——

"Move over," Kiara ordered JJ, forcing her body in between him and Emelina, who was currently sleeping on the bed. JJ heard her footsteps the second the door opened. To him, it's an instinct to automatically wake up to the simplest of sounds.

"What are you doing?" JJ groaned and shoved a plush pillow on his face to hide the bright sunlight beaming through the windows.

Kiara ripped the pillow off of his face and prepared it for her head. "The caterers are right outside my room. They're loud."

"Caterers?" JJ muttered.

The sudden movement of Kiara laying down woke Emelina up. She fluttered her eyes open, offering a tired smile to her friend. "Hi, Kie," she whispered and threw her arm across her body to fall back to sleep.

"Dude, you just stole my girlfriend." JJ scoffed, turning his body away from the two of them. Kiara shoved him slightly and said a quick, "Happy birthday," to Emelina before closing her eyes.

"Hmm," Emelina hummed softly. Kiara kicked JJ and he sat up straight, annoyance written all over his face. "What was that for?!"

Kiara put her fingers to her lips to signal silence. "Don't you have something to say?"

"I'll have you know that I already said happy birthday when the clock hit twelve—"

"I'm trying to sleep." Emelina pulled her body up while shooting glares at both of them. "Yeah, Kie. Get out." JJ pointed to the closed door with a smile playing on his lips.

"No..." Emelina sighed and removed herself from the bed, "We should probably get up. I wouldn't want my mom to walk in and catch you guys in my bed."

The downstairs was preoccupied with caterers running around trying to prepare for the event hosted later in the evening.

Eleanor sat at the kitchen island, a coffee in hand and an article in the other. She looked up at the three figures entering the room. A smile—maybe was almost on her lips until her eyes landed on the particular blonde.

"Happy birthday, honey." Her mother left her stool and placed her hands on Emelina's shoulder to air kiss her cheek. "There's breakfast on the table for you." She then turned to Kiara for a quick greeting and glanced at JJ with hostility. Not projecting a single word to him before exiting the kitchen.

"Good morning to you too, Mrs. Clemonte." JJ flattened his lips while waving. Emelina gave him a sympathetic look, "Sorry."

He shrugged and moved over to the island where all sorts of breakfast foods were displayed. "Mm. Waffles. My favorite."

"I'm gonna go get ready. I'm not that hungry." Kiara stated after popping a black cherry in her mouth and leaving. "Okay." Emelina waved her goodbye.

Emelina jumped onto the counter, legs dangling while she grabbed a bagel and started spreading cream cheese on it. JJ was next to her, elbows leaned on the cold surface to support his body as he drizzled syrup on the waffles.

He took a bite then grinned suddenly. "I remember I crashed your party last year."

She rolled her eyes at the memory. "Yeah and I also remember you going home with one of my caterers. I was so mad that I made sure she never got hired again."

JJ raised an eyebrow and a chuckle escaped moments later. "That's a little much, don't you think?"

"Hmm," she shrugged, "you made my life a living hell." Humor coated her voice while she took a bite of her bagel.

A grin tugged at his lips again. "You were Kie's mysterious friend. I had to get your attention by taunting you somehow."

"Oh," Emelina feigned surprise, "so all this time it was to get my attention? I really thought you hated me."

Her legs pry open at his request and he stood in between them, his hands laying flat on the counter at each of her sides. "I could never hate you, Em," he told her and kissed the tip of her nose. She scrunched it at his touch, then looked down.

He followed her gaze and she heard him sigh. "Was I that awful to you?"

"I mean, at first you annoyed me," she told him, looking in his eyes and he scoffed at her answer, "and that's all I thought of you until Kie put me in the friend group... and yeah, you were awful but Kie convinced me you had trust issues so I never took your cruel words to heart."

"I'm sorry." was all he said.

"It's okay," she assured him, but the look in his eyes revealed he was not convinced. "I ended up liking you in the end, so it doesn't matter how we started off."

Emelina kissed him seconds after, feeling him melt at her touch. An idea popped in her head, which caused the kiss to end and for her to reach over her left to grab a cherry.

"You know what they say?" Emelina picked the stem off and looked at him with doe eyes. "That if you tie a knot in your mouth, you're a good kisser." The stem was in her mouth seconds after, her tongue working to get it done fast.

She hoped this would erase the tension of the previous conversation.

"I think I already know that," JJ smirked, but waited for her to finish. Her tongue was out to showcase the freshly tied knot. She collected it from her tongue and smiled. "See?"

"Your turn," she insisted, and instead of handing him the stem, she put it right back on her tongue and closed her mouth.

JJ leaned forward and pressed his thumb down on her chin to part her mouth. His lips captured hers and his former gesture allowed him to slip his tongue in, collecting the stolen stem right from her mouth into his own. He pulled away and never broke eye contact as he finished typing it up.

It was tied more quickly than hers and he was quick to point that out. The stem was discarded. No words were exchanged, but their eyes said enough. She kissed him this time, her arms wrapping around his neck. He held her waist and pulled her closer so that their chests were flushed against each other.

