Living in Japan!

Chapter 22 - PARTAAAY!

Normally, things like this would anger me beyond myself. Yet, this surprise party made my day. The fact that they took time out of their schedules to do this for me, just warmed my heart.

A smile sprung to my face and tears to my eyes. Itachi looked my way as I sniffled. "Are you ok? Is this too much?" He asked worriedly. Balloons filled the room, a banner that spelled out, 'Happy Birthday Ertha!' Clung to the ceiling, confetti slowly fell to the floor, and colors filled the white room.

"I love it!" I smiled. Regan and Sasuke gave me shoulder hugs on either side. Regan on my right, Sasuke on my left. "It took us hours to finish this." Sasuke complained. Regan hit him. "Yea, but emphasis on finish! Itachi worked on it all night. We can't take all the credit." Regan laughed.

I looked at Itachi and he rubbed his head and looked away sheepishly. "Anything for a friend..." He mumbled. My grin got wider. Ducking under my friends and walked over and crushed Itachi in a bear hug. "Thank you, Itachi. From the bottom of my heart." I spoke into his shirt. He hugged back.

'He smells nice.. Like lavender...' I noted as we hugged. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw Regan snicker. Then we broke apart.

"So uh... What's here?" Regan grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the kitchen. "We have rainbow cake!" My gut twisted. Earlier had been enough for cake and then she burst with laughter and pointed to the chocolate ice cream. "We have ice cream. Throwing up probably wasn't pleasant, I know." I sighed with relief.

Sasuke came behind me and pointed to the Sprite and Mr. Pibb. "We got drinks too." He said acting cool. Me and Regan looked at each other and laughed. "Thanks Mr. Cool Guy! I'll take you up on that!" I exclaimed grabbing two cups and filling each cup with a separate drink then walked over to the dining room. "Regan? Be a lamb and get me some ice cream?" I ordered referencing one of my favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory.

Regan laughed, and even though my back was facing them, I knew she was sticking her tongue out at me. "Only cause it's your birthday!" She called a little louder than she needed to, but I laughed evilly anyway.

"You love me!" Then I sat at the dining room table. This was where I met Itachi for the first time. I remembered every detail. He's quite the guy. He had turned the corner. It was also not-worthy that he didn't have a shirt on.

I almost spit out my sip of sprite I had taken as I remembered that moment. He was extremely sexy, as my teenage hormones added.

It didn't take long for Regan to come in with my chocolate ice cream. Sasuke and Itachi followed behind her with ice cream of their own. However Itachi held a tiny cupcake with a candle stuck on the top.

They were going to sing for me. This wasn't normally my favorite part of a birthday, but this time, I think I can make an exception.

The song didn't sound boring and monotone, it sounded happy and full of love. That's how how you sing a birthday song. As they sang, I clapped along with the biggest grin on my face. I probably looked like a pedofile driving an ice cream truck. They finished the short song and I closed my eyes and made my wish. 'I wish we could all stay friends like this.' Then I blew out the single candle.

They all clapped for me and I'm sure my face turned scarlet. "Thank you guys for a wonderful birthday!" I crush hugged Regan, then Sasuke, then lastly, Itachi. "Now don't just sit there! Let's eat!" I yelled and dug a spoon into my delicious chocolate ice cream.

We all spent the rest of the evening telling stories and bonding even closer. I was glad that I had them as friends. Honestly, I couldn't have had a better birthday.

"Erthaaa!" Regan called and I groaned. "It's time to go hoooome!" She called again. "We are home." I argued back. "Were still at the Uchiha's, silly." I heard Regan laugh.

At that point, I had no choice but to open my eyes to verify. "You fell asleep soon after we started dancing. But it's midnight and we need to go home." I frowned.

"Isn't it dangerous to walk at night?" I asked. Then Itachi came into my line if sight. "I'm driving you home." He reassured. I looked around. "Where's Sasuke?" I couldn't see him anywhere.

Itachi chuckled. "Zonked out in his room. He went to sleep shortly after you did. I carried him up just now. Silly boy, you two looked like babies sleeping just now.

"How long were we out?" I asked curiously. "About three hours." Regan shrugged. That meant Regan and Itachi were awake basically alone together. Something in my heart tightened and released, and it hurt. 'Am I... Jealous?' I wondered fearfully. I mean, Itachi is older... And Regan is more mature than I am.. They are a better match than Itachi and I..

I wasn't even aware that I liked Itachi. Is that true? "Then let's go home!" I cheered keeping a happy face. "I call shot gun!" I wanted to be as close as I could be to him, as silly as it sounded.

We got in the car with no rush and I sat next to Itachi while he started the engine. "I can get my permit now. I'm 15." I stated as we drove. Itachi almost looked sad for a minute.

"Buuut until I get my license, can you take us to and from our new job?" I asked, quite enjoying how I decided to tell him.

His eyes widen, and looks happy. "You got the job?" I nodded proudly. Without taking his eyes off the road, he pat me on the back. "And yea. I'll take you guys to and from."

He looked back at Regan to get her approval and my heart clenched again. Why did he need her approval? She can't drive. What choice does she have? Jealousy raged in the pit of my stomach. Then I felt something cold on my knee. It was his hand.

I'm sure my face flushed bright red. I looked at him confused and he chuckled. "We're here." I looked out the window to see our house. "Oh! It seems we are!" I laughed nervously and unbuckled my seatbelt. "Wait!" He grabbed my wrist. I looked back. In his hand were two bags. "We forgot presents... Here. There's cards in the bags." He smiled. His hand came to my burning cheek and he looked into my eyes. I of course was frozen.

A look of sadness crossed his eyes for a split second before looking away. "Bye Ertha." He grinned before pulling out of our drive way and away from our house.

Then he was gone. "Bye!" I waved. In my hand I held two bags from Itachi and Sasuke. Strangely, I wanted to cry. What was that? It was exhausting... He couldn't like me. Did he know I liked him before I did and wanted to toy with me? Anything made sense, but he liked me.