During the entire evening, Eric's eyes were twinkling. Every time he laughed with his friends, the stars above reflected in those eyes. It was one of the many things that made him undeniably charming.

I had never seen him this happy since we played a make-believe marriage ceremony under that very treehouse. The longer I stared at it, the more clear the images in my head, exposing even the tiniest details of all the fun times we had here growing up.

Amidst the bone-chilling darkness, the treehouse shone like the most expensive kind of gold, it was impossible to take your eyes off of it.

Happy birthday, happy birthday to you. It was the millionth time they sang to me, even merrier the next. I was the kid wearing a pink striped party hat clapping along awkwardly as they center their attention to me.

"Are you having fun?" asked Eric. "Yes...yes, I am. This is the best —" He pressed his index finger on my lips and interrupted me. "Not so fast," he muttered.

"There's more."

Suddenly, a huge loud bang burst from afar. All of the eyes then shifted toward the noise. Eric wasn't playing when he said there was indeed more. He arranged a firework display for me, more or less the committee had been waiting on cue all this time.

There were launched missiles of fiery broken dots and lines in the sky, flying freely and shooting in different directions. One was a glowing amber spiraling as it ascended into the heavens; a brilliant, eagle voice screeched and echoed every when it popped like a gigantic dandelion.

The succeeding displays were like six huge bombs of multicolors. Everything happened so fast, so quick, and it blew up in a succession pattern — it was like the marvelous ending of a whimsical movie.

And as the big ones showed off, a curtain of even smaller lights poured out like their offsprings spitting out hot milk. They all cheered loudly and raised their phones to capture the momentous beauty in the sky. Voices grew even louder, but they could never be as loud as the explosions above.

And when it started to cool down, the crowd settled down as well, excitement slowly descending. All that was left in the dark night was tiny, flickering lights, and a slow rain pouring down a huge puff of smoke.

While as I was watching, Eric placed his arm around me. And although the fireworks were very stunning to shift my sight elsewhere, his arm around my neck bothered me more. Thinking about how to escape in an awkward position, I took a deep breath and slowly moved my body away, but not too obvious that he would notice.

Heart filled with frustration, the fiery feeling in the left part of my chest burned arguably brighter than the ones my eyes had witnessed. And Eric's attempt to wrap me in his arms was not helping at all. I needed to go away.

"I...I'm going to go over there for some fresh air," I said to Eric, pointing over to the wide, vacant space behind the table. "Fresh air? You could get all the fresh air right here," was his meek reply. But I didn't listen.

Standing up, I brisk walked away from the table, pretending I was already farther away to hear him. I tried to heat my arms by rubbing my palm against it repetitively. The dress was elegant and revealing, which I liked, but it wasn't useful in the cold. Eric followed me as expected, the sound of his footsteps on the grass was like sandpaper scrubbed violently to my ears. Why couldn't he just leave me alone?

"Wa—wait. Avery," he caught up to me with deep concern in his voice, calling my name again and again. I remained to play deaf. "Didn't you like fireworks?"

"Wh—what? No... Of course, I liked it. I loved it. Thank you, really. You were amazing tonight."

"Then why do you look like you're not having fun?"

"I am. I am...it's just, I was kind of expecting someone to come." Shielding myself from the wind, I looked down and pursed my lips, acting as if he wasn't there in front of me.

"Who?" he asked innocently. "You know who." I didn't bother to look into his eyes.

Eric sighed and clenched his teeth, clearly uncomfortable talking about it. "Avery, if Nathan were really planning to come as you said he was, don't you think he would've been here by now?"

"Well... he did love to surprise me as well, just a different kind," I replied.

"You know what. This has got to stop." Eric spat. "When will you let this go? What do I have to do for you to forget him?"

I was shocked by his sudden outburst. Obviously, he was tired hearing the same name out of my mouth that wasn't his. "Nothing. You don't have to do anything!" I screamed.

Our quarrel began getting attention. Among family and visitors, Audrey's attention was the most piqued. She came quickly towards us, knowing this conversation was inevitable.

"Audrey, I want the truth," I pulled her closer to me. "Tell me now."

"Audrey, don't. She's not ready." Eric quickly opposed to me and glared furiously at her. "Not ready—not ready...what...not ready for what? What's going on?" I stared into both of their faces, desperately trying to get the secrets out of their guilty faces.

"I don't think she ever will be ready, Eric." Audrey took a deep breath. "But it doesn't mean she has to live like this. She deserves the truth."

