Authors' note: This chapter is a little shorter than usual, but something big happens here too. We hope that you will enjoy the chapter. This is Brittany/Ashley/Zander's New Year's Eve.
Ashley had never been so excited for a party. Her mother had dropped her off at Brittany's, promising to pick her up around noon the next day.
Brittany's parents were having a small gathering with their friends so Brittany, Ashley, and Zander were going to spend their evening in the basement. Ashley was grinning from ear to ear when her friend showed her what she'd done.
"I figured you and I could sleep on the pullout sofa," Brittany told her. "And Zander's got his sleeping bag for the floor."
"This is great," Ashley said enthusiastically. "I was so excited all day."
"Me too," Brittany said with a grin. "Mum's already ordered the pizzas for us."
"Yum," Ashley set her bag down. "Where's Zander?"
"He should be back soon," Ashley said. "He went with my Dad and Uncle Heath to pick up some last minute things for the adults' party."
"Cool," Ashley nodded.
"So, tell me," Brittany said once Ashley had set her bags down. "You didn't kill Katie over the holidays, right?"
Ashley laughed. "I sort of avoided her."
"I think she's a cool kid," Brittany said. "But then again she's not my sister..."
"She's just like you," Ashley teased.
"No wonder I like her so much," Brittany said with a grin.
Ashley shook her head and laughed. "What else are we going to do tonight?"
"We have loads of movies," Brittany said. "And you brought over those games, right?"
"Yes," Ashley said. "I had to sneak them out of Katie's side of the basement."
"This is going to be so much fun!" Brittany said enthusiastically.
Ashley giggled. "We should scare Zander and tell him we're doing makeovers tonight."
Brittany grinned. "I like the way you think! I still wish he'd let me give him some highlights..."
Ashley shook her head. "That'll never, ever happen."
"Nope," Brittany said. "But, I do have some new nail polish. You have to let me paint your nails."
"Okay," Ashley agreed.
Upstairs, Zander was helping his father and uncle unload the car. "Go on, son," Zander's father told him. "Your friend's probably already here."
Zander turned a bit red. "Yeah..."
"Everything okay?" Heath asked him.
"Fine," Zander stumbled over a crack in the pavement. "I um... I'll just go downstairs now..."
"Good luck, son," Heath called after him.
Zander let himself into the basement. "Ash? Brit?"
"You're just in time," Brittany said grinning at him. She was painting Ashley's toenails.
"For what?" Zander wrinkled his nose. "That stuff smells!"
"Hi, Zander," Ashley waved at him.
He grinned at her. "Glad you're here, Ash."
"Me too," Ashley said. "I've been looking forward to this."
Zander kicked off his shoes and sat down on the sofa. "Me too."
"Having your nails painted?" Brittany asked. "Good, you're next."
Zander shook his head. "No way, Brit. I meant that I was looking forward to seeing Ash. I mean---the party."
"Uh huh," Brittany said with a grin.
"So tell me what you got for Christmas," Ashley said to him.
"A new Playstation," Zander said. "And more games. And my parents got me a new keyboard! It's so cool Ash- wait until I show it to you sometime."
"I can't wait to hear you play," Ashley said smiling at him. "I've just about worn out the CD you made for me."
Zander grinned back. "I'm really glad you liked it."
"Don't you just love how this colour has glitter?" Brittany asked admiring her handiwork on Ashley's toes.
"Yeah, it's fantastic," Zander said sarcastically.
"Oh you just wait until you go to sleep tonight," Brittany told him.
"You go anywhere near my toes with that and I'll forget all about that no magic outside of school rule," Zander warned.
"You can't or they'll expel you," Brittany said smugly.
"I'd be willing to risk it," Zander countered.
Ashley giggled. "You two are so like Katie and me it's scary."
"We're not that bad, are we?" Zander asked.
"Getting there," Ashley teased.
"Okay," Brittany said. "Don't move. You need to stay still so they can dry. Then, you can paint mine."
"All right," Ashley said.
"Brittany," her mother called from the top of the stairs. "Your pizza is here, love."
Zander got to his feet. "I'll get it."
"I've got it," Brittany said. "You'll drop it like last time."
"I only did that once," Zander protested.
"Once was enough," Brittany ran up the stairs.
"You know," Ashley confided in him. "This stuff does smell. But, she insisted..."
"Looks good on you," Zander said before he could stop himself.
Ashley blushed. "Well, it's the first time I've ever had my nails painted."
