Always Believe

Chapter 25- You Guys Would Make Such A Cute Couple

Chapter 25
KAT'S POV:

I blinked and looked around, surprised that so many people could be crammed into such a small space.

Stephen, Zach, Justin, Matt, Rachel, Carly, Ben, Cash, Heath, and Kyle were all there, as well as Rachel's little brother who was Zach's age.

"You guys..." I said.

Stephen came up and pulled me into a hug.

"You haven't checked your phone all day have you?" He asked.

"No, I had it on silent, plus I was shopping. Why do you ask?"

"Just check." He said, chuckling.

I pulled it out and turned it on.

16 unread messages from Stephen

"Oops." I muttered. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Stephen stepped away so that the others could bombard me with hugs and birthday wished.

Matt was especially sweet, but, I realized, so was Kyle.

Just what I need. I thought. More boy drama.

~~~~~~

After playing a few games like Twister and Dance Attack, Rachel and Carly brought out trays of food and balanced them precariously on a folding table Ben had set up in the middle of the room.

"Birthday girl goes first!" Zach called. He and Rachel's little brother Ian had hit it off real well.

I smiled bashfully and made my way over to the table, taking a little bit of everything, except for the olive salad. I love black olives, but green ones are absolutely repulsive.

I sat down on the plaid couch to eat, and was soon joined by Stephen and Rachel who sat on either side of me.

"Thanks so much you guys." I said.

"It was no problem." Stephen grinned. "I didn't do much, it was mostly just these guys, especially Rachel." When he said her name I saw something flash in his eyes.

Uh oh, I know that look.

I poked his shoulder with my index finger and gave him a pointed look.

He shrugged.

I just shook my head. Stephen...

"Time for cake and presents!" Ian shouted, laughing hysterically. For what reason, I have no clue.

Now this is the part that I usually don't like about birthdays, when I'm the one opening the presents. I mean, what do you do when they're all singing "the happy birthday song" to you? I usually just grin like an idiot and stare at the cake. And with presents, I don't know why but I get embarrassed opening someone's gift in front of them. Maybe it's a part of my stage fright, I have no idea.

An elaborate home-made cake was set on the mahogany coffee table in front of me. It was beautiful, with a light lilac frosting, delicate little lilacs and swoopy swirls decorating the sides. On top "Happy Sweet 16" was written in loopy cursive dark purple letters.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed.

"Thank you." Cash said.

I stared at him in surprise. I never imagined that someone who dressed like him could be a baker, and an impressive one at that. I guess I need to learn not to judge so quickly.

I gave him a small smile. "Thank you so much."

He gave me a curt nod, but I saw the corners of his lips twitch upward.