Helloes :D Kays it's like Sept break now so I'll try and post as much random stuff as I can get. Few of them are like done by my friends and I [let's credit AMELIE here]. So yeah. Can't give much of a summary 'cos I suck at stuff like that and anyway this is from last year so I don't know what I was writing...

Chapter Three.

I giggled as Nat slipped a whoopee cushion under the cushion Kurt had been sitting on as soon as he disappeared into our kitchen to get drinks for the three of us.

It was six in the afternoon, my party was presently on going and my parents were locked in their room counting what they had earned from the jumble sale.

We were in the living room, which was now devastatingly empty, on mats and pillows and blankets. We'd just watched 2012 and some were discussing it, smirking and laughing or arguing. The TV was switched on to a re-run of some Friends episode and peals of laughter occasionally burst from the people watching and the screen. Will and Melanie were strumming on their guitars and getting people to sing. The rest of us were snacking, gossiping or lying on our backs and gazing up through the stained glass sunroof.

Kurt returned with three Cokes and sat down. A "noise" emitted from below him and everyone started laughing. He turned red and glared accusingly at Nat, who smiled innocently and shrugged, which just caused a fresh round of laughter. Kurt shrugged, the universal sign for "You're forgiven."

Nat and I lay back on the cushions and started talking. "I'm going to miss you so much. I got you a present. You mind if I give it to you later? Hey, did you like that book that we gave you? Sorry about that message." She paused and turned to Stephen, who was next to us. "I saw what you wrote!" she called. I propped myself up on my elbows and turned to look at him. He was blushing. Nat smirked and turned back to me. "I really hope you keep in touch."

I raised an eyebrow. "Of course I'll keep in touch. Hello, I'm your best friend."

"Oh yeah," she said sarcastically. Then she looked serious. "But really, I think we shouldn't do the long-distance thing. Make friends there. And I think you should get a career in acting. Or singing or modeling. You know, Hollywood. It'd be cool."

"Are you kidding me? What makes you think I've got the talent?"

Nat shrugged. "Anyway, haven't you read anything? You're the one going to LA. There's no one in Los Angeles who isn't obsessed with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood."

I laughed. "Maybe. I'll go sign a contract with EMM, then." We both burst into peals of laughter.

After dinner, we watched another few movies (Legally Blonde, CSI, Wild Child, Saving Private Ryan). We had nothing to do (everything was gone!), so I suggested heading down to Sparks, this super hot disco just down the street. Everyone readily agreed. It's new, but it got a lot of press because every celebrity who comes to town just has to visit. That probably explains why I got such an enthusiastic response.

We grabbed our jackets and got ready to head out. Then Taylor exclaimed, "We're not in party wear!" And that got the girls started. I sighed.

"People!" Nat hollered above the noise. "Chill." Everyone shut up. "Did everyone bring money? It's the school holidays, I bet you got allowance."

There was a murmur of assent.

"Okay…" she said thoughtfully. "You know there's a party wear shop right next to Sparks?" We all nodded. "Why don't we buy clothes there? If you're already wearing a dress, don't bother. I suspect that the guys don't really care what they wear, so they can head over first with those who don't need new clothes. Everyone okay with that?"

We all nodded. Affirmative. I probably haven't said, but our friends are all rich kids. We come from the same circles, where our parents belong the most exclusive country clubs and shop for high-end fashion. I don't think I know anyone with a yearly income of less than a few million.

Nat herself was wearing a really cute black and turquoise dress she'd bought from a store called Joop in Singapore the last time she went there to visit her relatives. Taylor, Jess, Tina, Mackenzie, Laney, Laila and I were wearing dresses too, so we went to Sparks with the guys first, telling Mom and Dad before locking the door behind us.

We walked down quickly, since it was a pretty cold night. When we got there in two minutes flat and scrambled for the door, it wasn't cold anymore. The disco was packed. Not surprising, actually, considering Christmas was very near. We all headed out onto the dance floor just as All The Right Moves started playing. Nat's favourite song. We were all doing the simplest dance that ever existed. Hopping on the spot and waving our arms in the air. Then it was a Christmas song. Santa Baby by The Pussycat Dolls, I believe. We were all singing along and jumping about like crazed kangaroos.

Later, Nat, Jaime and I were standing at the bar, talking (and not drinking). Nat was telling us a crazy story about how she found out from one of her friends that some guy in her second grade class used to have a crush on her. Jaime was assessing the guys on their dance moves and we were laughing along, when Trevor slipped his arms around Nat's waist from behind and swung her around. She screamed with laughter. I looked over at Jake, trying to send over those come-here-now-and-do-that vibes. Not working.

By midnight, we were tired out — no, make that bushed — and retreated back to my house. A few of Tom's friends were half drunk and slopping all over the place, so we just locked them out. Everyone changed back into their original outfits and sat down again in the living room. Tom switched on the luckily-still-there surround sound system and started a movie. I barely noticed what movie it was. I was kind of too busy looking in Jake's direction. Him and Andrew Scott were talking and eating chips. Nat noticed and nudged me with her elbow, laughing silently. She was sitting with Alec's arm wrapped around her waist, staring at the screen. I glanced up. Oh, it was Skeleton Key. No wonder the lights were off.

