PARTY AND GIFTS
” Happy birthday, Riley,” Jacob said, handing me a photo frame.
” Thank you. Jacob.”
” Use this frame to save the memories of you and Ryder,” he told, silently with a grin.
” Why do you call her Riley? It’s new to me. I never used this name as a nickname.” My mom asked Jacob eagerly.
” Well, I combined Ryder and Emily’s name. I ship them. I hope you aren’t angry about it, Mrs Collins.” Jacob let out the words without making eye contact with me. I tried to but he avoided it.
” I’m not at all angry. I’m happy to hear that my daughter started dating which she has never done.” Mom said, finishing her piece of pizza.
” Enough of this topic. I need to open the door. It’s almost time.” I left the hall and soon some of my classmates arrived. I have never seen my house getting filled by my many people. Everyone wished me and some girls asked the store name from where I shopped this dress. They should be asking Pearl for any advice. She’s got more dressing sense than me.
” So, you don’t feel claustrophobic, right? Em?” Pearl asked when my classmates are still arriving one by one.
” Why would I? I don’t even have claustrophobia. Since I’m an introvert. I thought I would hate this but it isn’t that bad. To my astonishment, I’m enjoying it.” I told her, straightening up my dress.
” That’s what I wanted to hear. I was afraid that you might hate these arrangements. Thank god, you like my gift for your eighteenth birthday.”
” I would love your presents whether it’s small or large. But you really spent a lot to invite them, prepare this mani-pedi place, photo booth just for one day. It must be expensive.” I frowned, worrying about how many dollars she spent on this.
” It’s worth it, Em. You deserve this. Happy birthday once again. I wish we could be best friends always and forever.” She talked emotionally and hugged me.
” Thank you, Pearl. We will be best friends always and forever. We have always been in contact no matter how far away we are.” I reminded our past life in Paris and Florida.
” Yeah, you are right.” he broke the hug and someone closed my eyes from behind.
” Who’s this?” I asked innocently and touched their hand.
” Someone who want to see and waiting for,” Pearl gave a clue. Jason. I have been waiting for him. I wondered why he hasn’t arrived it while all other classmates made an entry.
” Jason…” I guessed.
” Right. Happy birthday, Milly. You look awesome. I wish we could get away somewhere alone until cake cutting session.” he said as he slowly took his hands from my eyes and shifted it to my hip.
” I think I should give you some privacy,” Pearl excused herself and I highly doubt that she would be grinning after stepping away from us.
” Thank you, Jason. I think we can go alone once the party’s over.” I told him.
” That works too. But I want to kiss the birthday girl.” Jason turned me and kissed me on the lips hungrily. I know I’m in the middle of the crowd but I already got lost in his demanding kiss. This is something new done by him. It’s like he missed me way too much. I wanted some alone time with myself so I never got into any social media for two days. No phone calls. No text. Nothing.
” You know what? I don’t even need the birthday cake if I can have you all to myself.” He said gazing into my eyes. I got lost in his eyes without giving a reply.
” Can I get a reply? A yes…” Jason gave his charming smile.
” Umm… Emily?” I heard someone’s cough next to us. Eve.
” Happy birthday, Emily. This is for you.” Eve gave a bright smile and gave a brown package. I opened it slowly to find out what’s inside it but Eve told the answer before I could say it.
” It’s a sports bra with Selena Gomez and Blackpink new song printed on it. Jason said you like those pop singers. Do you like it?” she asked with a calm expression on her face. I didn’t think a younger girl could buy me a sports bra. New things happen every day. Since it’s my favourite pop singer’s new song logo, I love it.
” More than like. I love it. Thanks, Eve.” Eve talked with me for a while about painting, artistic stuff and Jason tried to distract her sister from continuing the conversation. Finally, she got irritated and asked something out loud.
” Urghh… Why did you invite me if I can’t talk with her? I have been thinking of asking you something. Are you dating, Emily?” I took a glass of water and siped it so I don’t need to open my mouth.
” You should have asked me at the home itself. Yes, I’m. Does that bothers you?”
” No. You told me you are done with Crystal. You can date anyone but I suggest that you should kiss her privately. You know that I don’t like it when our parents kiss each other or my brother kisses any girl or anybody does. I feel disgusted so don’t get it again as you did earlier. Now, I wish to talk with Emily for a while. I’m taking her to mani-pedi area. So, bye.” She informed her brother in a little harsh voice. Why does she hate if someone kisses each other? That’s the first question going in my mind. The important point is, Jason said that we are dating. I liked it. But something’s stricken my mind. I’m seeing two boys at the same time. Nowadays, I can’t imagine my like without one of them. I realized that I’m obsessed with Jason and Ryder. Even in my head, I don’t want to think who I like the most. Because I can’t say it. I don’t have the answer.
I spend the rest of the time with Eve and Pearl. We, three girls, had an amazing time doing manicure, Pedicure. When we got bored, Pearl and I talked about some gossip things in our school. Eve was interested in hearing it. When I got out of the home, I was looking at the sunset. Now, the sky turned dark. I caught glimpse of Jason and Ryder talking with their friends and wandering on either side of the grass. I called them to take some photos in the photo booth. The photo booth set-up for one day is fantastic. Everyone loved it. What’s seems funny to me is Ryder trying to get Pearl and Jason out of the photo booth so he takes a photo with me alone. Ryder said that his brother is calling Pearl. That’s a lie and Pearl fell for it and went out. Then he said that Jason’s sister is calling him. But Jason didn’t fall for it knowingly or without knowing it. At last, Jason, Ryder and I took a picture together even though they didn’t like each other getting in the photo.
” I thought you both are becoming friends. Aren’t you?” I asked.
” It doesn’t mean we are friends if we talk to each other, sweetheart,” Ryder said while looking at the taken photos. Maybe I should not push each other. They are being kind to each other. What more do I want? That’s enough.