Hi, today’s October 19, and even though the story is fiction, its Pie’s birthday today! *.*

For the people who haven’t finished The Bet, don’t read this! Because it’s a SPOILER.

This is the draft, and it’s quite different from the published book.

The songs: Today was a Fairytale by Taylor Swift, Terrified by Katherine McPhee, and These are the Nights by Making April

I hope you’ll like the full version of Sophia’s birthday =)

Happy Reading! <3

~*~*~*~*~

Sophia

13th Day of the bet. My 17th Birthday.

Ironic? I think so.

They say that your birthday is very different from other (ordinary) days because, hey, today’s your day! You, and just only you. Well, except for the people sharing the same date of your birth. But still, you can pretend it’s your own day because after waiting for three hundred sixty four days, your one and only day finally arrived. That’s why you need to celebrate. . .

Right?

I’m still sleepy. I don’t even want to go to school. I think I’m the only one who’s not excited on my birthday. But I don’t know why I feel nervous, and there’s this feeling I have that can foresee something that might happen.

Sighing, I get my phone and open it.

Nothing.

Is this possible? Is my network not working? Why don’t I have a new message? There’s probably some error because. . .

Don’t tell me my parents forget it? What about Parker, and Driana?

The people close to me sure know that today’s my birthday.

Parker! He gave me a present but he forgot that today’s the day. I know, it’s still my birthday until later but he usually greets me at midnight. And this is the first time he doesn’t. Maybe he gets tired, because he knows that I don’t like it.

And then Driana. I was just with her last night. She used to call me at exactly 5:17 in the morning.

In the corner of my eyes, I see the time in my alarm clock. 6:49AM.

 My parents. When will I see them? It looks like I’m on my own. Is my mom not thinking about the day she gave birth to me? She’s probably busy with her own things.

Why do I feel disappointed if I don’t want to celebrate my birthday?

It’s just that, they are the people close to me, and then they don’t even remember this day.

Don’t you hate it when you don’t want something but it keeps coming and when you want it, it doesn’t happen?

Something tugs at my chest. Why do I feel like crying? It’s so childish to cry when no one greets you on your birthday; especially when you yourself don’t care about it.

The day is just starting but I want it to end already. I don’t want to be lonely today. It’s hard to be lonely than alone. Yes, the two are very different from each other.

Why do these thoughts haunt me today? I don’t want to be depressed. Shaking my head, I try to think of nothing. I want my mind to be a blank sheet of paper, even just for a few minutes.

You’re the sky that I fell through. I remember the view whenever I’m holding you.

It takes a second for me to realize that that’s my phone ringing. Someone’s calling.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my phone and answer it. “Hello?”

“Hi.”

That sounds like. . .

I look at the caller ID and not that surprised to see it’s Draky.

“What do you want?” I ask.

 “Why so grouchy?” he asks.

“I’m not,” I deny.

“So, how are you today?”

“You’re calling to ask how I am?” I ask incredulously.

“What’s wrong with my question?” he asks.

I can imagine him raising his eyebrow. I can’t believe I can see him in my mind while I’m talking to him.

“Nothing,” I say evasively.

I have to admit, I’m quite grumpy today. And I don’t want to accept that it’s because no one remembers my birthday.

Such a shallow reason.

“How was your sleep?”

“Fine.”

“Did you dream about me?” he asks amusedly.

“A nightmare,” I say.

 “Sweet,” he says. “That means you’re thinking about me.”

“Huh?” I ask brilliantly.

He sighs. “Didn’t you know that when you dream about a person that means you’re thinking about him too much. And see, I’m with you even in your dreams.”

I shouldn’t have lied. He’ll just think that I really dreamed of him. But isn’t a great idea to make him fall in love with me? I’ll let him think I’m falling, when in the first place it’s him who falls.

“They say that when you dream about a person, it’s the one on the dream thinking about the person dreaming, not the other way around,” I say, “and that means you’re thinking about me too much.”

I can’t believe I said that. It’s like someone is talking, not myself.

Draky’s speechless.

I breathe a sigh of relief. At least I made him speechless. Again.

 “I wish you a happy—.” He stops talking suddenly.

“What?” I ask not too eagerly.

It is a few seconds before he answers, “A happy day ahead.”

“Oh.”

I hate how my voice sounds disappointed with that single word.

“Expecting me to say something else?” he asks curiously.

I shake my head, and then remember that he can’t see me. “No,” I say.

“Okay,” he says, “I have to go now.”

“Goodbye,” I reply.

Aunt V is already at work so it’s just Andre and me in the dining room. We’re both preoccupied with our own thoughts while eating. I’m still confused at his actions last night. Why would he keep his dating life a secret? Even with his best friend? He’s so unpredictable. No wonder he and Draky are best friends, they balance each other.

When Andre asks me if I’ll ride with him today, I take his offer. I’m not in the mood to ride a bus. I’ll make an exception because today’s my birthday.

