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| 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐞 |

There are no rumours about Castle and me.

No one's pointing fingers, whispering or acting weird. Meaning Maddy didn't tell anyone yet. She must've taken my threat seriously and decided to cower. Or maybe she's just waiting for the right time.

Today I decided to put all my worries aside though. Today is a day to enjoy. Today is a day to celebrate. Today is a day to party. Because it's Castle's birthday. 

That little bitch didn't tell me today was his birthday. He didn't mention it at all. Camille called me this morning and told me.

The moment she did, I rushed down to the kitchen yelling for Mom and Dad.

"Dad! Mom! Today is Castle's birthday!"

They both jump in their seats. "What?"

"He didn't tell me about his birthday!" I narrow my eyes.

Mom gets up from her chair, moving around the kitchen and opens drawers and shelves. "Okay, so we have eggs, chocolate. Darn it, we need milk."

Dad follows after her, pulling out his phone to make a list. "We need birthday decorations. Is he turning eighteen? Oh right, he is. We need candles that say eighteen." He types on his phone.

For a moment I stare at them in confusion, then it dawns on me. "We're throwing him a birthday party?" I exclaim in excitement.

"What else do you think we're doing?" Dad asks, moving towards the door. Mom follows after him, tugging a scarf around her neck.

He comes to an abrupt halt, spinning around to face me. "Holly." He snaps my attention to him. "Don't let Castle come here until I tell you to bring him. Don't let him go to his own house too, you get me? I'm gonna go get Camille here."

I give him a military salute.

I try to spot Castle in the hallways of the school but he's nowhere to be found. I'll make sure to give him a good kick in the ass when I find him for not telling me that it's his birthday.

Oh shit. I didn't get him a gift!

Fuck you, Castle. Why didn't he tell me before?

I ponder over all the possible gifts I could give him. During all my classes, I try searching for presents and hoping I can order something online that'll come on time.

During lunch, I don't see Sean at our table and get worried. I ask one of his teammates and he says that Sean's doing extra practice on the field. I think it's better if we don't see each other for a while. Things would get hella tense if someone put the two of us in the same room.

Besides, I'm busy shooting glares at a very certain brown-haired guy who keeps giving me confused glances from across the cafeteria.

After school, Castle can tell that he did something to piss me off because when I walk out of the school gates, he steps away from me, a wary look on his face as if I'm going to attack him.

"I don't know what I did—" He starts raising his hands in defence.

"Uh-huh." I give him a look.

"But can you stop looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

He points his finger at my face. "Like that."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're looking at me as if I ate your dad."

"Oh, he'd be happy if he gets to die by your mouth."

"I know. I'd be happy too." He states, sincerely.

"Go date him then!" I huff and march away.

He hurries to catch up to me, grabbing my wrist. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"You're pissed at me."

"I'm annoyed with you."

"Why?"

"My dad loves you more than me!" I snap.

He stops, looking shocked. "Really?" A look of joy enters his eyes that he tries to hide.

"Don't look so happy." I scowl. "All he ever talks about is how he wants a son like you."

This time a balloon of happiness bursts on his face.

"Really?" He whispers, nervously as if I'll yell 'Sike!' and burst out laughing in his face.

He doesn't have to worry. Dad does talk about Castle a lot. The fact that he didn't even waste a second to plan a birthday party for Castle the moment I told him.

"Really." I nod. "Let's do something. I'll live in your house from now on with Camille, and you can have your happily ever after with my dad. Sounds good?"

A smile appears on his face.

"Damn. Look at you. Look at you. Being all smiley-smiley at the thought of living with Dad."

This time he chuckles.

"He doesn't love me more than you Holly," he says.

"Sure." I roll my eyes. "Let's go get ice creams."

He narrows his eyes at me. "It's freezing cold."

I start walking. "Fine, we'll get whatever you want." Since it's your birthday.

Why is he still not telling me?

I don't want to give even a hint that I know, afraid to ruin Mom and Dad's surprise for him.

I don't get why he isn't telling me.

After his party, I'm gonna corner him until he does.

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It was fucking hard trying to keep him from wanting to go home.

He keeps going 'Let's head back home now' every few minutes. After getting hot chocolates at this café, I told him I wanted to get cookies. Purposefully, I took him to a bakery quite far away so it would buy us more time.

