You and me | Pacey Witter

eight

TODAY WAS the Benson twin's sixteenth birthday. Every morning on their birthday since they were eleven, their uncle would wake up earlier to buy cupcakes, because he wasn't the best baker. He had the kitchen island set up, on two separate plates were one cupcake a piece. It had a candle on the top of it, along with a present bag beside it.

Aurora and Lucas walked down the staircase side by side. It was a tradition for them to see their 'surprise' at the same time. Their eyes lit up at the small set up in the kitchen. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear, Rora, and Lucas, happy birthday to you," he sung.

In unison, the twins blew out their candle, and applause from their uncle echoed throughout the kitchen. Aurora took a bite out of the cupcake, after she had removed the candle. "Thank you, Uncle Joshua. The cupcakes are delicious," she complimented.

"Yeah, where'd you get them this time? K-Mart?" Lucas remarked.

Uncle Joshua scoffed out a fake laugh as he tried to think of a back-up, but nothing came to mind. He groaned and rolled his eyes, "yes, fine, I did, but hey their pretty damn good, am I right?" he questioned.

"Yes, they're great," Lucas commented, before he reached open to the small bag beside his cupcake plate. He picked up with a curious look on his face. "I wonder what it could be." He opened up the bag and it revealed a set of car keys. "No way," he exclaimed. "Holy shit, my own car?"

"Language," Joshua replied, but nodded with a smile, "but yes, you got your own car."

Aurora looked over at her brother and nudged his shoulder, "now, guess who has to start taking me to school. I know damn well I didn't get a car, I don't even have a license," she told them. "But let's open mine now," she exclaimed. 

Aurora opened up the small bag and her eyes widened, "oh, my God. No way!" she exclaimed and carefully took the polaroid camera out from the bag. "This is what I've always wanted. Thank you, so much, Uncle Josh," she told him with a huge smile as she rushed to the other side of the counter to give him a hug.

Joshua laughed and hugged the girl back. "Anytime, kiddo."

- - - - - - - - - - -

LUCAS BENSON was thrilled to have been able to drive himself to school today. Well, he drove himself and Aurora, but it was still exciting. The twins stepped out of the vehicle as soon as they parked, and he used the keys to turn off the engine. "Woah," Dawson exclaimed as he walked up to the vehicle. "Luke, sweet ride," he stated. "Happy birthday, man," he said with a smile as he did a handshake with Dawson.

Dawson turned to the girl; a small smile was rested on his face. After the homecoming incident, he wasn't sure that the girl was too thrilled to talk to him. "Uh, happy birthday, Rora," he said with a soft tone.

Aurora simply nodded at him, mumbling a small 'thank you' before she looked away from him. "Uh, listen, I'm going to go inside. I'll leave you two to talk," she said, before she waved a small goodbye to them and began to walk up to the school.

Aurora walked inside the school and from the corner of her eye, she saw Joey rush to her side with a bright smile on her face. "Happy birthday, Rora," she excitedly, exclaimed as she gave the girl a small hug as the two came to a stop.

"Thank you, Jo," Aurora smiled back. 

Jack awkwardly waited in the back since his and Joey's conversation was cut short. He cleared his throat and decided to speak up, "uh, happy birthday, Aurora," he said with a small smile appearing on his face.

Aurora smiled up at the brunette, "thanks, Jack. I appreciate it." 

- - - - - - - - - - -

AURORA WALKED to the lunch table with her tray in her hands, Jack and Joey by her sides. As the trio made it to the table and she was able to set her tray down, a pair of arms snaked around her waist and picked her up. She felt her feet leave the air as she was spun around. Once her feet were back safely onto the ground, Aurora looked behind her and noticed the Witter boy there with a huge smile on his face.

A breath of relief left the girl's lips as she realized who it had been. Aurora was waiting for the words to come out of his mouth, every year he would do some drastic thing for her birthday. Pacey looked down at the girl with a smug smile on his face. "And what was that for?" Aurora questioned with fake curiosity.

Pacey shrugged, "can't I hug you without any questioning?"

The smile on her face soon faded away as she listened to him. "Uh," Aurora stammered and plastered a new fake smile on her face, "uh, yeah, of course." Pacey noticed the change in her attitude and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"It's fine," Aurora shrugged. "I'm going to go to the restroom, I'll be right back."

Aurora left the lunch table and exited the cafeteria. Jack was quick to follow her back while Joey had a stern talking with Pacey about her birthday. "Hey, Aurora, Aurora, wait," he called out for the brunette who sighed deeply before she turned around.

Aurora turned around, "yes, Jack?"

"Are you okay?"

"Of course," Aurora shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be? I mean my best friend forgot my birthday, even after he experienced the same thing recently, but I'm fine," she told the boy, who frowned. "It doesn't matter. I'm not going to let him bring down my day."

Jack frowned and stepped closer to the brunette, "uh, may I?" he asked. Aurora furrowed her eyebrows and nodded, hesitantly. Jack leaned in and brought the girl in for an embrace. "I'm sorry. He's an idiot for not remembering. Why don't we do something tonight?"

Aurora smiled, "you want to hang out?"

Jack nodded, "uh, yeah," he scoffed out a laugh. "I have a small meet-up with Joey, but after that I am all yours, okay?"

"Sounds great."