“Whatever you’re thinking, stop thinking it.”

“I can’t,” I told him. “I’m still thinking it.”

“I can explain,” he assured me.

I leaned against the doorway. “Enlighten me then. Why exactly are you in my room?”

Bennett sighed then he turned around and began to walk to the window. He suddenly opened the window and stuck one foot out the window.

“Wait, are you going to jump? No, don’t jump! You’re too young!” I exclaimed.

He looked back at me. “What? No, I’m not going to jump. Why will you think that?”

“I hate to break this to you Bennett, but the exit is this way,” I said, pointing at the door.

“Let me show you something.”

Then he hopped out of the window. I raced to the window, expecting to hear the sound of his body smashing to the ground below. But then I saw he was outside, standing, on the fire escape. For a second there, I thought he pulled an Aladdin and was standing on a magic flying carpet. Knowing Bennett, he could have easily bought one.

“Stop thinking I’m going to jump,” he told me before holding his hand out to me. “Now c’mon, I think you’re going to like this.”

I asked him, barely holding my excitement. “Are you going to show me the world?”

He blinked. “What? No.”

“And that Bennett is how you destroy someone’s hopes,” I said as I took his hand.

He helped me onto the fire escape. This was the same fire escape Bennett shot Declan and Jordan with the paintball gun. I didn’t know that the fire escape was connected to my room. I thought it was connected to Declan’s room which was right next to mine. Bennett had me climb up the steps first, following right behind me. With one final step, I got on top of the roof of the building.

I was amazed of the view here, being able to see as much of the city as I did when I was on top of the billboard with Jordan. It wasn’t much, but the view says otherwise. I took a moment and took a deep breath, smiling at the small breeze. I turned back to Bennett who gave me a small smile. We both sat down at a tall ledge of the building, safe from accidentally falling to our deaths, and able to enjoy the view.

“I realize that we don’t talk often, just the two of us I mean,” Bennett said.

I thought about that. “Yeah, you’re right. You’ve always been the quiet one out of the three.” I paused and chuckled.

He glanced at me. “What is it?”

I tried to hold back a smile. “I was just thinking that people will think you’re an Avox when they first meet you.”

I didn’t get the chuckle I wanted. Instead, I just got a blank stare from him.

“Hunger Games? Mute?”

Nope, nothing.

“Nevermind,” I waved off, though in the inside I felt like a total idiot, wasting the Hunger Games reference Jordan would’ve gotten. “But with you not talking a lot, you act all cool.”

“Cool,” he repeated. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No, of course not. I just wish you can open up to me- to us more.”

He was quiet for a moment before saying, “I’ll think about it.”

I smiled at that.

“Sorry for not telling you about this place,” Bennett told me. “I guess we wanted to keep it to ourselves while it lasted. Your room used to be empty and was mostly used for its connection to the roof,” Bennett explained to me. “When you got the room, we usually just use it when you’re not here.”

“We?”

“I like to hang out here for the peace and quiet,” Bennett told me, sitting down on the edge of the building. “Declan comes up here for his… music, so we can’t hear him. And Jordan-“

“Let me guess, for inspiration of his art?”

He shooked his head. “No, for the better reception and his satellite dish,” he said as he pointed at this huge satellite dish behind him, making me jump in surprise for not noticing it in the first place. “I bought some parts of it for him, the rest he got for himself and built it himself. We get really good quality, and its better than using any real cable companies to give away our location.”

“I don’t mean to be asking this so harshly…” I began.

“But you are,” he finished.

“Are you okay being used as an ATM?”

Bennett frowned. “An ATM?”

“If you add up all the money you spent on us, you can buy yourself a small island,” I said, kidding entirely about the island part.

“No, I won’t,” he said. “I think a small country is more like it.”

I ignored that, hoping he was kidding. “Don’t you feel used at all?”

