(cut to Kirby's bedroom)

I looked up from page 31 of my book to see Reilly poking his head through the gap in the door. He wore a solemn expression on his face and looked like a dog that'd just been kicked. 

"Can I help you?"

He nudged the door open and cast his eyes down to the ground, "Can I talk to you?"

"I...guess so."

I folded the corner of the page over and watched him come into my room and sit beside me on my bed, his eyes still on the floor. It took him a while to say anything but I didn't push him since this happens every time we fight.

"Kirb...I'm sorry..." He looked me in the eyes, "You were totally right, Zac would have beaten me up if you hadn't made friends with him, and it would have gotten me in a huge mess. I'm really sorry that I treated you so badly, and all because you did me a favour,"

I smiled.

He continued, "I'm really sorry Kirb, can you forgive me? Friends?"

I looked at him for a second and pretended to act hesitant, but I couldn't hold the act any longer and hugged him tight. 

-    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    >

(cut to in between school and outside the Hanson house)

I sat with Reilly at school from then on and tried to act interested in his friends. In actual fact, they were a pack of complete opposites to me. They all wore the neatest punk clothes I've ever seen, which, to me, is really...wrong. From what I know, people who act like punks don't have immaculately styled hair and dry cleaned clothes. We sat in a circle as two guys tried to kick a hackey sack. I sighed as I watched Zac kicking a football with his friends. He knew I was watching him but persisted on pretending I wasn't there. 

I made the decision to end this "fight". If I had to get down on my knees and grovel like Reilly did, I would do it. I like Zac, I can tell he could be a great friend some day, and I'm not going to lose him so soon.

I went to his house after school to finally find the house in chaos. Little kids ran in circles on the front lawn, shrieking "TAG!" every once in a while. A woman, probably their mother, came out the front door to tell them to come inside. I caught her attention and walked closer.

"Hi, Mrs Hanson?"

"Yes?"

"My name's Kirby, I'm a friend of Zac's. I'm just wondering if he's in at the moment?"

"Um, I think he is actually," She smiled a welcoming smile, "I'm Diana, come in."

I followed her into the house and laughed as the kids tumbled into the back yard, still playing tag.

Diana took off into the kitchen and I stood awkwardly in the living room. "There's a visitor for Zac, do you know if he's here?"

"Visitor for Zac? Oh, um, yeah he's in the attic," I heard a voice say. A familiar voice, actually. I padded closer to the kitchen and Taylor popped his head out and frowned.

"A visitor for Zac, I see. Well, fine, no visitor for Taylor," He frowned even more, remarkably, and came to join me in the living room.

"Hey Tay, how are you,"

"I'm not bad, yourself?"

"Yeah, ok. I'm here to make a mends with Zac,"

"Oh right. I'm not that insulted any more in that case," He winked, "I think Zac's upstairs,"

"Just up these stairs?"

"No, I mean upstairs upstairs. In the attic. If you turn right you'll see a set of stairs coming from the ceiling,"

I nodded mutely, Taylor gave me a thumbs up and I ventured up the stair case.

I was a little concerned to hear no noise at all as I came up the stair case. I wanted to knock, but since there wasn't really any door, I went straight up instead.

Zac sat at his desk with his back to me. From what I could see he was writing vigorously and tipping his head from side to side. 

"Ahem," 

Zac didn't move. He sighed and continued writing. 

"Ahem!"

"Taylor, if you wanna bug someone, please, choose someone other than me,"

"Well I would do that, you know, if I were Taylor."

Zac spun around on his seat, his mouth wide open and eyes just the same. 

"Oh......Hi Kirby,"

"Hi Zac,"

Awkward silence. 

"I'm sorry to just barge in like this, I'm sure I'm the last person you want to see...But I've just been feeling really horrible lately, about what I said to you. I was an all round bitch in general and I'm really, really sorry..."

Zac blinked.

I continued, "In a way, you were right, I probably wouldn't have spoken to you so soon after that thing with my brother, but I'm glad it happened because it gave me a chance to get to know you. You turned out to be a great person and I think that I could really value you as my friend if you only give me a chance,"

Zac blinked again.

"I really didn't mean for you to look at it from that perspective. I just feel so horrible, I'm really sor-"

"Ssshhh," Zac stood up and dropped his hands on my shoulders, "I forgive you Kirby...As a matter of fact, I was just writing you a letter then..."

I smiled gratefully as Zac ran his thumb over my cheek. "I'm totally over the whole thing...I'm sorry it took me so long,"

"It's ok, I deserved it,"

Zac laughed and put an arm around my shoulders, "So how are you?"

