Time amazes me — it's been two months since my second school year of online classes have begun, not to mention I'm finally of legal age today.

"Happy birthday!" Kate and Ella rush in my room, waking me up from my sleep. Yesterday Leo, Dom and I have been in a call until 10pm, checking the second chapter of our research paper. I fell asleep before I could respond to Dom's goodnight text.

I throw a pillow at my sisters and moan, still unable to get up and gather enough energy to greet them. They refuse to leave my side — Kate snuggles beside me and begins tickling me while Ella repeatedly urges me to get up, laughing.

"Oh, man. I'm 18. I'm old." I groan, sitting upright while batting Kate away, grinning at her considering she's two years older than me.

She rolls her eyes. "Shut up. Come on, there's a surprise for you downstairs."

The mischievous smirk she wears on her face startles me. "Put on some decent clothes!" Ella reminds me before hopping outside cheerfully.

I sniff around and smell smoke. "Is Dom here?" I didn't even think he'd know it's my birthday today. We've never really talked about it. Although, thanks to my skills, I know he's born on March 15.

Kate shrugs. "Dunno. By the way, your breath smells."

"Thanks a lot."

I don't have time to check my phone — I proceed to take a quick shower, putting on tight white long sleeves and dark pants. I don't want to look too fancy just because it's my birthday. I don't even put on makeup — I just grab a surgical mask from my drawer, my heart beating fast

"Our gift for you is in your closet. Red box." Kate whispers before opening the door for me to go outside. I send her a thankful smile and step outside, gasping. "By the way, Grandpa's still asleep. So you guys might wanna keep it down a bit."

"Same man who slept through dozens of storms?" I crack a joke before heading outside.

"Happy birthday!" Leo, Nina, Liz, Sean, Joshua and two other boys whom I'm sure are Anton and Robb greet me.

Liz's voice is the loudest, of course, followed by Leo. They all surround me, cheering except for Joshua, Anton, and Robb. Nina pauses and turns to the three boys, scoffing before forcing them to join us. Only Joshua doesn't listen.

"Happy birthday!" Liz continues cheering, hugging me tight. "Don't worry, I never went outside of the house after the bar incident."

I pretend I don't mind that Dominic isn't around. Did he forget? I hug her back. "Thank you, Viola."

She pulls back and frowns, clearly not a fan of her first name. Leo lightly bumps her shoulder like a little kid begging for attention, shoving her aside. "Happy 18th birthday, Snobbitch!" his hazel eyes gleam. Liz grunts.

I make a face at him. "Thanks." My attention diverts to a familiar muscular guy heading towards me, also pulling along Anton and Robb. I can't tell who's who though. "Hey, Sean."

"Hey birthday girl. By the way, this is Anton, and here's Robb!" Sean introduces Anton first, who has a shy smile on his face. I can tell he's Hispanic. He mutters a 'happy birthday' politely. Robb is tall and built, his skin as dark as Sean's. He nods at me discreetly, greeting me a happy birthday as well. It's obvious they're shy, considering this is the first time we're all seeing each other.

"Happy birthday, Brooke!" Nina says with a warm smile, embracing me. Robb meets my eyes for a few seconds before looking away.

"Thanks, Nina. I'm surprised your parents let you out." I know how strict Nina's parents are about the virus, and I'm sure she had to plead just so she can come.

She squeezes my shoulders, smiling widely. She looks so cute with her new bangs. "It's fine."

"Barbecue's ready." Dom's voice automatically makes me snap my head at him.

He meets my eyes earnestly and smiles. Everyone falls into silence except Liz and Nina. Dom walks towards me and grabs me by the waist, whispering a birthday greeting that makes me flush.

"Look under your bed. My gift is there." He whispers.
I nod, too flustered to say anything.

We head to the backyard where there's a wooden table big enough to fit all of us including my sisters. My heart flutters when I realize Dom was helping Kate and Ella with the barbecue earlier. He gets along with them so well.

The plates, glasses and utensils have already been prepared. There are also hand sanitizers and boxes of tissues. Across from us, Sean, Robb and Anton are already seated together, talking about the vaccines of the Corona Virus.

"Not a hundred percent effective, right?" Liz joins in, interested.

Anton meets her gaze. I don't miss the flicker of admiration that crosses his face. Liz, Anton and Robb are in the same section, separated from Dom, Nina, Sean, Joshua, Leo and I. I wonder if Anton made a move? Too bad I'm still sure Liz likes Joshua. "Not a hundred."