Like Draky, he doesn’t know that today’s my birthday. If he knows, I’m sure he’ll greet me.

Again, the thought of my birthday makes me sad. I’ll just forget that today’s October 19, 2010. I’m sure, before I know it, it’s the twentieth already.

After eating, we put our dirty plates on the kitchen counter. Andre says that they hired a temporary house cleaner. They always do that when he and Aunt V are busy.

While walking to his car, Andre hums quietly to his self. He’s even smiling while doing so. When we get in his car, he drives to the school without saying anything. Before, he doesn’t stop talking. Now, why so quiet? It’s creepy.

“Andre,” I start.

“Yes?” he asks, glancing at me.

“Who do you like?”

He smiles playfully. “We’re not playing.”

“I know,” I say dryly, “I’m just asking.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’m curious,” I answer.

He cocks his head to the side, making his hair falls to his eyes. “Did Drake tell you to ask me?”

“What?”

He smirks. “I know you two are teaming up to know who the girl is. Tell him to forget it.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask incredulously.

“I think the reason why he wants to know is because he’ll kill the girl. Because you know,” he lowers his voice as if he’s afraid someone will hear us, “he’s jealous of people, especially girls when they’re with me. He wants me all to himself.”

I stare at him, wide eyes with shock. Andre is—

“I have an idea,” he says, breaking my thoughts, “tell him it’s you I like.”

Andre is insane. He really is.

*

A note falls from my locker when I open it. Grabbing the piece of paper, I smooth it and read the words written on it.

           Meet me at the parking lot. ASAP.

           -D

D?

It’s from Draky, no doubt. What does he want? Why does he want me to meet him at the parking lot? Why not wait for me here?

If he wants to talk to me, he should be the one to come, not the other way around. He is the one who needs something. Besides, if I go outside, I’ll be late in my first class.

However, there’s a voice in the back of my head that whispers, “He’ll wait for you there.”

I just ignore it and try not to think about it too much. It’s just my subconscious mind trying to guilt me.

The ringing of the bell startles me. And that’s make my decision final. I hurry and go to my first class, the little note folded in my hand.

It’s in my second class when I receive a message from Draky.

“Where are you?”

“In class,” I type quickly.

I don’t want to get caught using my phone while there is a discussion going on.

“I waited for you. Why didn’t you show up?”

“I was late. I forgot to text you.”

I don’t want to say sorry to him even though I feel guilty for making him wait.

“Please keep your cell phone,” our professor says, looking pointedly at me, “if you don’t want me to take it to the principal’s office.”

My classmates turn their heads to look and snicker. Embarrassed at getting caught, I quickly put my phone in my bag, not reading Draky’s new message.

I try to concentrate but I end up thinking what he wants from me. So far, he’s the only one who texted me and called me. Yes, no one greets me a happy birthday yet.

I feel bored. I don't even bother trying to listen to the discussion because I already understand it and I can read the lesson back home.

Fortunately, time passes quickly.

Before I know it, I’m sitting on our usual table in the cafeteria across from Driana.

She’s happily eating her lasagna as she tells me about the first half of her day. I stare at her as she talks, thinking, Really? How come you forgot it?

“Hey,” she says after a moment, “anything wrong? Why aren’t you eating your food?”

“I’m not hungry,” I mumble. I don’t have an appetite. I want to go to the clinic and ask permission if I can go home now. A silly excuse, I know.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asks a concern expression on her face.

She thinks I have a problem. I heave a sigh. “I’m okay.”

She looks at me doubtfully.

“Really,” I assure her, even taking a bit of my spaghetti to make her believe me.

Driana doesn’t have to suffer with me. I know this kind of loneliness will go away after a few minutes.

When I enter the Literature room, I’m surprise to see Draky sitting on his seat. He’s earlier than usual.

“Hey,” he says, as I sit on my chair in front of him.

“Hi,” I say, “about earlier—"

“No need to apologize,” he interjects.

As if I’m going to say sorry to him. In his dreams.

“I just want to ask if you’re free later, after school?” he asks hopefully.

“Why?” I ask curiously, raising my eyebrow.

He shrugs. “I just want to have alone time with you.”

Alone time? Nice choice of words.

“Are you free?” he asks.

I don’t have a plan later. If I go home after school, I’ll just mope in my room until its dinner time.

Dinner time!

For sure, Aunt V remembers that today's my birthday. Just thinking about it brings me hope.

“Pie?”

“Okay,” I say.

He smiles, and says, “I’ll wait for you at the parking lot after school.”

“Fine,” I say.

“Make sure you’ll come,” he says amusedly.

That brings smile to my face. “I won’t make you wait this time,” I tell him.

*

“Where are we going?” I ask, as soon as I slide in his car. “And don’t tell me it's a secret.”

The corner of his mouth twitches upward. “You know me well.”

My heart skips a beat. Is that a compliment?

“You have to do something, though,” he says.

“What is it?” I ask suspiciously.

“You have to wear this blindfold.” He raises the green bandana on his hand.

