𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 (EDITING)

𝟑𝟓

florence

"Please! I really cannot wait," I exclaimed excitedly, bouncing up and down. Hailee chuckled at my antics. "Cannot wait for what?" Tom inquired, curious. "For Emerson to come downstairs," Jasmine, Emerson's friend, replied. I nodded enthusiastically. "I'm sooo excited!"

"Anything you girls want?" I asked, turning to the four girls. They shook their heads, declining. "Are you sure?" I insisted, but one girl spoke up, "Actually, could I have a glass of water?" she requested. "Kacey, right?" I confirmed, and she seemed taken aback, responding slowly with a hesitant, "Yes." I offered a friendly smile. "Emerson told me about you... and Willow, of course." I gestured to the two girls.

"Imagine Florence Pugh knowing your name," Andrew chimed in, grinning. "Oh, she already knows you," another girl remarked, playfully rolling her eyes. "Okay, Amalia. Nobody asked," Andrew retorted, prompting a shrug from the girl. "I'm your sister, whatever you say, I'm going to reply to it," Amalia teased.

I handed Kacey the water and heard a door opening. "Florence... can I borrow your guitar for something— I did a thing and I wanna try..." Emerson's voice trailed off as she descended the stairs, her eyes scanning the room. "Hi," she uttered, greeted by a chorus of "Happy birthday!" from everyone present. She smiled awkwardly, seeming surprised by the sudden attention. "If I'd known anyone was coming, I would've changed," she mumbled, covering her face with her sleeves. She was casually dressed in an oversized light cream hoodie that reached her knees, paired with black joggers.

"I thought everyone was going to come tomorrow," she directed her question to me. "Surprise?" I replied with a shrug.

"Happy birthday, beautiful!" I greeted as Emerson walked downstairs. Her lips pressed together, she came over and embraced me in a hug. "Thank you," she whispered. I looked down at her, kissing her head softly. "Always... I love you," I confessed. She smiled up at me, "I love you more." She planted a kiss on my cheek and then stepped back, giving Hailee a hug.

"Whose idea was it?" Emerson asked, scanning the room while hugging each person. "Robert!" Zendaya exclaimed. Emerson sighed, glancing at him. "I'm not even surprised," she said with a smile. "Hey, you love me, it's okay!" Robert teased. "I also have something else to give you," he added, prompting a laugh from me. "It's from all of us, not just you," I chimed in. Robert playfully rolled his eyes and leaned towards Emerson, whispering, "She's lying." Emerson laughed, "I'm sure she is."

"Emerson!" Lizzie beamed. "Happy birthday," Scarlett added, planting a kiss on her head. "Thank you," Emerson laughed, returning their hugs. With a smile, she turned to her friends, starting with Willow.

"Hello," Willow whispered, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Fourteen years of friendship," Willow remarked. Emerson smiled warmly, "How crazy is that?" She then moved to Andrew, who leaned in as they hugged. "My girl, we've been friends for four months, but you mean a lot to me," Andrew admitted. Emerson chuckled, "The feeling is mutual," patting his back affectionately.

Emerson proceeded to Kacey, expressing gratitude for their time living together. Jasmine followed with a sweet kiss on Emerson's cheek. Amalia stepped up, giving her a small hug and playfully tapping her cheek, eliciting a chuckle from me. "Cutie," Amalia teased. Finally, Avery approached. Emerson hesitated for a moment but then leaned into her touch.

"Hey, my love," Avery whispered. I turned and caught Hailee's eye, sharing a curious look between us.

She was sneaking a sandwich, and I caught her in the act. "Hey!" I whispered, causing her to quickly set the sandwich down. "What? Anthony started it," she mumbled defensively. I turned my attention back to Emerson, who had just pulled away from Avery's embrace. Avery whispered something in her ear, causing Emerson to blush and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Shut up," Emerson lightly smacked Avery's arm, her cheeks still flushed. "Am I seeing things, or is there tension?" Brie's voice suddenly interrupted. I glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. "I'm as confused as you are," I confessed. Brie hummed in response.