Notes:

Additional Cast:

Rebecca Romijn as Rebecca Marie Ford ( Lewis)

Timothy Olyphant as Nicholas Ford

Nick Zano as Alex Summers

Holland Roden as Chloe Rivers

Valorie Curry as Anna Matthews

Grey Damon as Ashton Sanders

Sophie's POV

"You have reached Rebecca Marie Ford, please leave your message and I will get back to you."

Have you ever had your mother ignore your calls and put you straight to voicemail?

I have. It's not ok.

It's been a week since the apocalypse happened and even though Robin and the others are trying to cheer me up, being turned down like this is breaking me from the inside. A week is too long. It should have been less than that to make my mother come to terms with this. One week of ignoring your daughter's phone calls is not what dad prepared me for.

"Don't worry, honey, I will talk to mom, I promise this will be over soon, don't worry, I have it handled. Things will work out, give her time". Dad said a few days ago, trying hard to reassure me after another round of cries, with Ro holding me tight in her arms. "Don't let this upset you, honey. I am proud of you, I will always love you." These were his exact words before he hung up.

"See? He said he will deal with it. He is proud of you, my love. Your dad is ok with this and it's only a matter of time till your mom is ok with it too. I have seen this a million times, since one of them is on your side, the other will follow soon. She doesn't want to lose you, she loves you, and she just needs time." Ro was quick to take dad's place next, all sweet and tender with me these past few days. I have been staying over since our momentary break up and she is trying her best to make me feel better being her adorable dorky self. Sam and Nicky spent a night here as well, and then Vanessa and Alice too. But I still feel numb.

I walk to the living room where Ro is laying on the couch watching tv with a bowl of popcorn in her arms.

"I think we should break up for a while." I didn't believe her words, not even for a second, her eyes betrayed her, just like mine do too. The truth is she loves me with all she has, and a bunch of words can't erase the amount of love I have received these months from her. She has made me a different person, a better person, a loved to death person. All thanks to her, so I never believed her words. She did it to protect me and unburden me. That's why I love her to death as well.

I smile at the sight and approach her. She sits up, opening her arms for me and I lay between her legs with my back against her front. Her arms wrap around me instantly and I feel somehow secure. But there's still something missing from this feeling. Not quite safe, not quite protected, but it is not her fault... she is doing everything she can.

"I love you." Her voice is low, barely above a whisper. She has been saying this a lot these days, feeling guilty she tried to break up with me, lying to my face. I know and she knows that I don't need to forgive her about it.

"I love you more." I tell her and I am sure she is smiling, and I do love her. I love her so much that it made my fear go away, my insecurities, my old routine. I love her enough to be the best for her, to fight for her, to be proud of being with her, to chase our dreams together, to face the world and my mom together. We can do this as one.

But we won't have to, because everything will work out. Dad will make it work out, because he promised me, and he always keeps his promises.

"Alex will come over with Kira in 30 minutes. They are bringing pizza." She kisses my nape and laces our fingers together. Alex has been very supportive as well, and he tried to explain to me his side, meaning, being told that the person you have been raising as something specific (straight) tells you they are something else. 'The parent side.'

He tried to make me think of my mother's side, and how it must have been for her to hear something like that... and I get it... I do... my world would change too if my kid said something like that, but it wouldn't be about me. It's egoistic to think of yourself. To think of the dreams and hopes you have for someone who has dreams and hopes of their own.

My dad has never been selfish and self-centered. If dad can accept that the daughter he also has been raising as a heterosexual is now openly gay, then my mother should too. That was my version in the debate.

"But people act differently; people have different ideas and different points of view. Your parents have the same love for you, but they love you differently." was his reply, and I get it. But I can't accept it.

I get that they are different people and that they have different backgrounds. Dad is more lenient and progressive in his thinking, more liberal, and mom has a different idea of how things should be, how I should be and what I should do... but she is my mother, she is my blood and I know she wants me to be happy and successful, but why wouldn't she like the idea that Ro makes me happy?

I don't get it. Maybe I never will.

I haven't thought this through much. What will happen if mom is not ok with this eventually?

The thought of her being disappointed in me will make my stomach ache. The thought of her being embarrassed for me, will make my fist clench in pain. The thought that despite everything I have done for her, to make her happy, she still needs more, things I cannot give her, 'cause unlike a bad grade at school that I can make up for, being gay is who I am and I can't change it.

I don't dare to make these thoughts, 'cause I am not ready for them to be real. 'Cause so far I hope. I hope that it won't come to this.

