A Small Birthday Celebration ((Plot People))

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack looked out the window. It was a great day to have a birthday party. Well, sort of. Was it a real birthday party, or was it something to keep Jack's anger subsided while Roger left? The sky was a pale blue with soft, puffy clouds gathering around the sun, which cast little light on the ground, but just enough to make what snow there was in Scotland glitter. It dazzled Jack's eyes and he looked away. If one was to go outside, the rush of cold air would bite the tongue, and the soft breeze would be enough to chill the bones. It was no fun having a birthday in winter, Jack thought glumly, looking away from the fourth floor window. The mansion had five floors, all of which looked like it could be a small house. The bottom floor had the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, dining room. The other floors had everything the same as the first, only no kitchen and more bathrooms. Father's bedroom was on the second floor. The third floor was more of an empty space, with old memories stashed away inside in the manner of Jack's papers and all these different boxes. There was only one big room on that floor, and it was piled with furniture that couldn't fit anywhere else. The fourth floor was Haille's floor, as Father had put it. Everything was decorated in honor of her. All the new gifts that had already been bestowed upon her by Father were everywhere. Her bedroom was directly under Jack's bedroom, which was located on the fifth and highest floor. He got a view of the Scotland city they lived in. He could watch people on the street without them knowing, and on the other side of the house was a small forest gathering where multiple small animals lived.

"Jack Rendel!" Haille screamed from the doorway. Jack had been waiting nearly an hour for her to come out and show him her 'birthday party dress.' She insisted that she make everything perfect, even the make-up. Her excitement was contagious. He tried to keep the smile from his face, but what the hell? It was his birthday! With a sigh, he heard the door unlatch and out stepped Haille, looking very lively in her dress. It was black and blue strap dress and it had somewhat of a low neck line. It ended near mid-thigh. Haille had put her hair up so the front of it fell toward her eyes and the back was held up sloppily. The thing that blew Jack away was the make-up, which turned her into a totally different person. Her eyebrows were done into thinner lines and she wore a little bit of eyeliner, which made her dark eyes appear even darker. She had nice sparkly eye shadow on and a lot of mascara, which brought out her long lashes. She wore a little bit of rouge on her face. For jewelry, she had put on diamond earrings shaped in dangling snow-flakes. They sparkled when she moved. On her wrists were golden bracelets that jingled annoyingly and on her right ankle was an ankle bracelet that had a dolphin on it. For a necklace, she had put on a golden chain necklace which had a nice locket on the front with a rose. She wore an intoxicating perfume that smelled of violets. "Is this Haille Logan? My new sister?" Jack teased. "Shut up," Haille snapped before twirling around. "How do I look? Smell?" Jack couldn't stop a laugh. "You're fine. I could barely recognize you." Haille stopped her turn and raised her newly fashioned eyebrow. "Oh? Is that a bad thing?" Jack rolled his eyes and stood up. "I said you look fine." She wasn't satisfied. "Just fine? Fine isn’t a powerful word, you know." Haille smirked at him and he rolled her eyes. "Now I just need to go get something quick for your party. It counts as a present too." She said and bustled out of the room, the perfume leaving a trail. Jack sighed.

She had been talking about getting him a little something for some time now. She was a little late on leaving, however, for the guests were supposed to arrive at two. Jack turned and looked at the full mirror on the other side of the room. His hair was still slightly messy even after he had combed it and he wore dark jeans and a green jacket that kept him warm in the mansion. He shrugged it higher over his shoulders and looked away. A distant sound he recognized as the door slamming downstairs echoed through the house. Haille must have left. The manor seemed so desolate without her. Jack realized she had become a big part of his life, his expectations. She was growing on him, like Father had predicted. Was that a good thing? He turned and plodded down the stairs to the first floor. Everything was spick and span, making Jack feel uncomfortable in his own home. Father had said he should be a good host while he was gone on his business trip. That must have meant having everything clean too. The house was silent except for Jack's movements. Father was gone on the business trip, Haille was out shopping with Bobby, who drove the Cadillac, and the maid was off, probably spending time with her own family. Jack sat himself down on the armchair and waited for the clock to go faster. Only thirty minutes left until Mack would come... The door was thrown open and Haille paraded inside, holding two crowns in her hands. Two fake crowns, mind. One was larger then the other and false gold, the other was silver and smaller. Haille ran over and hugged him, placing the golden crown on his head. "The perfect prince and..." She plucked the silver crown into her hair. "and the perfect princess." She did a small twirl again to express herself and Jack smirked. "Nice." He could only imagine what he would look like with the crown on.

As they waited for everyone to arrive, Haille grew uncomfortable. "Why am I wearing a dress?" Haille wondered aloud, her American accent still coming through. She was beginning to having a British one over take the American, but anyone from the area would realize she didn't sound the same. "I don't know." Jack replied, sounding annoyed. "I'm going to go change," Haille declared. She got up and went to the door. "Or maybe... I shouldn't." She sat back down. "Wait..." "Make up your bloody mind," Jack cried, glaring at her. "Fine." She shot up and ran as best she could through the house. He could hear her upstairs rummaging through her clothes to find something. She was still upstairs when the doorbell rang. Jack got up, cast a glance at the stairwell, shrugged, and opened the door, allowing the person to enter.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"What about this one?" Trevor asked - holding up a shirt with the durmstrang crest on it. Mack looked up from her magazine she was skimming through - popped her bubble gum - and shrugged. Honestly, she liked the plain old maroon one out of all of them. Trevor rolled his eyes; "Honestly, you're no help." Mack smiled and threw her magazine to the side; "Well - you primp more than I do." It was true. In the past ten minutes, Trevor had tried on three complete different outfits, and Mack still had to do her hair. She wore a lacey white shirt, jeans, boots, and black coloured pearls were around her neck. Her red hair shone brilliantly in loose curls around her shoulders - and her make up was done easily. Maybe she didn't have to do her hair - it looked fine the way it was. But Trevor was still agonizing over what he was to wear. She didn't know why he was fretting so - Mack was the one who should be more nervous than he should. Though she was certain Trevor just wanted to appear to be better than Jack.

