𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘
the little things? the little moments? — they aren't little

ANOTHER TWO WEEKS went by fast. and even though Hope had come to terms with the fact she can't go home, she was still sad because it's her seventeenth birthday and she can't celebrate with her friends and family.

Sighing loudly, she glanced down at her locket and picked up with delicate fingers. It was a necklace that Rebekah had given her when she was just a child. It meant everything to her because it had the Mikaelson crest on it.

And, as if sensing her sadness, Scott and Stiles burst through her bedroom door with a cake they made, singing terribly to happy birthday.

"Happy birthday to you, Hope Mikaelson!" They shouted in sync, and Stiles even did jazz hands. "You're finally seventeen!"

Hope looked between them, her eyebrows raised and trying to not smile. But, once she saw the cake which was bright pink with a terrible font spelling out 'happy birthday Hope', she snorted, and her smile grew huge. It began to hurt her cheeks from how big and genuine the smile was.

"You guys didn't have to do this," she told them as she slid off of her bed. She wasn't even dressed properly for this kind of thing. She was wearing white cotton shorts and a black tank top.

Stiles bounced over to the girl, ignoring her outfit even though it was really hard for him to, and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Come on, Hope. It's not everyday you get to celebrate your birthday in another universe with amazing people like us. More specifically me because I put a lot of hard work into that cake." He pointed to the pink mess and then grimaced as he realized it looked terrible.

Hope looked over at him, her eyes sparkling as the light poured into her room from the windows. "I really appreciate it, Stiles. I just didn't think you guys remembered me telling you about my birthday."

Scott sat down the cake on the dresser and walked over to her before pulling her into a hug. "Of course we remember. And seeing as you can't go back home to celebrate, we decided to take it into our own hands. So... happy birthday."

Tears began to shine in her eyes as she faced back of them. At this moment, she knew for certain that Scott and Stiles were the two most important people in her new life shes going to have to make. They were who she could rely on no matter what, and that they will always have her back. "Thank you," she whispered, and that's when the tears began to fall.

"Don't cry," Stiles said softly before glancing at Scott. They both nodded and pulled her into a group hug. "We're here for you, Hope. Okay? And if you don't want to celebrate, then we won't. Just tell us."

She looked at them through her blurry eyes, and smiled. "I really needed this." She pulled away from them and wiped away her tears. "Alright. Take the cake downstairs and let me get dressed so we can celebrate the right way."

Stiles clapped excitedly and did a little dance while Scott smiled and grabbed the cake. "Yes!" The Stilinski shouted as they left her room, closing the door as they did so.

Hope chuckled fondly at them before grabbing her necklace again. She caressed it softly with her thumb, her big smile getting smaller. "I miss you, mom and dad. But, I'm going to try and move on like the Necromancer said I should. And maybe... you'll both be happy and not have to worry about me anymore."

With that being said, she walked over to her closest which was filled with a little more clothes now that Lydia made her go shopping a few days ago.

Even though they had that little make-out session two weeks ago, neither have talked about it again. It was a spur of the moment decision, and they both knew they worked better as friends anyway. If something were to grow between them in the future, then they'll talk about it, but for right now neither have romantic feelings for one another nor do they want a relationship.

Hope reached up and grabbed a red, white and light pink stripped long shirt which was cropped, light-washed high-waisted skinny jeans, and then decided to go simple with a pair of white vans.

Once she got into the outfit, she walked over to her vanity, brushed her hair which was straight, then applied a light layer of makeup which consisted of shiny lipgloss, eyeliner, mascara, and some light pink eyeshadow.

Sighing at her reflection, she stood up and walked out of her room, and down the stairs.

Once she stepped off of the stairs, she noticed a karaoke stand in the living room, flowers placed everywhere, even a banner that's said 'Happy Birthday Hoe' which made her laugh out loud. It was suppose to say 'Hope' but whoever made it, forgot the 'p'.

"I know," Stiles spoke up as he rubbed the back of his neck. "The girl on the phone must've thought I said that instead of Hope. Sorry."

Hope bit her lip from snorting again. "It's fine, Stiles." She then gestured to the karaoke stand. "Do you even know how to sing?"

Stiles rose an eyebrow. "This isn't for me. Though, I am totally going to take it home with me afterwards. It's for you."

Hope began to shake her head. "No, no, no. I don't sing."

Scott smiled as he watched them began to argue about who was going to sing. Eventually, they began to laugh at themselves.

"Fine. Only one song though," Hope finally gave in. "But, you'll have to sing, too." She smirked as she turned her head to stare at Scott. "Both of you." As he opened his mouth about to protest, she pointed at him with narrowed eyes. "It's my birthday so that means I can demand anything and you'll have to give it to me."