Hope that she is in her room right now, thinking of me, trying to accept me the way I am. She is methodical, she will go through a certain process, it's how she works, and once she thinks things through, she will call me back and tell me she loves me with everything she has, and that she is proud of me... that my dreams are my own and that I should go after them and that she is sorry for taking her time to accept it, and I will forgive her for that because I get it.

She will call. Dad says so, Robin says so, Alex and Joss and Vanessa. They all say so and it comforts me.

She will call, and when she does, it will be like it never happened. She never turned me down, and I never left home that Saturday afternoon. She never broke me, and I never disappointed her.

I will still be me and she will still love me for me.

Sooner or later, she will call me, and I will be waiting for her to do it, because I have to, and she does to.

Vanessa's POV

New week, new month. And we are trying on a new attitude as well.

Things have been going better with Sophie. She is attending her classes and she is more optimistic about this whole situation with her mom. I am glad to see her doing better and I hope Mrs Rebecca calls her soon. In the meantime, I will make sure Sophie keeps holding hope. Maybe I should give her a muffin or something. I am planning to go by Robin's later. But for now I am spending time with Alice. We are at Central, waiting for our coffees' order by the cashier.

"Do you feel like going to the cinema in the afternoon? It's been a long time since the last." Alice proposes with a smile.

"You're so right! It's been ages! We should totally do that. Oh! What about Joss though?" I don't want to get in between Joseph and Alice. They are still on their so-called honeymoon period.

"We are not glued to each other. I am sure he wants to have some fun with his friends as I want to have fun with mine. Actually we need to seperate from time to time. It makes the relationship more intense." She winks at me mischievously.

"Got it." I giggle awkwardly at that. "Joseph needs to have some fun. He is really worried about Sophie and, with everything that has happened, he seems to be on edge." Joseph is the closest to Sophie than any of us. Robin is close to her but in a totally different way. Joseph has known Sophie for her entire life. He wants to be there for her and he is doing his best at being her rock. Their friendship has deep and strong roots and I admire the way they are always there for each other.

"I know. He is really upset about it, even though he tries to stay his cheerful self. I can see this situation affects him, more than he admits. I just hope for this to be over soon. It's painful to see your best friend suffering." Alice face falls down as we get our coffees and thank the barista. I can see this whole thing is affecting her too. Her and Sophie might not be best friends but she feels for her as she feels for Joseph too.

"It will be over. Hopefully, by this time next year, we will faintly remember this." I tell her smiling as we head towards the exit.

"Vanessa! Wait!" Comes from behind us and makes both Alice and me turn our heads around. It's Chloe running towards us eagerly, her ponytail waving right and left as she approaches us with big steps.

"Hi Chloe. Is everything alright?" I ask without managing to hide the hint of panic in my voice.

"Everything is alright. I just saw you two leaving and I had to catch you up." She explains with a smile now on her face and red cheeks. "Could you stay for a minute or two? I have something to ask you."

"Of course. We have some time till our class starts. Not that I am very eager to go." Alice giggles, having received my condescending look.

"Great!" Chloe leads the way nodding for us to follow her. We take a seat at an empty table at the back and I am kind of wondering what this could be about. Chloe is lovely but our conversations limit to greetings when we see each other on campus or thanksgiving and compliments every time she serves me some of her baking little treasures here at Central.

"So how are you guys? Everything good with campus and life outside of campus?" She starts off, beaming at us both.

"Everything is good, yes. I can't believe this semester is about to end in a month more or less. Being a freshman was a challenge for sure." I answer back first, thinking about how fast times flies.

"Yeah but we nailed it!" Alice makes a thumbs up winking. "So what did you want to talk about?" She cut to the chase, as I bet her curiosity gets the best of her.

"Okay, I intended to chat for a little bit before that." Chloe chortles briefly and then goes on, "I've got a favor to ask."

"That sounds mysterious." Alice smirks. "We are all ears."

"It should sound mysterious." Chloe raises an eyebrow playfully. "I will reveal everything but first I have to ask for secrecy."

"Oh... Sure. You can trust us." She eyes us steadily, giving us the feeling this must be serious.

"Okay then. It's about Ashton."

"Ashton!?" I repeat with a high pitch voice, as Alice is giving me a sly glance, but stays quiet. "Is he alright?"

"He's alright. Just getting older." Chloe reassures me with a shrug.

"That's good." I let out a sigh relieved.

"That's why I need you though." She looks at me and then at Alice. "You too, Alice. Any help is welcomed. Everything has to remain a secret though. That is very important."