"Really?" Zander asked.
"Yeah," Ashley said. "Not really my thing, you know?"
Zander nodded. "More your sister's, eh?"
"Exactly," Ashley said.
"Okay," Brittany announced coming back into the basement with the pizza and plates. "Zander, will you get the soda from the icebox?"
"Sure," Zander said, hurrying out of the room.
"Now, that smells amazing," Ashley said.
"I know right," Brittany took a deep whiff.
Zander came back with their drinks. "You guys promise not to tell anyone that I attended your little slumber party, right?"
"Like anyone's really going to care," Brittany replied.
"Sam and his crew would love to hear about it and you know it," Zander told her.
"Our lips are sealed," Ashley promised.
"Of course," Brittany said with a pointed look at her cousin. "I'm really good at keeping secrets."
Zander rolled his eyes. "Yeah right."
"Sam's mates aren't all that bad," Brittany said opening the pizza box. "Evan Doherty...he's kind of nice."
Zander shrugged. "He's okay."
Ashley looked over at her friend, who had a bit of a dreamy expression on her face. "Brit? Do you fancy Evan?"
"He is quite dreamy," Brittany admitted.
"We are trying to eat here," Zander said rolling his eyes as he helped himself to a slice of pizza.
"Like you should talk," Brittany retorted.
"He was just teasing," Ashley told her. "If you want to fancy Evan, there's no problem with that. He does seem pretty nice."
"I think so too," Brittany said. "In fact..." she leaned in. "He kissed me on the train."
Ashley's jaw dropped. "What?"
Zander dropped his pizza onto his plate. "WHAT?"
"You and Ash left the compartment to get some sweets," Brittany told them. "And he came by. He...he said he wanted to wish me a Happy Christmas. I asked him what he was doing for the holidays and the next thing I know...he kissed me. It was really quick, but it was ...sweet."
"Wow," Ashley said. "I've never kissed anyone..."
"I haven't either," Zander said. "Brit---you're only 12."
"Almost thirteen," Brittany defended.
"Not for another seven months," Zander pointed out.
"If you want to get technical," Brittany waved her hand. "I thought it was very nice... I like kissing."
Ashley looked at her. "So...have you spoken to him since then?"
"He rang me yesterday," Brittany said, blushing.
Zander hadn't known that because he'd been busy playing his new video game.
"He told me if he didn't have to be with his family tonight he'd have been here," Brittany revealed.
Zander rolled his eyes. But, at least if Sam and his mates tried to give him grief about this, he could hold this over Evan's head.
Ashley was seeing her friend in a new light. "I can't believe you got kissed and you didn't tell me right away!"
"I wanted to," Brittany said. "But, I was still trying to make sense of it."
"I understand," Ashley told her.
"So, is he going to start sitting with us for meals and stuff?" Zander asked.
"Maybe," Brittany said.
Zander took a bit of his pizza.
"You're upset," Ashley noticed.
"I don't care," Zander said with a shrug. "Brit can snog whomever she wants."
"I didn't snog!" Brittany exclaimed. "Not yet at least."
"This pizza is really good," Ashley said trying to change the subject. "Some day, I'll make Malfoy pizza for you both."
"What's that?" Zander asked.
"A special family recipe," Ashley told him. "My dad and my sister and me have been making it since I was little."
"Sounds good," Zander smiled at her.
"It's the best," Ashley said grinning back at him.
"For now, I think I'll just have another piece of this," Brittany pulled a cheesy slice from the pie.
"Me too," Zander said. "And then, I'm taking Miss Malfoy here on. Don't think I forgot your challenge."
Ashley raised an eyebrow at him.
"Ninja Death Warrior," Zander said. "You seem to think you'll be able to beat me."
"I definitely can," Ashley replied.
"You're going down," Zander countered. "No one can beat me."
"He is pretty good," Brittany admitted.
"Yes, but I am a quick learner," Ashley said confidently.
Zander smirked. "I have you beat."
"You have a healthy ego, Mr. Murray," Ashley said. "Do you know that?"
"I try," Zander grinned.
"I'm going to do a mud mask while you two do that," Brittany announced.
"Better you than me," Zander replied.
"Don't knock it, Zander," Brittany said.
"Come on," Ashley giggled.
"I'll start it up," Zander said wiping his hands with a napkin.
"All right," Ashley finished her slice.
"Okay," Zander said turning on the television. "I'll go through one time to show you what to do..."
