Eighteen

"What do you mean, a party?" Natalie asked as we were making our way back to the portal.

"Well, it's simply that!" Jeff exclaimed, grinning. We walked on in silence for a few more minutes as we carried our bags and walked hastily to the portal. Once we got there, we checked that nobody was there- which they weren't. Tim stood up beside the portal, watching as it grew brighter before he walked in. Brian and Toby followed, and then my brothers went through. Natalie and I exchanged a glance before we made our way through.

Once we were back in the Slenderwoods, we all ran to the mansion, going our separate ways as we put our presents away. Once I was done, I got the Black Tourmaline pyramid and took it downstairs, where everyone else was sat. Seems like we came back after the others. I stood in front of the group, holding the pyramid.

"At the Rosswood shopping centre, there was a magic shop." I stated, holding up the pyramid. "This is made of Black Tourmaline and will protect us and banish evil."

Tim and Brian exchanged a look before nodding sternly. "It'll keep everyone here safe, won't it?" Tim asked, and I immediately nodded.

"It's protecting you all right now." I stated, grinning at everyone. "I'll be keeping this, but I thought I'd tell you all." I said, before leaving the room to go to my room. I hid the pyramid in my closet, so nobody could find it immediately- if they were looking.

A few hours later, Jeff called everyone to the living room. I made my way there, meeting Natalie and Jane on the way. We walked together to the living room, where we met everyone else. Most looked interested with what Jeff was going to say, but the people who already knew only looked bored-including myself.

"So, while we were out, I decided to get some liquor. We're having a party!" Jeff cheered, making most cheer at this information. Liu and Keith both handed him a bag, and so he pulled out at least ten bottles of alcohol.

"Boys," I began, looking at my brothers, "There are children here." I said, signalling over to Nina, Ben, and Sally.

"Oh yeah," Jeff gaped, remembering that, "We bought pop too though!" He exclaimed, getting four two litre bottles of coke, and a 500ml bottle of grape Fanta. I grinned as Jeff immediately held out the grape Fanta for me to take.

"Thanks, bro." I said as I took the Fanta. I stood behind the couch, waiting for my brothers to keep going. Liu went to the tv, setting up a speaker system as Keith dimmed the lights. They got many glasses, leaving the bottles on a side table. They put the music on, letting Sally and Ben get up and dance crazily. Jane, Natalie, and Nina were all dancing together, as were my brothers. Toby was talking to Jack, who was stood in a corner, arms crossed. Tim and Brian were just sat on the sofa, chatting calmly with a glass of alcohol in their hands, like many others.

I rushed up to my room, getting a copy of a spell book I found in the library. I went back downstairs, slumping down on the sofa next to Tim. I opened my book, beginning to read from the start as I took a sip from my Fanta.

"Cool party, huh?" Tim joked, looking at everyone dancing as he took a sip of his drink.

"Uh…. Yeah, totally." I awkwardly replied, shrugging.

"you sound like you don't want to be here, Little Woods." Tim assessed, and I chuckled slightly.

"That's because I don't." I replied, making him raise an eyebrow.

"Why?" He asked.

"Well…... I'm not much of a party person…. I wasn't actually much of a people person until I met you all too. And it's just really loud and I don't like it much." I admitted, frowning.

"Is it too much? The party?" Tim whispered, making me shake my head.

"No…. not entirely." Tim then looked at me in the eyes before opening up his jacket.

"Come here, Little Woods." He whispered, letting me crawl into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me, putting his drink on the table as I did the same. I snuggled into his arms, inhaling his scent. His scent made me giggle.

"Tim…. You smell of vanilla and smoke." I giggled as his face darkened with a blush.

"Well…. You smell of uh...really strong pumpkin pie and…. Strawberries and cream." Tim mumbled, making my face light up in a scarlet blush.

"Scented candles…." I explained, snuggling further into Tim. I continued to read as Tim slowly ran his hands through my hair, playing with the ends. After a little while, Natalie sat down beside us with a sigh.

"What's up?" I asked her, making her eyes flicker to me.

"Ah," She sighed, "I'm in love!" She whisper-yelled, making me raise an eyebrow. I could tell that Tim was trying not to intrude in the conversation, but I saw him discreetly looking at Natalie curiously.

"With whom?" I asked her, and her eyes flickered over to the girls.

"Jane." She whispered, flinging herself into my lap, so she was basically draped over Tim and I.

"Well, isn't that a good thing?" Tim asked her, and she sat up, staring at Tim in shock.

"No," She scoffed, a distraught look coating her face. "She doesn't even like me that way."

"Natalie, you're an idiot." Was all I said as I looked her in the eye. Toby sauntered over, grinning at Natalie.

"Hey bestie!" He grinned, "Come with me!" He didn't even stutter, only dragging Natalie to her feet. The pair went to the dance floor area, dancing so happily and wildly that the others had to take a step back.

"I can't believe it." I said, looking up at Tim.

"Which thing? Natalie thinking Jane doesn't like her or Toby's lack of stutter?" Tim gave me a cheeky grin, and I grinned back.

"Both." We stayed sitting there in a comfortable silence, watching the others until we saw Natalie and Toby leaving the room, giggling to each other. Jane then rushed over, fiddling with her hands.

"Do you think she knows?" She whispered to us, making me raise an eyebrow at the older girl.

"What do you mean?" I asked, but Tim interrupted me by saying:

"If you're talking about whether or not Natalie knows that you've been pining over her for literally forever, then no." Tim grinned at Jane, who stiffened and grumbled a string of curses at Tim.

"Well do you guys think she likes me?" Jane asked us, and we exchanged knowing glances.

"Yeah, I'd say so." I whispered, as Jane left back over to Nina and Sally with a fleeting wave. I went back to reading my book, taking the occasional drink of my fantan as Tim and I stayed in a comfortable silence, even though we were in the middle of the little party. After a while, I let out a loud yawn, covering my mouth as I did so.

"You tired?" Tim asked, letting out a short yawn himself.

"Just a bit." I lied, rubbing my eyes.

"Okay, I'm getting you to bed, and then I'm going to bed myself." Tim stated, standing up with me still in his arms. I nodded sleepily, only snuggling father into his jacket. He left the living room, going up the stairs to my bedroom. Tim opened the door with one hand, setting me down gently on the bed. I yawned once more as he pulled the covers over me.

"Night, Little Woods." Tim whispered, and once his back was turned, I extended my hand, grabbing his sleeve as I sat up.

"Ah…uh...can you stay?" I mumbled, sheepishly looking down at my covers. Tim bent down, meeting my eye.

"Of course I will." He said, taking off his shoes and jacket. I moved over, letting Tim shuffle into bed beside me. He lifted his arm, letting me move into his arms. I lay my head on his chest, looking up at him.

"Goodnight, Tim." I smiled up at him, before closing my eyes.

"Goodnight, Mel." I heard him reply as I was drifting to sleep. The last thing I remember is feeling a pair of soft lips on my forehead before I fell asleep.