The Party of the Millennium PG-13 (Rachel, Nole)

[AJ Murphy G6]

[[Warning: This thread contains PG-13 material. Do not read unless you are at least 13.]]

AJ’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he stirred the potion in his small black cauldron. This sleeping potion would be perfect on his mother. He’d put it in her hot chocolate and she’d fall fast asleep really fast. Leo was at his restaurant cooking meals for the New Year’s Eve rush. Angel was waitressing for a little extra money. After this potion was finished, all AJ had to worry about was the kids. Little Justin, who was only three years old would fall asleep the second Emily fell asleep, so he wasn’t a problem. Now all he had to worry about was Ty and Nick. Ty would do whatever AJ asked, but Nick Sheridan would need some persuading. He dropped small doses of the potion into a tall glass of hot chocolate and walked into the hall.

AJ was lucky. His mother had contracted a cold, and even if she wasn’t fast asleep, she probably wouldn’t be able to get out of bed and check on them anyway. He knocked lightly on the wobbly wooden door. “Come in.” Said a weak stuffed up voice. As AJ entered, Emily sneezed loudly. He handed her a tissue box that was on her bedside table. Crumpled up napkins were scattered everywhere, and his mother was watching re-runs of a show called Charmed. His mother was obsessed with that show, but he didn’t know why. If it wasn’t for the way the characters dressed in the show, he wouldn’t have watched with her at all. AJ enjoyed the way the three girls went to go fight off demons and warlocks in high heels and tight shirts, but it was a bit unrealistic and the episodes reminded him of a mushy love soap opera. “Hey mum. Feeling any better?” He asked, sitting on the small corner of the bed that wasn’t littered with tissues. “Not really.” She said, sniffling. “Well here. Maybe this will help. You always said, chocolate cures everything.” He said, handing her the mug filled with hot chocolate. “Sure, why not. Now listen, I want to talk to you about your party tonight young man.” She said, taking a sip. Baby Justin was already asleep in his crib, and his slow small breaths could be heard from his little corner of the room. “Yes mum?” He said, seeing her eyelids grow heavy. She yawned, but continued to sit up, making sure she didn’t fall asleep.

AJ resisted a smile. She wouldn’t be able to resist the potion for long. “I don’t want you getting into any trouble. Angel and Leo will be home around one, after the last of the customers leave the restaurant. I’ve arranged for Nick and Ty to come down and check on the party every so often. Nick has assured me he will let me know at the first sign of trouble. If I have to come down there, you’ll never host or attend any party ever again, do you understand?” She warned, her voice just as threatening despite her stuffy nose. “No worries. We won’t be any trouble.” He said with a reassuring smile. She gave him a suspicious glare. “I’ve got my eyes on you, kid.” She said, glaring at AJ. She rolled her eyes and AJ took that as permission to leave.

As soon as he was out of his mother’s eyesight, he walked into his brother and step brother’s room. “Evening. Listen, I’ll give you ten galleons each to stay upstairs tonight. But don’t think I won’t take the money back if anyone finds out I’ve been bribing you two.” AJ could tell Ty was about to agree, but Nick spoke up. “And when will we be receiving this money?” He asked as he raised his eyebrow. “I’ll give you each two galleons each hour you don’t come downstairs. Here’s two each for now.” He said, tossing them each two fake galleons from his pocket. They wouldn’t know the difference yet. “Do we have a deal?” The two nodded and AJ walked downstairs with a smile on his face. Someone was already there, and it was the exact person AJ had been wishing to see.

“Well look who it is…” He said with a smile, walking up to Rachel. “Happy New Year, beautiful. Are you ready for the party of the millennium?”

[Rachel Cohen R6]

She was sitting in the kitchen trying to wrap the present she had gotten AJ. Rachel had never been good at wrapping, shopping for the present was always the easiest for her. She was having an especially difficult time wrapping this gift though. She had found it at an old record shop, when she saw it she knew it was the perfect gift for AJ. Her mother had volunteered to wrap it, but Rachel wanted to do it herself, or at least try. This was her third attempt and it wasn’t working as well as she hoped. She sighed finally giving up on the silver wrapping paper and tape; she called for her mom who was in the living room reading a book. Her mother walked in lazily she glanced briefly at the mess on the counter and sighed. She took out her wand and said a few words and the gift was wrapped perfectly, the silver sparkled with the light and every curve was shown, no mistakes. “Thank you mum.” Rachel said excited and a bit guilty. That was one less thing she now had to do. Getting ready for this party had been on her mind all day. She wanted to get there a little early knowing that would probably the only time it would be just them, she could imagine how many people he would invite. She wanted to be alone with him to give him his present, to see his reaction. She glanced at the clock and decided she could change and start getting ready to leave.