Ashley shook her head. "I'll get it."
"Okay," Zander said handing her a controller. "Do you want to be the green Ninja or the red one?"
"Red," Ashley replied.
"That's the one he always is," Brittany said.
"Throw me off my game a bit, but I can handle it," Zander said confidently.
"Get him, Ash," Brittany cheered her friend.
"It's in the bag," Ashley grinned.
"Okay," Zander said. "The object of the game is to get to the Temple. But, you have to go through these different levels...."
"You have to kill a lot of people," Brittany translated.
Ashley giggled. "Thanks, Brit."
"And collect a lot of weapons," Zander said.
"Which will cause death and destruction," Brittany remarked.
"Aren't you doing a mud mask?" Zander retorted.
"Yeah, yeah," Brittany waved her hand dismissively.
"Ready?" Zander asked Ashley.
"Bring it on," Ashley said confidently.
The two of them quickly went through the selection screen and started playing. Ashley wasn't exactly sure what to do and started hitting random buttons on her control.
"Ash, why are you kicking it that tree?" Zander asked.
"I don't know," Ashley said, finally getting her ninja around it. "There."
Zander concentrated on his own game and didn't pay attention to the progress that Ashley was making.
"You got the axe Zander is always looking for!" Brittany exclaimed.
"What?" Zander asked distractedly.
"That axe," Brittany said. "You're always looking for it when you play."
"Where---where did you find it?" Zander asked forgetting about his own ninja.
"It came out of the tree when I was kicking it," Ashley replied.
"What?" Zander asked in disbelief.
Brittany nudged him. "You'd better concentrate. That guy with the scarf is about to take you out!:
"Hey!" Zander grabbed his remote and began kicking his opponent.
Brittany giggled. "I'm going to go and get my mask ready."
"Have fun with that," Zander said.
Brittany nudged him before walking into the basement bathroom.
Ashley looked at her screen. "Is that the castle?"
"How did you already get there?" Zander asked in disbelief.
"I don't know," Ashley shrugged. "I turned by those rocks and there it was."
"Are you sure you've never played this before?" Zander asked her, pausing the action on the screen.
"Never," Ashley said.
"You are a quick study," Zander said impressed.
Ashley shrugged. "It's a fun game."
Zander started his game up again. "I'm just glad I have someone now who understands."
Ashley giggled. "That's why we're best friends."
Zander smiled sideways at her. "Best friends."
"Always," Ashley grinned.
They finished their game with Ashley pulling out a surprising win. Zander demanded a rematch, but Ashley won that one as well.
"I can't believe it," Zander shook his head.
"Rematch?" Ashley asked.
"No!" Brittany exclaimed.
"Why not?" Zander asked.
"Because it's completely boring and I'm ready to watch a movie," Brittany replied as if the answer should have been obvious.
"Fine," Zander rolled his eyes. "What movie do you have? It better not be something girly."
"It's a funny one," Brittany told him.
"Good," Zander sat back.
"I'm going to change into my pj's," Ashley said. "I'll be right back."
"Me too," Brittany replied.
"I'm going to run upstairs and change too," Zander said.
"I can't believe you beat him," Brittany said when they were alone. "He won't be able to live this down."
"Beginner's luck," Ashley said.
"Those are cute pyjamas," Brittany said.
"Thanks," Ashley said. "They were a gift from Greta."
"I got mine from my parents for Christmas," Brittany said. "They are SO me."
Ashley grinned. Her friend's pyjamas were pink with lipstick prints. "They really are."
Zander came back down wearing flannel trousers and a t shirt. "You two ready?"
"Yes," Ashley said. She smiled when she saw he'd brought a bowl of popcorn. "Fantastic!"
"Compliments of the party upstairs," Zander grinned.
Ashley sat back down on the sofa and crawled under a blanket.
"Are you cold?" Zander asked. "We could turn up the heat."
"No, I'm fine," Ashley said. "I just wanted to get cosy."
"I can understand that," Zander sat down next to her.
Brittany joined them on the sofa after she's put the DVD in the player.
"I've never seen this," Ashley said. "Is it funny?"
"I haven't seen it either," Brittany said. "But I've heard it was."
"Cool," Ashley unconsciously leaned against Zander.
Zander grinned. This was going to be a great night.
The movie was indeed funny and Brittany had fallen asleep before the end of it.
Zander shook his head as he muted the television. He turned it to the channel that showed a local news crew reporting on the New Year's Eve festivities.