“Why?” I ask incredulously.

“It’s a secret,” he tells me.

“What if I don’t want to?” I say stubbornly, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Pie,” he says, glancing at me.

“Fine,” I say, “just this once.”

He smiles at me. “Thank you.”

When Draky stops the car, he puts the blindfold so that I can’t see where we are going. He helps me walk and guides me so I won’t walk in the wrong direction. I bite my lip to stop the complaints I want to utter. He’s silent too and I have a feeling he’s nervous.

After a while, he stops me from walking.

“We’re here?” I ask.

“Yes,” he replies, taking the blindfold off.

A gasp escapes from my lips when I open my eyes. I don’t know what to say. I’m just standing, staring wide eye in the beauty surrounding me.

We’re in a small clearing. There are hundreds of Christmas lights above us. On the trunks and branches of the trees, on the fountain, there are lights everywhere. The incoming twilight only makes them more shine brightly. There’s a soft violin playing somewhere. I know it’s not live music but hey, it’s perfect for this scene.

No matter where I look, I see different kinds of colors and it makes me happy. I breathe the fresh air coming from the trees and spin once to look all around me. On my right, I can clearly see the beach that is popular because of its white sand. We're probably in a valley somewhere outside the town. To my left, there’s a table set up for two.

He did all of these for me? Don’t tell me it’s a plan to make me fall in love with him. The thought makes me sad, and then I tell myself that I won’t think of the bet for now. Besides, it’s my birthday and I want to be happy. So, everything he did and still does is to make me happy. No more, no less.

“Do you want to sit down?” Draky asks quietly. His voice is different.

I I nod and he move the chair slightly so that I can sit down.

“I love your eyes,” he says when he takes the seat across from me.

“Um, thank you,” I mumble. What is this about?

He smiles. “But I love mine more. ‘Cause without them, I won’t see yours.”

I wonder where he got that. He probably searched it on the net.

A tiny voice whispers in the back of my mind, “Maybe he meant it. That he loves your eyes.” My subconscious mind makes this more confusing.

“By the way,” he says, “I have something for you.”

He’s nervous as I am. It’s so obvious with the way he acts and the way he talks. He hands me a box wrapped with stars and curling abstract designs.

“What’s this for?” I ask curiously, taking the box from him.

He takes a deep breath and says, “Happy Birthday Pie.”

I think I stop breathing in that instant. Draky greeted me .He’s the first one to greet me.

“Thanks,” I murmur when I find my voice.

“My pleasure,” he says, smiling.

“How did you know?”

“It’s a secret,” he says slyly. “Just open the box.”

When I remove the wrap from the box, I’m surprised at what I find inside. It’s a necklace of green pearls with a silver cross on the center. It looks like a rosary.

I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.

“Do you like it?” Draky asks slowly, looking at me hesitantly.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, stunned and mesmerize as I look at the necklace in my hands. “Thank you so much!”

He sighs in relief. “Let me put it on you,” he says.

“Okay,” I agree.

He stands from his seat and walks to where I am. I stand so he won’t have a hard time putting it on my neck. The brush of his hands send shiver down my body. I stop breathing because of the proximity between us.

“Thank you,” I say, turning around to face him.

 “You make me feel at peace, easy, and complete,” he says, his eyes not leaving my face.

“Why. . . Why are y-you saying this to me?” I stutter.

My voice is shaking, it’s so embarrassing. My heart is doing a somersault inside me. I’m afraid it will burst. Sweat starts to form on my forehead as I try to analyze our current situation.

“Pie,” he says, never taking his eyes away from me, “there comes a time when you won’t be able to hide your feelings for someone no matter how much you want to keep them to yourself.”

Wake me. I know I’m just dreaming. Please, I want to open my eyes, I can’t take this anymore. What is he doing to me? Why can he make me feel things I haven't felt before?

“Please don’t think that I’m rushing you,” he murmurs, taking both of my hands in his. “I can’t just hide my feelings for you forever. And don’t you hate it? Not saying what you feel?”

I’m just staring at him, reminding myself to breathe. I can’t even tear my eyes away from his piercing gaze.

“I have to tell you this because I. . .” he pauses and takes a deep breath. “I can’t bear the thought of you with another guy. Just thinking about it…” he trails off, shaking his head. A pained expression crosses his face.

Is this real? Maybe I am dreaming. Butterflies start to flutter in my stomach. I'm afraid they'll lift me up from the ground and fly me above the clouds.

“Pie,” he says, putting his hand on my cheek.

I freeze. His touch sends a chill and electric shock to my body. His hand though, is soft; I find my head leaning towards it.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he says. To my surprise, he leans to my neck and trails it down with soft kisses.

I think he is speaking but I don’t hear him because of the loud beating of my heart. It’s so loud; it’s the only sound I hear. I wonder if he hears it too.

Do I want him to stop? My brain says I have to slap him hard on the face but my heart tells otherwise. My mouth is dry. It’s hard to swallow the lump in my throat.