Her and her mother where looking at the different outfits that Rachel laid out on the bed. Her mother though it was amusing, but she loved helping her daughter. They had argued for more than over an hour on if she should wear jeans, or a skirt, finally settling on a white skirt. The only things left to do were to choose the top and do her hair and she would be finished at last. “Go with the yellow stripe cami, and the white shirt that goes over it, and then layer that with that dark blue baby doll sweater I bought you.” Her mother was saying and pointing to her choices. “But they won’t go with the skirt mom.” Rachel said in response. “Exactly, wear it with your dark jeans and yellow flats.” Her mother said with a smirk that looked a lot like her daughter’s, she had won the argument at last. Rachel grumbled but agreed with her mother. She shooed her out so she could change and do her hair, and makeup. Another half hour and she was ready to go for real this time. The outfit looked good just like her mother predicted, she had straightened her hair, and her makeup was a minimum but brought out her eyes. She bounced down the stairs where her mother was waiting for her gift in hand. “Ready to go?” She asked and Rachel shook her head yes. Lately her mother had been trying the muggle way at things. She wanted to see how long she could go without having everything simple for her. “Well take the car.” Katherine said excitedly. She was acting like a teenager who had just gotten her license. “Woo.” Rachel whispered sarcastically under her breath.

The parked in front of the Murphy-Sheridan home, Katherine killed the engine. “Let me just go inside and say hi to Emily.” She was saying giving her daughter the puppy dog look. “Mom.” Rachel said firmly. She couldn’t believe they where doing this just now. “Please …?” Her mother tried again. Rachel climbed out of the vehicle, “Goodbye mom, I’ll be home before dawn.” She said and closed the door. Her mother sat there parked for a moment, but reluctantly drove away. Rachel wasn’t worried. Emily and Katherine where probably going to be on the phone all night talking about their children. They did that every night anyway. They knew too much. She watched her mother drive off out of sight and she walked up to the front door letting herself in. It was one of the benefits of having Emily as her mother’s best friend. She was always welcomed.

She didn’t even have to wait long. Within minutes her boyfriend walked downstairs, and was heading her way, she felt the funny feeling in her stomach she always got when she saw him. “Well look who it is…” he said and she had to laugh. Happy New Year, beautiful. Are you ready for the party of the millennium?” He asked her and she smiled at him again. “Of course. Happy New year, and ….” She said taking the package from behind her back. “Happy birthday.” She said giving it to him, eager to see his reaction.

[AJ Murphy G6]

AJ smiled as Rachel approached him. She looked absolutely beautiful in her dark jeans and cute shirt. But, she was hiding something. He wondered what was behind her back, but didn’t want to make it too obvious. He merely glanced down at where her hands were and then looked back to her with a flashy white smile. She wished him a happy New Year, and he was surprised she remembered tomorrow was his birthday. Most of his girlfriends never used to remember anything, other than to check their hair of course. Dating Rachel was somewhat of a new experience for AJ. He had dated many girls before, (it was almost impossible to track how many of the girls in Hogwarts were in fact AJ’s ex-girlfriends) but Rachel was so much different. He was reminded constantly of that every day. She was smart, not some ditzy blonde who only achieved good grades because she flirted with the professor. She was caring and thoughtful, instead of those girls who just wanted to shop and dig holes through AJ’s already small pockets. Yeah, that Rachel Cohen was different after all.

He smiled at her. She removed the package from behind her back and AJ gave her a ‘you really didn’t need to do this for me’ look. She really didn’t. It was AJ’s job as a man to care for his girl, and that meant getting her what she needed. She didn’t need to get anything for him. But AJ had some tricks up his sleeve as well. He’d gladly accept this present from Rachel, but he had a little surprise for her waiting right underneath the couch.

AJ had been up in the attic taking out the giant boxes of holly and tinsel for Christmas when he found it. He wanted to give it to her for Christmas, but he didn’t get a chance to come see her during the holiday. His mother insisted he stay home and eat with the family. She normally would have let him go, but after hearing about the big shooting that killed that Jacobs kid, Emily had become a bit weary as to where her son was going every night. He rolled his eyes every time his mother asked him where he was going and to be safe. AJ snapped out of his small mental tangent. He took the beautifully wrapped gift from her hands and opened it slowly. His eyes sparkled with joy as he stared wide eyed at the old Led Zeppelin CD. This edition of the CD was very hard to come by. AJ wondered how she had gotten hold of it. He smiled and gave her a soft kiss. “This is great, thanks a lot.” He said, putting the Zeppelin CD into his giant stereo(another gift from his dad before his admission into rehab) and cranking up the volume just loud enough so it could be heard, but it wasn’t overpowering. “Now for your present.” He said with a smile. He grabbed the large package wrapped in shiny red paper and handed it to her. It was a bit heavy, but she was sure she could handle the weight.

His present was one that he knew would mean more to Rachel than anything else in the world. It was better than an expensive bottle of perfume or a diamond necklace. AJ looked at Rachel with a smile as she took the package from AJ’s hands. He could still remember watching his mother wrap that thing. It was a large beaded blue scrapbook filled with pictures of AJ’s mother, Rachel’s mother, and Rachel’s deceased father. He knew she didn’t know much about him, so he figured this little Hogwarts scrapbook would help her get to know the kind of guy her father was by looking at his pictures. That scrapbook held pictures of Emily and Kathy since their first year. Rachel’s dad didn’t come in too much until the end of the album, but there were many pictures of him cuddling with Kathy under beach trees, in the lake, at Hogsmeade, and plenty of other places. He was sure she would love it. AJ watched as Rachel tore the package open.

