In Your Orbit (1st Book)

Chapter 23: Birthday Celebration Pt.1 (Mature Content)

Friday afternoon found Lisa in a flurry of excitement and last-minute preparations. Jennie's birthday was tomorrow, and Lisa had everything planned out down to the last detail. She'd booked a hotel room for three days and two nights, hoping to make it a cozy, unforgettable celebration. Today was all about decorating, and Lisa was going all out.

"Okay, let's get this right," Lisa muttered, hands on her hips as she surveyed the hotel suite. A large "Happy Birthday" banner lay sprawled out on the bed, a box of rose petals sat open beside her, and she'd brought along bags of decorations. She could almost picture Jennie's expression when she walked in tomorrow—surprised, smiling, maybe even tearing up a little.

Feeling a surge of excitement, Lisa grabbed the banner and balanced on the bed, stretching it across the wall just above the headboard. She reached up to secure it, but as she leaned a little too far, her foot slipped on the slick satin sheets beneath her. She let out a loud "Ahh!" as she fell backward, landing ungracefully on the bed in a tangle of limbs.

"Oh, great," she grumbled, rubbing her elbow with a wince. "Good job, Lisa, really setting the mood here."

Once she untangled herself, she climbed back up—this time, more cautiously—and finished hanging the banner. Then came the rose petals. She grabbed handfuls and scattered them along the floor, leading a delicate path to the bed, then to the bathroom, and finally around the edge of the bathtub.

As she carefully positioned some petals on the bed in a heart shape, she paused, eyeing her work critically. "Wow," she said to herself with a grin, "this is going to be one steamy night." She waggled her eyebrows, trying to ignore the blush creeping up her cheeks.

But just as she turned to grab a few more rose petals, her foot caught on the edge of the rug, and down she went—again—this time landing half-on, half-off the bed. "Ow...," she groaned, lifting her face to find a trail of petals stuck to her cheek.

She sat up, chuckling softly despite the throbbing in her knee. "Jennie better appreciate this," she muttered, brushing the petals off her face and gathering herself. "I'm risking life and limb here for romance."

Finally, she stood back and surveyed her work with a satisfied grin. The banner looked festive, the petals were artfully arranged, and the room had transformed into a cozy, romantic hideaway.

The evening buzzed with energy as Lisa parked her car outside the crowded bar, anticipation filling her as she straightened her black polo and adjusted her shades atop her head. She glanced at herself in the car's side mirror, grinning a little as she thought, Not bad, Lisa. Tonight was about Jennie, though, and she was going to make sure her pre-birthday celebration was perfect.

Inside, the bar was packed, and the music pulsed through the room with an infectious beat. Lisa squeezed through the crowd, catching sight of Jennie, Rose, and Jisoo huddled near the bar with drinks in hand, laughing. When Jennie spotted her, her face lit up, and she rushed over, pulling Lisa into a quick embrace. Lisa leaned in and gave Jennie a gentle kiss, making her laugh as they held hands.

"Someone's looking sharp tonight," Jennie teased, giving Lisa's outfit an approving glance. Lisa shrugged with a smirk, glancing at Jennie's stunning black dress, and whispered, "You're making it hard for me to focus here."

Jennie laughed, playfully hitting Lisa's arm as Rose and Jisoo joined them. Rose, in her white dress, looked effortlessly chic, and Jisoo, with her crop top and joggers, was catching more than a few lingering glances. Lisa chuckled as a group of girls nearby did double-takes, eyes drifting between Jisoo and herself.

"Hey, Rose, Jisoo," Lisa greeted, giving them each a quick hug.

"Finally! Took you long enough!" Jisoo teased, winking.