“You want me to stop?” he asks again, moving to my jaw.

I’m going to faint. My mind is in a fuzzy haze. I don’t know what to do.

Draky puts his hands on my shoulders and he trails kisses on my cheek. It’s moving closer and closer and closer to my lips.

What am I doing, just standing here while he does all the kissing?

I don’t know how it happens, but when our lips meet, everything around me stops revolving at once. It’s just me and he, nothing else exists besides us. It’s like a fire that can’t be stopped. Maybe this is from the times when our almost kiss has been interrupted.

How many times have I look at his lips? I never expected it to be on mine. It takes a second for me to realize that I’m kissing Drake Swift. After that thought, I let instinct take over me.

My hands, as if they have a mind of their own, travel and make their way to his hair; his soft and silky hair that I want to touch from the very first day. And then I touch his face, his chest, his hair again; it’s like a pattern.

When Draky pauses to breathe, he murmurs my name. And then we’re kissing again. I feel hot and cold at the same time. I get tingly all over my body.

Draky’s hands move around my body. His left hand is on my waist while his right hand is memorizing my face, my hair, and my arms.

A shiver runs down my body. It’s not from the wind, but from the feelings I’m experiencing.

I open my eyes experimentally and see his eyes are closed. I want to touch his long eyelashes. Now I know why people close their eyes when they kiss. It’s so distracting.

Million thoughts run in my head in this instant but I can’t really think about them because I’m focused on kissing Draky.

We stop after what feels like hours. I thought he’ll give me space to collect my thoughts when he suddenly pulls me to him. And then he puts his arms around me tightly.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

I can feel the beat of his heart. No doubt, he can hear mine too.

Two hearts beating as one.

My hands find their way to Draky’s neck and my head leans to his chest. Really, it’s like someone is controlling my body.

We just stand for a couple of minutes, wrapped in each other’s embrace, contented by the silence. I’ve never felt more at home than I am now. Here, in the arms of the person I despise, I feel happy.

After a few minutes, he leans down and plants a kiss my forehead. I can’t help but think that’s sweet.

I know that the kiss on the forehead means more than the kiss on the lips.

 “Pie,” Draky says softly, looking into my eyes, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

* 

“Pie, I think I’m falling in love with you.”

The words are bizarre; they play repeatedly in my head, non-stop.

I have a feeling he’s doing and saying all this because of the—

No.

I have to remember what I promised to myself earlier. I won’t think about that, even for just my birthday. I want to be happy. I’ll just face the consequences tomorrow, or the next day. What I want is to forget everything and pretend that he wants to make my birthday memorable for me. Something I will not forget for the rest of my life.

What would I feel if it’s true? I’m probably the luckiest girl on the planet. The person I’ve been dreaming of for as long as I can remember finally admitted that he’s starting to fall in love with me.

Somehow, I don’t feel as happy as before because something taints in my mind, always knowing, always judging everything Draky does. I can’t blame it though, because it has a point. It doesn’t want me to get hurt.

My brain and my heart are enemies.

Tonight, I’ll pretend that Drake Swift really is falling in love with me.

Hooray, I think sadly.

 “I just want you to know my feelings,” Draky says, brushing my hair away from my face, “you don’t need to respond if you don’t feel like it.”

So I don’t, because I don’t know what to say. I might just say something I’ll regret later.

“I find myself daydreaming about you,” Draky admits shyly. “Sometimes I’m smiling for no apparent reason at all, and then I realize I’m thinking about you.”

It’s easy to fall for him if I don’t really know what he’s up to. You can fall in love with a guy like him even for just a few days of meeting him. With his good looks, charisma, and unexpected surprises, he can capture your heart in an instant.

I lean to his chest, thinking of nothing, just this moment, not the past, not the future. I have to take one day at a time. This is present so it means that it should be the one you’re living; not something that already happened, and not something that might happen.

“Pie,” Draky murmurs, close to my ears, sending shiver and warmth in my body. “Thank you for making me happy.”

“I make you happy?” I ask, leaning back to look at his eyes; his eyes that can see right through my soul.

He touches my nose lightly with his forefinger and says, “You’re the only one who can make me feel this way."

I don’t know how to respond to that so I just smile and tighten my hands on his neck.

To my surprise, he starts to move slowly, bringing me with him.

“What are you doing?” I murmur.

“Dancing.”

Even though my eyes are closed, I can imagine his expression. The corner of his mouth twitches upward, smiling his trademark smile.

“I’m not a good dancer,” I point out.

“Me neither.” He chuckles.

I don’t think what we’re doing is called dancing because we’re just swaying back and forth again and again. The soft music from a radio, I think it’s a radio, is our guide. It plays instrumental music. Before its violin, and now it’s piano.

If you could see that I’m the one who understands you, been here all along

Suddenly, a giggle escapes from my mouth. “Seriously?” I ask between laughs.

First Love Story, now You Belong With Me. What’s next?

