The worth of friendship

Birthday Bash

After an hour of watching TV, Nick and I took turns showering and getting ready in the bathroom. I decided on a black jumpsuit for tonight. I can go out for a fancy dinner in it and then celebrate Joe's birthday at the club. I wear silver high heels and a small silver cross body bag with the jumpsuit. My hair is slightly curled and the top part of it is wrapped in a bun. I'm wearing light make-up and red lips. All in all, I feel really comfortable in my outfit.

"Are you ready?" Nick steps out of the bathroom and smiles at me. He is wearing a white t-shirt with red writing, a gold necklace over it and red and black plaid pants. He looks quite handsome.

"I'm ready!", I grab my leather jacket and tuck under with Nick. Together we head downstairs to meet up with the others in the lobby. From the hotel we make our way in a party bus to Komodo, a fancy restaurant with Asian cuisine. Once we get there, we sit in a big group of people around a circular table, eat and have good conversations. I sit between Nick and Sophie and enjoy their company. Together with Sophie, I share various Asian delights so that we can try more dishes. Sophie and I are simply a dream team.

"To Joe!", Nick raises his glass of tequila and encourages us all to toast Joe.

I also raise my glass of wine and shout "To Joe!". The mood is joyful and the evening is a complete success so far.

"Mhhh. The food is delicious and so is the wine." Sophie puts an arm around me and giggles. "The wine is really good." I giggle, already draining my fourth glass of wine this evening.

"One more glass and we'll be drunk as hell." Sophie laughs even harder and orders us both another glass of wine.

"You like it?" Joe turns to us and grins. Sophie and I nod simultaneously, "Delicious!". Joe laughs even more, "I think the evening will be unique!"

Sophie hugs me even tighter, making me laugh even harder. This draws Nick's attention to me. "It's not even midnight and you're already totally drunk?" he grins. I smile back at him and shake my head, "Not me."

"No. My Lia isn't!" Nick laughs and pulls my chair closer to him and me away from Sophie's hug. Sophie is talking wildly to Joe and JinJoo and doesn't even notice.

"I think you're cute when you're drunk, your cheeks are always so rosy then," Nick whispers in my ear and strokes my cheek at the same time. If my cheeks weren't rosy at this point, they are now at the latest. I blush and avoid Nick's gaze.

"I thought you'd think I was annoying and demanding and clingy then" I laugh awkwardly and flush down my insecurity with another glass of wine.

"That of course!" Nick laughs and takes a big gulp from his tequila too.

I take a quick look at my phone and notice it's Joe's birthday in a few minutes. With wobbly legs I get up to hug Joe in my drunken state of mind. "It's about to be your birthday Joey!" I squeal and hug him tightly.

"If I'm still alive then Lia" Joe laughs and tries to pull out of my hug.

"Of course you'll still be alive then stupid. My love hasn't killed you for the last 20 years, then it won't happen today!" chuckling, I hug him tighter again but then release myself from him to sit back down.

At midnight sharp, the restaurant plays a birthday song and carries a huge birthday cake to our table. "Happy Birthday Joe!" is shouted from all sides, while Joe gets a long and romantic kiss from Sophie. Then Nick congratulates him first with a brotherly hug and a gift. Then it's my turn: "Happy Birthday Joey!" I squeal and jump up into his arm. "I love you Joey! You're the best," I slowly break away from him and smile proudly at him.

"I love you too Pumpkin! Thank you for being like my little sister!" Joe smiles. One by one the other guests congratulate him and we toast to Joe again and again. Around 1 am we make our way to the club. Sophie has chosen the Story Nightclub in Miami Beach for Joe and I am, as always, impressed by such VIP clubs. When we arrive at the club, I'm already totally drunk, so Nick and Sophie have to help me get into the club without any incidents. "I love alcohol!" I shout in Nick's ear and giggle. " I can tell!", Nick smirks and puts his hand on the small of my back.