"I'm alright I guess. I got a job at the ice cream parlour,"

"Oh yeah, Taylor told me,"

"Yeah, seems like I'm there every spare hour that I'm not at school,"

"Jeez, well at least you'll have more money than everyone else," Zac sat us down on the sofa and turned the TV on.

"Yeah, that's for sure. My boss pays me very generously,"

"Wanna watch a movie?" Zac asked. 

"Ok, why not. What are my options?"

"Well the latest additions are...um....none, actually, all we have is Notting Hill...Ike must have taken them all. Are you ok with a sappy girly movie?"

"Uh, well, being a girl and all, it should be ok."

Zac grinned widely, popped the video in and took his place on the sofa. 

Ten minutes into the movie, a weird noise came from down the stairs. A sort of scratching, scraping noise. 

"Hellooooo?"

"Whaaaat?" Zac groaned.

"I'm lonely." 

"You're a loser Taylor,"

"Gee, that's gonna make me feel heaps better,"

"Come up and watch the video with us," I yelled across the room, sparking a spiteful glare from Zac. I shrugged and smiled. 

Taylor bounced happily up the stairs and joined us on the sofa. 

Finally, we began to get into the movie. I'd seen Notting Hill too many times, but it seems as though I can never get sick of it. It's remarkably charming in it's predictability. Hugh Grant had just kissed Julia Roberts at his door-

"So are you guys busy tomorrow night?"

"TAYLOR!"

"What? It's not like you haven't seen this movie forty times," Taylor rolled his eyes at Zac and switched his feet over on the coffee table.

Five minutes later, "So, are you?"

"Whaaaat?"

"Are you guys busy tomorrow night?"

Zac tried to think and watch simultaneously, which resulted in a drawn out sentence, "Uhhhm.....uh....I...dunno..."

"Dude, sometime before my hair turns grey,"

"I'm trying to watch the movie!"

"Well, there's a party on at Caitlin's if you're interested."

Zac looked at Taylor, "Caitlin? Caitlin as in Caitlin Morris?"

"Yeah,"

"Shit, that's Aimee's best friend. Look's like I'm going whether I like it or not,"

Taylor looked pleased, "Good. What about you Kirby, wanna come?"

"Um...Yeah, ok,"

"Great, it should be good. Everyone's gonna be there,"

"Stop talking now!"

-    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -    -    - 

(cut to school the next day)

"Why are you sitting over there?"

I switched the phone to my other ear, "Because your friends shit me,"

"Ohhh, is that all, why didn't you tell me?"

"I just did,"

"Ah, I see you got the better half of the humour gene,"

I fought back a laugh, "Are you coming to the party tonight?"

"Yeah, if you are,"

"I am,"

"Then I'm going,"

"Great,"

"Yep. Hey, can we stop talking on the phone now, my bill's gonna reach Utah,"

I laughed and hung up the phone, picked up my shit and walked across the room to Reilly.

"Now see, this is much cheaper."

I laughed again, "Not if I make you buy me a chocolate milk,"

"Are you for real?!"

"Yes."

"Okay then,"

Reilly handed me a five dollar bill and I happily joined the cafeteria line. I practically squealed when I felt a set of hands on my hips. I turned around to see Zac's giant grin, followed by an evil laugh.

"Hello!!"

"Hey Zac, you scared the shit outta me,"

"In broad daylight, in a well lit area with tons of people around?"

"Ok, so I'm a little jumpy,"

"So you still coming tonight?"

"Sure am. Reilly's jumping on the band wagon as well,"

"Oh great! It's possible they'll be playing shit music though...RnB, hip-hop, that sort of thing," Zac rolled his eyes.

"That's cool, you have to expect that at a teenage party,"

"True,"

I bought my chocolate milk and Zac bought a big fat chicken sandwich. 

"You busy after school?" He asked.

"Nope, I'm free, what did you have in mind?"

"Well I've got a spare twenty, wanna catch a movie or something?"

"Yeah, that sounds good,"

"Great-"

"Hey Zac!" Our heads turned when Zac's name was called by a big guy amongst a huge group of people sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, claiming two rows of tables as their own. They all signalled for Zac to come over.

Zac held his hand up, "Yeah hang on guys,"

He kept talking, "So, where did you wanna meet?"

"Um-"

"Zac! C'mon man!"

"Yeah Connor, I'm comin ok?!"

"How bout in front of the school?" I suggested. 

"Yeah that sounds great, I'll meet you after school," Zac smiled happily, "We can maybe have dinner afterwards,"

"Yeah!"

"ZAC!"

