Severing Ties (Book 2. Ties)

15. Invaded

I was twenty. I was in college. I was dating. I had a family who loved me. I had friends. It was a good life. There were still people I wished were in my life. There were times I wished that I could have had a different life; but that was not the case. Nonetheless, life was good with what and who I had.

My birthday landed on a Monday, so I had to go to school early in the day. In the evening, and I use evening lightly since it was four o'clock, it was planned that I would go to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner, accompanied by my mom. I did not want to celebrate my birthday, since I was only turning twenty; twenty was not a special number. It was just another birthday reminding me I was a year older. Regardless of my lack of enthusiasm for living another year, I still had to look nice.

My mom bought me a new outfit and offered to style my hair and apply my makeup. If she was the one forcing me to look presentable, then she should be the one to prepare me. She arranged my hair to be in soft waves with the help of a flat iron. My mom had bought a sky-blue off the shoulder shirt, dark jeans, and tan flats that had crossing straps at the ankles. I had not worn make up in a long time, so I was surprised by how nice I looked in the mirror. My mom wore a mint dress that emphasized the fact that she had a tiny waist. And of course she was in heels, typical for her. I had hardly ever seen her in anything other than heels.

After we were both ready, we made our way to Water Mill. The door was opened by my aunt who wished me a happy birthday. Everything was so quiet it made our steps echo throughout the house. We walked through the threshold of the living room, and suddenly, noise broke loose. I looked around the room at all the people who had yelled, "surprise!"

My family and my friends were there. But the biggest surprise was seeing Mike standing there in my aunt's house. He was as handsome as he had always been, but for some reason he looked taller. I couldn't contain my excitement any longer, so I jumped towards Mike and hugged him tightly. "What the hell are you doing here," I yelled with elation .

"I came for your birthday of course," he told me with the same level of excitement.

Mike was still in my arms when I noticed Edward was standing behind him. He had taken care of my mom during her stay at the hospital. That was where Mike and him had met, and two plus years later there they were in New York for my birthday. "And you brought Edward," I said with joy.

I let go of Mike and looked at him. He answered, "surprise!"

I had internally been debating whether I should have cried or giggled out of happiness. I had never had a birthday party before. And I had never had those many people join me on my birthday. "I'm very surprised. Thank you, everybody," I told the room full of people I would hold very dear to my heart 'til the day I died.

Through most of the night, I stayed with Mike. I simply missed him too much, and I had not realized how much until he showed up that April. He missed all of his Monday classes for me. It was a week before finals, so I knew he had sacrificed a lot to be there with me. I had to make the best of our time together, since he was to leave at midnight back to Texas. It was a very memorable birthday with all the people I cared about.

All the guys were standing around in a clump, so I went up to them to get a clue to what they were talking about. "Hey guys," I greeted.

Robin lifted his hand, and I was too slow to react. He rubbed the top of my head and said, "hey little girl." I scowled at him before brushing my hands through my hair that he messed up.

"Thanks for that," I said as I continued to glare. "So who planned all of this," I asked. I had been enjoying my evening that I had not thought to ask about the party planner.

"Your aunt and I started it, but everyone else helped. Joy told Farrah who told Raven, and she told Robin. Robin told his brothers, and his brothers told David, Sophie, and Jason. I called Mike's mother to ask her if she would let him come. I also told Elena who told her daughter of course. And Stephanie told Lucas, Frank, and Elie... I believe that covers it all." My mom came up next to me and informed me.