Plus One. ~ Sequel to 'Love Unlocked.'

Chapter 7 Part 4: My Birthday.

Cassidy:

Today is my 17th birthday. I can't believe I'm 17! I've been staying at Sadie's for about a week now- as me and Pel are still on bad terms.

I rub my eyes and sit up in bed. At the foot of my bed there is a pile of presents. I smile and shuffle forward to open them. They are all from Sadie. I get a photo frame filled with pictures of us over the years, since we were 3 and in dance together. Another one is a beautiful Pandora ring. And my other favourite is a gorgeous pair of heels. I smile to myself and look at the presents next to me. 

I give Ava a piece of wrapping paper to play with as I head into Sadie's room. I run in and throw myself on her bed.

"Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!" I say hugging her.

"That's okay!" She laughs. "I'm glad you like them."

"I love them!" I say sitting next to her.

After about a hour of talking me and Sadie sort out our children. I change Ava into a pink dress and denim jacket with some converse. I then feed her and leave her in the playpen with Carter. Me and Sadie have some pancakes and juice before we get ready ourselves.

I head into the spare room and pick out the outfit I chose from New Look especially for my birthday. I pull on the mint green skater skirt, fastening the gold metallic belt around my waist. Next I put my black lace bralet on pulling in down to meet my skirt.

I head over to the mirror and apply my makeup. I curl my hair using Sadie's curlers, then pull on my leather jacket. I sit on my bed and fasten up my new heels that Sade got. Once I'm ready I head into the living room to meet Sadie.

"You look amazing babes!" Sadie says smiling widely.

"Thanks! You look great too!"

"Your too kind!" She says nudging me.

Once we've got Ava and Carter ready it's about 11:30am. I grab my bag as my phone starts ringing. It's Sam.

'Hey, can you pop down the studio? We've got a dance for you to be in.'

'Now? I'm going out...'

'Yes, now! Your needed!'

'Fine. I'm on my way.'

I stuff my phone into my bag and pick up Ava.

"Who was that?" Sadie says putting Carter into the pram.

"Sam. I'm needed down the studio now. Like it's my birthday! Can't it wait?"

"Yeah, that is a bit bad." Sadie says as we head out the door.

It takes us about 25 minutes to walk over to the studio from Sadie's apartment. We walk in to be greeted by Dani, as usual.

"You girls look great!" She says hugging us. "Off somewhere nice?" 

"Just a birthday meal." I say.

"Oh my gosh! Is it your birthday? I'm so sorry Cassidy! I forgot- I haven't seen you in ages."

"No, honestly Dani it's fine!"

"I feel so bad now!"

"It's fine. Trust me!"

Me and Sadie make our way into Studio 1. All the boys are rehearsing.

"Hey guys." I say putting Ava down.

"Cassidy! Hi! We haven't seen you in a while." Ashley says giving me a hug. "Hey Sadie!"

"I know it's been ages! I've missed you guys." I hug them all.

I haven't looked at Perri, but I know he's with Ava.

"Your not dressed for dancing!" Jordan says.

"Nope, we were going out!" I say gesturing my outfit.

"What's more important than dancing?!" Jord says.

"My birthday meal!" I state.

The room goes quite. The boys look at each other.

"Your birthday's today?" Sam says.

"Yeah! I'm 17." I say looking down.

"I'm so sorry! I forgot..." Ashley says. "TO GIVE YOU THIS!"

The music starts blasting out the speakers and Mitch brings in a massive box.

"Omg!" I say shocked.

"You didn't think we would forget, did you?" Jordan says hugging me.

"Well, I thought you did!"

"Open it then!" Sam says ushering me forward.

I head over to the box and unwrap it.

"It's beautiful! I love it! Thankyou!"

I reveal a big canvas print of all of us on tour. In the finale. It's amazing! I hug all the boys again. I look around to hug Perri but he's not here. We are all talking when the music cuts off. I look over to see Perri standing there holding a bouquet of white roses and a present bag. I smile and look down at the floor.

"I couldn't just leave out your birthday present!" He says walking forward. "Look, I've been a complete d*ck these past couple of weeks. And I've come to realize that... I can't live without you Cassidy. I've missed you so much. I need you back in my life."

Perri's stood in front of me now. I put my arms around his neck and hug him tightly.

"I've missed you too." I whisper.

The boys and Sadie cheer. Me and Pel pull away laughing.

"Do you forgive me?"

I nod. Perri passes me the present bag. I open it and wow. It's a framed photo of us from tour- when we performed our duet, but there's a ring attached.

"I love it. Thankyou." I say kissing him on the cheek. "But what's the ring?"

"It's not an engagement ring- we're not ready for that. But it's a promise ring." He takes my hand and looks into my eyes deeply. "I promise to be there for you, never betray you again, look after you and Ava for the rest of my life. I promise to be in your future." 

Perri places the ring on my ring finger then smiles at me.

I tear rolls down my cheek. Perri wipes it away.

"I love you." I say hugging him.

"I love you too."