"Um," Zac smiled nervously, "I gotta go, I'll see you soon,"

"Ok, can't wait,"

Zac smiled as he went to join his friends and was swallowed into the middle of the group.

I sighed, sipped my milk and went back to my brother. 

-    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -    -    - 

(cut to Reilly's locker)

"Hey shit face,"

"Hey ho,"

"Oooh, that was nasty," I pulled a face at Reilly as he shut his locker. 

"Well, you brought it on yourself,"

"I'm not afraid to admit defeat..." 

Reilly laughed. 

"So are you busy now? Zac and I are going to the movies, wanna come?"

"Isn't the party tonight?" Reilly asked.

"Yeah, but it's not until at least 10,"

"Oh,"

"So do you wanna come?"

"Um....sorry...I can't, we're practicing some new songs, the guys need me,"

I cocked an eyebrow, "WaaAAaahh?"

"Yep, the guys have taken me into their band,"

"Huh?"

"My friends, they have a punk band,"

I stared blankly, "Oh....so we've got another musician in the family,"

"Yeah, but I'm gonna actually get off my ass and play music,"

"A punk band, hey?"

Reilly nodded proudly. 

I gave a questioning look, "Dude, I know you're already a punk, but are they punks?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Oh, nothing," I said, using my innocent act to my advantage.

"Kirb, I taught you that innocent act, it doesn't work on the Master,"

D'oh!

"Don't worry Rye. Hey listen, Zac's already outside so I better go. See ya back at home," I ran off down the hall.

"Bye..."

I found Zac with a few guys out the front of the school. The scene came off as a bit odd to me as I got a little closer. The three guys seemed to be crowding around Zac and would block him whenever he tried to walk away. Their facial expressions and body language seemed friendly, but the fact that they wouldn't let Zac past really irked me. 

"Kirby! Hey," Zac called from amongst the guys. 

"Hey Zac, you ready?"

"Yeah, I was just saying bye,"

One of the guys looked from Zac to me, "We've gotta get to football practice anyway, see ya later Zac."

"Bye guys," Zac grinned hugely once the guys had run off towards the school oval, "Ok, let's go,"

Zac's expression basically told me not to ask any questions, so we kept walking to the bus stop. 

-    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -  

(cut to the movies) 

"Let's see something funny," I said as we gawked at the movie times above the ticket stand.

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking," 

"What about......Showtime? I love Eddie Murphy,"

"Oh oh me too!"

I felt proud as I paid for everything I bought with my own money and not borrowed money from my parents, which made me feel less like Jesse, which is a great thing. Goddamn moocher. 

Zac and I were the first into the cinema since we were half an hour early. We discovered that we both had a weird thing for sitting in an empty movie theatre. Anyway, we got the best seat in the house, back row centre.

"You should have invited Aimee," I said, finding it kind of weird that I was watching a movie with one person, and a guy at that.

"Oh, she was busy. Something about after school tutoring,"

"Really?"

"Yeah, she goes to this real expensive private school, so she studies her ass off,"

"Damn, I wish I was like that," I chuckled, thinking of the pile of homework I should probably have been doing instead of going out all night. Zac and I both propped our feet up on the seats in front and ate our popcorn.

"So, tell me about you," Zac said.

"Huh?"

"Just tell me everything, about your family, your child hood, things like that,"

"Oh," I smiled timidly, "Well...my family...I guess they're my favourite thing. Jesse is my older brother, he's a musician, I guess. He's 18...we get along pretty well, he's sort of my oracle. He gives the best advice. He also taught me how to play the guitar. Then there's Reilly, my best friend in the whole world...We're twins, but we're not typical twins. It's kind of strange actually, we're linked in this huge way, one always knows what the other is thinking, but we're still such separate people. I guess it's cause we're both so independent,"

Zac smiled but said nothing, which caused me to shut up. "Yeah...and...?"

"I don't wanna bore you," I said.

"No, trust me, you're not. I love learning about you-about new people,"

"Ok...um...then there's Indie, she's 14. Our relationship is a strange one. There was a period where all we did was fight. I don't really know what caused it, but we sort of established that we should just avoid each other, just kind of tread lightly. It's not like I hate her, we just push each other's buttons. And then there's Ezra, she's twelve. And, well, that pretty much sums it up!"

Zac laughed, "I have a twelve year old sister too...Pain-in-the-ass!"

"Exactly, Ezra has braces and pretty hair with clips in it, the whole package. She can be so ridiculous sometimes, but I still love her. Sometimes we'll watch TV together and she'll just start telling me about this book she read or sits there brushing my hair for hours...stuff we used to do before she discovered the art of social intimidation,"

Zac laughed, "And there's one more sibling?"

