"Yeah, Noelle's been depressed all night." I shrugged. He glanced over at Noelle; I followed his eyes to find Noelle looking out into the crowd.

I looked back at him, "So what's up?"

"We've got about 3 more minutes; I think we should get up on the roof." He smiled.

"The roof?" I asked.

"Yeah, everyone's up there. Well, that is everyone from Easton." He said with a sexy smile.

I smiled back he had me there. I haven't seen anyone from Easton in a while. I didn't want to bug Constance anymore. So I stopped texting her.

"Let's go." I told him. I turned to Noelle. "I'm gunna go, I'll be back later."

And we were gone before she could say anything.

Josh opened the door to the roof. A gust of fresh, cold air hit me. I took it in. Josh took my hand again and brought me over to the front of the roof. I looked over to Times Square instead of looking down. There was a huge silver ball, about to drop any minute now. There was a firework crew set up in the front off to the side. They where walking around, preparing for the big show. Josh brought me over to a group of kids.

"Reed!" Astrid shouted when she saw me. She threw her boney arms around me and pulled me into a hug. "There you are we've been looking for you all night."

"Hey," I laughed at her sudden hyper-ness.

She stepped back and stood next to Trey.

"Everything ok with them?" I whispered in Josh's ear. You could actually hear what people were saying in normal voices up here. It was refreshing.

"All taken care of, didn't even take that long for them to get back together." He reported.

I smiled. "My little match maker."

He laughed at my joke and slid his hand back into mine.

"You guys come over here! We've got 30 seconds left!" Tiffany waved us over to where her and Marc where standing. We all quickly made it over to the great view and took in the scene.

It was too early to start counting down so we talked about resolutions.

"I'm going to get into Harvard!" London shouted.

We all looked over at her as if she said she's going to bomb the building.

"What!?" Portia hissed.

"It's true!"

"You do know Harvard wants smart people right?" Vienna chimed in.

"I am smart! It's not like I actually believe in the Loch Ness Monster!" She laughed.

We all gave her the same look.

"10...9...8...7..." We heard people shout from the streets. We slowly chimed in. Shaking off London's resolution.

"3...2...1...!" The ball dropped to the ground. Confetti exploded from all different placed. I turned and looked at Josh. He smiled and grabbed my face before he kissed me. I could taste a hint of alcohol on his tongue. When he pulled away, I smiled at him.

"Have you been drinking?" I asked.

"I had like one drink, that's all." He shrugged. "Have you?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Nah, only water. All night." His eyebrows went back up.

"I have this thing where I'm taking a break from drinking." I told him scrunching up my nose.

"Oh. Our first discussion in 2009 is on drinking." He chuckled.

I laughed. "Then let's make a second conversation. Happy new year."

"Happy new year," He repeated.

"Happy new year you two!" Constance shouted over the commotion as she walked over to Josh and me.

"Happy new year to you guys too." I smiled referring to her and Whit.

"Reed, it's great to see you again." Whit said in a soft voice.

"You two Whit." I smiled.

"Are you attending Harvard with us next year, Josh?" Whit asked him.

"Uh, no I think I'm more looking into Yale. But, I'm not sure." Josh shrugged.

"Oh good for you." Whit smiled.

"Us? Meaning you and Constance?" I asked smiling.

"Yeah, I applied." Constance blushed.

"Well, I hope you get in!" I told her smiling at her blushing.

"Me too, I don't think I could survive next year and 4 more without Whit." She giggled.

I bit my lip. They were cute.

I was happy Constance and Whit were going out. They started sometime after my first Legacy and haven't broken up since. I wasn't surprised. They were practically perfect for each other.

PLOP!

Gage and Vienna popped open a bottle of champagne and started drinking out of it.

"This is the best fucking New Years." Gage shouted slurring together his words.

"Give me that!" London shouted at them and took the bottle of champagne.

"Are we still leaving at 1?" Josh asked me once Constance and Whit left.

"Yeah, that sounds good." I shrugged.

"Ok, I parked my car across the street, so I'll go get it before we leave." He said.

"No, it's ok. We can walk together." I smiled.

"You sure?"

"Positive." I giggled.

I spent the rest of the party on the roof dancing with my friends, and gossiping. Rumor was that Amberly lost her virginity tonight. Yuck.

"Who was it to?" Portia asked disgusted.

"It was to some guy that she met. Her friends dared her when he grabbed her butt." Rose explained.

Tiffany burst out in laughter. "That's hilarious. So it was all a dare?"

"Exactly." Rose smiled.

"I can't believe Noelle put her in Billings. She's a Freshman." Portia scoffed.

"Well didn't you hear? Noelle's holding a vote when she gets back. She wants to vote her out." Tiffany said.