They had flown to Scotland two nights ago, and they had reserved a suite in a very luxurious hotel. Maybe this whole wedding idea wasn't all that bad. Hank wanted so badly to win Mack's trust, but he didn't seem to understand simply giving her whatever she wanted didn't do any good. It was awfully nice though. Mack watched as Trevor pulled off a black shirt and slipped on the maroon one again. Good. He was threw with that. He ran his fingers through his blond hair and smiled lopsidedly at her. She grinned back, "Finished yet, girlie? C'mon, we best get going." Trevor smirked as she stood and grabbed her leather jacket. She pulled her hair out of the collar, threw Trevor's jacket to him. He caught it, pulled it on, and then followed her out of the hotel. They caught the next elevator down; "So, you and Jack...are....?" Trevor asked, raising an eyebrow. Mack looked at him sideways and put her hands up in the air. "Boyfriend," she emphasized that word by waving her left hand, "and girlfriend." she did the same with her right hand, "It's not too hard of a concept to grasp, Trev."

He smirked; "But how? You come from a very respectable family Mack, and I know for a fact Derreck Holden and Roger Rendel do not get along." Mack pushed the button and they were soon heading down to the lobby. She shrugged; "Think of who they are though, Trevor. They don't get along with anyone. Really." He nodded as if she made a fair point, and the door of the elevator opened. They stepped out, and exitted the hotel - hailed a cab, got in, and told the cabbi the address. Mack leaned back in her seat, her hands in her lap, and twisting. Trevor raised an eyebrow at her before grabbing her hand and squeezing it tightly; "It'll be fine. You'll be fine." He told her reassuringly. Mack yanked her hand back, "I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about you making a total arse out of yourself." She told him with a smirk. He put a hand to his chest; "Moi? An arse? Never!" Mack rolled her eyes and gazed out the window as the scenery rolled by. She lost count of the mounds of snow, the snowmen, and anything else having to do with children and snow.

Finally the cab pulled up infront of a large mansion, had to have at least 5 floors. She climbed out, as did Trevor and looked up at the towering house before them. Oh this was going to be fun. Mack looked at Trevor and nodded with a smirk, she walked ahead of him and rang the doorbell. She didn't even notice he was missing until the door opened and a snowball hit her in the back of her head. She gasped, her jaw dropped - not even saying hello to Jack and spun on her heel. She squealed and tackled Trevor into the snow, making him collapse into the pile of snow. They rolled, squealing and laughing. Finally, Mack got up; pulled him with her and pushed him forward so he was ahead of her this time instead of behind. They reached the door and Mack ran her fingers through her hair while smiling a large and warm smile at Jack; "Hey!" She said as she threw her arms around him in a hug; "Happy birthday..."She whispered in his ear.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack opened the door in time to see a red-head sparkling with white snow. His eyebrows raised as if they had a will of their own as Mack turned and tackled an unknown person into the snow. They rolled around quite a bit, making Jack uncomfortable just standing in the doorway. He shifted his weight to the left foot and leaned against the sill, waiting for one of them to get up and explain themselves. Did Mack have a little surprise up her sleeve as well? Jack hadn't told her about Haille yet, planning to keep it as a surprise, but now that he saw someone with Mack, it didn't feel all that good. He bit his lip and watched as Mack approached him and then threw her arms around him. Jack let a smile cross his lips and he gave her a quick hug back, turning her around so she was more inside then he was. "Thanks," Jack said in response to a happy birthday wish, his eyes shifting from Mack to the un-named guy. He looked maybe a little older then Mack. Jack raised a sharp eyebrow.

"Is there something I'm missing?" He asked a little too sharply then he had meant. He quickly reached up to fix his crown just to move his eyes away from Mack, who may have taken his attack personally. Jack didn't like surprises. He tried to give her a grin, but it turned out to be a meek grimace. He turned away and looked up the stairs quickly. How was he supposed to do this now? He was responding badly to Mack's guest, while he had a little surprise of his own. He felt horrible for acting this way and suddenly forcing Haille into the midst of everything. He shot a wary glance at the boy before breathing in deeply. "Well, since we're doing introductions," Jack started. He had meant to speak nicely, in a friendly tone, but it came out rough. He swallowed and closed his eyes. When he was sure he could control himself, he opened them again. "I have someone to introduce of my own." This time it sounded much better. He looked around the home, seeing that they had left the door open upon coming in, but he didn't go over to close it. Instead, he moved toward the stairs and looked up.

"Haille!" He called, too soft for anyone to hear, even the two near him. He listened, hoping that Haille would hear his silent call and would come down. She had said she would be there to greet Mack with him... He glared at the stairs, feeling a heat flush his face. He must look like a fool, trying to mouth someone's name and waiting for them to come. He stood up straighter and called again, louder this time. "Haille Logan!" He shouted up the stairs. There was a muffled voice saying something Jack couldn't catch. He turned back to the pair, moving over to Mack. He draped his arm over her shoulders and looked at the stairs. "She's coming down soon," he said, confident she would do so at his beck and call. She had always listened before.... He turned toward Mack, leaning slightly against her. "A little surprise of my own," he whispered to her, actually hoping Haille would do something strange to greet them. He ignored the other kid. He wasn't ready to face him. He needed someone else, someone besides Mack, that he knew would support his fall when the person introduced himself. He had to be someone special to Mack... Haille was the only person left, so Jack waited for her, hoping she was in a good mood.

[haille]

"It's like a bloody freezer in here," Haille mumbled as soon as she got upstairs. She reached the heat controller and turned it up all the way. There. "Oh my gosh," Haille cried, suddenly realizing something. Had she just uttered the word, 'bloody?' She ran into the bathroom, checking the mirror to make sure she wasn't deformed in any way, shape or form. She was turning into a weirdo! No one ever said bloody, except for..well... Jack and...uh...Mr. Rendel... Haille had no intention of metamorphosing yet into a British person, so she looked at every detail of herself, just to make sure nothing had changed. She hated living here at times like this. With a small shudder, she ran into her bedroom and started shifting through her drawers while humming a loud tune of, "We wish you a Merry Christmas." She threw a lime-green t-shirt on to the bed along with some cut-offs that ended at mid-calf. It was going to get hot in here anyway, so why not express it? "We wish you a merry Christma-hana-za and a Happy New Year!" Haille sang to herself. Christma-hana-za was a mixture of Christmas, Kwaanza, and Hanuka. Duh. She quickly changed out of her clothes and into the more relaxed clothing.