He shook his head, not at answering my question, but to himself. “All my life, people want to be my friends not for me, but for my money. And I’m not talking just kids my age wanting some stuff from me, I also mean adults, trying to befriend me in order to get on my dad’s good side. They’re the ones who use me. The other guys, even you, are different.”

Bennett looked out at the view. “When I first met those two, they didn’t care who I was or even understood what the Frazier name meant. They were their selves around me, not at all trying to impress me in order to get my good side. They didn’t hold back annoying me, or even arguing me, not thinking about the things I can do to ruin them with only a little money, which of course I won’t do. And most of all, they didn’t ask for any money from me like people had always done. Sure, there was the occasional lunch on me and so on, but other than that, it was my own decision to pay for anything they want. And it was… refreshing.”

“That’s the word you’ll use? Refreshing?”

“I’ve been used all my life, like a tissue or more similarly, a credit card that can’t be maxed out. It was a nice change with them, for being able to accept me not for my money or my last name, but as who I am. The same for you, Naomi. Most girls would practically throw themselves at me-“

I looked at him in disbelief.

“-as Jordan would say it, just for nice dates somewhere or expensive gifts,” Bennett finished. “Maybe you’d think of someone such as Abby Baker, the girl I had to suffer through for a while…”

I cringed at the memory.

He chuckled at that. “When we first met, you kinda yelled at me. I don’t mind that though, it was my fault.”

“No, it was my fault.”

“Let’s settle that’s it’s both of our fault,” Bennett said. “Even after you learned about me and my money during that one dinner, that didn’t change your view at me. You didn’t feel awkward or the least bit intimidated by me, and was still yourself when you’re with me. I value that.”

Bennett smiled at me. “But thank you for being worried about me, most people wouldn’t care about their credit card’s feelings at all.”

“Please don’t say it like that.”

“Alright,” he said, getting it. “How was that for being open?”

“I think that was the most you have ever said from the first time I met you,” I told him.

Bennett blinked and thought about it, counting off with his fingers. “Yes, I think it is.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

“You’re free to use the roof whenever you like. But you’re going to need to fit yourself into the schedule.”

“The schedule?” I repeated.

“If I could, I would say I was kidding. Sadly I can’t since Jordan created a schedule on who can use the roof. Just because you have the best access doesn’t mean you own it, no offense.”

“None taken,” I said as I stared at the roof. “Is there an opening the rest of the day?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“I want it.”

“What will you do?”

I looked at him. “Jordan told me his birthday just passed, also yours and Declan’s.”

“Naomi, if you’re going to do what I think you’re going to do.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t do it.”

-

Declan yawned. “I don’t see what’s so important to wake me up,” he grumbled.

“You do know finals are coming up before winter break,” Jordan said. “Oh don’t look so surprised, I just don’t want my mom to kill me if I get so much as a D. Declan, don’t even.”

Declan frowned. “But you practically walked into that one.”

“I want to talk to you about your- Can you turn the TV off?” I asked Declan.

The weather reporter in the TV was saying, “Though it’s highly unlikely it’ll be, we have a small chance of ra-“

The TV turned off. “Alright, alright, I was just waiting for the sports.”

“All three of your birthdays passed and-“

“You want to throw us one?” Bennett finished.

“If you were trying to throw us a surprise party, I think you ruined the surprise part of it,” Jordan told me.

“I want you to know I’m throwing you a party,” I told them. “So you won’t bother me while I set everything up at the roof. I’m officially inviting you to your own party tonight at eight. It’s short notice, but I want to spend it tonight so we’ll be able to then study for finals as Jordan, amazingly, wants to.”

“I don’t need to study, I’m good,” Declan said proudly.

“I’m actually not studying,” Jordan confessed. “I’m trying to come up a foolproof plan to cheat the finals. We all know it’s a hopeless cause for me to actually study.”

“And I’ve already studied,” Bennett said.

Obviously I’ve already studied too, and pretty confident I’ll do just fine.

“Well you all can do whatever you want in your rooms, as long as you don’t bother me.”