His fingers traveled down to her thigh, squeezing around her soft flesh and the contrast between her heated skin and his cold rings stimulated a gasp from her lips. Just as his tongue went to enter hers, they separated at the sound of their friends walking in.

"Woah! Keep it PG." Pope groaned and shielded his eyes with his hands. Emelina pushed JJ away and hopped off of the island. An innocent smile was offered their way.

John B chuckled at his following joke, "Yeah. The Twinkie was traumatized enough... Wouldn't want to add the counter to the list."

JJ grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and chucked it his way, but John B caught it and took a victory bite. Smiling with his teeth as he chewed. "Happy birthday, Lina!"

"Thanks, guys. How'd you get in?"

"All the doors are wide open. C'mere." John B extended his arms for her to step in and complete the hug. Over his shoulder, she looked at Pope and mouthed a quick, "Sarah?"

He shook his head and she frowned. Sarah was invited to her party and she hoped her split with John B won't prevent her from coming. For one night she wished everyone was together and happy.

Pope hugged her next and when she pulled away, her hands pointed to the island. "Go ahead and eat. I'm gonna go upstairs and get dressed."

"Thanks. Oh, wait," John B pulled out a small white note and handed it to her, "I found this at your doorstep. It only says happy birthday but doesn't say who sent it, though."

Her blood ran cold when her eyes met the piece of paper. "Uh, thank you. It's probably a neighbor or something." Emelina gave him a tight-lipped smile before leaving the kitchen, barely noticing JJ running after her.

"Hey, who sent the card?" he asked, now standing in front of her and blocking her way up the stairs. She shrugged, "I already said—"

"I saw your face. Who sent it, Emelina?"

The full name, especially said by him, was never a good sign. She exhaled a defeated breath, "Rafe did, alright?"

There was a certain way she folded the notes she sent a Rafe—a signature move, almost. The fold on this note was almost identical, so her options for who sent it were limited. She wondered if he sent it as a warning for what is to come.

"Rafe?!" His voice was loud, causing some nearby caterers to halt their sudden movements and look his way. "The hell is he sending you birthday wishes for?!"

"I-I don't know," Emelina answered truthfully, but it still was not enough to satisfy him. She tried again, "When we thought John B and Sarah were dead, I was so angry that Rafe wasn't locked away... so I sent notes to him—threatening ones, almost. It was the only thing I could think of to get under his skin." She raised the note, "I think it worked."

His expression softened. "Oh."

"Yeah."

"That's actually kind of hot," JJ said to her, a proud smirk reappearing on his lips. She pushed his shoulder and laughed, pulling him up the stairs to get ready.

§

The party had started off boring, thanks to her mother's lurking eyes making sure everything was going according to plan. But not even thirty minutes after she had left, a true rager had occurred. A typical party in Kildare County.

Emelina was lucky her pool was still open.

She currently sat on her outdoor furniture next to the table fire-pit, a cool red solo cup of the finest beer from the kegger laid fresh beneath her fingertips. Even like before, this party bored her.

A forced laugh was occasionally let out at the jokes of the many try-hard friends from her school. She only invited them to please her mother but other than that, she had no desire to speak to them again.

After excusing herself, she wandered off to find her true friends.

Her feet stopped midway, eyeing the Pogues that were sitting on the stools of the outdoor bar, and then her gaze switched to Sarah not that far away. Even caught John B looking her way a few times.

"Hi," Emelina inserted herself in the small group of girls that sat with Sarah on the lounging pool chairs. Each girl wished her a happy birthday and went off about how amazing the party was. She thanked them, but her eyes remained on Sarah, who seemed to understand why she was staring at her like that. "Sarah, can I steal you real quick?"

"Anything for the birthday girl," Sarah replied almost immediately and let Emelina drag her away. "Thanks. I was tired of their pity comments about my dad."

"Are you okay?" Emelina grabbed her hands and squeezed them time. Sarah offered a vague smile, "I've been better, but how about you? How has your birthday been so far?"

Emelina decided to let her shake the topic about her dad off for now. Nothing hurts more and she knew the feeling all too well. "I'm loving it, S... but it would be better if you," She tilted her head to the group at the outdoor bar, "joined us over there."

"I think it's best if I... hang out here by myself. I'll probably go eat, or something. Those mini canapés look really good." Sarah told her, her thumb pointing backward to a caterer pacing around with a tray in hand.

The night of the bonfire seemed to be something that should never be spoken of again. "Okay," Emelina sighed in defeat, "Just don't let this division between you and John B stop you from hanging out with us."

"I won't. Trust me."

Emelina watched Sarah slither away to obtain the mini food. With a huff, the brunette spun around and made her way toward her friends. "Hi."

"Hi," JJ smiled and threw his left arm around her shoulder, luring her close to his body. "I wanted to pull you away before, but you seemed to be interested."

"I was not," Emelina clarified with an exaggerated eye roll, "It was just Stacey talking about her dad's new investment on this place called—I actually don't know what it's called but I was not interested at all."

"Welcome to Figure 8," Kiara said sarcastically, raising her red solo cup and the others match her movements. Emelina grabbed a flute filled with champagne from a caterer that happened to be close and raised it high like everyone else.