"Perfection," Haille squealed as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Ooh!" With that, she let her hair down and looked at it in the mirror. "Nah," she quickly put it back up again and leaned forward, her nose pressing against the glass. "I don't know, what do you think, Haille?" She asked her reflection, which didn't respond. "I knew it!" She glared at herself before breaking into giggles. "Boomchalilaca!" Haille screamed, tumbling into her bed. "Boom!" She rolled off the bed purposely and found that she was looking like a wild-woman. She was excited, happy, and joyous. Not only was it Jack's birthday, but it was almost Christmas! She hoped to revise the way Jack thought about her by letting loose. She just needed space... Haille got up from the bed and did a little dance, moving her arms above her head. A voice sounded from the stairway. Jack. Being the little horse-wipe he always was. "Haille Logan!" He called loudly. "I'm coming!" Haille screamed at the walls. She bounced out of the room and ran down the stairs, loudly pounding her feet. "Oh la la!" She cried upon seeing Jack and a red-head standing close together. She ran down the remaining steps and slid on the wood floor, since she was wearing her slippers. She slid right into the boy standing to the side. "Ooopsy!" She screamed after ramming into him. "I'm sorry, dearie." She released her grip on him and looked at him curiously, her head tilted to the side. A flow of dark hair covered her right eye.

"What do we have here?" She asked him, looking him up and down. "It's nice to meet you, Sire." She cried, suddenly taking up his hand and shaking it so hard she was sure it could have been ripped out of its socket. "Curtsy, Haille," she told herself and did so, her hands pulling out the cut-off as best they could. "Actually," she told the boy, crossing her hands across her chest. "It is you who should be doing a curtsy.. I mean, a bow." She smiled at the correction. "See look," she pointed at the crown. "I AM the princess here, and you should be kissing my slippers." She glared at him profusely and turned to the lovely couple beside her. "What a nice sight! Don't I get a hug too, Jack?" She slid over to him and poked him in the chest. "I'm very disappointed, Mister. Sisters are a big part of your soul." She gave him the evil eye before turning back to Mack. "No need to introduce yourself," she said quickly, as if Mack had opened her mouth to speak. "I know all about you. Jack was raving about you just last night." She gave Jack a sweet smile, one he did not return. "Mackenzie Holden." She recited. "A pleasure to meet you!" She gave Mack a hug as if they had known each other their whole life.

"Oh...My.... God!" She suddenly said, putting a pause between the words. She pointed with horror at the door. "What have you done, Jack Rendel? What HAVE you done this time?" She slid across the floor to the door, slamming it shut as hard as she could. "Wait until I tell your father," she said, wagging her head and finger at him. "Bad, bad boy." She then twirled across the room, poking the one boy in the back with her fore-finger. She was sure that they couldn't keep track of her. That's what she wanted. "Have you been drinking something, Haille?" Jack asked before she could put on another admirable performance. Haille's face immediately dropped the happy look and she glared at Jack, for real this time. "Can't I have any fun?" She wailed. "Even at your party you complain and complain, Jack. If I could tape up your mouth, you'd still manage to say that it's not tight enough. Stubborn, foul little..." she muttered, but she quickly turned toward the others, a smile crossing her lips. Someone inside her head had turned it back on. "Oooh. You're just jealous, Jack, because I'm going to be the flare of this party. The fire to your flame... Wait... that didn't make any sense." Haille frowned, tapping her chin. "Oh well," she said with a shrug. "Oh, I know! I'm the fire to your oven, the lighter to your cigar, and the provider of a few drinks." She raised a quick eyebrow, wondering if they new what she meant. "Oh, where are my manners? I probably left them at the gas station. I'm Haille Logan, Jack's new sister."

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack giggled again; "Oh, um, later? Well...not much of course. But later?" She nearly pleaded him. She didn't want to explain the whole mess just yet. They entered the house, Trevor shuffling his feet a few feet away from them - and Jack made his way to the staircase - calling up to some girl. Mack raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow at Jack and crossed her arms, she stiffened slightly as he put his arm around her - but relaxed under the familiar touch. It was then some random ball of energy came bounding down the staircase. Talking non-stop. Shotgun anyone? Mack watched, in awe as the girl bounded over to her and hugged her as if they were long lost sisters. She gulped as the girl pulled away and then said something about being Jack's new sister and manners being left at a gas station. Along with her sanity! Mack thought. Again, her eyebrow rose. "Something you need to tell me?"

"Si-sister?" Mack spat out, sending Jack a quick glare. Didn't he have enough siblings? Mack suddenly felt herself so pissed off at him. But why? She had a secret of her own. One that she wasn't planning on sharing with him until they went back to Hogwarts. One she didn't plan on sharing with him until much later in the year when she figured everything out, so why was she so mad at him for keeping this little secret from her? It wasn't like they had kept much contact over the days they hadn't seen each other. Mack bit her bottom lip and turned to Trevor; "Well - this is Jack, and apparently Hallie," she said the name with a soft drawl and she said it wrong purposely; "Jack, this is Trevor Bradshaw - my soon to be step-brother." She watched Jack's face for any reaction. Relief maybe? After all their sibling closeness could be mistaken for flirting, but it seriously wasn't. Why would it be? Mack shuddered at that thought. Flirting with Trevor. Egh.

"How's this work, Jack? You're father get some girl pregnant some years ago? Or - what?" Mack sent Haille a soft glare before looking at Jack again, her anger swelling inside her. Trevor looked over at her and mouthed 'calm down.' She took a deep breath and tucked her red hair behind her ears, waiting. Maybe she was waiting for a response she would never get. She wanted this to be a joke, because if it wasn't then she knew it was going to be something totally serious and bad. And Haille was going to be a big part in Jack's life from now on - and Mack oddly didn't want that. She didn't want it at all. Maybe she was being seflish. She wasn't sure. She wasn't sure of anything anymore.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack watched in amazement as Haille ran down the stair case and began bouncing off the walls. Literally. He had expected something surprising and fun, but this just topped it off like the icing of a cake. Jack finally was able to control his feelings and try to bring Haille down a level, talking about drinking, but she only rebounded across the floor, sliding on her blasted slippers. And she was wearing a tee-shirt with cut-offs. What the hell was wrong with her? He turned to Mack, letting his arm fall away. She sounded very upset and angry, much to Jack's surprise. The surprise soon vanished though and was replaced with anger. What the hell? She had brought over this good-for-nothing kid who so far hadn't piped a single syllable, and she was angry at him for Haille? Who did she think she was?

"It's Haille." Haille sang upon hearing Mack mispronounce her name. Jack couldn't help a glare at Mack. She had done that on purpose, no doubt. He let a smile cross his lips as Haille recited how to spell it, but instantly hid it away from Mack. "H-A-I-L-L-E. Haille Logan. Don't worry darling. Everyone gets it wrong all the time. I just don't believe I stuttered when I said Haille to make it sound like Hallie." She smiled and twirled around, linking her arms with Jack's. Jack found himself rather enjoying her attitude now; it wiped away Mack's so quick it appeared never to be there. Jack turned to Trevor as Mack introduced him. Bradshaw... "Oh, yes." Jack said with a smirk. "Bradshaw is a rather familiar name to me." He said with a hint of sarcasm slipping through his voice. His eyes pierced at Trevor with a hatred, but that soon over-powered the relief. Jack wasn't sure what he had expected, but step-brother wasn't one of them. He was about to ask how this had all happened when Mack suddenly attacked. It would have been the same if she had stabbed him with a pitch-fork.