"I can't believe she slept through most of it," Ashley whispered to Zander.
"She was up at the crack of dawn," Zander said.
"We should let her sleep," Ashley said.
"Works for me," Zander said.
"I still can't believe that about she and Evan," Ashley said shaking her head. "I didn't even know she fancied him."
"I guess he's really not bad," Zander replied. "But I didn't know he planted one on her." he shook his head. "Sam's always going on about what girls he's kissed."
"Who would kiss him?" Ashley asked her nose wrinkling in disgust.
Zander shuddered. "I don't know."
"I wonder what it's like," Ashley said thoughtfully. "Kissing someone."
"I never have," Zander mumbled.
Ashley looked at him. "We're in the same boat. You and me."
"We always seem to be, don't we?" Zander asked.
Ashley smiled. "Yes, we do."
Zander looked over at the telly, which was still showing a New Year's Eve bash in Piccadilly. "I wonder what it's like too."
"Have you...have you ever thought about it?" Ashley stammered.
"Yeah," Zander said shyly. "You know... um... maybe we..."
Ashley looked down at the blanket. "Maybe we could what?"
Zander turned even redder. "You know..."
"K-kiss?" Ashley stammered, turning red as well.
"It was just an idea," Zander muttered. "Probably a dumb one."
Ashley shook her head. "No… it's not a stupid idea, Zander. It's just...I trust you more than anyone. And, um, we could...just to...just to see...what it's like..."
"That's sort of what I was thinking," he said.
Ashley felt butterflies in her stomach at the thought of kissing Zander. She shouldn't be nervous. He was her best friend after all.
"It's just to see what it's like," Zander said, turning to her. "I mean... so we aren't completely inexperienced."
"Right," Ashley nodded. "Um..."
"Should we... do it now?" he asked.
"Now's as good a time as any," Ashley replied, turning to face him.
Zander felt like his face was on fire. "I guess um... I..."
"In the movies," Ashley said. "They always close their eyes."
"Oh yeah," Zander said. "Okay..."
"Are you nervous?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah," he confessed. "You?"
Ashley nodded. "Very."
"Well... maybe once it's over, it won't be such a big deal," Zander said.
"Right," Ashley said taking his hand. "Um...on the count of three?"
"Sure," Zander said, his stomach turning over and over again. "One... two... three..."
Ashley closed her eyes as Zander leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
His eyes popped open for a split second before closing again as he kept his mouth against hers.
Her lips were soft and she smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. He had no idea if what he was doing was right.
She broke away from him a moment later. "Zander..."
"Ash," Zander whispered.
"That was nice," she said softly.
"It was brilliant," Zander said before he could stop himself. "Um..."
Ashley looked down shyly. She didn't know what to say or do next.
"Did you want to do it again?" Zander asked.
Ashley looked up in surprise. "Again?"
"It was just an idea," Zander said hastily.
"Do you think we should?" she asked timidly.
"I think so," Zander said thoughtfully. "Just to be sure we've ...we've got it down."
"Okay," Ashley agreed, swallowing. She closed her eyes and Zander touched his lips to hers again.
Unbeknownst to the two of them, Brittany was starting to stir. "What time is it?" Brittany asked, rubbing at her eyes.
The two of them pulled apart quickly. "Um... almost midnight," Zander said hastily.
"I can't believe I fell asleep," Brittany said sitting up on the sofa. "I'm sorry. Did I miss anything?"
"Nothing," Ashley said quickly. "Nothing at all."
Brittany stretched her arms over her head. "At least I didn't miss the New Year."
Ashley was still red. "I'll go get us some more sodas."
"I've got it," Brittany said.
"I don't mind," Ashley replied.
Brittany looked quizzically at her friend, but Ashley practically ran out of the room.
"I guess she's thirsty," Brittany remarked looking at her cousin.
"Yeah," Zander said glumly.
Brittany reached for the remote and turned up the volume on the television. "Someday, we're going to be celebrating like that."
"Sure," Zander muttered, thinking about what had just happened.
"Are you still sulking about losing to Ashley?" Brittany asked him. "Come on. We're not going to tell anyone that you lost."
"You'll tell everyone," Zander said, realising it was better to let his cousin think that was what was wrong.
"I might tease you about it, but I promise I will not tell another soul," Brittany said. "And you know Ash would never."
"I know," Zander bit his lower lip.