I decided to engage into this conversation. "And if that doesn't work, she's going to the headmaster."

"Who is going to be a new person." We all heard Noelle's voice add. We jumped back from our circle as if we where caught doing something wrong.

"What?" The other girls hissed loudly.

"He's not going to be at Easton when we return." Noelle smirked. As if she was the problem why he was leaving.

"Really?" Dash's voice came from behind Noelle. We all leaned to the side to see him.

"Where have you been?!" Noelle shouted at him. He brought her over to a secret corner to explain.

I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing them for the rest of the night.

I was right, I didn't see them the rest of the night. Instead, the Billings girls and Ketlar boys all stood around and talked.

So I was standing next to Josh. Everyone was talking in groups. There was a wind that was starting to pick up, Josh found his tux jacket for me. Not only was it warm and soft, it smelt like Josh. I actually had my hands in the sleeves, I was cold.

I was faintly listening to Josh and Trey's conversation. And Constance and Astrid were talking to me. But I kept zoning out, I was about to fall over I was so tired. Everyone else had some sort of drink in their system. It got really bad with the drunks, like Gage and the twin cities.

"You look like you need a pick me up." A girl's voice whispered in my ear. I turned around.

"Noelle, no. I'm not drinking tonight." I told her, once I saw her face.

"Fine, whatever. Just go to the bar and get a red bull or something. Or Hollis will have to carry you home." She smirked. I sighed and followed her over to the bar.

"Red bull," I told the bartender.

"Make that two." Noelle chimed in.

"You're like the life of the party, you don't need one." I smiled.

"Yeah, but I'm starting to need something sweet…. That better be sugar free!" Noelle shouted the last part down the back of the bar.

"Got it!" The man shouted back at her. She smiled in accomplishment and looked back at me.

"So why wasn't Dash here before?" I asked her.

"Oh, he was with people planning this surprise thing for me tomorrow, and he 'had' to miss our party. Whatever, it was more fun without him." She scoffed.

If you call fun sitting at the bar all night drinking it off. Then I guess she's right.

"I think someone's looking for you." Noelle tipped her head to the side, and Tess and Tori came running over to me.

What where they doing here this late?

"Reed!" They called in unison.

"Hey," I smiled, confused.

"This party is so much fun!" Tori giggled.

"Who's your friend?" Tess asked tipping to the side, holding the straw of her drink.

"Uh, this is Noelle Lange, Noelle, these are Tess and Tori." I introduced.

Noelle gave then a blunt smile and looked at our fresh Red Bulls.

"And, Tess, that better not be an alcohol filled drink." I crossed my arms and nodded to her glass.

She started laughing, "No, it's just a little bit of a virgin martini in a smoothie. It's so good." She sipped some more, her blonde curls bouncing.

"Does Josh know—"

"What are you doing here?!" Josh's angry voice filled the air, a look of outrage on his face.

"I'm taking that as a no." I mumbled.

"Did you have them come here?" Josh asked me.

"No! I invited them until 12. That's all, they weren't supposed to stay this late." I told him.

"Then what are you doing here?" Josh asked his sisters.

"Ok, here's the story." Tori begun giggling.

"Oh this better be good," Josh crossed his arms across his chest.

"It is, it is. Anyways, I met this insanely hot guy! And we started dancing, and hanging out. And when midnight rolled around, Tess was telling me we had to go. And mom and dad weren't answering their cells, so I just told her we should stay. She did anyways, because her friends from school came with their sisters." Tori said.

"So you danced with some guy who's probably a huge asshole. And then you stayed late, so he had a chance to attack you?" Josh asked like it made sense. Tori understood his sarcasm and defended.

"No, he's a great guy! He goes to your school!" Tori explained as if that made it better.

"Who was it Tori?" I asked stepping in next to Josh.

"This guy names Gage." She smiled at his name.

"Ohmigod, you. Are. So. Dead." Josh bit every word.

"What's wrong with him?" Tess asked. "I thought he was nice."

"Tori, Gage Coolidge is the worst guy you could hook up with. And he has a girlfriend." I told her.

"No, he was saying he broke up with her just a few hours ago." Tori said in a 'duh' tone.

"Wait, am I hearing this right?" Noelle came up from behind me. "Hollis' little sister hooked up with Coolidge?" Then she burst into a round of laughter.

"Shut up, Noelle." Josh spat. Then went back to his sisters. "You two, out. Now."

"But, Josh. We don't want to leave."

"You have to." Josh said.

"Reed," They both said.

"You guys, you have to go. I'm sorry." I told her apologetically.

"Fine. Whatever. You do know you both are very strict. Maybe you could be parents one day!" Tori said sarcastically and stomped out.

"I'm so sorry about this, I really am. I'm sorry." Tess begged for forgiveness.

