The next morning, the ride to the Why Don't We house was far from silent, with Mark pestering Aurora for every detail on what's going on between her and Jonah.

"I really like him," Aurora admits, a frown tugging at her lips despite the words. "But I don't know if he feels the same way."

"Are you kidding? And you complain about Carmen being oblivious," Mark snorts, looking at his best friend as though she's grown another head. "That boy stares at you like you hung the moon. Besides, you've already slept in the same bed together; he might as well propose."

"I share a bed with you all the time," she argues. "And I don't see you pulling out an engagement ring."

"That's entirely different and you know it."

"I've never felt this way for someone before, Mark," Aurora mutters, briefly glancing over at him. "It's only been six days and it's scary how much he already means to me. I don't want to mess this up and lose Jonah."

"Aurora, honey," Mark can't help but to grin, taking her hand in his and squeezing it reassuringly. "You got him banned from the zoo on your first date. I'm pretty sure nothing you do is going to drive him away."

Aurora finally smiles, pulling into the house's driveway.

"What would I do without you?" She laughs, honking the horn to let Jonah and Zach know they're here. "Now get in the backseat."

"Oh, I see how it is," he mutters rolling his eyes playfully. Instead of stepping out of the car to get in the back,he climbs over the center console. "Choosing your not boyfriend over your own best friend. It's fine, I'm fine."

The brunette glares at him through the rearview mirror, not saying anything as the boys get in too.

"Morning, Marais," she greets, a blush fanning across her as leans over and kisses her cheek. "Morning, Heroin."

"Morning," he mumbles, staring at his hands and appearing rather upset.

"Now, the plan is to meet up with Caramel and Elle at Barnes and Noble." Out of the corner of her vision, Zach immediately perks up. "We are to keep her there until the others get everything set up. Any questions?"

"I've got one," Mark says, raising his hand as though he's in school. "What's this Elle girl like?"

Jonah glances over at Aurora, sensing the sarcastic comments she was holding back.

"She's fun," she finally answers. "And if you screw today up, I will throw my copy of Harry Potter and the of the Phoenix at you again."

"Why can't you throw something smaller?" Mark groans. "Like a fridge."

××××

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARAMEL!" Aurora shrieks, running straight past a stranger that had to be Elle and jumping into the girl's arms.

"Thanks, Aurora," she chuckles, hugging her in return before turning her attention to a considerably happier Zach.

Aurora looks around before walking over to the girl she ran past. "Are you Elle?"

"Yep," she replies, popping the p. "With that awesome entrance, you must be Aurora."

"I am," she confirms, curtsying dramatically and pulling Mark over to her side. "Have you met my great, single friend, Mark?"

"I don't believe I have," Elle giggles.

"Then I'll leave you two to get acquainted," Aurora says, taking Jonah's hand and leading him away.

"Aren't you just the perfect little matchmaker?"

"You know it," she winks. "Now, let's join the other two and spend money on books that'll make me bawl."

"You cry over books?" Zach questions, furrowing his eyebrows together.

"You don't?" Carmen asks.

"No."

Aurora gasps, placing a hand over her heart. Closing her eyes, she pretends to faint and falls backwards - actually landing in Jonah's arms this time.

"Way to go, Zach," Jonah chastises. "You killed her."

Opening her eyes, Jonah sets Aurora on her feet and she turns on the youngest boy, pointing an accusing finger at him.

"Dishonour on YOU! Dishonour on YOUR FAMILY! Dishonour on YOUR COW!" She yells, gaining the attention of every shopper. Spinning on her heel, she links her arm through Carmen's and stalks off. "You know what, I change my mind. You're way too good for Heroin."

"Call down, Mulan," Carmen tease. "I can't have you committing felonies on my birthday."

"You can. It would just be frowned upon."

She merely sighs in response.

- - - -

Finally receiving a confirming text from Corbyn nearly an hour later, Aurora drags a reluctant Carmen to the bookstore's exit. The other four follow closely behind.

"But I don't want to leave," she complains. "These books are my friends."

Zach chuckles but quickly stops as Aurora shoots a glare at him.

"I know, Caramel. But, we have more plans for your birthday that unfortunately do not involve Barnes and Noble." Carmen plants her feet firmly in response, causing Aurora to look to Zach. "It's your turn to try, Heroin."

Zach shrugs his shoulders and, without saying a word, throws Carmen over his shoulder and walks out the exit.

"Same seating arrangement as this morning?" Aurora questions, following behind the younger couple.

"Nope," Elle informs her, sliding her hand into Mark's. "Zach and I are trading places."

Both, Zach's and Mark's faces lit upbat the idea.

During the car ride back to the Why Don't We house, Aurora watches through the rearview mirror as Mark and Elle talked animatedly. She smiles to herself, happy her best friend found someone that's good for him.