Draky smiles sheepishly and says, “Taylor Swift is amazing.”

“I know,” I agree, chuckling.

Draky answers his cell phone, cutting Taylor Swift’s song. “What?” he asks, after looking at the caller I.D. “Yes,” he says after a moment, glancing at me.

“Who is it?” I mouth.

“Andre,” he answers.

It’s hard to guess what they are talking about. Andre must be saying something important because Draky listens to him attentively, nodding his head as if Andre can see him.

“Really?” he asks. “Why didn’t you tell me?!” While he listens, his expression is changing. “Okay, we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

“We’re going where?” I ask curiously.

“I think you have to go home now,” he says slowly, “they are getting worried.”

“Okay,” I murmur, disappointed. It’s not even late yet.

“Let’s go.”

“What about the lights?” I ask, glancing at them hesitantly.

“I’ll take care of them later,” he says evasively.

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

To my amazement, he grabs my hand and we walk hand in hand towards his car.

What am I getting myself into?

Draky opens the passenger door for me, and then I get in and buckle my seat belt. After he slides in, he starts the car and then we’re moving.

“You know,” I say, “Andre told me who he likes.”

Draky glances at me and asks eagerly, “Who?”

“Me.”

His expression wiped from his face. “Funny,” he says dryly.

“He really told me that he likes me,” I insist, although I know Andre was just teasing me.

“You’re really funny,” he says amusedly, grabbing my hand and intertwining our fingers.

*

The house is unusually quiet when we arrive. There are no lights, even in the porch.

“Why is it dark?” I ask, getting out of the car.

“Maybe there’s no electricity,” Draky guesses.

That’s possible. They cut the electricity before when there were snowstorms and bad climate. Now, the weather is nice. Calm, even.

Draky sees my reaction and says, “Let’s go and see.”

Getting the spare key in my pocket, I put it in the doorknob and twist it. Draky opens the door and then we enter the house, closing the door behind us. It’s darker inside, than outside. When I find the switch button, I press the light, but it just click.

Uh oh.

There really is no electricity. I wonder why I didn’t notice the other houses when we were on the road earlier.

Suddenly, there’s a little light coming from Draky’s direction. “I have a flashlight,” he says, smiling.

Is he carrying a flashlight wherever he goes?

 “What is that?” he asks, pointing the flashlight on the couch.

We walk towards it and find two boxes on top of the couch. There’s a note above the box. The words written on it are:

             Sophia Taylor, wear these tonight.

I look at Draky, not believing what I’m seeing. “Who do you think left these here?” I ask.

“No idea,” he replies. “Why don’t you open these boxes so that we can see what are the things inside?”

When I open the first box, I’m surprise to see a dress. It’s pink, sleeveless, and I’m sure it will reach just above my knees. Embroidered on its hems are little flowers. There are ruffles that make it flow when you walk. Simple and classy, but elegant at the same time.

“Nice,” Draky says, nodding his head in approval.

The other box contains a pair of high heels. When you fasten it, a glittery ribbon will come into view.

Now, I’m confused. Why would they give something like this to me? Are these a birthday gift?

“What am I going to do with these?” I wonder aloud.

“Wear them,” Draky suggests.

“For what?” I ask dryly. “And besides, it’s dark.”

He rolls his eyes and raises the flashlight on his hand. “Come on, I want to see you in that dress.”

“Why don’t you just imagine it?”

“Imagination is not the same with reality,” he says disapprovingly. “I’ll help you upstairs if you’re scared to go there alone.”

“I’m not scared,” I mutter. “And okay, I’ll try this dress.”

“The shoes too,” he adds.

He carries the two boxes while I hold the flashlight for us to see where we are walking. We make our way upstairs and then stops in front of my room.

“Wait for me here,” I instruct and get the boxes from him.

“Are you sure?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. “Maybe I can help you get dress.”

For the first time, I’m glad with the darkness because it conceals the blush starting to flood my cheeks.

“No need,” I mutter, shoving his flashlight to him and walking inside my room, shutting the door behind me.

Giving the flashlight to him is not a good idea because now I can’t see. I use my instinct and other senses as I strip down my clothes. When I’m finish, I put on the heels and lock them in place.

 “Pie!”

The sound of Draky’s voice is coming from downstairs. I open the door of my room and not that surprised to find that he’s gone, along with the flashlight.

“What?” I ask loudly and irritably.

I can’t believe he left me here. Alone.

“You have to come here and see this!”

“What is it?!”

“Just go here and see for yourself,” he shouts back.

How can I walk without a light?!

Heaving a sigh, I try to remember the place of the staircase. When I find the banister, I hold on to it as if my life depended on it, as I make my way downstairs, one-step at a time.

Why am I even wearing heels? I might just slip on them. Not wanting to come back again in my room, I just continue walking. I’m like a blind person. I can’t even see anything. It’s as if my eyes are not open.

Don’t take your eyes for granted. They are very important to you. Well, people never really know what they have ‘till it’s gone.