“You have a lot to do in only a couple of hours,” Bennett told me. “There’s food, decorations, music-“

“I’ll handle all of it,” I assured them. “I know you’re all thinking I’m making a big deal about this and that there’s always next year. You’ve done so much for me, so the least I can do is throw a birthday party.”

“What about the gifts?” Jordan asked.

“No need for gifts, the gift of you coming here is just fine,” I said. “And Christmas is coming up anyway. We’ll give our birthday and Christmas gifts by then.”

“I’m okay with that,” Declan said, before turning to the others. “How about you?”

“Me too.”

“I’m good.”

Bennett sighed. “Can you at least let me give you some money for the party-“

I held my hand up to stop him. “No, I’m using my own money for this.”

He nodded. “Alright.”

Jordan got up and stretched. “If we’re done here, I’ll be going back to my room. I have something to do.”

“Yeah, I have a nap to get back to.”

“I’m going to make some lunch then,” Bennett said as he walked to the kitchen.

With that, I left the base to get ready for the party.

It was almost eight as I put up the final touches of the party. I’ve bought a bunch of party decorations from a local party store. There were a few poles on the roof, a small shed and Jordan’s satellite dish to string up the decorations. In the shed I found a dusty fold up table that just needed to be washed up a bit before I used it. The rest of the decoration is the night city skyline, a perfect and free decoration with the setting of the roof.

I decided some pizza is a pretty good last minute party food. I know pizza is the main food of all of our diets and it shouldn’t be, but I doubt pizza for this one night will be that bad. The cake was the trickiest part. Although it was tempting to buy three cakes for each of the guy’s favorite flavors: vanilla, strawberry and chocolate, but I don’t think it’ll be a good gift to try to shorten their life span. So after a big argument with the baker, I persuaded him to make a Neapolitan cake, specific that the flavors aren’t mixed but separated. I only had to be a little, alright a lot of extra for the trouble, but it was worth it. When it was finished, it was a cake with different frosting colors into thirds and “3M” on top with a pirate theme. They didn’t have the specific musketeer theme, but pirates have swords so it all works out.

For the music I had a speaker I got for Christmas last year. Since there were no outlets on the roof, I just needed to borrow some extended cords from home to connect my speaker to the outlet in my room. With my crappy phone, I created a small playlist for good songs for the party. Now I was good to go.

I looked up at the sky, sad that it wasn’t going to be a clear night. For the past few hours there have been big clouds that darkened the sky earlier than it was supposed to be despite the shortening of days of winter. The weather report says it was going to be chilly, that and the small chance of rain. But of course you can trust the weather reporter when he says there’s a small chance of rain that can’t possibly ruin your outside party.

Is what I thought.

I first felt the drop on my nose. It made me look up only to meet another, then another. Small chance of rain my ass, it started to sprinkle right on my party. Then it started to pour, as in a big shower. In only minutes my hair was soaked and my clothes were drenched, both words are pretty much synonyms. But what I was worried about was the party.

The wind was picking up and it tore the decorations off. I tried to save the pizza, but even using my jacket to cover it, the boxes were darker than its original color, telling me it was hopeless. I didn’t even bother opening it up, knowing that seeing the pizza will make me depressed. I was just happy that there was a plastic covering for the cake. I grabbed the cake and ran for the fire escape. But it was when I saw the extended cord for the speakers, not only covered in water but were giving small shocks. I noticed it too late, so when I tried to step over it, I lost my footing and crashed on the floor. The cake fell out of my hands and crashed onto the floor along with me, its frosty goodness was now scattered on the ground.

I wanted to yell and scream at myself in frustration. Why couldn’t I do one thing without messing up? The guys have done so much for me. It might seem small to some people, but I’d be nothing without them. I’d still be that lonely girl, doing her best to fend for herself against the army of bullies. It was them who made me forget all of that, to shut out the noise of them and only care for them. Yet here I am, not being able to make a party for them. Maybe the birthday party was an excuse just so I can’t only celebrate the day they were born to save me, but to thank them for saving me in the first place.