The liquid sizzled on her tongue when she took a sip, catching Pope's skeptical glances around the yard. "What is it, Pope?"

"They're not gonna, like, snitch for catering a party full of underaged teens, are they?" he asked. Emelina giggled and shook her head, "Not if we pay them extra."

"That's the Kookiest shit I've ever heard," JJ commented, careful to show off his playful smirk.

The music was blaring through her eardrums and without so much as a word, her hand reached over JJ's to guide him near the pool. Quite a handful of teens were moving to the current song and Emelina felt the urge to join them. "Dance with me?"

The beer from his drink was empty in seconds and after crushing the plastic cup and tossing it in the garbage, he pulled her body to his all while keeping his hands on her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest.

She felt the vibrations from his chest as he spoke. "You havin' a good time?"

"Yeah," she answered, "I still would've preferred a night in at John B's though," A pout appeared on her lips and he chuckled. "We can do that tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow?" she questioned quickly, taking note of his rising smirk. "Why? Do you have something planned for tonight?"

"I thought you said you wanted to dance?" JJ ignored her question and took a step back to give her room to spin. More giggles came from her when she was pulled back to his chest.

Out of the blue, a chorus of the happy birthday song was suddenly being sprung out by those near. A three-tier cake with edible flowers presented itself on one of the tables. Multiple candles lit wished to be blown by the birthday girl. JJ led her over to the table, where her friends were already standing by singing along.

The chorus ended, leaving Kiara to smile happily at her best friend. "C'mon, E! Make a wish."

Emelina closed her eyes, quiet words being said in her mind before she opened them and blew out the white candles to fulfill the wish.

"What'd you wish for?" John B asked, helping Kiara take out the candles to prepare to cut. Emelina raised an eyebrow with her lips curving upwards. "If I told you, it wouldn't come true."

"You're right. Happy birthday, Emelina."

§

"There you are. I've been looking for you. Almost had to send out a search party." JJ emerged from her bedroom window, climbing up on the roof to place himself next to her.

"Hi," Emelina smiled warmly at the blonde, leaning her head on his shoulder which resulted in him wrapping his arm around her. His sweatshirt was thrown over her dress to ease the rising goosebumps from the chilly night.

"What are you doing up here all by yourself?" he then asked, using his free hand to tuck it into the pocket of his pants.

She turned to look at the glowing moon, "Every year for my birthday after my mom fell asleep, my dad and I would go up on the roof and I would talk about my day... and then he'd give me my special gift right before midnight hit. Even though he's not here anymore, I still come up here. My birthday can't be complete without it, you know?"

JJ only smiled, taking his hand out to grab her cold ones and squeezed them gently. "You can still talk about your day. I'm all ears."

She turned her head to meet his already staring gaze, matching his smile before responding. "It was amazing. It wouldn't be the same without you... or the Pogues. I am really lucky."

He kissed her forehead and she tilted her head back to give him access to her lips. It was soft and she poured her love into it. She grinned when he pulled away, "You don't happen to have a cherry on you, do you?"

A chuckle managed to come from his lips. "Why? You planning on finishing what we started in the kitchen?"

"Yeah."

Her body was no longer leaning on his when she connected their lips this time. Fingers caressing his hair. Hands roaming underneath her sweatshirt. Until he ended the kiss again, "Hm, your father's spirit is probably around. Gotta keep this family appropriate, right?"

Emelina rolled her eyes playfully. "Sure."

"Hey, what time is it?" JJ asked and watched as she pulled out her phone to read the clock. "11:54 pm. Why?"

"Just in time for your present."

She sat up straight, confusion written on her face as he dug his hand right back into his pocket. "What? I thought you gave me one already." It was sweet that he was willing to keep the tradition going.

A small flat box was occupying his hand. He moved it forward and urged her to open it. She did, eyes widening at the sight of a necklace. She was sure there were diamonds on it. "JJ—"

"It's my mom's—was my mom's."

"Y-Your mom?" Emelina questioned. She never once heard him talk about his mother. Always knew the topic of his family was a touchy subject, so she never bothered to pry.

"Uh, yeah. I found it after she left. Kept it from my old man in case he wanted to sell it off for coke or some shit." he rambled and took the necklace out of the box, "Here, let me put it on you."

"It's beautiful, but I can't accept this, J. It's your mom's necklace." she protested, shaking her head and avoiding his sad eyes.

JJ grabbed her hand and forced their eyes to lock. "Look, she once was very important to me, but she left me without saying goodbye. And then there's you, Em. You came back. I want you to know how important you are to me, okay? Will you please accept it?"

She nodded, unable to find words once he finished his small speech. Her hair was pulled back when she turned her body around to give him room to loop the necklace around her neck. It rested just above the one her father gave her. She swore to never take either off.

Her fingers released her hair and it falls back on her shoulders. "Thank you," she whispered and leaned her body on his chest.

He kissed her exposed neck and her eyes fluttered shut at the feeling of his lips on her skin. "C'mon, let's go inside. I got one more present. Except this one requires your bed and this dress off," He tugged at the end of the fabric resting on her thigh.