"No," Jack said sharply, turning so fast to Mack he almost knocked Haille off-balance. "My father doesn't just have an affair with anyone." Unlike yours. Jack wanted to say so badly, but he bit down his tongue. It would hurt Mack more then he wanted. He didn't want to bring up bloody Derreck at all during this time phrase. Father was out of their hair and they were all free to do whatever, even have a few drinks like Haille suggested. If he had uttered that single sentence, Mack would probably either march out the door, or slap him one in the face. Jack ended up smirking at her, question marks in his eyes all the while. "He adopted her. Ever heard of that? Nothing seriously dramatic." Jack said after a lengthened pause. He looked at Haille for some support, which she gladly gave. "I used to live in New York at some Orphanage, and Mr. Rendel just came out of no where and brought me here to live in this... this mansion." Haille gazed around in awe and Jack stifled a small laugh. "Refreshing, isn't she?" He whispered into Mack's ear with a raised eyebrow. Funny, but if he didn't know any better, Mack was jealous of Haille. "I hope in time, we'll get to become friends, Mackenzie." Haille went on to say with a small smile.

"How did this big event happen, Mack?" Jack asked back, his electric blues on Trevor. "If I know the Bradshaws, their just rolling in money. Is that why your mother married his father. For the money?" Jack demanded, shooting questions like arrows at her. He had felt betrayed by her anger, now he retaliated. Although Mack had seemed to calm down, Jack didn't. His anger rose in swelling waves, only to crash down on the person he didn't want to hurt, Mack. He glared at her and then at Haille, not knowing why he did so. She backed away, looking suddenly hurt, and then looked at Trevor. "Maybe we should leave them alone for a little?" She asked him directly, but her eyes shifted to Jack and Mack. She is such a good actress... Jack thought bitterly. Too good.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Was it her or was Jack pouring anger at her? No matter. Mack crossed her arms and flipped her long red hair over her shoulders before she looked at Haille as she said something about becoming friends. Right. That would never happen. Never. Mack wasn't jealous. Was she? If she was...she was going to make Jack just as jealous as she was being made. Mack bit her lip, holding back tears - her mind was just now processing what Jack had meant to say. My father doesn't just have an affair with anyone. Mack looked at Jack and whispered; "You forgot the rest of your sentence. 'Like Derreck.' Go ahead, say it. I know you're thinking it." But she wouldn't be surprised if no one heard her.

She blinked as Jack spoke again, her mind was hazing in and out. She didn't know what to think and her mind wasn't caught up to speed with everything. It was still trying to process how nasty Jack was being to her. She sighed and lowered her head, staring intently at her feet - "Mum swears that isn't the reason why she's marrying Hank, but I can not for the life of me believe that it's love." Mack looked up at Trevor who was staring intently at her, and he nodded once. Then he spoke, his voice so welcomed; "If I had my way, my father wouldn't even be marrying a Holden has been. Though, must say, him marrying Pam isn't all that bad. After all - Mack's moving in." Mack smiled at that, and nodded. Not only would that sting Jack, but Trevor had added a secret code in that sentence. She felt so much more comfortable now.

Haille spoke now, and Trevor turned to her; "Yes. Did you say something about drinks?" He turned to follow her wherever she was leading. And when they were gone, Mack immediately rounded on Jack; "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL?!" She whispered harshly. She ran her fingers frustratedly through her hair. And leaned against a wall, trying to breathe and keep her tears in; "Thanks for making me feel worse than I need to. You know I wasn't asking that because your father had affairs. It's just...bloody hell." Mack couldn't say anything. Because she didn't know if Jack knew that Padme wasn't his actual sister. Damn it!

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack spun on his heel to look at Mack. What flush he had in his face vanished as he paled. How could she read him so well? The way she had whispered made it impossible to hear all the words, but he had heard enough to know what she was getting out. Bloody hell! "I..." Jack sputtered, suddenly losing his wits and train of thought. He wasn't sure what to say, how to say it, when to say it. Jack had never stuttered like this before, but the way Mack had said it made him feel so guilty. Haille shot a questioning glance at the pair, probably wondering why the hell they were fighting if they were girlfriend and boyfriend. She had no idea. Jack took a deep breath, caught on to his voice again, and ignored what Mack had said before, but not with some difficulty.

He shot a glance at Trevor that showed clearly he should shut up. Jack didn't want to hear how 'excited he was about Mack moving in.' More like he was gloating about it. Jack was sure Trevor didn't give a care about him, and was only making things harder by mentioning Mack moving in. Jack looked away, biting the inside of his cheek. "I guess you don't know until you try." Jack said, glancing at Haille. If anyone knew what he had meant, it was her. She let a grin cross her lips, but the happiness that had been on her face had dwindled into nothingness. She instantly became excited when Trevor said he would follow her. "Oh, yes. To the kitchen then!" She announced. Jack looked at her with appreciation; the kitchen was the farthest room from this one on the first floor. She was really respecting them. Jack gave her a nod and she left, tugging on Trevor's hand. "Oh la la. Drink! We have lots of wine, but if you're really feeling up to it, we have margaritas, beer, and... whiskey. Mr. Rendel can't know though, since it's his." She giggled and left the room, her laughter reverberating. Jack turned to Mack as she instantly let loose.

It hurt to hear her like this, and to see the tears behind her lids. Jack didn't want to let down his ground, since he had gained much, but to be selfish around Mack was holding back everything. Taking away everything. He sighed and watched her lean against the wall. "I didn't mean it like that. You took it the wrong way, Mack. Jumping ahead into conclusions." Jack said swiftly, his voice strong through the little white lies. He didn't want to lie to Mack, but in this case, he might have to. "We can't help who our father's are." He relented softly, feeling the need to explain her 'wrong impression.' "Hell, if I could change my father with anyone else's, I would. He doesn't know what being a father means. How.... How his actions go permanently on his child's record, memory. Yours' isn't any different, Mack...." He sighed. "I'm sorry I sounded so harsh. Just the way you said it... Damn, you know I can't let down a insult, even one that's hidden." He ran his hand through his hair, which was starting to look demolished. "I didn't mean to make it sound like that. My father... Well, he's my family, and sometimes I don't mind having him looked down upon - but being accused of something like that.... I can't stand. Haille's my family now as well, and so far she's only been a little ball of flame, as she put it. Do you resent her?" He asked, curiosity swallowing his words. "Do you dislike her because she's... I dunno. A big part of my life?"