[Rachel Cohen R6]

When she had walked out of the shop with her purchase she knew she had made the right choice. It had been a gut feeling, and now seeing his face she was glad she had gotten it. If it wasn’t the smile or the look in his eyes it was the kiss that followed. She was happy she hadn’t bought something else. “I take it you like it.” She told him teasingly. All day she had been preparing herself for this. She thought it was for the party, or just to see AJ, but now she knew she was wrong. What she had been anticipating all day was being this happy. And it was him that was making her this happy. A few weeks ago that would have bothered her, not being happy, but that a guy actually had control over her emotions rather than her. But instead she was enjoying this, really enjoying this. AJ was different from the guys she normally dated. This was a good thing. She was letting herself just relax; she was letting herself be vulnerable and open. She was sure her mother, and his would be pleased.

Music began to play setting the party mood, reminding her what she was there for. He turned back to her, “Now for your present.” He told her with a smile and she had to gasp. Now this wasn’t fair. It was his birthday after all. He wasn’t supposed to get her anything, it threw off the balance. Normally the way it worked was the birthday person received a gift and they said thank you in return, not give the giver a present. He handed her the present wrapped in red wrapping paper. She held it without opening it at first. “That’s not how it works.” She told him with a smile. “It’s your birthday and I’m supposed to give you a present and you’re supposed to accept it and thank me in other ways. Not like this.” She said trying to shake the package but it was rather heavy making her wonder what was inside. She knew it would take a few minutes until her curiosity got the better of her and she wouldn’t be able to control herself. She would ignore her better judgment and just open it. She was naturally a curious person, this temptation was not good.

It was like clockwork, the curiosity washed over her and she began to unwrap it. But slowly so she could have a bit of control, she didn’t want to be too eager. Finally unwrapped she realized it was a scrapbook. She had no idea what it could be. She opened to the first page and there was her mother. She looked like she was a first year. To be honest she looked a lot her daughter when she was that age. Next to that picture was her mother again with … with AJ’s mom, it toke a second but she recognized Emily. The looked so happy. She flipped to a random page. They looked older but still together. The looked better as they got older as well. Rachel smiled at that. So she was only going to look better from year to year now that was something to look forward too. She turned to yet another page, this time further back in the book. More pictures of Emily and Katherine, but there was someone else too. It was a guy who looked their age, he was smiling too. In another picture he was kissing Katherine’s cheek. Rachel smile even bigger. Her mother never told her she had a boyfriend before Noalan, and then it crashed down on her. It was Noalan.

Her vision got blurred as tears filled her eyes. She was feeling an emotion that was new to her and she didn’t even know how to express it. She knew no way to describe it. She was sad, and happy, and relieved all at the same time. She traced his face with her finger slowly. He looked so happy, so young. She flipped a little bit further, more pictures of Katherine and Noalan, there was even a wedding picture. Her mother looked amazing. “God, AJ, it’s … indescribable.” She managed to say. Her voice was soft and low, she was so over come by this she had to sit down. She toke a few deep breaths and looked up. “Thank you, this means a lot to me.” She told him. She got up and gave him a kiss. Pulling away to thank him yet again. How did he know to exactly what to do, what to say, she was good at the dating game too, but not that good.

[AJ Murphy G6]

It was so like Rachel to reject the gift at first. She had set rules for everything, and AJ didn’t follow them at all. He would constantly hear “AJ, that’s not how it’s done” or “AJ, that’s not how it works.” AJ had the same basic answer every time. He would smile teasingly and tell her “But Rachel, that’s how I do things. Life is so much more fun when you’re not living by the book.” That was AJ’s motto. In his opinion, there was one big book of rules. The book was a pale blue, almost like the color of clouds. But this book was not as good as people thought it to be. The book told people how to live their life. What to do, what not to do, what was acceptable by other people and what wasn’t. The book stole all forms of creativity, and robbed mortals of the free will God promised them. But AJ didn’t hate this book, even for the things it did to people. AJ saw this great big rule book as guidelines. Things that are suggested but not required. That was how AJ saw most orders, rules, and any other form of structure. They were merely guidelines that were suggested to people to help make their lives easier. The words in that book were not law. No one had power enough to tell AJ the way he lived his life was wrong. He was sure he was going to continue living his life the way he did for the rest of his life. Let something as small as “The Suggestion Book” stop him.

“Oh Rachel, don’t you know me by now? I don’t follow rules.” He said, a mischievous glitter in his eyes. “And besides, I never gave you a Christmas gift, did I?” he said. He watched with amusement as Rachel’s curiosity got the best of her and she started to unwrap the gift. If curiosity killed the cat, then AJ feared for Rachel’s life. While Rachel tried to hide the fact that she was always extremely curious, AJ could always see it. In her eyes, in her voice, and even the way she acted. Rachel Cohen was a curious person, no matter how many times she tried to hide or deny that fact.

As Rachel unwrapped the gift, Rachel’s curiosity turned into excitement and joy. She flipped through the pages slowly; carefully; examining each page with care. She watched the little slideshows happily…but she had no idea what was waiting in the end of that big gray book. AJ remembered looking through the scrapbook himself. He sat there sitting on top of a box of Christmas lights, examining the yellowed pages of the scrapbook. He laughed each time he saw his mother kiss a different guy every year. It seemed AJ took after his mother. His father never came up once in that book, for they had met later, and their relationship was more private than these other ones. But the relationship between Katherine and Noalan was obvious on the pages of this book. He smiled and hugged Rachel tight as she thanked him for the gift. He accepted her passionate kiss and smiled at her. He wiped a tear tenderly off her face and looked her straight in the eye.