I breathe a sigh of relief when my feet lands on the last step.

“Where are you?” I ask.

There’s a rustling coming outside. Don’t tell me. . .

“I’m in the back porch.”

“Seriously?!” I bite my tongue to stop the complaints I want to say.

I raise my arms in front of me. The left one is outstretch beside me, while the right one is guiding me not to run straight into a wall.

Draky should have a good reason why he wants me to go here. I feel the cold touch of the glass door leading outside. I almost trip on the steps; thank God, I quickly regain my balance.

“Draky?” I ask, walking towards the pool. “Where are you?” I wait quietly for him to answer me, but he doesn’t. “You want me to come here for what?” I ask impatiently.

I glance upward and then feel disappointed because the moon is hidden from the clouds. There are no stars to light the dark sky.

“If you want to play hide and seek,” I say, “play with yourself. I’m going to sleep.”

When I’m about to turn around, something flickers in my peripheral vision. I look at the pool and find a candlelight floating on it. I stare, wonder-struck, as another and another fills the pool with light. There are probably dozens of them, floating, illuminating the darkness that once engulfs this place.

How the candle lights up is beyond me. I don’t have a good explanation for that.

What is happening here? I look around me but I don’t see anyone.

My breathing comes faster and faster, as I stare at the candle lights on the pool. A gasp escapes from my mouth as different colors of Christmas lights starts to brighten Auntie’s garden. They are on the vines of the roses, on the small bushes of the flowers, everywhere in the garden. There are even Christmas lights on the tables and lounge chairs beside the pool. They look like the same lights on the clearing.

To my surprise, a soft music begins to play. Then shadows starts to come out of the darkness.

* 

“Happy birthday to you.”

What?

“Happy birthday to you.”

Where are they?

“Happy birthday happy birthday."

Oh my God.

"Happy birthday Sophia.”

They continue to sing while I stand, my feet planted on the ground, as something moves from my peripheral vision.

A surprise sound comes out of my mouth when Driana walks to where I am.

“Happy birthday Sophia," she says, giving me a hug.

“T-th-thanks," I stutter.

"You really thought I forgot your birthday?" she asks incredulously. "I'm not a horrible best friend!"

I smile sheepishly because that possibility came to my mind. "What is happening?"

She playfully zips her lips and throws the key away.

“Driana," I say.

The hidden people continue to sing a happy birthday while I pressure Driana to tell me what’s going on.

She shakes her head and bites her lip to stop the smile forming on her mouth.

Andre comes next. “Happy birthday Sophia," he says, giving me a hug as well.

“Andre?” I say, hugging him back.

He grins. “I wish you a happy birthday!”

“Thank you," I murmur.

Like Driana, I know Andre won’t tell me so I just wait and keep my mouth shut. I’m not the type of person that will just stand while the people around her moves. The suspense is killing me. I’m so curious, I want to know everything.

The next person to come out of the shadow is Aunt V. I’m surprised to see her because I thought it’s just Driana, Andre, and Draky. I can’t imagine Aunt V agreed to do this.

“Happy birthday Sophia," she says, kissing me on the cheek.

“Thanks Auntie," I say gratefully.

I’m about to just go to where they’re coming from when Andre grabs my arm and shakes his head at me.

“A little impatient, are we?” he says amusedly.

I frown and give him a pleading look. "Please?"

“Sorry, you have to wait here.” I can see that he is enjoying this.

The next people to walk towards me are unexpected. Very unexpected.

"Parker?" I ask, surprised. "Chloe? What are you doing here?"

Parker grins, liking my facial expression. "I'm here to greet you a happy birthday! Since I didn't send you a message earlier," he says amusedly. They walk to where I am and then Parker puts his arms around me. "I'm not stupid to forget your birthday," he says.

I put my arms around him as well, and say, "Thank you," many times.

"You're surprised, right?" Chloe asks eagerly. "We thought if we just greet you a happy birthday, it'll be just like everyone else so we decided to come up with plans."

"And I'm tired of people jumping to surprise the celebrant when he or she arrives," Parker adds.

I'm grinning from ear to ear, staring at the people that matters to me. "What you did was perfect. Very creative!" Well, considering its Parker, he will not do something that is less than one hundred percent.

My parents are the only ones missing. If they're here, everything is complete. But maybe you can't get everything you want for a day. Even if it's your birthday.

"I know," Parker says smugly. "We want you to be happy. Remember your birthday seven years ago? When we dressed as magicians and clowns? We thought of things that will make you really surprised, so this is it. We’re geniuses."

"You're lacking modesty you know," I tease.

He ruffles my hair and grins. "I know you like me this way."

"You came all the way here for my birthday?" I murmur.

"Of course." He winks at me.

"But you have school tomorrow. . ."

"So?"

"When will you go back?" I ask.

"After the party."

My tears are threatening to spill because of the emotions I feel inside me. "Parker!"

"Oh, don't cry now," he says softly. "I really want to do this for you."