"Yeah, baby Spencer, he's eight. My god do I love him, he's just so special. He's like a son to me in some ways, as pathetic as that sounds. I pick him up from soccer practice every second day and we just talk and talk. I guess we're so close cause the guys aren't really like that. I mean, Reilly is, underneath it all, but since he's this macho punk, he usually hides his tender side. Jesse's too consumed in music, Indie's too busy painting and Ezra's too busy crimping her hair, so it gives me a chance to kind of mother him,"

"That's really cool," Zac said, seemingly genuine, "And how come you moved here?"

"We wanted a change I guess...We'd exhausted what Australia has to offer, so we just picked up and left."

"Whoa, your family is awesome,"

"Yeah, well, they are pretty great. So tell me about your family,"

Zac smiled sheepishly and even blushed a little, "Well...alright...Um...I guess I'm the closest with Isaac and Taylor...Lately I've spent the most time with Taylor, now that Ike's 21. I don't really get it, all of a sudden, adding an extra year to his age means he's unavailable, that he always has to be somewhere else. He's still the same when we're all together, that's just not very often anymore. But Tay and I, we're best friends, like you and Reilly almost. We've gotten even closer with Ike not being around so much, so I guess I don't have too much to complain about. Tay and I, even Ike, we sort of distance ourselves from the younger kids. It's almost as if there are two halves of our family,"

"Mmm, I know what you mean,"

"Yeah, there's Jess who's 12, Avery who's nine, Mackie who's 6 and Zoe who's 4. It's not that I don't like them or don't know them...it's more that we're just not very close. It doesn't seem like anyone minds either."

"There's nothing really wrong with it, though. It's expecting a lot from you to build up that many friendships. You also have to remember that they're a lot younger than you,"

Zac nodded, "But you're really close with Spencer, and he's eight,"

"That's true, but the rest of us are pretty close in age, I mean, there's a nine year gap between Spence and I, and thirteen year gap between you and Zoe. Those four years make a pretty big difference. And remember Zoe has Mackie with her who's only 6, so they'd depend on each other,"

"You're right. Avery and Jess are so close cause they're they were the only girls in the family before Zoe,"

"Exactly,"

"Hmm...I think I understand my family now," Zac's mouth curved into yet another smile. We finally noticed that the movie had started and the cinema was still empty. We both looked at each other with curiosity and laughed. 

"God, we talk too much," Zac said.

"Well, at least we know we can sustain a conversation, that's a good thing," I laughed and it almost echoed.

Zac and I talked through the rest of the movie. Although, we both discovered our supernatural talent that enabled us to know exactly when a funny Eddie Murphy bit came up so that we could cease conversation to watch it.

After a burger each and an overly sized juice from some trendy and expensive health bar, we retreated to our respective houses. There were still a few hours to go until the party, and we could have easily spent them together wreaking extreme havoc, but our reasonable sides kicked in and it was decided that a few hours at home with our families was the wise decision.

-    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -  

(cut to the Bloom family lair)

"Hello!" Reilly shrieked as I tumbled through the door, my backpack slipping off my shoulder and thumping onto the floor.

"Hey dork, when did you get home?"

"I dunno, seven?"

"Oh right," Reilly and I collapsed on the couch, "Who else is home?"

"Uhhhm, Dad's staying late at work, mum's shopping, no idea where Indie is, Ezra's at a friend's place and...I think Spence is upstairs,"

"And Jesse?"

"Oh yeah, I knew I was missing one. He's in the basement, as usual. He's written a new song, and you know what? It's actually pretty good,"

"Really?"

"Excellent, actually,"

"Hmm." This came as a surprise to me. Jesse is a man of few words which restricts his lyrics some what, which, as a result, holds his songs back from expanding into really great musical pieces. So, an 'excellent' song coming from Jesse is a rare occasion.

"I want to hear it," I said.

"I'm sure he'll play it for you, he's pretty proud of it,"

Just then, Jesse's figure passed through the hallway.

"Jess?"

"Uh huh?"

I sat up on the sofa and saw him pulling on his ratty op-shop leather jacket and buttoning it up.

"Can I hear your new song?"

"Um, I'm just on my way out, later tonight?"

"I'm going out,"

"Tomorrow then,"

"Kay,"

"Primo, catchya," And he was gone with the click of the door. I slumped back down, feeling rather deflated.

"Well, this sucks. I leave Zac to come home and see my family, but no-one's here."