Wow, this girl was amazing. Rachel was the first girl in a long time that he had actually cared for. AJ brushed the thought from his mind. This relationship was supposed to be fun, just like all the other ones so far. Could he really be falling for Rachel? No, it couldn’t be. AJ heard a loud obnoxious knock coming from the front door. “You’d better put that in a safe place.” He said softly, his voice almost a whisper. Rachel and AJ were inches apart by now. “Those guys can be real party animals if you know what I mean.” He said as he started to hear noises and chatter outside the door. “Coming.” He yelled out, not moving or taking his dark brown eyes off Rachel’s large green ones. He walked over to the front door and opened it. Dozens of people erupted into the entrance hall (which was very small) like large schools of fish. “Party’s downstairs!” He said, pointing to the stairs that led down to the much larger basement. Once all the party-goers were all downstairs, AJ set off to find Rachel who had disappeared in the array of teenagers.

[Rachel Cohen R6]

In her opinion the gift was wonderful. She was happy to have something of her father with her. There wasn’t much at home. And what was left they had left in mother’s bedroom. His clothes had been moved from the closet to the one in the hall that the girls never used. They had kept his cologne, and his watches, and toy car collection. But almost everything else was thrown away. Softly another memory washed over her. This was a moment back in time she had almost forgotten. It involved two women and a little girl. The setting was her parent’s bedroom. The time two months after Noalan had died. The women were friends, had been friends forever. The little girl knew this as she sat on her mommy’s bed watching them put odds and ends into a box. She watched as some of her daddy’s shirts went into it. She vaguely remembered her mother really didn’t like those and always said something to him about it every time he had worn one of them. They then moved to the drawers taking out socks that had no twin. The whole time the little girl sat there her green eyes pricking with potential tears, but she fought them back. She was not going to cry. She wouldn’t allow herself. Mommy had said daddy wouldn’t want that. She didn’t want daddy to be angry. “He wasn't very photogenic was he Kathy?” Asked the other woman, her name was Emily. “You know he wasn’t, he hated to take pictures. Not a single one of him in the house.” Her mom said in response. Then Rachel was softly returned to the present. She generally liked to stay there, memories often hurt and she wasn’t always as strong as she was when she was five.

“Oh Rachel, don’t you know me by now? I don’t follow rules.” He had told her and she knew it was true. At least she should have known. He often didn’t follow the rules that she had established for herself a long time ago. She knew she was letting him break them, and she found herself wanting to. He surprised her often, and it was nice. Then again this was a dangerous thing; the rules were there for a reason. She didn’t want to get to close to someone. Always the heartbreaker, not the heartbreakee. The rules were established so this could be maintained. But with this guy she was getting careless, and if she didn’t stop herself she would get hurt. But did he have to be so great? He was making it hard for her to stick to any guidelines she had. She was ignoring the signs and slowly the rules were disappearing. She would remind herself daily and sometimes she stuck by them, then again some days she didn’t. He whipped a tear from her cheek and she saw yet again why the rules where getting harder to maintain, he seemed to care. And she knew she did too.

As always there was an interruption for them, except she had been expecting this one. After all this is why she had some early. “You’d better put that in a safe place. Those guys can be real party animals if you know what I mean.” He told her and she agreed, she had no clue where to put it though. “Coming.” He told the people at the door, but he hadn’t moved yet, and neither did she, who knew when it would be just the two of them again. “Allez, je serai voisin.” She told unaware she was speaking in French. It slipped out sometimes. Her mother used it at home a lot with foreign customers, Rachel picked it up. She watched as he walked towards the door letting the ready teenagers in. She watched as he directed them downstairs, but then started walking away. She would put away her present and rejoin him later. After all he would be playing host anyway. She was sure she would make a better appearance coming in a tab bit later. After everyone else had hellos.


She walked into the kitchen unaware at first. She smiled as she walked around. She played the scrapbook on the counter and then sat on the counter next to it. And looked around. She had been there a few days ago. When it all began. A smile crept onto her lips. What a day that had been. She absentmindly traced impossible patterns into the counter space as she sat there in a daze. She was pulled back into reality as the door was opened. She looked up wondering who it was.


{That means Go, I'll be near. Just in case ...}

[AJ Murphy G6]

AJ smiled and waved as his friends walked by him. They smiled and waved back, and the music was immediately cranked up to maximum volume. He looked around for Rachel, but didn’t see her anywhere. AJ pushed past a group of guys huddled in a corner. They all tried to grab AJ’s attention, but he ignored them and continued his search for Rachel. He hated to use the word girlfriend, because it just seemed so formal. He kept looking. Where was she? Suddenly, AJ was stopped in mid-search. He rolled his eyes at the mess that was unraveling in front of him. Chelsea Jenson, AJ’s most recent late summer romance. Chelsea was pretty, but she did tend to become a pain in the neck. Chelsea smiled drunkenly at AJ, and tried to hug him, but slipped. How could she be wasted already? The party only started ten minutes ago! AJ smirked. Chelsea always did have that talent. She always could get really messed up really fast.

