Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{88}

I unlocked the front door. Struggling to turn the knob as all of my things began to fall out of my hands. I was so upset that Alex made me wear something nice coming back home. I mean, it wasn't really necessary and it wasn't like I had this big thing planned. Once I fully opened the door. The lights flicked on, "surprise!"

I screamed, dropping all of my things and put my hands over my face. I let my racing heart come to a slower pace and took my hands away from my face. I looked around. Keeks, Jada, Lottie, Alex, Mackie, Jesse, Frankie, Christina, Cris, Nessa, Nikki, Ronnie and all of the kids. My dad, aunts and uncles were also crowded in the house. I bent down and picked my things up. Brendon walked forward amongst the group, putting his arms out as I walked in. He hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek, "happy birthday, Joanne."

As I walked in more. The house was filled with balloons, causing me to move the strings dangling from them as I walked forward. Immediately I was handed a glass of champagne and hugs from literally everyone I ran into. Family members asking how I've been doing and congratulating me on something that happened a year ago. Brendon didn't even have a drink in his hand. I noticed that he must've just picked Bella up and carried her around, showing her off and was in awe of her. I grabbed my drink, walking back toward the door to greet my grandma. But, as I walked past the living room—my biggest fear stood there. No, it wasn't anything bad. Well, it's terrifying to me. I gasped and started freaking out. I ran over to Brendon and hid behind him, putting my free hand on his arm from behind. Brendon looked back at me, confused, "whats wrong? Why are you hiding, Joanne?"

I set my drink down, "why would you bring a goddamn clown in the house to my birthday party on my birthday!"

Brendon scoffed, "he's not for you, he's for the kids. Weirdo."

I was still scared, but I was getting annoyed. I pinched his arm and he grabbed at it quickly, wincing at the pain, "I fucking hate clowns!"

Brendon was still confused, "you never mentioned a dislike to clowns, Joanne."

"I don't dislike them. I'm allergic to them, Brendon." I said sarcastically.

Brendon looked at me and his eyebrows furrowed with Bella still in his arms, "Oh! And I'm allergic to the clothing on the clown!"

I shot a look at him, "you need to get him out of the house right now."

Brendon turned to face me and tilted his head, "why darlin'? Can't handle a little bit of funny busine-"

I raised my eyebrow at him. He was laughing at himself, but I wasn't. Once he noticed I wasn't messing around, he stopped laughing and cleared his throat, "babe, what am I supposed to do? Its an adult party and the kids have to be entertained somehow."

"You get that damn clown out of the house."

Brendon pursed his lips and scoffed, "you're not going to do anything, okay? The clown won't even come near you."

I picked my drink back up, flipped him off and walked away. Walked everywhere else but the living room. Brendon sat me down at the head of the table, flicking the lights out as dad walked in with a cake and candles, holding his hand in front so the candles didn't blow out. Once he set the cake down in front of me, everyone began to sing happy birthday to me, but, I could only hear Brendon beside me, singing softly, "tanti auguri a ti, tanti auguri a ti. Tanti auguri a Joanne...Tanti auguri a ti!"

Everyone began to clap and I shut my eyes. Making a wish and then blowing out almost all of the candles. I clapped along, then took the candles out of the cake. Brendon picked it up and set it on the counter. Brendon decided he was going to cut the cake(s). I smiled softly and got up. I pressed my hands along his shoulders and slightly massaged them. Brendon glanced back at me a bit, with an eyebrow raised and a small smile peeking through. I kissed his cheek and he handed me a piece of cake, "cake for the birthday girl."