"Shortage of vaccines." Sean interjects.

"2022 will hopefully be COVID-free then." I hear Nina exclaim, taking a seat next to Dominic, who stiffens beside me.

Dom and I share a knowing glance before I look away from him, trying to keep a straight face. I don't feel as uneasy as I felt before, but I do feel a tad bit awkward.

I don't miss the way Leo's face falls when Joshua sits next to Nina. Leo is surprisingly still standing, offering to help Ella with the barbecue, who tells him it's okay. I turn to look at Liz, whose jaw momentarily hardens.

Respectfully and fortunately, Nina gets up and says she needs to go use the bathroom, even when it's obvious she's just saying that for Liz.

"Relieved?" I hear Dom whisper teasingly.

I make a face at him and he laughs. When Nina comes back, she chooses to take a seat next to Anton. Joshua scoots closer to Dominic instead to take up the space Nina left.

"Hey. Happy birthday." Joshua mutters a smile, doing his best to seem friendly.

I thank him and look at Liz, who smiles upon hearing his voice. "Still like him, huh?" I giggle, lowering my voice.

"Obviously." She retorts, looking a little distracted. She directs her gaze towards Nina. "When are you planning on getting vaccinated, by the way? You're the only one who isn't vaccinated yet."

"This December." Nina answers briefly. Leo doesn't seem to mind that Nina is beside Sean. He slides next to her at the same time Kate forces Ella to sit down next to Joshua, who doesn't really care.

Kate serves the barbecue and pulls out two bottles of Archer Noir before setting them on the table.

"Barbecue and wine?"

Dom just winks at me. Kate is the only one who doesn't have anyone sitting in front of her as she sits beside Ella, who now looks more at ease considering she's right in front of Leo and beside Joshua, two boys she doesn't know very well.

There's beef and chicken barbecue. I hear Nina mumble a short prayer while Liz and Robb do the sign of the cross before they eat. They're the only Christians in the group, which we all respect. My mom's a Catholic Christian, but we don't practice it in the family.

Robb is the one seated across from me, and he keeps stealing glances. I can say the same for Anton who's in front of Liz. It's obvious he finds her really pretty. In Nina's case, she can't stop chuckling at the jokes Leo is throwing.

"My guitar's in your living room, by the way," Sean informs me. "You don't mind?" he glances at Dominic before looking at me.

Why did you bring it in the first place? I want to ask, but it might seem rude. "It's fine."

After eating, Kate insists we go inside and watch a movie. Leo, Sean, Anton, Liz, and Nina end up arguing about which movies to watch. Robb is literally asleep on the couch, while Joshua is just amusingly watching them like they're idiots.

I encouraged Ella and Kate to join us, but they said they were going to watch anime in their rooms. It's odd because Kate doesn't even watch those stuff. Maybe Ella finally got to her.

Dom asks Sean for permission to use his guitar, and Sean doesn't even look at him when he says yes, too busy telling Liz and Nina that none of the guys want to watch Ocean's 8. Anton looks like he's considering it though, probably because of Liz.

I sit down next to Dom on the couch, who adjusts himself with the guitar. He looks so attractive holding it. I open my phone and check Instagram, stunned at the various birthday greetings, along with people mentioning me in their stories.

Even Krista mentioned me in her story. I thank everyone who greets me and add their stories to mine.

Dom sees the sudden weird expression on my face. "What's up?"
"Cornell greeted." I respond flatly, showing him my phone. It doesn't excite me. I just didn't really expect him to greet me

Dom stares at it for a few seconds.

@beckcornell : happy birthday, ann! Have a great day :)

"Thank him." Dom says before looking down on Sean's guitar, plucking the strings.

I send a thank-you message to Cornell and turn my phone off. "Jealous?" I tease mischievously.

He looks up at me. "Why would I be?" he playfully grins, "I'm the one you're with right now."

He gets it. "The only right answer."

We hear a scoff, and we turn to see Joshua, who's alone on the sofa. "Hey, Collins." Dom waves at him, mocking the look on his face.

Joshua just grunts. "Whatever." His voice comes out a little muffled. He and Nina are the only ones in the room properly wearing a mask. The others have theirs on, but it's brought down to their chins.

Dom laughs and looks at me. "Let me play you a song, Grace."