Scott sighed and nodded with a small smile. "Fine. But let's eat first."

That's when Hope noticed the table full of snacks. There was like five different kinds of chips, soda's, dips, tons of different candy's, and then there was the pink cake.

"And then you can open your presents!" Stiles exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the wrapped presents on the table. "Allison had one sent here yesterday."

Hope smiled and then asked, "What about Lydia?"

Scott shrugged. "I texted her and told her to be here soon. I'm guessing she's getting hold up on something."

Hope slowly nodded and then walked over to the table full of food. "I really appreciate this guys. I have never really celebrated my birthday like this before."

Stiles frowned at that. "I am so sorry you never had a happy life, Hope. But, you're here now and we're going to make sure you're happy."

The girl in question began to tear up again, but she pursed her lips tightly, and breathed in deeply. "So... should we dig in?"

"Yes!" Both boys shouted before they literally began to dig into the food.

Hope stood there and watched them for a minute, her smile growing the longer she did so. Maybe she could be happy here, with them, and find herself. Before, she could barely even get half a day without something bad happening at the school. At least now, she's able to relax, make friends, move on from all the tragic things that have happened in her life. Just maybe, she'll finally find happiness.

Just then, the front door opened and in cans the strawberry blonde, huffing loudly, and smoothing down her hair. In her right hand was two bags.

"I am so sorry so am late!" She exclaimed as she walked into the kitchen. She paused upon seeing the boys with food around their mouths, and then looked up at the banister with horrified eyes. "What kind of party is this?"

Hope smiled over at her friend. "Nice to see you too, Lyds." She then gestured to the banister. "I actually kind of like it. I honestly can't wait until Melissa gets here and sees it."

That is what made Scott stand up straight and look at Stiles' eyes. "Oh, my god! I totally forgot my mom will be here soon!" He looked up at the banister with fearful eyes. "Crap, I am so going to die!"

Both girls looked to one another before giggling loudly. Lydia stumbled forward due to her laughter and leaned up against the tribrid who was turning red in the face from laughing so much.

Stiles looked between them and noticed how close they were pressed up against each other, and felt a tightness in his chest. He shook it off and then gestured to Lydia's bags. "What's in those?"

The girls sobered up before Lydia grinned. She walked over to the kitchen island and placed the bags on top of it. "Okay. So... I might've gone overboard but you really need more outfit choices."

Hope sighed and walked over to the strawberry blonde. "How much did you spend?"

Lydia shrugged. "It's your birthday and you deserve it." She swiveled around and clapped her hands. "So, who's ready to party?"

They spent the next four hours laughing so hard that none of them could breathe, dancing, singing obnoxiously loud — though Lydia was very good at it, ate all the food they could, and bonded more than they thought they could.

Lydia had complained about the cake, but once she saw the smile Hope sent Stiles once the boy sheepishly chuckled, she decided to not say anything else mean. So, she spent the night being herself and making friends with people that she never thought she would ever be friends with.

Once the night hit hour number five, that when Melissa McCall came home with a thing of cupcakes. She had paused once she walked into her house, and it was because Hope and Stiles was singing to a song, and Scott and Lydia was cheering them on.

She was still smiling as she looked around at the mess they made, but once her eyes landed on the banister, she gaped, and dropped her keys on the little table by the door.

Suddenly, it got eerily quiet, and then they were all giggling and laughing. That was a sign of having too much sugar, and Melissa couldn't even be mad at them. They were having a good time and bonding, that's all she could ask for seeing as Hope needed to get used to being there.

"I got cupcakes!" She called out loudly and sat them down on the table, and stepped back with a smile as the four teenagers bounded into the kitchen, and began to pick out what color cupcake they wanted.

"Thank you," Hope said with a small smile as Stiles handed her a purple cupcake. "How'd you know I wanted this one?"

He grinned sheepishly, his cheeks turning pink. "You told me your favorite color was purple, remember?"

The birthday girl couldn't help but smile brightly at the boy. He was the first person to remember what she liked and didn't like. Landon never remembered — actually, he never asked.

Melissa shook her head softly and walked over to the auburn haired girl. "Happy birthday, Hope."

Hope beamed up at the older woman. "Thanks. How was your day?"

Melissa smiled softly at her. "It was good, thank you for asking." She then gestured to everything. "I guess you had a very fun day, too."

Hope brightened up even more and nodded her head. "Yeah. Stiles and Scott basically forced me out of my room. It was a good decision, though. This is the best birthday I have had in a long time."

The older woman pulled her into a side hug and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I am glad you're liking it here."

And with that, the party went on, and by midnight, no one could sleep because they all had a sugar high.