Eric wasn't happy about Audrey's change of heart. He walked farther from me and tagged her along. I tried to come with but she told me to give her and Eric some time to talk. "She's my sister. I know what's best for her," was all I heard. I didn't get anything more after that. 

When they were done, Audrey came back to me. "I know about Nathan," I said. Her skin turned pale. Seeing her eyes widened and her lips stuttered upon hearing the sound of his name, I grew curious by her fright.

"N—nathan...what about him?" She questioned with worry, clearly composing herself. "I know what you two have been hiding. Nathan told me you blackmailed him." Having heard my statement, Audrey's suspicious reactions turned back to her normal, sassy self. She didn't appear scared anymore.

In fact, she began chuckling, possibly relieved. "What? What's so funny? Did Nathan lie? Was it just one of his silly pranks?" I asked.

"Avery, I didn't blackmail Nathan," she said to me slowly, with her hands pressed on my arms, like how one would talk to a stubborn child.  Then, she smiled and walked past me towards the table where our families mingled, like nothing happened.

"I know you lied to me that day." Audrey didn't dare to take another step. "Nathan wasn't embarrassed with some poems he wrote for me. He was scared I'd know that he was the one who told my parents where to find me."

"How...how did you know that?" She turned around. The fear in her face came back.

"Weren't you listening to me? Nathan told me. He told me the truth." Adjacent to where I stood, she stared at me with a dumbfounded expression. The way she looked at me, I found insulting. It was as if my words did not make any sense. She looked at me like I was a fool. Eric then came to us, standing beside her.

"Go on, we ate, talked with family and friends, had a good time, watched some fireworks. Fun time's over. Birthday party's over." I said. The more the anger grew every time they pretend like they knew nothing. They were hiding something from me.

"Audrey, please, tell me now!" I shouted. "Avery, calm down, no need to be upset about anything," said Eric, gesturing me to settle.

"Avery, on the night of our wedding day, you went to Treposienne, right?"

"Yes, I came with Drew. I —" Tears began filling up in the corners of my eyes. I couldn't seem to get a hold with my emotions anymore.

"You went to visit your dead friend, Sarah, right?" I nodded.

"Yes. H—how do you know that? I never told you that."

"Because I was also there," Eric confessed.

"Wait. H—how..." I gazed at Audrey who was silent the whole time. Then she looked up and talked to me now. "On that night at the cemetery, you left when it rained, right?" I nodded. "You went elsewhere with your friend. It was raining cats and dogs so I found some shade under the tent near the exit gates."

"While I waited for the storm to ease down, a limousine stopped right in front of me. And then a man came out with an umbrella. It was Eric."

Confusion struck my mind. Recalling the happenings on that day, mixed feelings resurfaced, and regret for leaving her in the rain was one of them. "How did you know each other?"

"Avery, the whole time you left, neither the police nor the media were told it. Your parents did respect your wishes. They allowed you your freedom," Eric said.

"I know that already. Get to the point."

"But your mother was worried sick about you, we all were. I looked for you everywhere, hoping maybe I could convince you to come back," he added, trying to lower down his voice as he looked over to the table where they were.

"One day, I stopped by a bar in Treposienne. Lion's Den. I couldn't find you anywhere. Calling the police for help was too tempting, so I thought to take a drink or two to ease my thoughts."

"That's where I met Audrey."

"The club wasn't as booming as the last time you went there. It was small. And it wasn't where the elites used to party, before. So during that time, I got to do the dirty work. I was working as the bartender when I saw Eric come in."

He sat down and drank as much as he could, even offered me to join him. One thing led to another, we chatted and bonded throughout the night. We had a long, surprisingly meaningful talk. Eric was drunk, but I wasn't. Then he showed me a photo of you," she said.

"How would you know that was me? We never met."

"You come from a wealthy and known family, Avery. It would be impossible not to see you on the internet and in the papers. I recognized your face in that picture right away."

"When I saw your picture, I didn't tell him that I knew you then. Obviously, Eric wasn't at a decent state as well." Audrey cleared her throat. "And for the record, I had no interest in knowing you that time. You were living the life, and seeing you alive and well and spoiled by your family as you grew up made me hate you even more."

"Okay, Audrey. I get it. You hate me."

"After seeing you at the cemetery, I called Eric and told him the truth...that we were sisters. And that's why he came."

"But I don't understand. I was already back home by then. Why did you think Eric still cared if we're related?"