I look up to make sure no one hears him if he does. People are still arguing and, well, Robb is asleep. Joshua most likely won't care. "Go ahead, Jace."

He starts playing the guitar. "I'm stuck on you," he begins to sing, and I gasp. His voice is beautiful, "got this feeling down deep in my soul that I just can't lose.. guess I'm on my way.."

Stuck on You by Lionel Richie. I restrain myself from smiling too big. The way he sings reminds me of Dave Fenley's cover of the song.

"Needed a friend.. and the way I feel now I guess I'll be with you till the end... guess I'm on my way..." his light brown eyes look up at me, "mighty glad you stayed."

I didn't even notice that everyone stopped doing what they were doing until Dom finishes the song. Even Robb is awake. Liz looks like she's about to faint, and Nina's clasping her hands together.

"Well, forgive us, single fucks, for interrupting the moment," Leo clears his throat. I glare at him. "What? I just wanted to announce that we already have a movie unless you two would rather...." he starts making kissing noises.

Nina bursts out laughing. I blush, embarrassed but at the same time stunned. My stomach twists, butterflies swirling as everyone eventually settles down, eyes on the screen. Liz shoots me a spill-the-tea-soon look/

Ella enters a while later and calls me, telling me that Mom and Dad want to talk to me. I excuse myself from my friends and head upstairs to her room, where Kate is lying on the mattress on the floor, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

My eyes bulge for a moment, perplexed. When I see the smile on Kate and Ella's faces, I relax and take the phone. It's gotta be good news. They wouldn't tell me anything bad on my birthday. "Hello?"

"Happy birthday, Ann." I hear my dad's gentle voice and I automatically smile.

Before I can thank him, I hear some ruffled noises on the other end and laugh when I recognize Mom's voice filled with urgency, trying to take the phone away from him. For a second I worry they're going to argue. "Gracelyn—"

"Ann! Happy birthday!" I hear Mom's voice full of light. "Happy birthday, Ann."

"Thanks, Mom. Tell Dad thanks too." I tell her. "Wait, why are you two together? Aren't you guys supposed to be isolated or—"

Ella and Kate shake their heads at me. I cover my mouth with my spare hand, stunned. "We got tested two times," Mom fills me up. "Negative, Ann. We're coming there next week. We'll get tested again this Saturday, and if it's still negative, then we'll be home by Sunday."

"Mom!" I'm not one to cry, but if Kate can't hold back her tears, then I can't too. "That's great!"

"Now, I heard there's some guy courting you." I frown when I sense her turn serious. I shoot Kate and Ella a look. "If you guys ever go out, don't forget your mask, okay? Always bring a hand sanitizer with you—"

"Mom," I cut her off, flustered. "He and I don't go out." We literally just stay in his car and vibe.

"There's still a pandemic going on, whether you like it or not. Take note of that," her doctor voice drops. "Oh, we have to go. Have a great day, alright? We love you."

When I get downstairs, everyone's too focused on the movie to notice I'm back except Dom, who looks like he's been waiting for me. Joshua's the only one on the sofa, and his eyes are fully diverted on the screen.

I slide in next to Dom and don't bother telling him about my mom acknowledging his presence.

Reading my mind, he lifts his chin up. "Good news?"

"My parents..." I can't stop smiling. "They don't have COVID anymore, Dom."

"Ann," the look on his face makes me feel so much better. "That's great."

His face glows, obviously happy for me. I love how genuine he is about how he feels. With Dom, there's no faking. He doesn't make me doubt, and when I do, he doesn't make me feel insecure about it — he entirely reassures me. "I'm so happy for you, Ann."

"I..." I restrain myself from sobbing happy tears. "Thank you, Dom."

"Mmm?"

"You healed me." I whisper to make sure no one else hears us. "You made me hold on."

He puts on a serious look. "I didn't heal you. You healed yourself. Remember that."

I healed myself. I love how he doesn't even give himself credit. "You helped me heal." I correct myself.

He just stares at me, his eyes dreamy. "Ann..."

"You are the rainbow after the storm. As long as I know you're with me, then I'll gladly embrace every storm that comes my way."

So despite the pandemic, my pride, and my friends being in the same room as us, I lean forward, my lips almost crashing to his.

His eyes widen at the realization. I pause, getting scared. What if he doesn't want to? What if—

His hand touches the back of my neck as he pulls me in for a kiss.