He didn't know how Ashley was feeling about what had happened. Would they be able to talk about it? Would they be able to talk at all? Why had he even thought that this would be a good idea?
It seemed to be forever before Ashley joined them again, drinks in hand.
"Everything okay?" Brittany asked.
Ashley nodded. "Sure."
Zander's hand brushed against Ashley's as she handed him a soda. "Um...thanks," he muttered.
"No problem," she said softly.
"Ten minutes," Brittany said looking at the television.
"I haven't stayed up this late in a long time," Ashley said.
"I've been staying up really late the entire time we've been home," Brittany said yawning. "It's catching up to me now."
"Sometimes I do wake up around three or so," Ashley said. "I like to sit in the kitchen and draw the moon outside."
"Zander does that too," Brittany said rolling her eyes. "Last night, he woke up and started playing some song..."
"You wrote a new song?" Ashley asked.
"I'm working on a few things," Zander replied.
Ashley nodded. "That's good."
Zander chanced a smile at her.
She smiled back but quickly looked at the telly.
"I was telling Zander that someday that will be us," Brittany said motioning to the partygoers on the screen.
"It'd be fun to be in the city right now," Ashley agreed.
"Swinging from the light post like that bloke," Brittany giggled. "Would you look at him?"
"That would be you," Ashley teased.
"Decked out in her pink cloak, pink hat and pink boots," Zander chimed in.
"That's right," Brittany said, jumping up and dancing crazily around the room.
"I thought you were knackered," Zander commented.
"It's called a second wind, Zander Anthony," Brittany said loftily.
"Your middle name is Anthony?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah," Zander turned red.
"Alekszander Anthony Murray to be exact," Brittany said doing a little spin. "
"Brit!" Zander exclaimed.
"He was named after his mother's great-grandfather," Brittany continued. "He was Russian. Right, Alekszander?"
"I think it's a cool name," Ashley volunteered softly.
Zander looked at her. "Really?"
Ashley nodded. "Unique."
"He's still a Neanderthal," Brittany said picking up a pillow and hitting her cousin with it as hard as she could.
"Ow!" Zander said, grabbing a pillow and slugging her back.
"Ooooh, you're going to pay for that!" Brittany asked lunging for him.
Despite her confusion over what had happened between her and Zander, Ashley couldn't help but join in on the pillow fight.
"Come on red Ninja," Brittany taunted. "Let's see what you got!"
Ashley giggled. "It's on!"
Zander hit her with the pillow. "Take that, Malfoy."
Ashley whacked him. "What do you think of THAT, Alekszander?"
"You call that a hit?" Zander asked raising his pillow. But, before he could hit Ashley, Brittany walloped him from behind.
"Tag team!" Ashley shrieked, pummelling him.
Zander fell back onto the sofa. "Hmmmmph!"
Before he could even take a breath, Ashley and Brittany were at him again.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!" Brittany exclaimed.
"Oh yeah?" Zander asked.
"Yeah," Ashley said with a grin.
Zander pushed through them and began swinging away with his pillow.
Ashley fell back, giggling.
Brittany continued to hit Zander with her pillow. "Too easy!"
"You hit like a girl," Zander said blocking her.
"I am a girl, you half wit," Brittany replied. "Ash, help me!"
Ashley came up behind him and put her arms around him. "Gotcha!"
Zander sucked in a breath at the feel of her body against his.
"Do you give?" Ashley asked, giggling.
"Yeah," Zander said immediately.
"We did it!" Brittany exclaimed triumphantly.
"Girls rule," Ashley said, slapping Brittany a high five.
"I let you win," Zander said throwing his pillow down.
"Sure you did," Brittany smirked. "OH!"
"What?" Ashley asked.
"We missed the new year!" she exclaimed.
Ashley looked over at the telly. "Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year!" Brittany threw her pillow in the air.
Ashley nudged Zander. "Happy New Year."
"You too Ash," he smiled at her. "Hope it's as good as the last one for you."
Ashley hesitantly stepped forward and gave him a hug. "For you too, Zander."
He closed his eyes as he put his arms around her. "Thanks, Ash."
"Group hug!" Brittany exclaimed.
Ashley and Zander opened their arms and Brittany threw hers around them.
"This is going to be the best year, you guys!" Brittany said excitedly. "I just know it!"
"I'm sure it will be," Ashley agreed.
Zander hoped his cousin was right, but he couldn't help thinking that tonight had changed
things. He didn't know if things would ever be the same again between him and Ashley.