I turn to look at Alice frowning and she gives me back the same reaction.

"Okay. We will not tell anyone. What's this about exactly?" I question waiting for more details.

"Ashton is turning 21 this week." Chloe states informatively.

"Yeah, I know and he is having a party at his place on Saturday."

"Correction: he thinks he's having a party at his place on Saturday." She says with a mischievous smile.

"Ohh, that sounds evil. What's in that smart brain of yours?" Alice can't hide her excitement.

"I've got everything set! I've been planning this for months!" Chloe claps her hands enthusiastically. "We're gonna catch him totally unprepared and celebrate his birthday here on Friday!"

"Aw! I love surprises! Count us in!" This is going to be so much fun! Sophie loved her surprise party, I hope Ashton loves it too!

"You're talking to the right people. Remember Vanessa, when I brought Emma here for Halloween and you didn't have any clue?" Alice turns to me, reminding me what a big surprise that was for sure.

"Oh, yes! Alice is the master of surprises!" I confirm right away smiling.

"That's good to know. My plan is depending on your abilities though." Chloe stares at me intensely. "Do you think you could bring Ashton here on Friday without him suspecting him anything?"

Her eyes are still on me, examining my every tiny reaction. Her posture has gotten more serious and that makes me instantly nervous.

"Um... I don't know." I answer honestly shaking my head a couple times.

"I need to know if I can trust you with this. I've been talking with the others and they think you are just the right fit for this task. As I told you, everything is ready. People have been invited, I managed to convince Greg to let me have the party here after closing time and I somehow magically booked Ashton's favorite band for the night. I think he'll love it." She half smiles probably bringing in her mind how will Ashton react to all this.

"Wow, you have put so much work into this, Chloe. That must have been hard enough." I do congratulate her in a way, still panicked though. Could I pull this off?

"Believe me, if someone can bring Ashton, that someone is definitely Vanessa." Alice winks to Chloe and then smiles mischievously at me. "Don't put too much thought on this, Ness. Just be your natural charming self." She giggles.

"You think?" I give my friend an unsure look. "What if I mess this up? There's some much in stake here."

"I don't want to pressure you, Vanessa. I just want you to tell me if you can do this. Truth to be told, this is the trickiest part of our entire plan." Chloe warns me once again about the importance of my task. "Everyone says you can do this and I want this to work. Can I count on you on this one?"

"Of course you can! Vanessa got this! Everything will go according to plan." Alice addresses beaming to Chloe and then she turns her beam to me. "Vanessa, you know you can to it. Just don't overthink over this. Speak to Ashton like you always do. You know you have him around your little finger, don't you?"

"I-I... I don't know!" I sort of feel my cheeks burning and Chloe's intense glance on me.

"You know!" Alice points a finger at me. "You know you can do this. And never forget I will always be right next to you to help you. Nothing will go wrong! Trust your guts!"

"Okay, I'll do it then!" I get caught by the spontaneity of this moment. "I'll be happy to help. I promise I'll do my best, Chloe!"

"Okay then, I guess everything is settled." She smiles at me approvingly. "You only have to bring Ashton here on Friday night. We will be here waiting. I'll text you the exact time. Here, type your number." She hands me her phone and I do as she suggested. "Awesome. I can't wait to see Ashton's face when he gets in and sees everything!" Her grin reaches her green eyes, making them sparkle. "Thank you so much for doing this, Vanessa. You too, Alice! I'll text Vanessa when she should come with here with Ashton so you can know when to come too. An hour earlier should be fine."

"Ok! Great! Can I come with my boyfriend? I don't know if you've already invited him though.I think you know him, because he hangs a lot around here." Alice asks politely.

"Of course you can! As long as he keeps the secret." Chloe tells her chortling. "I probably know him if he's a regular here. Who is it?"

"Joseph Nelson. Tall guy with light brown messy hair..."

"Oh, Joseph, yes! I know him, he's a great guy! I'll see you both on Friday! You too, Vanessa! And now excuse me, but I gotta go back to my post before I get fired." Chloe leaves giggling as she heads to the back of the coffee shop.

"I can't believe I just agreed on doing such thing!" I cover my face with both hands, thinking clearer in what I've put myself into.

"I will say it again. You're putting too much thought into this. You will do great and we will have a great time." Alice is always there to cheer for me and she transmits her positive energy.

"I hope you're right." I puff in frustration but at the same time trying to think positively.

"I am always right. Well, not always, but 95%." She smiles goofily. "But it will be a piece of cake with Ashton. This guy will go anywhere you ask him to."

