The Party Scene Saga: Stories Yet To Unfold

Part 1

April 1995 - Age 7

"Happy birthday Zack and Lily...happy birthday to you!"

A chorus of cheers and clapping erupted as they blew their candles out, making the usual wishes. Lily grinned broadly, lapping up the attention, while Zack was more reserved, smiling to himself and wishing everyone would just go already.

"Alright, presents time!" grinned Sam, their older sister.

She excitedly walked over to Lily, carrying a huge pile of presents all wrapped in pink paper. Each gift had it's own fancy ribbon tied around it. Just as Lily was about to reach out and take her first present, Sam batted her hand away.

"Lily, wait for Zack's..." warned Sam.

Eventually, a pile of presents just as big as Lily's was placed in front of Zack, but they were wrapped in blue paper. Lily eyed each of Zack's gifts, obviously counting them to make sure they were being treated fairly. Finally, they were allowed to open their gifts, and they certainly weren't disappointed. They had been well and truly spoilt this year - but nothing was new there. The Merricks always spoiled the twins.

"Happy birthday, Zacky." Lily grinned, hugging her brother.

"Happy birthday, Lily." he said quietly.

After all the guests had left, Mark and Carla suddenly rushed them inside and made them wait in their rooms for a half an hour before Sam came up to them again.

"Thank you, Samantha." smiled Mark.

She mock saluted her father and left the room, leaving her younger siblings and parents alone.

"What is it, mom?" asked Zack.

"Daddy?" Lily said quietly, fluttering her eyelashes slightly.

Mark couldn't resist; she was too cute when she did that. He leaned forward, smiling slightly as he took a hand from Zack and Lily, holding them in his own.

"Okay, so you know I love music right?"

The two children nodded; how could they not know of his passion and love for music?!

"Well...myself and your mother have agreed that it's time you kids learned an instrument." he told them, grinning from ear to ear.

They looked more identical than ever when their jaws dropped. Never did they think that their musical ambitions would come true, especially at such a young age. Zack smiled a genuine smile, and he looked confident for the first time in his life.

"So...any ideas?" asked Mark, clapping his hands together.

"Guitar!" Zack blurted, almost not letting Mark finish. "I always wanted to learn..." he added, shrugging slightly.

The attention turned to Lily and she looked clueless. Eventually she shrugged at her parents.

"I dunno..." she said quietly. "I...I guess I'll try guitar with Zack. But, dad?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"I can do something else if I don't like it, right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't force you to do something you didn't like." smiled Mark, patting Lily on the shoulder.

August 1998 - Age 10

"Lily Maria, leave the drums alone and go to bed!"

"But mom! I've almost got it!"

"No! Bed, now!"

Lily huffed, jumping up from her stool and stomping up the basement stairs. Her mother stood there at the top of the stairs, hands on her hips and a not very amused look on her face. Lily glanced up at her mother only for a second, scowling at her and dropped her head to the ground almost immediately, hoping her mother hadn't seen. But Carla saw it.

"Excuse me, young lady..." she said loudly. "What was the scowl for?"

"Mom, it's eight-thirty." retorted Lily, turning back to face Carla. "I'm not a baby anymore, just give me 'til 9!"

"No, Lily. Now go to bed." Carla said calmly, closing her eyes so she didn't totally lose it.

Again, Lily huffed and stormed up the stairs to her room, slamming the door behind her. She still shared a room with Zack; they were inseparable. Zack flinched as the bedroom door slammed shut, and almost dropped his guitar on the floor.

"Oh come on!" exclaimed Lily. "How come you don't get mom screaming at you to put that away?! That is so not fair!" she raged, folding her arms crossly.

Zack just shrugged at her, and went back to playing the new chords he'd learnt earlier on. 'Maybe it's 'cause a guitar makes less noise than drums, doofus' thought Zack. Lily angrily stormed around the room, finding pyjamas to change in to. She was still angry as she walked across the corridor and into the bathroom. Meanwhile, Zack was carefully placing his guitar back in it's case, and gently slid it under his bed. He felt happy, and happy was a feeling he'd gladly stick with. Eventually, Lily came back in, slightly calmer than before. She climbed into bed, and just lay there a minute before saying good night to Zack and dirifting into a calm sleep.