“Welcome back to London, AJ! Happy New Year!” She said with a hiccup. She leaned in close to AJ’s ear. “And happy birthday too.” Her voice cracked and she giggled. AJ couldn’t help but laugh. Chelsea’s iron straight platinum blonde hair was brushed so it fell down to her waist. It was a little messy, but she still looked beautiful. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she pulled AJ by his t-shirt onto the couch. There was a group of guys sitting and talking on the couch, but they moved like royal subjects moved when they saw their king when they saw Chelsea drag AJ to sit next to her on the couch. The guys laughed and cheered. “AJ Murphy has done it again…it hasn’t even been ten minutes and he’s already nabbed someone” one guy said with a playful punch aimed at AJ.

Chelsea leaned in close to his face for a kiss, and AJ pulled away from Chelsea’s embrace. “Sorry Chels, I can’t do this.” The guys behind him stared at AJ in shock. “I’m with someone.” He said, still avoiding the term ‘girlfriend’. He walked upstairs, suddenly remembering what he was doing when he was interrupted. Maybe Rachel was upstairs. He looked around the entrance hall. Chelsea hobbled up the stairs as well, straggling behind him. “Oh, so you want to take me upstairs, do you? Remember last summer? Boy, that was fun.” She winked at AJ and started heading up the stairs. He pulled Chelsea down. “No, I’m not going up there, and neither are you. You’re going downstairs while I go look for the person I came here with.” He told her, pointing to the basement stairs. “You mean your girlfriend AJ? It’s okay to call her your girlfriend, for god’s sake. It used to bug me so much how you never used to call me your girlfriend.” Chelsea said in a challenging voice as her normal annoying personality peeked out from her drunken self. “Just go downstairs.” He said, the annoyance obvious in his voice.

He pushed the door open and entered the kitchen. Unfortunately, Chelsea was still following him. “So this is her, eh? She’s pretty, but I can’t say I expected anything less from you.” Chelsea said rudely, as if Rachel wasn’t even alive, much less in this room. It was almost like Chelsea was complimenting AJ’s furniture. He walked over to Rachel’s side. Chelsea could be vicious when she wanted to be, and AJ had a feeling a cat fight would be happening very soon. He hadn’t known Rachel to get angry too quickly, but AJ knew from experience that Chelsea could get even Mary Poppins angry. “So, how long have you two been dating? If you are dating that is. There was one summer when AJ and I were just friends with benefits. That was quite fun, wasn’t it AJ?” She said, daring AJ to speak. He knew what Chelsea was thinking. She was going to use AJ’s past to try and break AJ and Rachel up. “Oh yes, it was quite pleasant. If you like getting bitten by a venomous cobra.” He said, referring to the time when AJ and Chelsea were kissing and she almost bit his lip off. AJ still had a little scar on the side of his lip to prove it. He glanced at Rachel to try and see her reaction to all this. It had to be at least a bit overwhelming to see your boyfriend’s drunken ex-girlfriend pop up out of nowhere to ask you random questions. Chelsea went to Hogwarts as well, only she was a seventh year in Gryffindor. AJ wondered if they knew each other. He hoped not.

[Rachel Cohen R6]

Rachel didn’t know how long she had been sitting in the kitchen with the scrapbook in her lap just looking at pictures. It couldn’t have been that long. It didn’t feel like it had been long. The book was closed and her green eyes widened as AJ walked in, with a blonde girl following. She looked drunk. That was the first thing that crossed Rachel’s mind. But the girl couldn’t be drunk, not yet, the party had only started, or maybe it hadn’t. She started to worry she missed more of the party then she was aware of. She should have been down in the basement rather than kitchen looking at a scrapbook. “So this is her, eh? She’s pretty, but I can’t say I expected anything less from you.” The blonde was saying to AJ a bit rudely. They seemed to know each other pretty well. Rachel couldn’t help noticing that the girl sounded a bit bitter. But bitter about what, Rachel was a smart girl and it didn’t long for her to figure out this was one of his ex-girlfriends. She knew she would have to meet one of them eventually, just not this soon and not so unprepared. She didn’t even notice AJ walking over towards her until he was next to her. She smiled pleasantly; she dealt with things like this all the time. She could handle it. After all she was an experienced player in the dating game as well. “Picked up a stray?” She said turning to AJ her smile was still pleasant, but it was leaning towards becoming a smirk.

“So, how long have you two been dating? If you are dating that is. There was one summer when AJ and I were just friends with benefits. That was quite fun, wasn’t it AJ?” The drunken girl was saying as Rachel looked away from AJ. She was sure how to answer that exactly, or if the girl even wanted her to answer that either. She knew what should have been feeling at the moment. But jealousy was something she was unfamiliar and the green monster didn’t make an appearance this night either. Rachel was purely good at this part. There had been many guys, and she had been through enough to know she was the one with the guy now. It was no use crying about spilt milk. Whatever happened, happened, she couldn’t change it. “Not very long.” Rachel replied keeping it short. The girl looked older than her, maybe a year, but she was using tactics that were very immature. Rachel had seen it all. By now nothing fazed her. She was surprised that this was happening at all, and if the girl had any advantage it was the surprise. And it was a pleasant one. “If you like getting bitten by a venomous cobra.” AJ replied. So much love, Rachel thought to herself sarcastically. “So AJ, are you going to introduce me to your friend, or am I going to have to kept thinking of her is the dumb blonde who’s making a fool of herself?” Rachel asked him menacing glint in her eyes and a smirk on her lips.