Returning her attention to the road, she glances over and catches Jonah staring at her, causing a blush to fan across her cheeks.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

The question passed Jonah's lips before he could even process it himself. Aurora's eyes widen comically as they conveniently reach a red light, allowing her to be able to look at him properly.

While neither, the timing or place is what Jonah had initially planned, he didn't regret asking. Aurora, on the other hand, felt as though her heart was going to pump out of her chest.

"What kind of a question is that?" She breaks the silence after an eternity, a giddy smile overtaking her features as she leans over to his cheek. "Of course I will."

××××

Aurora skips up the sidewalk with Jonah by her side, both equally excited. In front of the couple, Zach has his hands over Carmen's eyes and is leading her up to the front door. Not too far behind them, Mark is giving Elle a piggy back ride.

Somehow managing to keep both hands over Carmen's eyes, Zach leads her over the threshold, where she's instantly met with loud cheers.

"SURPRISE!"

The girls jaw drops as she takes in the scene before her. The house was decked in orange and silver balloons, along with orange streamers - although most are currently wrapped around Daniel like a sash. A large sign hangs from the wall that reads 'Happy birthday, Carmen!'.

"Close your mouth, Caramel, before you catch flies." Aurora chuckles, taking her hand and leading her to the living room. "Let's start with presents!"

Pushing her down onto the couch, Zach and Elle are quick to claim either side of the birthday girl as Aurora pushes the closest present into Carmen's hands. Everyone else sits on the floor in front of her.

"Don't you think you should have let the birthday girl decide what we do first?" Mark whispers.

"Don't be such a Dark Mark," Aurora retorts, elbowing him in the ribs before turning her attention back to Carmen. "I swear to Merlin, Caramel, if you go any slower opening these presents, I'm doing it myself."

Carmen giggles in response, continuing to carefully peel away the wrapping paper.

An hour later, the group is nearly done with presents. All that's left is Zach's, and he was currently running around the house in an attempt to find it.

Carmen takes the brief moment to look over all that she received. Corbyn had given her tickets to an amusement park for the next day, and a box of caramel taffees from Aurora. Elle had gotten her a copy of Looking for Alaska, followed by a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone from Jonah.

She received two gift cards; a Starbucks gift card from Jack and one to Barnes and Noble from Mark, who sheepishly admitted he had no idea what kind of book to get her. And as a joke, Daniel bought her a Disney Cinderella dress to match Aurora's.

Suddenly, Zach stumbles into the room, carrying a teddy bear larger than him.

Aurora glances up at Jonah, a hopeful expression on her face.

"Before you even ask," he chuckles. "The answer is yes."

- - - -

"Happy birthday to you," the group finishes the song.

The five band members, of course, sounded so much better compared to the girls, Mark, and Logan - who had invited himself specifically for birthday cake.

"Make a wish," Aurora says into Carmen's ear.

Her nose scrunches up in thought for a moment before she blows all of the candles out. Logan cheers the loudest, drowning out everyone else.

"I'll cut the cake," Aurora decides, pulling a knife out of the drawer beside her. Sliding the cake down the counter, she examines it closely. "Hey, Jonah. Does this frosting seem a bit off to you?"

Jonah looks down at the cake, shaking his head. "I don't see anything wrong with it."

"That's because you have to get closer in order to see it," she explains, leaning forward to demonstrate. "Like this."

Jonah furrows his eyebrows together, getting immensely close to the cake.

"I don't see any-"

Aurora slams his face into the beautifully frosted cake, cutting off his sentence. She doubles over in laughter, barely able to stand as he slowly wipes the cake from his eyes.

"You're so going to pay for that, Daniels."

Aurora squeals as Jonah lunges for her, immediately darting out of the house. Reaching the back yard, she pauses briefly, looking around for a hiding spot, and ends up swearing loudly as Jonah's arms wrap around her waist.

Struggling to escape, she catches sight of Carmen being captured by Logan, who also has cake all over his face. The two boys share a look before walking closer to the pool.

"JONAH MARAIS! DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE!"

Jonah merely smiles in return. Next to her, Carmen screams loudly and a splash follows. Aurora goes soaring through the air moments later, hitting the cold water with another splash.

Resurfacing, her and Carmen nod to each other and clamber out of the pool together.

Aurora shivers as the air hits her, immediately gaining Jonah's sympathy as he walks over to with s dry towel and a large grin. Wrapping it around her body, she leans into his embrace before looking up at him with a smirk.

"There's something you should know," she states casually.

Jonah glances down at her curiously. "What's that?"

"I don't know how to lose."

Before he can process it, Aurora let's out a loud war cry and Jonah ends up in the pool with a loud splash.