"Yes," Chloe agrees. "We want you to be happy. So we decided to go here after school. Thank God we didn’t have classes in the afternoon."

"Chloe. . ."

"It's your birthday, you shouldn't cry," Parker says, trying to make me laugh.

"These are tears of joy," I mumble, wiping the now falling tears from my eyes with the back of my hands.

He smiles and takes his handkerchief to wipe my tears away. "It's worth it to drive five hours to see you. Besides, it's your special day. Smile, it will make you look good."

"As if I don't look good already," I say.

He laughs along with my friends. "So who's lacking modesty now?"

I grin. "Your lack of modesty is contagious."

"Oh well, because I'm a good teacher."

"Yes you are," I affirm.

To my astonishment, Draky comes next. Why did they make him last? Are they trying to imply something?!

He makes his way towards us and gives a bouquet of pink roses to me. “Happy birthday Sophia,” he says.

“Thank you,” I reply shyly.

I don't know why, but I remember the kiss earlier. The way his lips move to meet mine, the way his hands hold me close to him, the sound of his voice while murmuring my name.

Why am I repeating that scene in my head?

My friends, even Aunt V whoops at Draky and me. It’s so embarrassing, I can feel my cheeks heating up. I wish I can control this blush from coming to my face.

I wonder why they’re still singing. Are there more people who will come?

“Thank you everyone,” I say, smiling from ear to ear. “I appreciate all—“

“Wait,” Parker interjects. “There’s more.” He points to the shadow and that’s when I see them.

"M-mom?" I ask my voice shaking.

"Happy Birthday Sophia," she says, walking towards me. When she opens her arms, I run into them and hug her as tightly as I can.

I've never been so happy in the arms of my mother. I bury my face on her shoulder, and that's when I notice the uncontrollable tears flowing from my eyes, staining her dress.

"I'm so sorry for leaving you," she murmurs, brushing my hair away from my face and then kissing me on the cheek.

"Mom, I missed you so much," I whisper, not letting go.

I can hear the smile in her voice when she says, "Someone wants to see you too."

I lean away slowly and gasp when I see someone behind her.

"Dad!"

"My girl," he says, pulling me to him. “Happy Birthday Sophia!”

I hug my dad as tightly as I can. Oh God, I missed my parents so much. I won't be here in this world without them. Suddenly I feel guilty for thinking bad things about them. I shove the thought away because I don't want past mistakes to ruin this enchanted moment. It’s not yet the time to ask them why they left me. Tomorrow I will get the answers I need. And I’m sure they will tell me everything I need to know.

I feel light; I can feel myself floating with happiness and glowing like there's some light surrounding me. To put it simply, I'm on a cloud 9. I've never been happy like this before. This is the best day and night of my life yet. And it will forever be in my mind as long as I live.

“Thank you so much,” I repeat, blinking back the tears that are spilling from my eyes. “I’m so happy. I thought you forgot my birthday," I say sheepishly, "I'm glad- so glad to be here tonight. Thank you so much! You don’t have any idea how. . . words can’t express this feeling I have.”

Fortunately, I’m not embarrassed to cry in front of them because of the overwhelming euphoria I have inside my body. What I know is I’m fully contented on everything that is happening.

“You’re welcome,” Parker says. “I think it’s eating time, right? I’m hungry!”

Laughter fills the air. Parker is so good with words; he can move a crowd in an instant.

So we go to the spot beside the garden where they arranged the tables and chairs. This is an enchanting night. I wonder how they planned all of this, without me knowing anything about it.

While eating, we talk and converse with each other. I can see on the faces of everyone that they’re having fun. The happiness we’re feeling is contagious. I can even taste it in the air surrounding us. Matt is the only one missing today. I know that wherever he is, he’s happy for me. These people are my family. And this is what home feels like.

When the cake arrives, they sing me a happy birthday again. At first, it feels awkward because I don’t know what to do while they’re singing so I decide to just sing with them instead.

The cake is simple, yet elegant. It’s a two layer vanilla chocolate cake with stars encircling the icing. There are seventeen candles in different colors.

“Make a wish, make a wish,” they chant excitedly.

Closing my eyes, I lean down and wish with all my heart. After that, I take a deep breath and blow all the candles in one breath. They said that when you do that, there’s a big chance that your wish will come true. But of course, you have to take action too if you really want your wish to happen.

To my surprise, they start to give their gifts to me. All of them- well, except for Draky because I'm already wearing his gift for me; even Parker and Chloe, although they told me a few days ago that the dress and the shoes were their gifts for me.

“Sophia is getting older,” Parker teases.

“She’s still my lovely daughter,” says my mom affectionately.

“Who’s the lucky guy?” asks my dad.

Lucky guy?

I don’t know how and why, but everyone except from my parents look at Draky.

“Dad," I say quickly before he can notice what’s happening, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Is that true?” he asks, looking pointedly at Draky.