Dad still hasn't left me a message saying that we can come back home.

I can tell Castle is getting worried second by second because he takes out his phone to call his mom or text her asking if she's alright every few minutes.

Camille being a pro at acting doesn't let it slip that she's not at their house but at mine.

"I have a feeling she'll block you if you call her one more time," I say, peering over his shoulder to look at his phone.

He shoots me a glare. "It's all because you wanted those damn cookies. You know the same cookies are available at the store five minutes from your house, right?"

"Wait, really?" I widen my eyes, playing innocent.

When we get out of the bakery, he starts fast-walking towards home. I had to pretend I got a stitch in my stomach from all that drinking and eating so he could slow down.

When I stall for thirty more minutes, that's when Dad's text comes.

I breathe out a sigh of relief.

We reach home in another fifteen minutes. Castle being the non-athletic one looks out of breath and tired from all that walking.

"Okay, bye." He leaves me at my doorstep and then turns around to hurry home.

"Wait!" I stop him.

He turns around. "What?"

"Uh...you left your pen last night."

He furrows his eyebrows. "No, I didn't. I have only one pen and it's in my bag."

Damnit.

I desperately try to find another excuse to get him inside the house. "Actually my dad wanted your help with something in the kitchen."

"Oh." Castle's blinks. "Alright."

He walks towards the door.

I don't know if I should be happy that that excuse worked or jealous that he didn't even hesitate at the mention of my dad.

We walk up the porch steps. I bend down to unlace my shoes. "Unlock the door. Let me get this shoe off."

He takes the key from me and unlocks the door, stepping inside.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Confetti pops everywhere.

Castle shrieks, stumbling back until he trips over the threshold. A loud thud follows when he falls on his ass. He lies there on the ground, staring with wide confused and panicked eyes.  

My mouth gapes open as I stare at him. I'm still crouched down, my hands paused on the laces.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me," I mutter.

Dad, Mom and Camille burst out the door, looking down at Castle. They're all wearing huge pink party hats. It looks like they strapped the Eiffel Tower on their heads by how huge the hats are. It was definitely Dad's idea.

"Are you alright?"

"Did you get hurt?"

"We didn't mean to scare you."

Dad grabs Castle's arm, pulling him up. I stand too.

Castle swallows, wringing his hands together. "I-I'm fine."

"Now we know never to surprise him," I remark.

A sheepish look comes on his face as he pushes his glasses up his face. "I...I just got caught off guard." 

"It's alright." Dad laughs. "I got worried for a second." He pats Castle's back, an excited look appearing on his face. "Come in! I have a surprise for you!"

Castle shoots me a nervous look before he gets swept inside by Dad.

"This boy of mine." Camille facepalms. "Of course, he would get scared. Why did I think he'd be anything else?"

Mom chuckles. "He's a jumpy kid."

"You don't say," I mumble.

We enter the house and for a moment I pause when I look around. The house is decorated from top to bottom. Confetti and balloons lie and hang everywhere. The furniture is all pushed to the side to make a place in the middle for a table. And on the table is kept a huge five-layered chocolate cake decorated with frosting and icing to spell out 'Happy Birthday Castle'.

"Wow," I say, amazed. "You really went all in," I tell Dad, but he's not even listening to me. He's busy strapping on another Eiffel Tower on Castle's head.

Mom comes up to me with one in her hand too. Her eyes flick in the direction where I'm looking at and she rolls her eyes.

"Don't worry. He's been ignoring me too." She says, handing me the hat. "You have no idea how much he was fussing over the decorations. I had to stop him or else he would've put candles outside the house till your school to make a path for Castle."

"See!" I call out to Castle. "I told you Dad loves you more than me!"

He ignores me too.

I roll my eyes. I strap the hat on my head before we all gather around the cake.

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| 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐉𝐀𝐗𝐎𝐍 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐄 |

I'm gonna burst into tears right here in front of everyone. Or maybe I'll faint. That'll at least save me some embarrassment.

Holly's mom brings out the candles and a knife. Elias lights them up. Mom is beside Holly, taking support from her to stand. Holly is smiling at me, talking to my mom. No doubt bitching about me. She loves to do that with her.

William is in Holly's room, sleeping on her bed. Mom put him to sleep because he might ruin the decorations and also because Holly's mom is allergic.