I sniffled, a bit for the crying and a bit for the cold I think I’m going to get from the rain. I slowly got up from the ground, looking at the plastic pirate sword that came from the cake. It was then I stopped feeling the rain on my back that I looked up.

It was Declan, holding an umbrella for me again.

Rubbing my eye with the back of my hand, I glanced away from him.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” I mumbled back.

Declan looked around the roof, seeing the ruins that used to be the party.

“Is that the cake?” He asked, referring to the mound of wet frosting at the side.

“What used to be,” I answered.

“Stupid weather forecast, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“C’mon Naomi, you’ll catch a cold out here. Let’s go back inside.”

“No, just leave me here.”

He let out a sigh. “If I did that, Bennett will be mad at me.” Declan held his hand out to me, but I helped myself up, not wanting him to get hurt because of me. “I’m the one getting you because I can use the “I got shot” card to make you come back inside.”

“No offense, but that card is getting old.”

“Yet you’re coming back inside, right?”

I didn’t say anything but just climbed down the fire escape and back into my room.

“Change into dry clothes,” Declan told me as he tossed me a towel. “Then come down to the living room.”

I did what I was told and changed into some extra clothes I brought from home to here. I left my room to hear music coming from the first floor. Curious and because Declan told me to, I looked over the railing that made me race down the stairs. The lights were dimmed down for only a few lamps to light up the living room as well as some light sabers. Along with it were some random art posters, paper snowflakes and other decorations that were strung up on the ceiling and walls. Along with it was a huge banner that read, “All for one and one for all”.

“If you needed decorations, all you had to do was ask,” Jordan told me.

 The couch and coffee table were moved back to give more space of the room, maybe even a dance floor. I knew there was a sound system connected all over the whole living room that’s connected to the TV. But also a stereo was connected to it with someone’s phone to play even better party music than my own playlist, songs I wished I added to the playlist.

“If you needed music,” Declan told me, “All you needed to do was ask.”

That was when a smell caught my attention. I walked over to the coffee table that has been moved to see a whole catering of party food. It made my delivered pizza and pirate themed cake look like a kid’s birthday party compared to this feast. Bennett walked in from the kitchen carrying a rectangular cake cut into fourths, each section had M to the first, second, third, and fourth power on top of it.

“And you didn’t need to ask for the food,” Bennett assured me. “I was going to make you some either way.”

“So you knew that the party was going to be a disaster?”

“A bit,” Declan admitted, scratching his head. “But even if it wasn’t, we were just going to add this stuff to the party anyway.”

“It’s actually funny,” Jordan said. “All our skills can make a pretty good party, convenient if you ask me.”

“Thank you,” I said, smiling.

“No, thank you for the party, the party you first made,” Bennett told me. “I know the rain messed it up, but the thought always count. I just find that making a party together to then spend together is better.”

“But you do know that you’re cleaning that mess up,” Declan reminded me.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Don’t ruin the moment.” I looked at the food. “Now how about we get started on-“

Jordan cut me off by grabbing my hand and spun me around. “The dancing. Dancing first, and then food.”

“Who are you and what have you done to Jordan?”

“Nothing, Bennett just doesn’t want us to finish the food in minutes.” He looked at Declan and winked. “Hit it.”

And the real party started.

(Drum roll please)

The winning ship going at at 351 comments in let's see... 7:30 pm Pacific time zone is... Bennomi! Yes, the first Mustketeer Naomi met happens to be the number one ship. Next goes for Jeclan (Yeah, wow you guys) at 244, Domino at a close 233, Jordomi at 165, Muskomi at 96, Decomi at 82,  Rayomi at 54, Parkomi at 46, and last, but not least, Team Naomi at 35.