She felt him looking at him, he was probably looking for her reaction to all this. That was sweet. She gave him a reassuring smile. She was a big girl she could handle this. It was in the girl’s handbook on how to take care of this. She wasn’t going to lie to herself that it wasn’t a bit annoying, but when was this thing not? All in all, Rachel felt bad for her. She knew it couldn’t be easy for the right now. It wasn’t pleasant to get dumped. But it was pathetic trying to make the new girlfriend feel uncomfortable, or embarrass the ex-boyfriend, or whatever it was she was trying to do. It was getting real old, real fast. Rachel looked over at AJ’s face wondering what he was thinking.

[[Oh my its so short, I had no inspiration.]]

[Noalan Bounds G7]

[[ I was asked to Join]]

Noalan Bounds was growing restless. Cody and his mom had gone out for a salsa lesson and they still weren’t back, leaving Nole as the babysitter once more. They often did this, and by now he was used to it. He didn’t know why he went over to his mom’s today anyway. He was supposed to be at his dad’s. But sometimes he missed her. Oddly he was very close to his mother. His dad taught him to be strong and how to face the world but his mom had taught him how to love life. How to embrace it and hold on. It had been a cold day in January that he was sitting in the same exact spot and his mom came in with a smile on her face. “Nole, I think I met him. The man I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with.” That day sucked. He had asked her why; he wanted answers why she wanted to complicate her life. She told him she wasn’t complicating it, she was fulfilling it. She was living life to it fullest. That she was made to be Bradley’s lover for as long as she was, she was made to be Noalan’s mother, and she was made to be Cody’s wife. That life was short and you should do everything you can. Even if that included getting married again. And got married was exactly was what she did. Vanessa didn’t think her life was full enough yet, that she could offer her love to someone else. That’s when she had her twin boys, Alex and Wesley. Life changed there and then for Noalan. He became responsible over night. Often looking out for them, and babysitting, just like today.

Noalan heard a crash and got up sighing. Five year olds where all over the place. He could probably guess what they broke this time. Probably one of his mother’s angel figurines. She had them all over the house, randomly placed so they made no sense. She also named them; each one she got received a name. His grandmother had given her one for her last birthday and she named it Noalan, he asked her why she would do something so silly. She told him because the angel looked like it accomplished something in its life time; it reminded her of her son. She often said sentimental things like that, it was often embarrassing, but that was her personality. She had grown close to the people in her life. She was very dependent on their love, and an angel from them became part of her life. He knew that if it was in fact one of her angels the boys would be dead. Or rather Noalan would be dead for not protecting them. He walk over to were to identical faces stood with there backs turned on what was sure to be the mess. “Guys … what happened?” Noalan asked them with a sly smile. The returned their brothers smile with a guilty smile of their own. “We broke mommy’s angel.” Wesley said bluntly, he was always straightforward. “We didn’t mean to.” Alex said looking sad. Nole only laughed when he saw it. Yes, it was an angel, one of her first. Her name was Maria; she was purchased after Vanessa’s sister had gotten pregnant. The angel was supposed to keep her and her baby safe. Noalan could imagine his mother when she would see it. She would take it as a sign that something bad happened to his cousin, whose name was oddly Maria. Luckily only a wing was broken, easily fixed. “I’ll fix this you guys, just run along and don’t say anything to mom. I think she’s almost here.” Nole replied letting them off the hook.

Two minutes later Vanessa walked in the room doing a funny little dance waving her arms around and calling things out in awful Spanish. “We’re back.” She said in her sing-song voice. She walked into the living room to see her three boys wrestling. She always felt like she had everything in the world when she saw them together. But knew her oldest child was needed elsewhere for the night, like at his father’s. “Noalan, do you have plans tonight?” She asked him as her husband toke her coat and hat. “Yeah, AJ’s having a party, I thought I’d go.” He told her as another twin begged to fight him. “Well go with your friends, you’ve been here all day with the boys, have some fun, live a little.” She told him pushing out of the house. “All right, all right.” He told her between laughter. “Be safe.” She called as an after thought as he lazily walked into the streets.

The walk to AJ’s was a familiar and not a very long on. He had been over several times. Yet every visit was similar, he could always depend on AJ for a laugh, and some fun. Today was going to be no exception. He made his way up the stairs and let him self in, no one would mind. He heard the music from the basement, and knew that was where the party would be. But he wasn’t ready to join them just yet. Emily probably had something baked, and where else would it be but the kitchen. Noalan pushed open to door to find more than cookies. He saw two familiar faces and one that was new. “Well hello everyone. Happy New year.” He said with a laugh. They seemed to be in the middle of something, the question was what. He looked over to his friend. AJ seemed unsure of what was going on as well. He was standing by the brunette girl Nole was unfamiliar with. Her expression was annoyed. How did she have anything to do with AJ was the other question. The blonde was someone familiar to Nole, very familiar. A girl from his house and year, in her natural form, drunk. “So … what was it interrupted so rudely a minute ago?” he asked walking towards Chelsea since it seemed off sides.