I almost laugh when I see Draky's adam’s apple bobbles when he swallows. I think he’s nervous. “Sophia doesn’t have a boyfriend sir," he says.

“Studies first," says my dad, smiling.

I know he’s just giving Draky a hard time because he can feel that there’s something going on between us. Father radar.

We continue to update what’s happening in our lives, occasionally laughing when they say something funny.

After some time, the adults talk about something that doesn’t interest us so Driana and I decide to walk to the swimming pool and look at the candle lights. Before I can ask her about them, she speaks first.

“Where did you get that necklace?” she asks, a knowing smile is on her face.

“I. . um.” Why is it so hard to tell her that it’s from her twin?

“A birthday gift from your boyfriend?” Andre chimes in, wiggling his eyebrows.

“I don’t have a boyfriend!” I say indignantly, glancing at my parents to make sure they’re out of hearing range. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see them busy talking to Parker, Chloe, and Aunt V.

“Really?” he asks. “What is Drake to you then?”

“What?” I ask, taken aback.

“I heard you talking about me," Draky says, walking towards us. “I heard my beautiful name.”

Driana rolls her eyes. “Always full of himself.”

“I didn’t hear you, twin," he says, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Driana squirms away from him, and in the end, she ends up standing beside Andre. They are even standing close to each other.

I have a feeling on who Andre likes, but I’m not really sure about it so I just keep quiet. I’ll just wait for Andre when he’s ready to tell us. A smirk makes its way onto my mouth as I think: If he’ll ever be ready.

In the corner of my eye, I see my mom making her way towards us. “Hi mom,” I say.

“Hello there,” she says. She looks at Draky and says, “You’re Andre’s best friend and Driana’s twin brother, right?’

Draky nods.

Where is my mom taking this conversation? I hope she won’t notice the way Draky and I act with each other. My mom has an amazing instinct when it comes to me. I have a feeling her radar is working full force now.

“Are you sure you’re just friends with my daughter?” asks my mom.

“Mom!”

Draky struggles to fight off the smirk forming on his mouth. “We’re friends,” he says, but his voice is implying that there’s something more between us.

“You’re not her boyfriend?” she asks, ignoring my pleading look at her to stop asking questions.

“No,” Draky says.

Because he’s beside me, I hear the words: Not yet when he mutters them under his breath.

I’m glad my mom didn’t hear it because I’m sure she will ask a lot of questions to him. Before she can say something more, I ask, “Are you going inside?”

“Yes,” she replies, “I’m going to get more food.”

“I’ll do it,” I volunteer.

“No, I can.”

“It’s okay mom,” I insist.

“Fine,” she says, smiling.

“I’ll help her,” Draky says.

“Good,” says my mom approvingly.

One minute Draky and I are walking side by side and then all of a sudden we’re holding each other’s hand. I don’t know how that happened. Our hands just find each other, and then our fingers intertwine.

When I’m alone I’ll try to think about the situation I am in. I can’t think straight because he’s beside me. I’m sure my decision will be affected by his presence. I’ll try to distinguish my feelings for him and his feelings for me. And well, the thing between us. It’s still my birthday so I don’t have to think about that yet. It’s creeping in the back of my mind though, waiting eagerly for my birthday to be done so that it can torture me with haunting thoughts.

All of a sudden, Draky stops walking bringing me to a halt.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing,” he says, smiling slyly.

“Tell me.”

He raises our hands and says, “I’m just happy, perfectly happy to be with you.” He takes my other hand and kisses it.

I swear my heart skips a beat. More butterflies flutter in my stomach. There are more now than before. They probably multiply three times. I can feel their wings inside me.

Draky, it’s hard to distinguish your feelings for me. I wish it’s just easy for the both of us but you make it difficult with your actions that I can’t even comprehend which is real from unreal. I know that tomorrow we’ll go back to normal.

“Is there something wrong?” he asks gently.

I shake my head and smile. “It’s my birthday. Everything is perfect. Or, well, close to perfect anyway.”

“That’s good," he replies, “I want you to be happy.”

“You make me happy.”

“That’s just—“ he pauses and looks at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. “What?” he asks. “Can you repeat what you just said?”

I can’t believe I said that. How did it come out of my mouth? Did I mean that? Why did I even think of that in the first place?

“I make you happy," Draky says slowly. “I make you happy.” I lost count on how many times he repeats that. Finally, he looks at me with a huge grin on his face. “I’m glad I can make you happy!”

I smile at his enthusiasm. His smile is contagious. When he smiles, it’s hard not to smile with him.

“Let’s go," I say tugging at his hand. “They’re probably wondering why it takes us a long time to get food.”

“Wait a second.”

“Why?” I ask curiously.

“I want to do this first.”

“What—“

He kisses me on the cheek, making me stop from talking.

“D-Draky!" I stutter.

“What?” he asks innocently.

“You can’t just kiss me without asking permission," I say disapprovingly. I can’t believe he’s confident enough to do that.

“Okay," he agrees. “Next time I’ll ask your permission.”