I’ve actually read some comments and messages regarding to Jeclan. Let me just tell it to you straight, it was you the readers who came up with this. I’m all for gay rights, I don’t care to anyone who’s anti-gay and are just jealous that gay couples found someone while they (the jealous people) can’t. This is my story though, and I won’t be planning any Jeclan stuff anytime soon. It’s cute and all, but it’s just a strict bromance, and no, I don’t mean romance-romance, I just mean bros like Barney and Ted in How I Met Your Mother. So don’t worry you guys.

Jeclan: I don't know why you guys want this Jeclan...

Jordan: Wait a second...

Declan: Rubix! Why does it say Jeclan! And why is his name first?

Jordan: 'Cause I'm the man in this relat-

Declan: Don't even finish that.

And here’s another one…

Jordan: I can't believe people would actually think we-

Declan: I know, it's so weird.

Jordan: What's with people these days?

Declan: Yeah, I mean, I don't think I'll ever see you like THAT

Jordan: (Pause) Wait. So what are you saying? I'm not good enough.

Declan: I'm not saying- Wait, what?

Naomi: (Coughs) Jeclan

Jeclan: What?

(They look at each other) WHAT?

Another topic to bring up is when this reader asked is if I ever heard of this manga called “Ogawa to Yukai na Saitoutachi” or “Ogawa and Team Saito”. I told her no I didn’t. I mean sure, memorizing pure Japanese titles are hard, but you get to recognize a few of the words when reading them. Curious though, I decided to look into it. And the scary thing is…

It’s like TGGBB.

I’m telling you this, not only to tell you guys that I didn’t copy this, given I just learned this today. You can see the proof on my msg board where she (Hepburned) told me this. If you don’t trust me (which hurts guys, that hurts a lot) I can even take a picture of my history list of when I first entered there which I can send to you personally to know you don’t trust me (love you too guys, love you too). I’m against plagiarism, the only exception I make is fanfics, given my first Wattpad story is this Percy Jackson fanfic… And for Pete’s sakes people, in my OWN BIOGRAPHY, I put, and I quote:

“And if you see someone copying my stories please tell me. Writing is for creating, not copying.”

Which HELLO, it’s true. I don’t want anyone to think I’d copy this manga which was created in 2005 while my book was created in 2012. You can even ask my 12 year old self about this while I was making this story. Wow… I just realized it took me two years to write this book… wow.

I’m also saying this because THE MANGA IS AWESOME! It’s the whole point of why I even started writing TGGBB, the friendship people have, most specifically in guy friends. There were some freaky coincidences in the story, but the characters are very different and also the plot. (Spoiler alert) There’s this part where people tried to have the guys turned against each other, and it was mind blown. I wish I thought of that, its genius! So I’m recommending the manga to any of you manga lovers out there, sadly it isn’t an anime. (And let me just point this out, what kind of person would actually recommend a book they were THOUGHT of copying? Exactly, I didn’t copy it) Once again, totally read it, it’s adorable. 

I hope you guys enjoy the video clip of Ellen because she's my role model. I also hope you enjoyed the drawing at the top. I just made it today. I was spending my Valentine’s day eating cookie butter… that someone gave me for V-day… who’s a guy… which now that I think of it is EXACTLY like my other book “The Pental Pal” when Lizzabeth got cookie butter from William… and he probably knows because he read my book… Anyway, I was eating cookie butter and reading forever alone memes (Yup, I’m proud to say it) and I just came up with the idea. I especially love the part when I turned them chibi. But when I made them at the last box also hurt me too. I’m NEVER going to draw them like that, ever again.

Also not only French, but I also will have a German and Portuguese translation of my book. It’s just amazing, I love it! For the German translation, all credit goes to the sister team the0only0me and mariamsunshine. Then for the Portuguese translation, the credit will be to CarmenMVM. Thanks so much you guys, I just love you for this. So if there are any German or Portuguese (I’m just amazed at how I’m able to spell Portuguese correctly three- four times in a row) readers out there or have friends who prefer to read in these two languages, check them out.

RubixCube89201

P.S Sorry, only one update today. Why? Well where I am it's a three THREE day weekend. So let's do the math shall we? What happens when there's three days and I want to do three updates?