"Just go, Tess." Josh said softly.

She nodded and left.

"Are you ok?" I asked Josh.

"Where's Gage?"

"Josh," I begun.

"No, I just want to talk to him." He said.

"Josh, you're going start a fight. Just handle it later." I told him, grabbing his hand.

"No, Reed. You don't get it. He tried to hook up with my sister. My sister. My 14 year old sister." He repeated.

"I know, that's Gage. Just, think about this. He didn't rape your sister or anything. I bet she's still a virgin."

Josh gave me a confused and unsure look. But still mad.

"Josh!" I scolded him for thinking otherwise.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's just, Tori will jump at any guy she can. And Tess has to clean it up. That's how it's been… forever." He explained.

"It's ok." I told him.

"I hope they make it out. You know without some guy groping them." Josh thought for a second. "Oh my god. Why did I let them go by themselves?"

"Josh." I told him strongly. "Their 14. Just, give them space. 14 Josh. You're not acting like an older brother anymore, the whole staying later and hanging out with Gage, that was older brother. But now, now you're just acting like their dad." I pointed out. "Just trust them,"

He was silent. Bit his cheek. Then looked at me. "I guess, I could just try not to think about them." He then smiled. "I have enough to worry about with you." He pinched my cheek, causing me to laugh.

"Just, enjoy the last few hours here." I told him.

"I'll try."

I gave him a look.

"Really! I'll try."

"Ok, I'll be right back." I told him and headed back to the bar to grab my red bull. I looked down at it. It was opened. There's a chance someone could of put something in it. Or Noelle just opened it for me. I wasn't taking any chances tonight, none. So I slid the can over.

"A sugar free red bull, please." I ordered.

"Coming right up."

I smiled and sat back in the seat, and waved Josh over.

"Red bull, huh?" He asked looking over at my new can.

"Yeah, I'm gunna try to stay awake." I told him, opening the can.

"You know, we can go if you want." He asked concerned. "Seriously."

"No, I want to stay." I told him. "Seriously."

"Ok, it's fine by me. What time is it anyways?" He asked.

"Uh, around 1." I told him and took a sip of the energy drink.

"Well, we were going to leave at one." He pointed out. "So, how about 10 more minutes, and then head home." He comprised.

"Sounds good," I sighed. I looked down at the Red Bull. Thinking how bad it was for me. I took one more drink and pushed it over to the side next to my possible 'drugged' one.

"You good?" He asked.

"I'm perfect." I said as I got up and entwined our fingers together.

"Good." He smiled and kissed my cheek before we went back out to find everyone.

"Reed!" Kiki waved us over to were she was hanging out with some guy I've never met before.

"I want you to meet Colin," She smiled. "He's coming to Easton next year. A Senior." Kiki raised her right eyebrow up and down quickly once. I laughed at her gesture and went along with introducing myself.

"Hey, I'm Reed." I placed my hand out for a shake.

"Colin," Colin nodded at me and gave me a toothy smile. He looked me up and down, as if deciding as if I was worthy enough for him.

"Uh, I'm gonna go find Josh." I made up the lamest excuse.

"Ok, see ya, Reed!" Kiki smiled and popped her headphone into her ear as Colin talked to her.

I scanned to crowd for anyone I knew. But more people had came up here, and I was getting closed into a sea of Barton kids.

"Reed!" Constance came wobbling over to me. Nearly tripping over her own two feet. "Reed, there you are!" She giggled in her hand.

I am taking it she's drunk.

"Constance," I said slowly, forcing a smile. "What have you been up to?"

"I was playing… a game. I forgot what it was called. I think I never. But like in reverse. So if you didn't do it, then you take a drink. And Reed," She started laughing. "I didn't do a lot."

She tumbled over onto me and almost landed onto the floor if I hadn't caught her.

"Where's Whit?" I asked her. This wasn't good. Constance, and drinking. I didn't know she'd be like this.

"I don't know. I lost him."

Aren't we all losing our men? I asked myself.

"Let's go find him," I suggested.

"Oh, ok." She shrugged. "Ohmigod! This is my favorite song! We have to dance!" She smiled.

"Constance, I don't think you should." I started.

"Nonsense! I'm perfectly—" Then she puked all over the tile covered roof. I stepped back, even tough I knew I would get some puke on my shoes.

"Fuck!" Many people shouted. Darting away from the mess.

"What's wrong?!" Noelle came into the circle that was forming. The other Billings girls making their way to the inner circle.

"Constance just got sick. Can someone come clean this up?" I asked her.

"I don't know. I didn't hire a janitor. I thought we'd all drink responsibly." Noelle said choppily.

"What?" I hissed in disbelief.