"Alice!" Her words make me chuckle. "I want this to work! I hope he doesn't suspect a thing!"

"He won't! And remember I will be your backup, but I know you won't be needing me."

"You're so sweet, Alice! Thank you so much! I can't imagine doing this without you!"

"Am I the best or not?" She points at herself giggling. "But we haven't thought of the most important thing." Her tone suddenly becomes serious.

"Oh my God, what?" I look at her frightened.

"What you're going to wear! It has to be something attractive and nice, but not too fancy to raise suspicion. We will figure something out or it will be the perfect excuse for shopping. Nina might be handy at his." She touches her chin speculating, but she seems rather amused.

"Sounds like a change of plans to me. Shopping instead of cinema?" I propose as we walk towards the exit.

"You know I never say no to shopping. Perhaps I can find a new dress to impress Joseph. You know I have to keep him on his toes."

"You should totally do. I'll text you after class so we can meet up. Tell Nina to join too, if she hasn't anything planned." I hug her goodbye since my class takes place on the west side of the campus.

**********************************

I am anxious. Saying it like this is an understatement. I am very anxious. The whole plan is depending on me. I couldn't imagine I would be feeling so much pressure when I gladly accepted Chloe's suggestion to bring Ashton to his surprise party. I have participated in other similar secret operations, this time though I have a big responsibility and I hope I can pull it through. I don't want to mess this up for Ashton, and Chloe has been planning every single detail for his 21st birthday for months now. They are such good friends, I can relate to that. And also to Chloe's wish to throw the perfect surprise party. If I was planning with such dedication a party for Emma and someone messed it up, I would totally lose it. Chloe seems to have everything under control. She so easily jumped into my conversation with Ashton the other day about his birthday party supposed to be happening tomorrow at his place. I preferred nodding than talking, worrying I would reveal the surprise, while Chloe volunteered to make some appetizers and warned Ashton not to let Shawn responsible for the music choices like last year. I was impressed to say the least. Chloe is quite a good liar. I mean, sometimes we do lie for the people we love, don't we? I hope everything goes according to the plan tonight. Ashton deserves it.

Speaking of Ashton, I have to go get him from the paper's office and take him to the coffee shop. I look myself at the mirror for one last time and run my hands through my curled hair to make it look natural. I can't show up at the paper all dressed up and expect Ashton not to get a hint or two about what we have in mind. It was also really difficult to decide what to wear. I went with a jean shirt and a beautiful white skirt with big flowers of the same colour which I bought yesterday at the mall with Sophie. She insisted not to come tonight even after Ashton's personal invitation to his party, that on his mind is going to take place tomorrow. Sophie is doing better than last week, but I guess she is still not okay enough to go partying. She used the fact that she doesn't know the hostess of the surprise party, aka Chloe, as an excuse. Not that it matters that she doesn't know her, but I decided not to push her. Her mom hasn't called her yet and she is dealing with it on her own terms. I am just glad that she seems indeed better than before. As Ashton said, this kind of things take time.

Ashton! I put on my toms quickly. I love my new skirt but it is actually too short for me to wear with heels. Plus, if I wear heels, Ashton will get suspicious. I grab my keys and rush to the elevator, as Brittany keeps the door open for me. I always meet her here. It is pretty odd since she lives next door but then again she is rarely around as I've noticed. We have the typical talk we always have for the half minute we spend in the elevator and I leave the dorms heading straight to the paper's office. I haven't passed by at all today, since I couldn't come up with a believable excuse for me to go, leave and then come back to get Ashton out of there. Maybe I could have stayed all day long like he did, but I am sure the truth would have slipped out of my mouth unwittingly. Now I can stay with him alone for as less time as possible and drag him to the surprise party. Chloe said 8 would be fine since the guests would start gathering around 7. Alice must be already there, along with Joseph, since he came to pick her up almost two hours ago. There is a chance they are somewhere more private just the two of them, I'd like to believe though they will be on time. Alice is so happy. I haven't seen her like this before. She is always with this huge grin on her face that makes me wonder if her facial muscles hurt. I am happy for her too.

Thinking of my friends makes me reach the paper in no time. I slowly open the office door to see Anna staring at me.

"Finally!" She leaves a loud sigh. "I couldn't watch on him any longer! Where have you been?"

"It is 7.30. According to my calculations, we have enough time for you to go change, me finding a logical reason to take Ashton to the others and deal with any unexpected situation or obstacle that comes into our way." I state proud, raising three fingers in the air to prove my well-prepared plan. "I just hope Ashton won't protest or have any plans of his own. It is indeed his birthday today. He might have arranged something to do."