Then she leant over and whispered, "Go talk to him." I shook my head indignantly. "Oh well," she fake-sighed, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. "I guess you aren't brave enough…"

I glared at her. "All right," I said as softly as I could. "Fine. I'll do it." She grinned triumphantly and turned back to the movie, leaning against Alec's chest and drawing his arms around her. Wow. I think she wasn't lying when she said she doesn't like-like anyone. She's "hooked up" with like twenty different guys in just three days. But she always was a flirt. I guess it comes of being on top of every guy's "wanted" list.

I got up and picked my way across the people sleeping on the floor. Approaching Andrew and Jake, I sat down next to them. Andrew turned to me, Jake looked down. "I need to talk to Jake," I told Andrew. "Alone."

He shrugged, punched Jake's arm and went to sit with Nat and Alec. Nat looked, from my angle, like she had fallen asleep, huddled with Alec. Andrew sat down at my previous spot and spoke to Alec, who nodded. They moved her around until her head was on Alec's lap and her body on Andrew's. Her hair was spread out and she looked extremely angelic, amazingly.

I turned back to Jake. He too was watching them. I looked again. Andrew's arm was resting on Nat's thigh. "Ew," I muttered.

He laughed softly. "I know what you mean."

"Those guys are sick," I said, hoping to start a conversation.

"Aren't we all?"

"You aren't."

He looked at me. "You don't seriously think so. You've got to be kidding. Aw man, I am so insulted!" I looked back at him and he quickly backtracked. "I was kidding."

"Well." I guess I succeeded in starting one.

"Serious. Uh, thanks, I guess," he muttered, looking back down at his foot.

"Um. This is not a dare. I like you," I said quickly and looked away.

He turned me to face him. My cheeks felt like they were burning. I think they actually were. "You're joking?" he looked shell-shocked.

I shook my head. He still looked shocked.

"Um…" Now he sounded unsure.

"It's okay, Jake, I just wanted to let you know before I leave for the States." Right. I wanted to die right now. He nodded and gulped, turning red himself. "I'll just… Go, I guess." He nodded again.

I went to the kitchen calmly then slammed my head on the wall. Then the door opened and Nat walked in, looking sleepy. "You okay?" she asked.

I groaned in reply. "What about you?"

She shrugged. "Kinda tired. I think I fell asleep. Then I heard you slam the door and woke up to come find you."

I grinned. "You did fall asleep. Wrapped in Alec's arms." She made a face.

I felt a lot better now.

"So how did it go? With Jake, I mean?"

Great. So not better.

I shrugged. "Not too well. I'm not entirely sure what's going on."

"Hmm," she said. "Want me to go ask him?"

"NO!"

"Please?"

I shrugged. I was dead anyway. "Sure. Whatev."

"Thank you!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down, suddenly wide-awake. She bounded out of the kitchen. I groaned and slumped onto the counter.

I grabbed another Coke, having left mine in the living room and wishing to avoid that area, and sat down. Three torturous minutes later, Nat bounced back into the kitchen, hazel eyes sparkling. "You'll never guess."

Question marks popped up above my head.

"He's partial." I looked blank, I suppose. "Oh fine, that was crap. I just like that word. Don't have a clue what it means." I glared at her. "He likes you," she grinned. "A lot."

"Serious?" Oh my gosh. Wow. She nodded, beaming. "What did you ask him?"

She shrugged. "Oh, I just gave him some gossip. What some of the guys and I have been up to, that sort of stuff." I laughed. Those stories were entertaining. "So why don't you go talk to him? Like, you're never going to see him again. Ever."

I gulped. There was no way I was going out to talk to Jake.

"Oh yes you are," she said firmly, reading my mind again, and pushed me out of the room before I could react. At the door, it flew open and I crashed headlong into… Jake. Trevor was right behind him, one hand on Jake's shoulder. Trevor shot a smile at Nat and he pulled her out of the room, one hand slipping around her perfect waist. I noticed that as I was pointedly trying to avoid looking at Jake. (Tom walked in and muttered, horrified, "Get a room!")

"Ally," he said. I really didn't hear him. "Ally!"

I looked up. "Sorry."

"Look. Uh, I know what, uh, you mean. I, uh, well…" he trailed off. We blushed in unison. Awkward silence took over.

The clock struck two and I heard James yell, "Hey Allen! Your Dad's here!"

Jake looked torn. "Coming!" he hollered. Then he looked at me. "I guess I've got to go," he said. I shrugged. He leant forward, and I could feel his warm breath. James shouted again, but I couldn't hear a thing. Jake was so close, I could actually feel his body emitting heat. He pressed his lips against mine for a split second. Then he ran off.

•••

"Ally!" Mom shouted from downstairs. "You ready yet?"

"Hold on! I'm still wearing my dress!" I yelled back.

Technically, I wasn't. It was Tuesday, about a week after my party — and the kiss — and we were getting ready for the Christmas ball. I was sitting on the bed staring at the ceiling thinking about the kiss.