"Constance?" Whit's deep voice seemed to make it's way over the music, and he was soon kneeling down next to her, rubbing her back. She slowly got up and looked at Noelle.

"I'm so sorry, Noelle. I'll clean it up." She begged.

Noelle bit the side of her lip, "I'll just get someone to clean it up, I guess."

She turned around and tried to find a 'janitor'. The circle soon was marked out by chairs, and no one went near it. Once the party was back in full swing, it was 2, and I finally found Josh.

"And, go!" Josh grabbed my hand as we jogged across the street in New York. Traffic was horrible, and I had a feeling we weren't going to be back at his house until 5.

We made it to the other side and continued walking. "I'm so not tired anymore." I smiled. My hair was starting to get in Josh's jacket. So I stuck my hand under it and with a whoosh, it was free.

"Are you serious? You where about to fall over at the party." He chuckled, slipping his hand around my waist.

I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder. "Maybe it's just the air of it all, and I got stressed." Shrugging, we finally made it to where Josh parked his car. As he always did, he opened the door for me, and then shut it once I was in. I placed my purse by my feet, but checked my text messages. My mother called, my brother called, and Constance called. Probably wondering where I went. Josh and I took a secretive escape.

"Are you ready for traffic?" I asked him with a sigh.

"Nah, I think I'm actually going to take another way, it'll be a little longer. But I know there's no traffic. So, maybe not."

"Sounds good," I smiled.

We drove home in silence. No cuddling, no touching, no red light kissing. Silence. It was turning into an awkward situation. I had to know what was up.

"Are you ok?" I asked Josh. He had his elbow rested on the door, and the side of his head in his hand. Looking straight at the red light. He sat up and looked at the radio, and started picking at the cord connecting his cell phone to the charger.

"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine." He said.

"Really?"

"… Really… why?" He finally looked up at me.

"I don't know. We haven't talked since we've left."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I think I'm just getting tired. And there's some things to think about." He sighed.

"Like what?"

"My family, college, school, traffic… you." He smiled a little bit when he said the last part.

I looked down at him. "Why would you think of those things right now?" I asked him.

"My family, because I think there's something going on, and I don't know about it. It's killing me."

I looked at his clenched hands on the steering wheel.

"And college, because my mom keeps nagging me about it. And it seems everyone does. It's such a big decision. It's like, it feel like it determines the rest of my life." He explained.

"School, well because, college brings me over to school. And how I need a decent GPA to graduate with." He let out a breath. "And, we're in this stupid traffic, even though I was an idiot and took the long way, it still didn't make a difference."

"You're not an idiot." I told him.

"Yeah, I kinda am," He said it was a light laugh as if it was a joke. I sighed.

"And lastly, you, because you're my girlfriend. And I always think about you." He said looking back out onto traffic, putting a hand on the steer wheel and the other on the door, his knuckles on his cheek.

I knew I had to do something. The boy was obviously stressed. So I tried to at least touch him, by putting my hand on his forearm. He looked down at my hand and switched positions. His left hand was on the wheel, and his right hand was entwined with mine on the center console.

"Are we just going to sleep when we get back?" I asked him.

"Sure, if you want." He shrugged.

"I don't think I can." I smiled.

"Ok, then we'll stay up." He suggested.

"A party of our own huh?" I giggled slightly.

"A party of our own." He agreed.

We finally got home roughly at 3 in the morning. I stretched as soon as we got into the house. Not feeling cramped in a car anymore. Josh checked out the house, making sure the twins didn't decided to come over. Or his parent's weren't waiting for us. When no one was there, we trudged upstairs and got ready for bed. I simply wore sweats and a tank top. Josh was only in boxers and a t-shirt.

When I came out of the closet, he instantly looked at me and wrapped his arms around my waist. My back curved, so I could look up at him and give him a few pecks on the lips.

"So when does this party start?" I asked close to his face.

"Right now."

Before I knew it, we were on the bed, our feet tangled, and each others fingers in our hair. It was exactly what I needed. After following Noelle's orders, planning a party day and night, going through cheating accidentally, being attacked, fist fights, crying all night, big parties, and silent, long car rides home I needed this.

I lightly yanked on Josh's t-shirt. He lifted it up over his head. "We don't have to do this, you know."

"But I want to," I said against his lips.

"Ok," He nodded.

Exactly.

Ahhh, the sweet air of a lonnnggg update. =]. I hope you guys like this one, it's late for me right now so I gotta get going. And just to let you know, this is all New Years. Eve and Day. Review please! And I'm sorry I've been MIA lately, it's been w/ school and stuff like that. So I whipped up this chapter. It probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I'm sorry, but i didn't get to grammar or spell check it over. I'm so tired and I want to get this up!

review please!

losta love,

Lauren