"If there's one person who can make him change his plans, that is you." Anna smirks and points at me with her pen.

"You think so?" I frown doubting myself for a second. Anna eyerolls as she stands up and throws her bag over her shoulder.

"Girl, I have been telling you this for a God knows how long! You're too smart to be that clueless. I personally guaranteed to Chloe that only you can make Ashton come to the party completely unaware of what is expecting him. He will pee on his pants when he sees you in this mini skirt showing your long long long legs for him." Anna lifts her eyebrows up and down playfully.

"I... I am not showing my legs for him. And my skirt isn't that short!" I carefully drag it a bit lower hoping it will cover some more skin. "Is it?"

"When you are panicked, you are way too cute. Now, let's call the birthday boy. And take your time. You don't have to be at the coffee shop at precisely 8 o'clock. Once I leave, you two will be all by yourselves at the office." Anna winks and before I protest over her speculations, she speaks again. "Hey boss! Your birthday present has arrived!"

"Seriously?" I give her an eyeroll while she looks at me mischievously raising her hands up in defense.

"Anna, I have no time for your riddles." Ashton's voice comes from the end of the hallway.

"I would so like to see his mouth dropping on the floor when he sees you, but I'll give this moment the privacy it needs. Which is so unlike me, so Ashton owns me big time." Anna remarks while checking her phone. "Off you go, cupid! See you later!" She waves at me as she steps out of the office. "Oh! And when I said take your time, I meant yeah, take your time but don't make us wait forever. You know, people like to gossip!" She adds unable to maintain a serious tone before she closes the door. Anna never loses a chance to make a sarcastic comment.

I shake my head to push her words at the back of my mind, since I have a serious task ahead of me. I march to Ashton's office to find his door half open like on the day I met him, like always really. Ashton never closes the door of his office. The same goes with his heart, I think to myself smiling. It seems likes he never closes the door to his heart either. He is kind, caring and loving and that's why so many people came together to make him happy today. I am one of them and I hope I play my part well for it to happen. I can see him sitting behind his desk with a dozen of papers on it. He is frowning of confusion, making the small faint wrinkle on his forehead appear. I always found that wrinkle too cute. He is wearing a light blue t-shirt that suits him very nicely. Fully engaged to his papers, he doesn't see me come inside. The sound of the door closing is the one to make him lift his head up and acknowledge my presence. A spontaneous gasp leaves his mouth as his eyes meet mine. He raises his eyebrows up in surprise and supports his palms on the arm of his big black leather chair to stand up.

"Happy birthday!" I wish him with a big grin on my face and, without realizing it, I found myself rushing over him and wrapping my arms around him.

He is saddened by it and it takes him some seconds before he hugs me back, caressing the back of my head. I get lost into his big embrace, breathing him in. His smell seems familiar even if I barely have ever been that close to him. The thing that surprises me the most though is not how I have memorized it but how it makes me feel. A wave of warmth and safety immediately consumes me. It is strange but liberating.

"Thank you." He whispers into my ear softly. He runs his fingers through my hair and I close my eyes captivated by his touch. I don't know how much time has passed when I take a step back leaving his embrace kind of unwittingly, I must admit. Ashton slowly unleashes me as well and looks at me with the green in his eyes darker than ever. I nod my head smiling and then tuck a curl behind my ear.

"I was not expecting to see you today." He chuckles lightly and shakes his head.

"What? It is your birthday, I could never miss it!" I pat his shoulder playfully.

"That's good to know. You're not coming tomorrow?" I detect an angst in his voice.

"Of course I am coming, but today is your actual birthday and I was sure you would be working until now when you obviously shouldn't." I give him a scolding glance. "Look at this mess on your desk."

"Yeah, Anna kept on bringing in something new every half of an hour." He grabs the majority of the papers and puts them aside.

"I'll give you a hand." I propose and take the rest fixing the papers that are upside down. Anna was supposed to keep Ashton busy. As I see, she succeeded.

"You're here and we are tidying my desk." He tells me smirking.

"It didn't take us long." I remark and point at the now organized pile of documents.

"I mean you're here and I don't wanna waste our time like this." He raises his hand up and touches my cheek carefully with the tips of his fingers. He stares at my lips and I instantly feel them dry. Ashton's cups my cheek gaining confidence and his eyes move from my lips to my eyes.