I completely forgot today was my birthday.

I don't even know how they knew.

I've never celebrated my birthday. Maybe once or twice before Dad turned into an abusive alcoholic. But after that, I don't remember a single time when my birthday even mattered. Every birthday seemed like every other day, so it just stopped being special.

Today though...

Music starts and everyone starts singing happy birthday. Elias sings the loudest. Even though, I appreciate the whole thing and it really warms my fucking heart...I wanna die.

Everyone's attention is on me and they're singing—what the fuck am I supposed to do? Holly notices my awkwardness and bursts out laughing.

"You're supposed to cut the cake now!" She calls out.

Oh right!

I quickly move the knife towards the cake, but then jump when everyone yells at me to stop.

"What?" I look around with wide eyes.

"'Blow the candles first, dumbass!"

"Language, Holly." Elias scolds her.

Oh right. I forgot how these things worked. I blow out the candles and almost jump again when claps ring throughout the room. Then I cut the cake and more claps appear.

Elias clearly senses my confusion throughout this whole process because he carries it from there, taking a piece of cake and feeding it to me.

Then he cuts the cake into slices while Holly's mom grabs plates and spoons.

After eating the cake, it's dinnertime.

I didn't even realize how late it was.

It all makes sense now why Holly suddenly had random cravings for ice cream, hot chocolates and cookies. And then the "stitch" she had while walking home forced me to slow down for her.

While I was busy being worried about Mom, she had been here the whole time enjoying herself with Holly's parents.

During dinner, there's chatter going around. A huge smile lights Mom's face. Somewhere in my chest, my heart nearly breaks. After having so many lonely quiet dinners, this one feels different. There's no sadness. There are no reminders of grief hanging in the air. It's just one family having dinner.

Holly's family is starting to feel like my family too. For the first time, I don't feel so alone. I feel far from it. I'm not scared to be happy. I'm not scared that this feeling is going to be snatched away.

After dinner, the overwhelming feeling still doesn't leave my chest.

From the corner of my eye from where I'm seated on the couch, I see Holly marching towards me.

Alarm flashes in my mind and I jump up, trying to run away from her, knowing damn well she's not heading towards me with intentions of peace.

"Don't you run away from me!" She quickens her pace.

I get behind the couch, using it as a barricade between us. We both circle the couch as I try to stay away from her.

She places her hands on her hips, glaring at me. "Why didn't you tell me today was your birthday?"

Oh. Oh. That's what this is about. I thought she was coming to attack me because I ignored her again.

I give her a sheepish look. "I forgot."

"What?"

"I forgot today was my birthday."

She blinks. "You...forgot?"

"I did." I nod.

She gives me a blank look. "No one forgets their birthday."

"I'm the first then."

She continues giving me the same look, then frowns. "You're a dumbass."

I narrow my eyes at her.

She walks around the couch, and I get wary again. She's not exactly walking threateningly but there's still a determination in her step. She walks towards me—and hugs me.

My body jumps slightly, startled. I shoot a look toward the kitchen. "Holly, your dad—"

"He's talking to Camille." She tightens her arms around me.

I still throw worried glances toward the kitchen.

"You're supposed to hug me back, you know?" She says.

I glance one more time before wrapping my arms around her. She leans her head back to look up at me. When I look down at her, she presses a kiss to my lips.

"Happy birthday, Tutor." She smiles.

I blush against my will. I nod at her.

"You're supposed to thank you, dork."

Embarrassment coats my face. "I...haven't done this in a while—I haven't done this at all actually."

A confused look comes on her face. "Done what?"

"Parties. Wishes. Anything about birthdays."

She furrows her eyebrows. "You haven't had a birthday party before?"

"Not that I can remember."

She's still staring at me as if she can't wrap her head around it. She leans her head back on my chest, tightening her arms around me. "I promise that won't happen ever again. Every one of your birthdays will be celebrated as if it was your first birthday. I'll make sure of it."

Warmth fills my chest so abruptly that I nearly burst into tears.

She has no idea how much that means to me. Just her saying that makes me feel...it makes me feel like I have a reason to live.

"I wanna keep holding you like this." She mumbles into my chest.

"You can't actually, because your dad will come out any time now."

She shoots me an annoyed look. "Can you stop thinking about my dad while we're hugging?"