[Mackenzie Holden]

She couldn't look in his eyes, instead she focused on the black of her boots, and bit her bottom lip in guilt. Yes. Guilt. Guilt for the jealousy she was feeling toward Haille and guilt for the unintentional insult she had flung at Jack. Even if it was unintentional, she still had said it and it still had made him defensive; "I don't..." She started, but she couldn't find the correct words. Mack breathed in and tried again, this time looking up at him with a spark in her eye, "I don't jump to conclusions. It's just...that's what I grew up around. That's what I grew up to know. You can't blame me for thinking that's what happened. Besides; who would have thought that Roger Rendel would be kind hearted enough to adopt someone, let alone someone who probably doesn't have magic in their blood?" She raised an eyebrow at him. Either Roger wasn't the man Jack had made him out to be, or Roger had changed. Either way - Mack was left out of the loop some how. And it wasn't that she was upset about not being aware of something like that, it's....okay so maybe it was.

"I didn't mean to make it sound like that. My father... Well, he's my family, and sometimes I don't mind having him looked down upon - but being accused of something like that.... I can't stand. Haille's my family now as well, and so far she's only been a little ball of flame, as she put it. Do you resent her?" Jack had asked. Mack crossed and uncrossed her arms again, opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. Did she resent Haille? She wasn't sure. She didn't like her. But maybe that was because she seemed to be extremely cheery. Mack disliked extremely cheery people. The next question Jack asked, stung Mack like a thousand bees; "Do you dislike her because she's... I dunno. A big part of my life?" That wasn't it. Was it? Mack shook her head in disbelief.

"Self-centered much, Mr. Rendel?" Mack asked him with a scoff. She rolled her eyes, and let them land on a spot on the wall. She focused on that one particular spot, forbidding herself to start crying again. She hadn't cried in awhile - as in actually crying. Tears had rolled down her cheeks, but there had not actually been any sobbing or heaving. Not since....well, let's not go there. Mack looked back at Jack after a moment or two and breathed in; "No. I don't dislike her because she's a 'big part in your life.' I dislike her because she appears to be everything I'm not. Maybe that makes me self-centered, or maybe it makes me threatened - paranoid even. But it's how I feel and I don't even bloody know her!" Mack exclaimed with so much annoyance she let her head hit the wall. She sighed, closed her eyes, and breathed in slowly. Letting the air carress her.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm sure she's a very lovely girl deep down. And I'm sure I'll adore her once I get to know her. But I don't want to get to know her. I would rather she wasn't part of my life. I don't know why. Maybe..." Mack stopped in the middle of her sentence. She breathed in again and stood up from the wall, she took a step closer to Jack; "Was coming here...with Trevor a mistake? Should I not have come at all?" She hoped he said no. She couldn't take it if it was a mistake. She didn't know how she would deal. Mack locked eyes with his and was unflinching. She didn't move, there was hardly any movement of her chest rising and falling from her breathing. Maybe she wasn't breathing, maybe she was holding her breath - waiting for his answer.

[Jack Rendel S5]

"I don't know why he adopted her, to tell you the truth. At the beginning, I didn't like her very much either. After I got over the disbelief, I began to take out my... anger on her." Jack said quietly, describing his aggression as anger and not jealousy. He too, had been jealous of Haille. "Father said he adopted her because he knew her mother or something... and Haille is a pureblood. She's just a... a Squib I suppose." Jack shrugged, not sure if this was the truth, or just some lie Father had feed him to keep him quiet with complaints. Either way, if Haille was a muggle, she would be at home here. After all, Father almost never took out his wand anymore, and everything in the house appeared to be muggle-ish, except for the pictures that continued to move.

Mack went on to say he couldn't blame her for thinking that. He nodded but didn't trust himself to reply. Seeing Mack like this made him aware a single sentence could break her down, crush her. He refused to let himself be the cause of pain, so he just listened and nodded like a good boy. "Maybe just a little," Jack said with a smile full of irony as she asked if he was self-centered. He was, truly. He realized it himself. If Mack had just noticed it, well, that was sad. Jack thought of himself before many people, even her sometimes, but she was the next person, of course. That wasn't bad, was it? "Oh, Mack!" Jack cried with exasperation as she explained why she was angry/jealous of Haille.

"Just because people are different then you doesn't mean you should hate them." Jack lectured with a raised eyebrow. "Honestly? She's just different. Wouldn't you hate her more if she was exactly like you?" He asked, curious in what the answer would be. Mack then asked if coming here with Trevor was a mistake. The answer instantly formed in his mind. "No, but you shouldn't have brought that Bradshaw kid with you. I don't even know him!" Jack hesitated before opening his mouth to say anything. He didn't want to say that, and even in his mind it sounded cruel. Instead, he said, "no, I'm glad you came. It's only fair, really. You brought Trevor and I had Haille waiting... If you hadn't brought him, you wouldn't feel exactly comfortable, would you? That's all I want." Jack quickly drew Mack into a hug. "I'm sorry I made you feel so bad," he said into her hair.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"No..." Mack started, "That's not how I meant it. What I meant is...maybe you'll see something in her that you don't see in me." She whispered this to him, he apparently hadn't got what she meant and that was all she could do to explain to him what she meant exactly. She sighed, "And yes - it's better for her to be different than exactly the same, but I'm still...afraid. Maybe I'm just being a big prat, but...it's the way I feel." Oh great, now she sounded like some therapist person - telling her feelings and expressing them. What bollocks. What was possessing her? Mack didn't know why she couldn't just nod, grin, and bear it. But of course, she couldn't. It wasn't in her nature. She had let others know how she felt or she would explode.

"Look - I wouldn't have brought Trevor if I wasn't absolutely forced to do so. God, sharing a house with him his hard enough, sharing a hotel room is far worse." She didn't even care to mention the fact that it wasn't a room, it was a suite so there were many rooms, she didn't think it necessary, "Living with him and his father, it's been hell. Pure hell. I saw coming here, not only as a means to visit you and be with you, but a way to get out of the hellhole called home. But nope, Trevor had to tag along anyway." Mack sighed and looked down, as Jack said something about her being uncomfortable if Trevor hadn't been along, then she was pulled into a hug. Mack breathed in the familiar scent that was Jack and sighed before saying; "Don't be. It's just me and my girly feelings. You don't have to be sorry for anything. I should be apologizing. Here you are, 14, and so far your celebration isn't exactly a celebration."