"Let's not waste it then." I give him a grin and cover with my palm his hand that still rests on my face. He lifts his eyebrows up surprised, his eyes still locked on mine, questioning me. "Let's get out of here." He parts his lips but no sound comes out. With his thumb he caresses my hand that is still on top of his on my cheek.

"You..." He begins to speak but leaves his sentence unfinished, leaving a sigh instead. He lowers his head with his lips still parted, our faces inches apart.

"I..." I say letting out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding. I am here to take Ashton to his surprise birthday party. Chloe is counting on me. Everyone is counting on me. "I mean," I step backwards and stare at the wooden floor of his office creating a necessary distance between the two of us, "you worked enough. Don't you think you worked enough for today? On such a day? You should be doing something fun instead. We can do something fun, what do you think?" I remove his hand from my cheek but I don't let it go. I squeeze the inner of his palm a little and smile at him.

"I think that sounds like the perfect way to spend my birthday." He says beaming and interwines his fingers with mine.

"Good." The plan is on board. "I have something on my mind but I don't know if you can actually make it through the night. How long have you been here?"

"If I can make it through the night?" He repeats in question, blinking multiple times. "Vanessa, what do you have in mind?" He asks smirking.

"I was just, you know, I- wait! What do you think I have in mind?" I ask panicked. I believed I was doing great, did I just mess it up?

"Hey, calm down." He brushes my arm to take off the tension. "I have no idea what you have in mind but count me in."

"Okay, okay." The plan is still on, alive and breathing. "What I meant was that you must have been here since the very morning and now it's pretty late. You must be tired. We can go grab a coffee and then go on with your birthday celebrations. Hmm?" I look at him with eyes wide open from anticipation. This has to work.

"Sure. Chloe's coffee shop is on our way, we can make a quick stop." Yes! I want to jump around satisfied of my success but I guess it might create suspicions. "It is on our way?" He asks eagerly and narrows his eyebrows.

"Yes, it is." It is exactly on our way actually! I fight the urge to burst into laughter and reply to him in a casual tone.

"Okay, let's go." He points at the door and I lead the way out of the office.

I am so excited! Everything seems to work perfectly fine. Ashton opens the passenger's door for me and I find the chance to inform Chloe we're coming with a text. Ashton pops in the car after I hit the send button.

"To the coffee shop it is." He raises an eyebrow at me and I give him a nod.

It won't take us more than two minutes to reach our destination so I'd better stay silent than ruin the surprise. Ashton keeps on giving me puzzled glances, which I avoid as discreetly as I can. I feel relieved when we arrive and I see the big purple curtains of the store's windows closed. Everything is set! I smile at Ashton widely, incapable to hide my excitement and get out of the car calling his name for him to come along.

"You ready?" I ask as I reach the door handle.

"After you." He gestures to me to go ahead first. I would insist for him to get inside first, but I am afraid it will sound weird, so with one quick move I open the entrance door wide open and stand at the side for him to have a clear view.

There are so many people here. Chloe shouts at the band giving the signal for the birthday song, to which everybody sings along. There is a huge birthday cake or should I say two birthday cakes in the form of the two numbers honoring Ashton's 21st birthday. Each cake is covered by colored blue and white details, keeping the celebrating vibes on, but at the same time without exaggerating either. And I should mention it looks extra delicious! Chloe has outreached herself for sure. She is wearing a light blue really cute floral dress with thin straps that is tight till her waist, pointing out her cleavage, that falls in an A line till the middle of her thighs. Loose curls surround her face, on which she has applied the ideal amount of makeup. She is really beautiful tonight. Next to her stands a guy with the same hair colour and bright brown eyes. When he points at her looking innocently at Ashton, who raises his eyebrows, I realize it might be her brother. Chloe is exchanging playful glances with Ashton during the birthday song. He shakes his head at her pretending to be scolding her and she pulls her tongue out at him.

"Come on, make a wish, Ashton!" The guy next to Chloe urges Ashton to blow the candles, interrupting his glare contest with Chloe.

Ashton shakes his head once again laughing and after breathing in dramatically, he blows the large number of the small delicate candles placed on both cakes. Everybody claps and some confetti falls down on us making the atmosphere absolutely festive. It was a total success! I am about to wish Ashton happy birthday for one more time and ask him if he liked the surprised but before I make a move, he grabs a protesting Chloe by the hand and drags her outside beaming and with his eyes never leaving hers.

A/N: Ashton's birthday party has just started! There's more to come.. How do you find it so far? Also, poor Sophie is struggling so much these days. Sorry for the late update! Thank you for reading! xx