"Because I needed Audrey to stir trouble. When there's trouble, the greater the chances you'll seek help from me." Audrey nodded and said,
"I would do whatever he needed me to do, and in return, he'd help my business."

"The day after, we had a family lunch. And you didn't make it because you were late. You texted me you were going to the mall instead. So I told Audrey to go to the mall and see if by any chance the two of you would meet," Eric said.

I scoffed, utterly bewildered. "I just — I can't believe all of this." I laughed at my own stupidity. "This is so messed up. You played me, both of you." Both of them were quiet. All those confessions and they couldn't give me an answer.

"You know what, forget it. I don't give a damn. I don't need all this crap. Thanks for the gifts," I said sarcastically.

All I knew was I wanted to go home. There was no way I was hitching a ride to either one of them. Desperately homesick, I went over to my mom who was talking to an investor. "Mom, can you take me home to my apartment, please."

"But, honey, it's still too early. You're the guest of honor."

"I know. I'm just...I'm not feeling very well." I lied. "Just, please. I need to rest." Thank God it didn't take too long for her to agree. I got inside the car pissed, receiving the secretive stares of both my sister and husband from afar.

Then we took off.

After some time pondering on the things that had happened today, I couldn't help but feel relieved when the car finally entered Talaeauve Boulevard.

It stopped by the curb in front of my home, time for me to leave. I kissed my mom on the cheek and she kissed back. Walking towards the front porch, she waited for me to get inside. Then I peeked through the window and waved goodbye when she left.

When I was alone, I went to my room and took out my dress. Remembering it was from Eric made me feel disgusted and all the more eager to take it off. In my pajamas, I brushed my teeth and prepared myself for bed.

I closed my eyes, pushing myself to sleep. Sleeping would keep my mind off the things bothering me at this time, but it was impossible. I couldn't feign pain brought by betrayal.

However, aside from the incessant harrassment of these thoughts, a pit in my stomach stopped me from getting a good night's sleep. My stomach growled. I forgot I barely ate during dinner.

Groaning, I got out of bed. On the way out, I grabbed my journal and pen with me. Rubbing my eyes, I made my way to the kitchen. I thought to make some oats, a simple, quick meal to tame my empty stomach. Opening the upper cabinet, I heard footsteps coming from the living room. Oh no. Not again.

I took a knife out the drawer and hid behind the wall. Shivering, I held my knife with both hands, without any idea how to wield it. Deep breaths. On three, I will come at the man.

The footsteps came closer. One, two...

"What the hell, Nate!" I almost slipped. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?" I put the knife down.

"Your doors weren't locked," he said calmly. "I could've killed you."

"Hey, watch it with that thing," he said, glaring at the knife. "You wouldn't kill me and you know it." He got an apple from the fruit basket on the table and took a bite. "What are you doing alone in the kitchen at three in the morning?"

"You know...just because," I sighed. "I couldn't sleep. I'm just writing some stuff down with some oats." Nathan continued chewing. He sat down on the metal stool and skimmed through the pages.

"Didn't I tell you not to go through my journal?" I asked sternly while waiting for the water to boil. "But it's already open."

"So? That doesn't mean you get to read it." I turned off the stove and wore my hand mittens.
"Now, can you please leave? I don't want to talk to you right now."

"I would but you don't want me to leave." He threw the rest of the apple to the trash.

"Hello? Didn't you hear me? I said I didn't want to talk to you." I put my hot oats on the table.

"You still don't understand, do you? As long as you keep opening your door for me, I will never leave you," Nathan said. "You are the one who keeps letting me in. You're the one who wants me here. Even if you don't admit it."

I scoffed. "You were the one who barged in here unannounced, yet again, like a criminal! And you're telling me I'm the one who wants you here?" I crossed my arms. "You told me you'd be spending the rest of the week with me, but you didn't even come to my birthday party, you jerk!"

"You really want me gone?"

"Oh, shut up, Nate. I've had enough of your stupid —"

"Close your eyes," he whispered. There was something so soothing about his voice that made me hose down. My temper was rising but for some reason, it went away.

I waited for some time, anticipating the homey warmth of his lips or the smooth caressing of my face before he would make the move; or anything that usually happened during these times.

When all the waiting began to confuse me, I wondered why it took that long for a swift kiss. This took so long. I opened my eyes. And there was no kiss, not even a friendly one, but only an icy cold feeling retained in my skin. 

He was gone.