Mack smiled kindly at him as she pulled away. She reached up and fiddled with the crown on his head; "How fitting..." She muttered slyly, "A crown for a prince, soon to be a king. Let me guess - Haille's doing? Now how am I supposed to compete with that as a present? All I got you was this...oh, nevermind. It's not important right now. Later. Much later. And there's something I have to tell you...but later. Yes. Later." Mack muttered - repeating it mostly to herself so she wouldn't just burst out with everything she had learnt so far over the holiday. This was about Jack today, not about her - she wanted it to be about Jack. Mack smiled again, slipped her hand in his, and nodded toward the kitchen area; "Shall we?"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow in shock and anger. Another person thinking he liked Haille, was that it? First Father then Mack. Mack! Of all people! He looked away so she didn't have to see how angry and frustrated he had become over this. He had thought she was hinting at it before, but honestly, he had probably just ignored it because he didn't want to hear it. Now, she was admitting that she was afraid he would see something in her that he didn't see in Haille? Bloody hell! This was impossible. Jack sighed and turned back to her, forcing a smile. "There's nothing in Haille that could match up to you." He said with a sly smile of his own, trying to make things come more his way instead of being knocked off balance. He liked being in command, not being the one who was surprised. He smirked as Mack explained about Trevor. She had seemed to be warming up to him nicely in the entrance way, but he didn't say this to her. That would led to him being jealous and what not, and who wanted to hear that? Jack didn't even want to voice it, since that would clearly make it a reality and then Mack may get angry at him... blah, blah, blah. The whole thing would turn out to be some fiasco of a birthday party and Father would come back to find his house destroyed.

"I'm sure Haille could keep him busy if you wanted." Jack said as if Haille could do tricks on command. Mack was describing how it was to live with the Bradshaws, so when she was finished Jack felt like he was obligated to. "Haille's been... different, I must say. I really didn't want her in my life, so I treated her like nothing, a piece of dirt, nothing human. She took on to that and confronted me about it." Jack reached up to touch his eye. It was still slightly puffy around the edges, but it was barely noticeable. "I continued to... erm... express myself and she hooked me one in the eye. Honestly, she's like a boxer or something. Then she was like this, which is hard to explain. Normally, she's never this excited or happy. I guess if something happens out of the ordinary, she gets all wacko. Personally, I could swear she stole some wine, but she insists she hasn't." Jack rolled his eyes at Mack but a smile crossed his lips none the less. "My birthday party? Truthfully, I've never had a real birthday party. This is one of the better ones. No joke. Maybe it was better you talked to me about it. At least it won't bother you all night, right?" He sighed. All of this had been extremely tiring, and Haille was sure to be bubbly and out of control. He looked up at the crown perched among his dark hair and shook his head. "Yes, Haille's doing. She had to have it, since I am the prince here." Jack smirked with a pleased expression. Perfect. Prince, soon to be a King. But when Mack suggested that they go to the kitchen, Jack almost broke out in sweat. "I'm afraid what we'll see when we get there." He said, but led Mack in that direction. "When they left, they were talking about drinks. Drinks! Like Haille needs any more excitement. Maybe she has A.D.H.D." Jack said with a laugh. "I might need to bring her to a therapist. But really, be prepared for a drunk Haille when we get there. I don't know much about Trevor, but I'm sure there's a chance Haille convinced him to drink a few as well."

[trevor]

Cool under pressure, that's what Hank had described his son to a few friends when he had introduced them. Cool under pressure. Hah. Right. Because Trevor never loses his cool. Apparently his father knew nothing about his life, or his personality. Trevor followed Mack dutifully, letting her lead him this way and that. He didn't exactly fit in with these people, they weren't his friends - and the girl was bloody annoying. Too bubbly and bright, and Trevor thought he smelled wine on her breath while she was talking non-stop. All he would like to do is shove something down her throat to shut her up. Damn. Nothing near good enough for such a task. Mack and Jack seemed to be in a heated argument over something and from the looks Mack was sending him and her body language - this wasn't something they dealt with on a daily basis. He stood, quietly, as the couple spoke - interuppting every now and then with little comments here and there. But when he thought things were going to get worse, he turned his attention to the girl. She had said something about drinks, and Trevor reminded her of it - although he was very certain she didn't need anymore.

The girl lead him into the kitchen, talking at a non-stop speed and Trevor just tuned her out like he had his mother so many times before. He also had done it with Madilyn as well, but...oh well. She didn't talk nearly as much as this girl did. He sat down on the counter, no need for the seat, just plop right up on the counter, and looked around the kitchen. It was very...muggle like. Trevor smirked at the muggleness of the house and shook his head in disgust; "How can they live like this?" He asked aloud, though he wasn't meant to. No matter, if she responded he didn't hear - he was too busy trying to hear Mack and Jack's conversation a few yards away. No good. Either he couldn't hear anything, or they were talking in whispers. Probably the latter. Trevor snapped back into reality just as the girl was pulling out a bottle of something and pouring into glasses. His eyebrow arched as she offered him some. He shook his head; "I don't drink." He explained simply.

"Oh, come on. What will it hurt?" The girl asked waving it in front of his face. Trevor shoved it away from him and said harsher; "I will do you harm if I drink that stuff. I don't drink." He repeated. What was with this girl, could she not get it through her thick head? Trevor sighed and hopped down from the counter. Did they have any non-alcoholic drinks in this house? Probably not. They were probably a bunch of lushes. Trevor didn't like to drink. He got angry when he drank. Then he somehow always managed to harm someone either physically or extremely emotionally - and although he would much like to hurt Jack Rendel at the moment, he didn't want to case Mack that harm and have her start hating him. Trevor looked back at the girl and smirked; "Do you really need alcohol to make you happy?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

((Jack you did say I could god-mode Haille right? I thought you had and I am too lazy to look through my PMs at the moment. If not, I'll take it out. ))

[haille]

((Perfect. That was just fine. ))

Haille tugged on Trevor, nearly pulling him across the floor. Jack and Mack wanted some privacy. Honestly. That was fine with her, but Haille seemed to think that this boy, this Trevor, wasn't fine with that. In fact, if she hadn't known any better, he seemed reluctant to go. Haille rolled her eyes to herself, feeling that bubbly feeling starting to wash away and be replaced by a tired, more annoyed self. Maybe she had done wrong drinking that wine before the party... but it had only been a little! It was a party, couldn't anyone have any fun? Wine always made Haille moody after a few good hours, and it had been what, five hours after that little sip? Great. To keep herself in a good mood, Haille started talking to Trevor. Well, it was more like talking to herself, since he seemed to be in wonderland, but Haille didn't care. If he didn't make for good conversation, she could just annoy him into oblivion.