Reluctantly I got up, tugged on the dress and grabbed my scarf. On the way down, I knocked on Jessica's door and said bye. She yelled "au revoir" back scornfully.

I jumped into the car next to Tom, who looked extremely uncomfortable in his rented tuxedo.

We spent the entire dinner just sitting at the table. I was accessing peoples' outfits; Tom IMing on his mobile. We danced once, being the only kids there. I spent most of my time IMing Nat on my phone (talking about last night!) and rating the guests' dress sense. They scored pretty well on average, actually. We got home at eleven and found Jess asleep. Or pretending to be.

We spent Wednesday sleeping, eating and finishing packing. Thursday morning, we left for the airport.

The plane flight was long. We stopped once in Japan, where we got out for half an hour to visit the toilet and eat. I watched six films, perfected four games and read through my book, an old and tattered Harry Potter, three times. I can't sleep on planes.

We landed in LAX. Finally. I'd love to recount the entire plane journey, but that would mainly involve telling you the plots of six movies you've probably already watched. Oh, and how bad the food was. I miss MacDonald's.

When we finally got out of the airport, I was groggy and tired. It was mid-afternoon and amazingly windy but warm. Nice weather to sleep. I yawned and dragged my Louis Vuitton luggage; something my mom had gotten me ages ago. My eyes suddenly flew open as I crashed into someone and my luggage nearly ran over me.

There was a boy in front of me, apologizing hurriedly. Sandy-coloured hair flopped in front of his green eyes, which were wide with shock. Wow. Cute guy alert. I put up a hand. "It's okay."

We were almost nose-to-nose, so I stepped back a little. Blue faded jeans, black sweater. Nice. He too was looking me over. Then he held his hand out. "Jesse Stevens."

I shook it. "Alexandra Swift." Alexandra was so much more mature than Ally.

"I'm off for a casting. I just came from England. This producer saw me at a CD store and auditioned me for some show. I got the part, but I had to fly over to film," he said.

Lucky guy. "Cool," I replied kind of bitterly. "Hey, I guess I'd better go then." Then I got an idea. "I'll see you soon then?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I'm going to do some acting. Musicals, mostly," I lied.

"Oh… Well, great then. I guess I'll be seeing you." He smiled and waved, walking off.

I stared at his retreating figure and was jerked back down again as my luggage crashed into me once more. I turned around and Jess was smiling at me. "Smitten?" she grinned. I swatted at her. Tom patted my head patronizingly. We walked out. Jess hopped along behind us, hurrying to keep up, squealing, "Mom and Dad have found a bus. Finally. We get the car… and then we're going to see the house!" I think Jess has got a split personality. At times she's the spitting image of Natasha or Taylor — calm, cool, collected and extremely sarcastic, and sometimes she's this hyperactive little sister.

Tom and I looked at each other and sighed.

We got into the shuttle bus and sat down in the empty, unreasonably air-conditioned vehicle. The moment we left the airport, it started raining. "Ooh, that's weird," my mom commented, still high from being back in America. "I don't ever remember it raining. Maybe it did. It was a long time ago."

I pulled off my shawl and sat with my legs crossed ("Ally, you're in public!" hissed Mom), staring out the window. Tom's head was bopping up and down, listening to music on the iPod he'd bought himself yesterday. Jess was reading Secrets of My Hollywood Life. We reached the car shop, collected the car (a BMW, but that's all I can tell you, I'm no car geek) and headed off.

I opened the window and stuck my head out. We were going so fast; I couldn't even open my eyes with the wind. This was California. Surfing, beautiful people and wonderful food. The scene I remembered from 2012. Hey, but I'd better not think about the end of the world.

"Hey! It's the beach!" Jess shouted. She had her head stuck out of the other window. Tom was trapped in the middle, looking gloomy. "Mom! Can we stop for a while?"

So, inevitably, thankfully, we stopped at McDonald's. Mom ordered and Tom helped her with the money. I followed Jess outside. It was freezing, and Dad ordered us back in to put on our coats.

Outside was a kids' playground, and the seats were empty, except for a group of teenagers. Fine, not teenagers. About my age, give or take a few years. Six boys and four girls were munching on burgers and laughing. A blonde boy had his arm slung around a pretty brunette's shoulders, another was demonstrating the art of stuffing two burgers into your mouth and choking. Two of the girls were looking at a magazine on the table (Teen Vogue — I sneaked a peek) and the boy across from them was telling jokes.

I ignored them (or tried to, one guy was really cute and I have this weird magnetism to cute guys) and sat down. Jess came out with a tray of burgers and drinks and I heard a few wolf-whistles come from the table. I sighed inwardly. She turned and grinned at them, before sitting down with me, a self-satisfied smirk on her lips.

"So, Ally, how are you enjoying California?"

I shrugged and pulled my jacket in tighter. It was freezing. Probably because it was December.

"Dear sister, don't worry, you'll get your boyfriend someday. Maybe if it's really fated Jake Allen will move over too." My eyes widened. "Maybe."