"Go see Spence, I'm gonna have a shower," Reilly stood up and walked out of the room. I shrugged and went up the stairs towards Spencer's room. The door was closed and a soft light came from under the door.

I opened it and saw his lamp and night light on, and little Spencer fast asleep in his bed. I pulled the 'Awww' face and tip toed into the room. Spence breathed evenly and his eyes were shut tight. I'd totally forgotten that it was already nearly nine and he was usually asleep by that time. I kissed him on the cheek and smoothed his hair down. I smiled with pathetic happiness and left the room.

"Shit face!"

"Sshhh!!"

"Whaaat?"

"Spence is asleep,"

"Oh. Ok well," Reilly whispered, "Having that shower now,"

"You do that,"

I started doing that aimless wander that people do when they run out of activities. I still had two hours before the party and it would only take me ten minutes to get ready, so I had to think of something to occupy myself with. I started picking out my outfit, despite the fact that I couldn't care less how I looked.

A light tapping sounded at the door half an hour later and my Dad's head poked in.

"Hey sweetie,"

"Hey Dad," I smiled, "Working late?"

"Yeah, the pile of paper work was as tall as me," He laughed, "I even took a picture of it,"

"Where's Mum?"

"Oh, she's gone over to Maryanne's place,"

"And Indie?"

"She's with your Mum,"

Finally, I knew where everyone was.

"You poor thing, you got home and found no one here,"

"Well, sort of. Reilly was here and Spence was already asleep, but still. Everyone's usually here all at once,"

"I guess we've all fit in here pretty well then, seeing as we're all so busy," Dad sat on my desk just near the door.

"Yeah, I guess,"

"Did you have fun at the movies?"

"Yeah, it was really good,"

"Who did you go with again?"

"Zac," I said, unfolding my Stussy jacket and laying it out on the bed.

"Oh I see, and he's taking you to this party tonight?"

"Well, not taking me, but he's one of the people I'm going with,"

"Ohhh," Dad nodded and smiled, "Ok honey, I'm gonna go watch some TV in that case. Your mum should be home before you go out,"

"Ok," I smiled.

-    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -     & 

(cut to Kirby's increasingly messy bedroom)

Reilly was the next to knock on my door. He came in and a cloud of cologne followed him. He'd hung up his Dickies and wallet chains to try that messily neat look for the first time in his life. He wore black chuck taylor's, tan corduroy pants and an old t-shirt with a thin sweater over it. He even had the black beanie to finish off the outfit.

"Jesusmaryandjoseph."

"Is it that bad?"

"Bad?...No. Different?....Yes. Very." I said, trying to adjust to the image. It had been nearly six years since Reilly had dressed like a normal person. He would always find some way to incorporate the punk image into his outfits, even his pyjamas, so this was a stark contrast.

"Should I change?"

"No, actually. I think I could get used to it. Give people a chance to see your face, what you really look like,"

To my surprise, Reilly smiled. I expected an attack and a speech on how much he loved and cherished his punk clothes, and about what an individual he is. But, just to spite me, Reilly seemed to be liking his outfit, which mostly belonged to Jesse.

As a matter of fact, I had found myself in a distantly similar situation as Reilly. Oddly, I seemed to be overly conscious of my choice of outfit. Usually, I'd pick whatever was hanging up in the closet, but tonight...I'm having problems. I seem to be wearing my pants properly instead of letting them hang like I usually do and my hair is neat. Well not entirely neat, just that messy kind of neat that is considered fashionable. 

"Meanwhile, you look nice," Reilly said. 

"You think?"

"Yes, I do. Very...groomed,"

"Huh?"

"You look nice is all, classy," He said.

"This is some of the new stuff I bought," I said. I'd taken a liking to Stussy clothing and decided it was my objective in the world to buy as much of the stuff as I can. 

"I should get a job," Reilly sighed. 

"What time is it?" I asked, spraying on the nearest perfume which turned out to be the last bottle of Australian perfume I had left: Little Black Dress.

"Ten forty-five,"

"Whoa, do you wanna go now?"

"Ok, sure,"

I added a generous layer of lip gloss to my lips and we went down the stairs. We found India on the computer in the study and the parents were reading the paper, which I felt was quite a pointless activity at nearly 11 o'clock at night. 

"We're going now dad," Reilly said. 

"Holy shit!" Mum said as she spotted Reilly's outfit and lack of unnecessary details such as noisy chains and evil slogans on his t-shirt, "You look amazing sweetie!"

Reilly blushed, "Thanks mum,"

She kissed both of us on the cheek and I was handed a twenty for transport.

"You be careful you two!"

"We will...."