She wasn't even sure what she was talking about, it left her tongue so fast. Where she used to live, Jack, how Mr. Rendel was, Jack, how she had gotten angry with Jack, and Jack. Somehow, it all revolved around Jack. Jack, Jack, Jack. She smiled to herself with a dazed expression. Yes, the wine was wearing off. She had drunk too much. Haille shoved open the door to the kitchen and looked around. Familiar setting, aye. Microwave, oven, pictures of Jack when he was young, pictures of Mr. Rendel. She smiled around and let go of Trevor's hand, opened a cupboard, and pulled out a bottle of wine. It was one of the lighter ones, as Haille wasn't feeling too well herself. She took out too cups and offered one to Trevor, who said he doesn't drink. What a loser, Haille thought mistily. "Oh, c'mon. What will it hurt?" She demanded, shaking it in front of his face. The contents swirled around and looked so good, Haille had to pour some for herself. Her hands became shaky and she spilled it over the table. "Damn," she muttered, turning around to pick up a towel and wipe it all up.

Trevor was just being a boring old cow. Honestly, didn't even drink? Haille shrugged it off and downed hers with a few gulps. It tasted sweet, as it was red wine, but even though it was the weakest, she felt herself spinning around. "I should.. sit..." She moved toward the settee in the corner and fell against it, her head thumping on the hard arm-rest. She had brought the wine over with her, as she was now feeling thirsty for some more. She drank it out of the bottle, for pouring a cup seemed like a difficult challenge. Oh.. Her head spun once more and her grip on the wine bottle slackened. Trevor's figure became fuzzy at the edges, and suddenly he appeared to be nothing more then a blob. Haille laughed at that, but it just came up as a hiccup. She heard him say something but she couldn't understand what it was. She giggled and tried to sit up, but couldn't. "Mmm." she laid back down, taking another drink of wine until her head spun uncontrollably. Her stomach convulsed and Haille felt as though she needed to go throw up. She quickly moved to stand, but the wine bottle finally escape her grasp and fell to the floor with a crash. Haille's stomach still felt queasy and she tried to stand, but couldn't. She knocked over a chair and fell to the floor with the gracefulness of a pig, falling asleep in her drunken state.

[Jack Rendel S5]

"What the hell..." Jack cried when he and Mack came upon the kitchen. Haille was laying on the tiled floor a few feet away from a broken wine bottle and a settee that looked like she had spilled wine all over it. Jack raised his eyebrow so high it vanished into his hair line. A chair was knocked over close to where that Bradshaw kid was sitting. Jack glared at him, hoping this was all his fault and not some stupid stunt Haille had pulled off. "What the hell happened?" He demanded of Trevor, although the wine pretty much cleared up the question. He sighed and went into the closet of the kitchen, taking out the broom and broom pan, as they called it. Spiderwebs covered the equipment, as it had never been used in years. Jack brushed it off with irritation and returned to the scene.

He began to brush the mess up, starting with the glass spread across the floor. After that, he dumped it in the garbage can. During this cleaning period, he didn't look at Mack or Trevor, all the time keeping his gaze down. It was bloody embarrassing! Finding your new sister sleeping on the floor and a broken wine bottle, a knocked over chair, and a guest sitting nearby. A guest that was a Bradshaw, and no doubt was thinking about what a disgrace the Rendel's were. He probably was looking upon Jack with disgust, which made him quiver with anger but why? He hadn't even given the kid a chance. Hell, he wasn't a kid. He was older then Jack, who had just turned fourteen. Feeling like he was giving up to easily, Jack looked up at the two of them, Mack and Trevor, reading their expressions. He had just dumped the glass shards into the garbage and now had to proceed to what wine was on the floor.

It looked like Haille had drunk most of it. Only a small puddle lay on the white floor. Jack took a mop to it with no skill whatsoever. Bobby was on break today, and seeing as he was the only one who really cleaned up the messes, Jack had to deal. He wasn't used to all this muggle things, but he should get used to it, as everything in his life was turning muggle. When he finished with that tiresome chore, he picked up the chair, and then turned to the form of Haille, who was now gently snoring in her sleep. Disgusting. Jack moved back toward the sink and got a wet face-cloth and a sponge. He also brought over a bucket filled with ice-water, just in case. Setting the bucket beside Haille's head he sat down beside her and looked at her. She looked like she was in pain but was solidly asleep. Jack wrinkled his brow at her and looked back up at Mack.

"Looks like she doesn't know her limits," he quipped with a smirk. It had been last year, but he remembered clearly Kris saying that to Mack when she had a hang-over from getting drunk. Jack had waken up Mack that day in Hogsmeade as well, though he had used subtle techniques that time. For Haille... I don't think so. He took the sponge, dipped it in the ice-water, and put it above Haille's sleeping head. And squeezed. The water fell down and hit her face with a splash, but Haille didn't open her eyes. She went to turn over instead. "No you don't," Jack muttered, moving to block her way. Even if she didn't want to get up, she was going to. Jack would make sure of that. He had experience at this, so he was sure his ways would work. Putting the sponge down, he moved on to the wash-cloth, letting it soak in the cold water for a time before putting it on Haille's face, covering everything. Nose, mouth, eyes. If Haille suffocated, that would just be too bad, as it wouldn't be murder, but suicide. She put herself into this.

She still didn't wake up, but the way her eye-lids fluttered and a small moan escaped her lips meant she was on the verge. Jack smirked, knowing what to do next. He picked up the wash cloth after another dip in the water, and stood up, towering above Haille. She wasn't snoring anymore. What a relief. He quickly took back the wash-cloth behind him and, like a whip, swatted Haille's face with it as hard as he could. Her eyes flew open and she groaned, sitting up slowly like someone how hadn't remembered how to do it. She was lucky, actually, as Jack could have dumped the whole bucket of ice water on her head instead. "What.. my head..." She muttered, her palms against her temples. A red mark was across her cheek were Jack had hit her. "What the hell were you thinking?" Jack demanded to her as soon as she sat up. He knew she wouldn't be able to think, which was why he would talk to her. "I.. my head hurts, Jack..." She moaned and tried to stand, grabbing the chair she had knocked over previously to stand. She slipped and fell hard on the ground. Jack took pity on her and bent down so she could lean on him. Walking with her dead weight was difficult, but Jack somehow managed to drag her into the living room after telling Mack and Trevor to wait in the kitchen. "Wait there. I'll be right back," he had said, and true to his words, he returned moments later.

