Soda Pop

Chapter 52- The Bithday Secret

This party has got me so stressed out. Brett's surprise party has to be perfect.

This is his 20th birthday. That's a pretty big deal. This is the start of his third decade on the planet Earth.

I already booked a live band, a bouncyhouse, and Jelly Bean the Clown.

I can explain. About the clown, I mean. Brett told me once that when he was seven he always wanted always clown at his birthday party, but his mother always vetoed. So I am giving him what he has always wanted. Let's hope he still wants a clown.

I invited all the guys from his dorm, and all the people from Crumberlin that he knows and likes. And Clayton, of course.

This party is going to be epic. I have a ton of people invited, great music, and good food.

And the best part is that we don't have any neighbors because we live awhile away from everyone else in our subdivision. We have a private drive.

My parents have accepted my wondrous gift of a trip away for a weekend, and I convinced Jake to spend the night at a friend's house. Okay, fine, I may have bribed him with 50 bucks.

It took me 4 hours to set everything up. And by the time all of the guests arrived, the party had already gotten almost out of control.

I told Brett my über popular sister, Alicia was throwing a party, so he expected madness when he drove up to pick me up for our dinner date.

What he didn't expect, however, was to be greeted by almost 100 people screaming, "SUPRISE!" when he walked through the gate into my backyard.

His face freezes, and he just stands there until he finally spots me and wraps his hand around my waist, instantly sending a shiver up my spine. I lean into him, feeling secure and protected.

"Casey, did you plan this?" He whispers in my ear as a crowd of people circle around him to tell him happy birthday.

Poor guy must have almost had had a heart attack. But he was actually suprised. I know this because if he hadn't been suprised because he probably wouldn't have been wearing a dress shirt and dress pants. But I prepared for that scenario. I had one of his roomates grab him some clothes to change into.

I nod, holding back a smile as one of his roomates falls into my pool due to the pushing crowd. The band starts up playing a song that I don't know, but Brett must because he let's go of my waist to start dancing as awkwardly as humanly possible.

"Casey! This is such an amazing party!" Courtney says, pulling Della along with her up to me.

"Hey guys! I didn't even see you come in!"

"Well, how could you? You were so busy being all adorable to make sure your boyfriends birthday was amazing!" Courtney coos, and I can't help but notice that Della is being especially quiet.

"Hey, what's wrong? Aren't you having fun?" I ask Della, taking her hand and squeezing it.

She pulls her hand away.

"She's mad at you. I practically had to drag her here," Courtney explains.

"What? Why?" I ask.

"You ditched me at that party. No explanation, you just hung up on me," Della snaps.

"I told you, I was studying. I had to take my ACT. You know? To get into college? I studied my buns off and I actually got a decent score. I stayed home to study and to not ruin my future. You can't be mad at me for that," I plea, grabbing her shoulders.

"Really?" She says, no sarcasm in her voice whatsoever.

I nod, and she looks down at her adorable Louis Vuitton heels.