[AJ Murphy G6]

AJ smiled back at Rachel when she gave him a reassuring smile. AJ didn’t know why he doubted her for a second. Rachel knew what she was doing; she had surely been in this position before. It was obvious that Rachel had had her share of boyfriends and heartbreaks. She constantly said things like “that’s not how it’s done” or “you can’t do that”, as if the many other guys she’s dated followed all the rules. Oh, please. AJ was beyond following rules. He didn’t see the point. Why must he be governed by some unknown force? He didn’t even know who made up these do called ‘rules’, and yet he was supposed to follow them? Sorry, not happening. He looked back at Chelsea. God she looked exactly like she did last summer.

She hadn’t changed a bit. AJ couldn’t lie. She still was beautiful. Her long platinum blonde hair had grown a bit longer, but other than that she was still the same. Her eyes were a bit dilated now that she was wasted, but her bright electric blue eyes still sparkled with mischief. He remembered his summer with Chelsea. It had been a lot of fun for sure, but both of them knew it would never last. Well, AJ knew at least. Chelsea was nothing but surprised when AJ told her they would have to end their relationship. He was getting tired of whiny and braggy nature. She was too conceited for her own good. AJ was conceited too of course, but not Chelsea’s kind of conceited. She had some kind of state of mind that she had AJ in the palm of her hand, and he would never dare leave such greatness. AJ sighed. Chelsea winked at him and AJ just shook his head. “Someone really needs to get you a medic, Chels.” He said, rolling his eyes. He tried not to remember saying that same exact thing to her last summer. He had said it in a more playful tone. AJ’s voice now was a bit more bitter.

“Hmm…possibly. Now, Ruthe dear. I know you may not want to hear this from AJ’s ex-girlfriend,” Chelsea said, putting emphasis on the ‘ex-girlfriend’ part. AJ rolled his eyes. “It’s Rachel Chels, not Ruthe.” AJ corrected her. Here she goes again. “ Whatever. But I really think you need to hear this. AJ may be the man of your dreams now, but wait until he meets someone else. Once he sees some ditz who he thinks he’s hotter than you, he’ll drop you like a hot potato.” She said, her eyes narrowing. “Oh please Chelsea, go get some help.” He said rudely. And as if on cue, AJ heard the door swing open and closed. His eyes darted in the direction of the noise and he smirked when he saw who had entered. Noalan Bounds, AJ’s god friend from school. He hadn’t seen him around lately, but here he was, as if no time had passed. “Hey Nole, where’ve you been all year? I’ve barely seen you around.” He said; glad to have an excuse to ignore Chelsea’s presence. Nole walked into the kitchen and settled himself near Chelsea. “Nole, this is Rachel, a Ravenclaw fifth year. You obviously know Chelsea already.” He said, barely acknowledging her presence.

AJ laughed at Noalan’s comment. He was always short, sweet, and to the point. Noalan could tell he had interrupted something. He put his arm around Rachel. He didn’t want to flat-out say she was the person he was dating, because that would be too formal. He just wanted to silently let Noalan know who Rachel was to him. AJ hated all forms of formality. “Nothing big. We were just talking about last summer.” He said with a casual shrug. He glanced at the clock. Was it eleven already? Wow…only one more hour until the New Year. Only one more hour until the new millennium. The year 2000. It sounded so futuristic. AJ smirked at the thought, wondering where all the flying cars and ray guns were.

[Rachel Cohen R6]

There wasn’t much to do but sit back watch, and listen. She watched AJ and the girl continue to argue back in forth. As if they were children and she was their mother and they were both trying to tell her their side of the story. It was hard to pay attention when she plain out didn’t care. “Someone really needs to get you a medic, Chels.” AJ was saying and Rachel couldn’t help but agree. This was ridiculous. Not to mention annoying. This was not how she thought the evening would go. But things never went according to Rachel’s plans. God forbid if she was able to have one time when things ended right for her. She had the worst luck, and everyday that fact was proven over and over again to her, and to the world. She would wake up one morning thinking ‘gee I’ll spend the day sleeping and watching TV …’but no, some aunt just had to come and visit and ruin that for her. Then she would spend the day instead cleaning and then entertaining. But this was only one example of her luck. She had fifteen years under her belt of moments like those, and more, many more. One evening where she could have just hung out with AJ without distractions, and annoyances would have been great, it wouldn’t kill the person who determined these things.

The girl was speaking again; Rachel was trying to pay attention. She was saying something about advice from the ex, and calling Rachel the wrong name. Now she understood if you confused a hard name, but something like Rachel was fairly easy to remember. This girl wasn’t very bright, or maybe she was doing it on purpose. But before Rachel could correct the blonde herself AJ did. “Whatever. But I really think you need to hear this. AJ may be the man of your dreams now, but wait until he meets someone else. Once he sees some ditz who he thinks he’s hotter than you, he’ll drop you like a hot potato.” She was telling her, sounding like she really meant it, as if Rachel was stupid and hadn’t know this already, as if she was new to the whole thing. What the girl didn’t know was there was no such thing as the man of anyone’s dream, and AJ wasn’t her’s. She knew there would a possibility he would meet someone else. There was a possibility she could meet someone else as well. Over the all; the girl sounded like she was talking from experience, and that must have hurt. That didn’t sound like a pleasant thing to go through. “I’m sorry if that happened to you …” Rachel began, “But I’m not like many girls, the normal things don’t happen to me.” She told her. Rachel didn’t want to start anything, or encourage anything, but the girl was making it difficult, perhaps the evening would be better if the blonde left.

