...and now, our time is up

Chapter twenty two:

New Year's Eve was here and to say the excitement in the Cook household was wild. Carson and Taylor, in a bid to show that the pair of them were not old after me and George spent all last night teasing the pair of them for being old, were now wanting to come with us to the fraternity house and drink to 'prove themselves they're still young"

I push my suitcase down the stairs while Taylor and George are talking about something, Carson then joining in while I say goodbye to Brenda and dad, as I was the last one down.

"Have you two got any plans tonight?"

I ask and Dad smiles.

"Yeah, we're going to see and old friend of Brendas tonight, kind of like a high school reunion"

Brenda smiles and wraps her arms around his waist, the height difference visible.

"That's great guys, I hope you have an amazing time"

I wrap my arms around them in a brief hug before saying goodbye.

"I'll see you guys soon. And Hallie, no drinking"

Dad calls as I slam the door shut.

"If I drink tonight, you guys aren't gonna snitch on me, are you?"

I ask Carson and Taylor and they shake their heads.

"As long as you don't snitch to them about what do"

Carson warns me and I agree to their deal before we head to George's door.

***************
After hearing pounding mucus behind the doors of my door and push it open to see Molly dancing crazily while Claire dances sexily in the mirror. I admire the differences in the pair now.

Claire's hair was still dark black and straight, just now short, up to her shoulders. Mollys hair was now a neon green and while I'd usually hate that colour, it was stunning on her.

"HALLIE, GEORGE"

The pair say simultaneously and rush over to hug the pair of is before their attention is turned to my brother and sister. Everyone introduces themselves to one and other again before we sit down and plan out our night.

"Where's Malcom and Catrina?" George asks, sitting down next to Taylor.

"On their way now! Malcom isn't drinking tonight so he's driving us"

Molly tells them. As she says this, the door opens and they yell for us.

"Hello favourite people and...new people?"

Catrina asks confused, their eyebrows furrowed. I introduce everyone and everyone hits it off, Catrina and Taylor are talking about travelling while Carson and Malcom talk about partying.

"I like this, everyone getting along"

George smiles, placing a kiss onto my lips.

"Yeah, it is"

**************
In all the parties I'd been to here, Thanksgiving was definitely a favourite. The fraternity had gone all out, balloons were all over the place, so much in fact that I definitely considered it a struggle when trying to find people.

Taylor, Carson and the guys were all getting along amazingly which made me feel great. Catrina, Carson and Claire were playing beer pong while Molly and Taylor danced to the music, Taylor being intoxicated, also dancing with a random guy.

"Should we stop her from dancing with Neil? He's a complete player and will try and sleep with her, even if she's married"

George says as I fill up two cups of vodka and lemonade for Molly and a beer for George.

"No no, she'll be fine. She dances with guys all the time but doesn't flirt or cheat, she'd flip her shit if someone did that to her, so she definitely wouldn't do it to a her childhood sweetheart"

I assure him, handing him a beer. We sit and talk for a while before Taylor staggers in, clearly very intoxicated.

"Oh god"

I mumble, signalling George to turn around with a nod of my head and he does, looking taken aback.

"There's my baby sister and her amazing boyfriend"

She slurs, moving towards us and wrapping her arms around our shoulders.

"I love you guys...so much-"

she hiccups.

"-like, you're both so fucking amazing, and I can't wait for Patti to come home so I can just, jump his bones"

George snickers and I place the drinks down, and place my hands on her cheeks, staring at her red bloodshot eyes.

"I think it's time for someone to go to bed"

I tell her and she gasps, viciously shaking her head.

"No no, it's not the end of the year yet"

She says. I sigh and groan.

"How about...I take care of this crazy thing, and you just chill with everyone, alright?"

He suggests and I'm hesitant at first, not because I don't trust him, but just because I felt that she was my sister, and my responsibility.

"Don't stress about it, I'll get her settled and I'll be back down in, 10 minutes, alright?"

He assures me. By this point, she is literally clinging onto George's waist, swaying to some music.

"Alright, bring her some water, call me if you need me at all"

I warn him and he nods, before grabbing Taylor's hand and leading her away. I leave the kitchen with the drinks in hand, handing them to both Carson and Molly.

"Hey boo"

Catrina beams, placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Where's dick face?"

They ask, sipping her pure vodka drink, making me cringe.

"Oh, he's putting Taylor to sleep, she's so drunk"

I tell her and their mouth drops. They looks as if they're about to say something and I have a gut feeling I know what they're about to say.

"I know about the situation with his brother. He's told me about it and I trust him, just trust me as well okay?"

They smiles and place a kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you for believing in him"