"What do you mean? Didn't you want to be careful around him?"

"Oh, sure." She rolls her eyes. "That's the reason why you're thinking about him."

"What are you saying?"

"That you're in love with my dad."

I give her an exasperated look. "Not this again."

"Why do all my friends fall in love with my Dad? First Riley, then you."

"I'm not in love with him, Holly." I narrow my eyes.

"Then stop acting like it. Can you give me your full undivided attention without your eyes straying away to him?"

I pull away from her, glaring at her. "I'm not in love with him," I repeat.

"Oh, sure. Sureee." Her lips twitch up for a millisecond before her annoyed face comes back on. It's then I realize she's joking.

Even after knowing that, I still argue because for some reason I like it. "Why are you jealous? Geez, Holly. I never thought you were so insecure." I shake my head at her.

"Look who's talking, bitch." She scoffs.

Then I do something that I never thought I would do. Just because it's purely childish. I bend my head and poke her with my pointy party hat.

"Hey!" She exclaims. "You did not just do that!"

Before I can blink, she's whipping her head around, her hat whacking me in the face.

And just because I'm feeling petty, I do the same.

A laugh escapes her mouth when my hat hits her. "Ohhh you're so getting it now."

I catch the warning in her words. My eyes widen and I turn around to dash away. I make it about one foot ahead before she pounces on my back, her arms and legs wrapping around me. And because I'm not strong enough, I go down on my knees. 

She wrestles me onto the floor while I try to escape her.

"Let me go!" I yelp as her arm closes around my neck. She holds me in a deadlock with her legs squeezing around my waist.

I try pushing her off but she's stuck to me like a bug. She laughs as she tries pinning me to the floor while I try to flip her around so I can do the same. Losing all my politeness, I grab her head in my hands and rattle it as if it's a baby's toy. She elbows me in the stomach in return.

She somehow hooks my arm behind my back and pushes my front to the floor, sitting on my back. I make fake dying noises as if her weight is killing me. I try lifting my leg to get a kick to her head, but she presses down on my arm, making me yip.

Finding some strength, I twist around and lock my arm around her neck, trying to get her off me. Her laughter rings throughout the room, mixing along with my short struggling one.

We're both acting like children, rolling around on the floor as if we're William. Surprisingly, I'm having so much fun.

Holly yanks my arm out from her neck, before flipping me around and managing to pin both my arms behind my back. A shriek escapes my mouth when she delivers the final blow by driving her elbow into my back.

Then her dad walks into the living room.

He screams when he sees us. "Holly! What are you doing to Castle!" He rushes to pull her off me.

"What the hell?" She exclaims. "You just assumed that I'm the one who attacked him?"

I see the sternness in Elias's eyes as he looks at Holly. A mischievous smile almost tips my lips up. Instead, I groan out, making noises as if I'm hurt and in pain.

Elias's attention snaps to me within an instant. "Are you alright?" He lends me a hand to help me get up. I take his hand and take my time standing up as if every movement is costing me.

Holly scowls at me.

"She nearly killed me," I tell Elias.

Elias glares at Holly.

She crosses her arms against her chest. "Be a better fighter then." She tosses back.

"Why did you attack him?" Elias asks.

"He started!" She jabs a finger at me. "Don't you know, Castle? You shouldn't start fights when you have no intention of winning."

"Even if he started, you have no right to attack the weak."

Ouch. I mean true, but ouch.

A sudden grin lights Holly's face. That always happens when she's excited.

"We should teach Castle how to fight!" She announces.

My act drops. "What—"

"That's a great idea!" Elias snaps his fingers.

My eyes widen. "But wait-what—"

"Let's get started right now!" Holly claps her hands.

"No, wait! I don't—"

"I'll teach you everything you need to know." Elias gives me an excited look.

My words die in my mouth when I look at him. In the end, I'm only able to nod.

When he turns around, I shoot a scowl in Holly's direction. She snickers behind her hand.

"Best of luck." She taunts, quietly. 

★・・・・・・★

Aren't they cuteee?? How did you like this chapter?!

Which sign do you think Castle is?

What's your sign?
I'm an Aries ♈️

Have a great day! See you next week!! ♥️♥️

Words: 3,400

Date of publishing: 21st May 2023