She was going to tell AJ that perhaps they should indeed get the girl some help. Like send her home with a friend, she was pretty wasted, but the door swung open once more letting another interrupter in. This time it was a guy. He seemed a bit older than AJ, but looked just as good. His dirty blonde hair was on the longish side and it almost covered his green eyes completely. He was smiling, and then stopped as if he knew exactly what he had walked into. He looked like he wanted more than anything to just walk out that door. Rachel didn’t blame him. “Hey Nole, where’ve you been all year? I’ve barely seen you around.” AJ was saying. So the stranger had a name, actually she knew that everyone had a name, but sometimes she ignored that fact choosing to call everyone a nameless stranger until she did was introduced. AJ seemed to know him pretty well. “Nole, this is Rachel, a Ravenclaw fifth year. You obviously know Chelsea already.” AJ continued introducing her, and mentioning Chelsea as if she was just nothing. She almost felt bad for her. Rachel smiled at the new arrival. “Hello … Nole?” She told him.

AJ’s arm found itself around her again. She shivered slightly like she always did. She still couldn’t believe he still had that power over her. He probably wasn’t even aware. So there the four stood with the clock ticking in the background. It was awkward and silent for the first time. She couldn’t resist the urge to look at the clock. Eleven o’clock already. The year had gone by so fast. “Well it’s almost the new year, and the new millennium, are we really going to spend the last hour like this?” She asked the group, feeling a bit sorry for the new guy since he didn’t know everything. “This is your party, you should be enjoying it.” She whispered to AJ, smiling the whole time. After all it was time to have fun; she didn’t feel like spending her time in this situation.

[AJ Murphy G6]

Everyone seemed to notice the time. It was almost eleven forty now, and it would be the new millennium in about twenty minutes. AJ wanted to celebrate the New Year, not stand here in the kitchen in an awkward conversation with his ex-girlfriend, his current girlfriend, and his best friend. AJ sighed. AJ could not have been happier when Rachel suggested they go downstairs to the party. “You’re right. Let’s hear it to the new millennium!” AJ said, as he led the group downstairs to the basement.

It was not lavishly decorated, but it was ready for a party. A large banner hung on a plain wall on the far left of the room that read “The Party of the Millennium 2000!” The furniture had been pushed up against the walls to make space for people to dance. It seemed that everywhere he went; people were kissing so passionately that most decent people would tell those couples to get a room. But AJ definitely wasn’t most decent people. He was completely unfazed by the sight of people kissing in public, for there had been many times when he was the one on the couch, trying to ignore the nosy people staring at him and the person he was kissing. AJ had been to many parties in the past, and by now the events that consisted of a wild house party were normal to him. He led Rachel to the dance floor. He smiled down at her.

“Now this is more like it.” AJ said as he wrapped his arms around Rachel’s. Suddenly, a small squeaky voice could barely be heard over the loud music that was already blaring from the stereo. “We need to talk, AJ.” Said Nick Sheridan, glaring. Ty stood next to Nick, who didn’t look like he really wanted to be there. AJ rolled his eyes. “Hold that thought…” AJ said to Rachel as she leaned in to kiss him. AJ bent down so he was at eye level with the tiny boys, who looked like mice compared to all the wild teenagers around them. “Guys! Can’t you see I’m a bit busy?” He said, returning Nick’s glare. He gave Ty a look that clearly said ‘why did you let him come down here?’. He didn’t wait for an answer. “Besides I think this party is just a bit out of your league.” He said, leading Ty and Nick out the door. He had completely forgotten about the deal he had made with his brothers earlier that night. He walked back to Rachel, high fiving and greeting almost everyone of his guests on the way. He smiled as he reached Rachel again. “So you were saying?” He said with a mischievous smile.

He didn’t know how long he had been there with Rachel, but he knew right from the moment her lips touched his that he didn’t want this night to end. He glanced at the small old looking clock on the wall. It read eleven fifty eight. AJ stood on a table and cupped his hands around his mouth for increased volume. “Two minutes ‘til midnight people!” AJ yelled at the crowd. People cheered, and from there the countdown began. He got down from the table, but stood next to Rachel. The couple looked like they were entwined together. “It’s almost time…” He whispered into her ear. Before long, there was only about thirty seconds left until midnight. Twenty seconds…ten seconds….AJ heard the echo of the large crowd of teenagers chanting the numbers along with him. He passed out drinks to everyone. “TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX! FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE……HAPPY NEW YEAR!” AJ smiled brightly as he and Rachel drank to a new year. “Happy New Year, Rachel.” He said, leaning in to kiss her. Suddenly, he heard the door burst open. “ANDREW JAMES MURPHY!” AJ swallowed hard as he heard his mother’s voice echoing throughout the room. She stormed downstairs, still looking a bit groggy and sick. “I WANT EVERYONE OUT OF THIS HOUSE IN TEN SECONDS, OR YOU’LL ALL HAVE TO PAY!” Emily screamed in a stuffy but furious voice. She looked a bit odd in her pink fluffy bathrobe, but she still sent many people running as if they were running for their lives. “Rachel, I think you’d better go. This can’t end well.” AJ grimaced as Rachel left without another word. Now that he was alone, his mother wouldn’t hold back on her real rage.

((God-moding of Rachel was allowed of course, and sorry for the wait. )