He had made sure that it was impossible for Haille to fall asleep again. He had put pillows behind her back and had sat her down so she was near the table, impossible for her to lean back. Her hair was a mess but Jack didn't care to bring the brush down for her. He left her there and returned to the kitchen. "Crackers anyone?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. He went to the cupboard and took out the buttery crackers. One of Jack's favorites, actually. He got out some cheese ball to put it on the cracker. He sat down three stools away from Trevor and busied himself with it for a while. It tasted good and Jack's annoyed face slowly turned back to his normal features. He sighed. "Thank god that's over." He muttered, standing to turn on a radio in the corner. A muggle radio, damn it. It was what they called classic rock and they announced that the man singing was Led Zepplin. Honestly, he sounded like a woman to Jack. He looked back at the two. "So that idiot in the other room doesn't fall asleep," he explained and sat back down to eat more crackers.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack's eyes found Trevor the moment they stepped into the kitchen. What a scene! She felt pleased, yet a bit embarrassed for the girl. Trevor made his way to stand next to Mack as Jack began to clean up the mess and help Haille. Mack looked at Trevor, her right eyebrow raised - "What happened?" She asked him, ready to accuse him of anything. Trevor smirked and looked back at Jack cleaning up the mess, no doubt thinking about telling this to his father. Mack bit her lip - reminding herself to slap him hard after this was done. She was still waiting, and by the look on her face - Trevor started to speak; "She was getting drunk. She drank too much and passed out. You know, Mack, what you used to do." She sent him a harsh glare before hitting him in the shoulder very hard.

Trevor winced but smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulders. She froze under his touch and moved away. She was mad at him now. Trevor saw this and his face immediately softened; "I'm sorry, it was just a joke." Mack didn't answer, instead she turned her attention back to Jack who was saying something about limits. Mack broke out in a smile at that, but then her smile turned to a frown in memory of Kris. She made a mental note to find him and hang out with him some time. Jack helped Haille into another room, telling them to stay there. And the moment he was gone, Mack rounded on Trevor; "Why didn't you do something?! Don't you know anything?!" She slapped him good, and he looked at her completley stunned. He grabbed her wrist and held it tightly.

"Crackers, anyone?" Came Jack's voice, and as if her wrist was made of hot iron - Trevor dropped it. Mack grabbed it and rubbed it, the pain subsiding slowly. Jack got out some crackers and cheese and ate one, seeming to calm down. Mack made her way over to him and leaned against the counter, "I'm sorry." She told him quietly. He probably wouldn't get what for, hell, she didn't even understand what for - but she felt like she had to say it. Mack smiled kindly and turned to Trevor who had leaned against the wall and was watching them with a glare. Mack stood up from leaning against the counter and smirked; "You know, Trevor, you really shouldn't glare like that. Your face might freeze that way. Then again that would be an improvement on your part."

Trevor smirked back; "Oh, haha." He told her sarcastically. But he really couldn't say anything, because that would be like saying something about Madilyn - who just happened to have been the love of his life. Considering Mack and Madilyn were twins. Mack didn't care much for Madilyn - in fact she didn't care about Madilyn at all, she would much rather forget the girl even existed but Trevor wouldn't let her. Mack pulled out a stool and sat down next to Jack, taking a cracker of her own and biting into it. There seemed to be a silence for a time before Mack sighed and said; "Want to open your present? I hope you don't mind, since it was so much and your birthday is so close to Christmas I only got you one thing."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack shook his head at Mack as she said she was sorry. "Why should you be? If anyone should be sorry, it's Haille. She won't be though, except for herself and her head-ache, I assure you." Jack said through his bites of crackers. The prophecy became true as Haille moaned in the other room. "Turn off the radio, Jack!" She said in a low monotone. Jack smirked and with gusto turned it up a little higher. Haille wailed in the other room, and in case Mack or Trevor was feeling sorry for her, he had to add, "she deserves it." He knew that Mack had experience with this. Even he did, so they both knew that after drinking, ever noise seemed to be louder by a tenfold. Haille had been stupid in drinking like that, especially around someone like Trevor. Her behavior would blemish the Rendel name even more then Jack had in the past years. Soon, it would just be a blotch. Jack Rendel wasn't the type to worry about that though. All the posh about family names and how you had to behave or else it would go against it all. Jack knew better then that; in truth, he didn't care that others looked at people by their names. Names were just labels, and if people judged others by names, it was a sad world indeed. And here Jack was, hypocrite-boy, labeling this Bradshaw kid by the last name.

Jack nodded at Trevor, biting back a laugh at Mack's comment. "I haven't poisoned the crackers." He told him pointedly. Yet. Jack refrained from glaring and put another cracker in his mouth after slabbing on the cheese. The radio was still playing, only this time they put on some band named Metallica or something of the like. Jack felt it sounded a bit harsh, but he wasn't in the best mood himself. He glanced at Mack, who was eating crackers too, and then at Trevor. Back and forth. He tried to find something between the two, but couldn't. Mack looked angry at nothing in particular, unless Trevor had done something to her while Jack was away. Probably not. A Bradshaw kid was such a goody-goody they wouldn't do such a thing in another wealthy pureblood house. Jack smirked and stood up, putting down the butter knife on the table. "Yes, presents. Let's go sit in the living room when I open them." Jack nodded to the doors that he had led Haille through. His reasons for going in there were all but obvious. "What? Only one thing?" Jack asked, pouting and giving Mack a playful poke at the arm. "No, of course I don't mind. I'm sure I'll get a pile of crap I don't need for Christmas anyway, so one good thing will be nice among all that other junk." He smiled for once and crossed the kitchen into the living room.

"What do you want now?" Haille asked when she saw Jack. In truth, Jack had hurried forward in order to see a few seconds ahead what Haille had gotten into. She seemed to have tried to lay down, but decided to instead throw pillows across the floor in anger and frustration. "Don't take that tone with me," Jack said dangerously, only to hear Haille mock him. "'Don't take that tone with me.' What are you, my father?" She glared profusely until her eyes watered and she rubbed them. "I just could be, the way you act like your five." Jack threw the pillow on the floor at her and it met it's target; her head. Her reflexes were slower then usual from the wine apparently, as before she could have blocked it easily. Instead, she resurfaced from the attack with bright eyes and a flushed face. "We're going to open presents now." Jack announced, sitting next to Haille so no one else would have to go through the pain. He looked at Mack expectantly; he didn't know where the present was. He hadn't seen it when she had come in, so he left it up to her to fetch it.