Jealousy, Jealousy (Part 1)

26 - Lauren

"Happy birthday!" Sasha cheered, arriving at my birthday party. Following her in was a guy about our age. "This is Ricky, by the way."

Ricky looked at me. "Hey, happy birthday."

"Haha, thanks. Come on in. Amelia is obviously here already. And so is Spencer," I smiled, opening the door wider so they could come in.

"Hey guys!" Sasha exclaimed, immediately heading towards the food that was setup by my mom.

Amelia waved slightly. "Hi."

The doorbell rang again and I jogged over to open the door.

"Hey Noah. Hi Esme," I said. The minute I said Noah's name, Amelia ran over to us.

"Noah! You're here!" she exclaimed. "Guess what? I joined the tennis team! Do you like my outfit?" Her tennis skirt lifted up and spun when she gave a little princess twirl.

"Hi... that's cool. Your outfit's nice," he said. Amelia smiled at him but when she noticed Esme, she paused for a moment and narrowed her eyes towards her.

"Oh... Esme."

"Ahem. Lauren, come over here. Do you want to open presents first?" Sasha asked, stuffing her face with chips. I looked around the room. Amelia was talking to Noah and the rest of the guests were just staring at me.

"Yeah, sure." Well, this was getting off to a good start.

I opened Sasha and Ricky's present which was a new phone case and some bags of candy, while Esme got me a beige bucket hat.

"Here's mine," Spencer said, handing me a gift bag. I looked inside and saw a huge plush poodle.

It. Was. Adorable.

"Ohmygosh! I love it!" I squealed.

Spencer grinned from ear to ear. "I was hoping you would. I remember you saying your favourite animals were poodles."

I picked up the stuffy and gave it a hug. "Thanks, Backpack Boy. I love it." We smiled at each other for a few more seconds until Noah cleared his throat.

"My gift next," he said, passing me a bag, also. "I hope you like them."

Inside the bag was brown sweatpants and a white zipped hoodie! I took them out and looked at them carefully. "I... I do. I love them. They're so cute! Thank you!" I exclaimed.

"I'm glad you do."

Amelia stared at Noah, then gave him a little nudge. "Excuse me, Noah? You forgot to tell her that I helped you pick them out."

Really? Then Amelia truly has great style!

Noah glared at her. "Amelia! It's my gift! Yes, you helped me but honestly I chose them!"

Amelia blinked her eyes and looked down. "Right but like you said, I helped."

"Why is that so important to you?" Noah demanded. "Okay, fine! Amelia helped. Hooray."

The room was silent. Amelia looked at me, her face angrier than I've seen before. She grabbed the sweatpants Noah had just gifted to me and threw it at him.

"I just wanted to be appreciated! Is it that hard to thank someone for taking the time and helping? Why's everything about Lauren? Why is she suddenly so special and why does everyone like her more? We used to be so close but now you spend every spare second with her. You left me at the freaking mall, for heaven sakes! I had to walk all the way home, and it rained. You didn't even think about me for a second!" Amelia yelled.

"Amelia, please," I began, but Noah interrupted me by hollering a string of unrecognizable words towards my step-sister.

Amelia stood up and gave me a death glare. "Have fun hanging out with Lauren. I'm done." She threw her present onto my lap and stormed off.

"Amelia! Amelia!" Noah called after her, as panic flashed on his face. "Mimi!"

Amelia stopped and turned around.

"What did you say?"

"Mimi. The nickname you used to love. Listen, can we talk?" pleaded Noah. I could see the desperation in his eyes. Argh. I hated to come in between such a strong friendship.

"No," Amelia said firmly. Then, she looked at me with obvious anger and maybe even hatred.

"Oh. Right. Happy birthday, Lauren."