Jaylen Evans

Birthday Part 2

Jaylen pov
I didn't deserve this. Not after the things I said. Not after I blamed Jay for something that wasn't his fault. But somehow he was still here. Still sitting beside me. Still acting like he cared. And the worst part? I knew he did. I didn't know how long I stayed curled against him but eventually my breathing evened out. My head still hurt and my chest still felt tight but I wasn't shaking anymore. I sat up slowly wiping my face on my sleeve
Jaylen: Sorry
Jay: Don't apologize for crying, Jaylen
Jaylen: Still sucks
Jay: Yeah. It does
Silence stretched between us. Then, hesitantly, I glanced toward the kitchen
Jaylen: Are they... still waiting for me?
Jay: What do you think?
I sighed. Of course they were. I wasn't sure if I was ready for a birthday celebration. Nothing about today felt right. But the thought of going back upstairs, locking myself away again... that didn't feel right either
Jay: Come on. Let's go see what they put together for you
I hesitated but eventually I nodded. Jay stood and held out a hand. I eyed it for a second before taking it. Baby steps.

Stef pov
When Jaylen finally walked into the kitchen, the relief was instant. Lena squeezed my hand and I could see the tension in the rest of the family easing. Jesus, Callie, Jude—they had all been waiting, all worried. Jaylen looked exhausted, his eyes puffy from crying but at least he was here.
Lena: Hey, birthday boy. We saved everything for you
Jaylen's gaze flickered across the room, taking in the balloons, the decorations, the cake still waiting on the counter. His fingers twitched at his sides.
Jaylen: You didn't have to do all this
Callie: Yeah, we did. It's your birthday
Jude: And we wanted to celebrate you
Jaylen swallowed. His eyes darted to Jay who gave him a reassuring nod.
Jaylen: Okay
Jesus: Then let's eat cake before kelly eats it all
Kelly was already halfway through a bite of frosting
Kelly: What? It's good
Jaylen: dumbass
He let out a small laugh and just like that, the tension in the room lessened.

Jaylen pov
I didn't expect to enjoy it. Not after everything.
But as I sat at the table, a slice of cake in front of me, people talking and laughing around me, it didn't feel as wrong as I thought it would. It wasn't the same. It never would be. But for the first time today, I let myself be in the moment.
Callie: Alright, presents
She shoved a box in my direction
Callie: Open mine first
Jaylen: You sound way too excited about this
Callie: Just open it
I tore off the wrapping paper and lifted the lid. Inside was a leather bracelet with a small silver plate attached. I picked it up, turning it over. There was something engraved on it.

"Family isn't just blood."

Jaylen: Callie...
Callie: Figured you could use a reminder
I ran my thumb over the words
Jaylen: thanks
Kelly went next, giving me a new pair of Jordans and a black essentials tracksuit. Jay got me a new phone and AirPods. He also gave me a photo album. I flicked through it and it was pictures of mom and dad
Jay: I found it when I was going through the boxes in my loft. Thought you need it more
Jaylen: thanks Jay
Lena and Stef had got me some things I needed but never would've asked for like a weighted blanket, fidget toys and a new boxing bag either some gloves
Lena: this is from all of us
It was a pair of cleats I had my eyes on and some new gloves cause mine had holes in them. Jay slid a small box across the table
Jay: I forgot about this one
It was his and dad's dog tags.
Jesus: you served?
Jay: yeah I did a few tours in Afghanistan and Iraq
Jaylen: he did a tour with my dad
Kelly: okay before this gets too emotional you forgot one
I rolled my eyes but grabbed the box. Inside was a custom Chicago white sox jersey but instead of a player's name, the back read "Evans" in bold letters.
Kelly: Figured you needed something with your name on it.
I stared at the jersey, running my fingers over the letters. My name. My parents' name.
Jaylen: This is actually really cool
Kelly: Damn right it is
Jesus: that's brave in a padres house
The others laughed and for a moment, I let myself smile. Maybe this birthday wasn't what it used to be. But maybe... just maybe... it was still something good.

Lena pov
I knew giving Jaylen and Jesus cake and ice cream and letting them drink soda was a bad idea. I knew it. And yet, here I was, watching the aftermath unfold in real time. It started with restless bouncing. Both boys tapping their feet, shifting in their seats and talking a little too fast. Then, it escalated. Now, Jaylen and Jesus were practically vibrating, racing around the living room while the rest of us sat back in a mix of amusement and growing concern.
Jesus: bet I can do more push-ups than you!
He dropped to the floor immediately
Jaylen: Bet you can't!
Suddenly both of them were on the ground, counting off push-ups at lightning speed.
Jaylen: Thirty!
Jesus: Thirty-two!
Jaylen: Thirty-five—wait, was I supposed to count in order?
Stef: Oh my God
Callie: This is so much better than watching TV
Jesus: Forty-eight!
Jaylen: No way, dude, you skipped like ten numbers!
He flipped onto his back and immediately starting sit-ups instead.
Jaylen: Fine! Switching to sit-ups! Bet I can do more of these!
Jesus: You're on!
Kelly leaned over to Jay, looking almost impressed
Kelly: This is a level of energy I've never seen before
Jay: yeah, welcome to life with ADHD on a sugar high
Meanwhile the boys had abandoned their impromptu workout and were now aggressively tossing a pillow back and forth like it was a football.
Jaylen: TOUCHDOWN!
He was spiking the pillow so hard it knocked over a lamp. Everyone froze. The lamp teetered. Then crashed to the floor. Jaylen and Jesus looked at the lamp. Then at each other. Then bolted.
Jesus: We were never here!
He started sprinting toward the backyard.
Jaylen: YOU CAN'T PROVE ANYTHING!
Jaylen ran after him. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose
Lena: I told you this would happen
Stef: Come on, love, it's his birthday. Let them have their fun
From outside, we heard loud cackling, followed by a thud
Jesus: I'M OKAY!
Jay: Maybe we should stop them before they break more than a lamp
Kelly: Or we just wait until they crash. Shouldn't take long
Lena: And who do you think is dealing with them when that happens?
Kelly immediately pointed at Jay
Kelly: Him
Jay: You're a terrible friend
Stef: Alright, I'll go wrangle the sugar monsters
As she got up, we heard another thud from outside.
Jesus: JAYLEN, I'M STUCK IN THE BUSH!
Stef: Actually... this one's all you
Lena: I'm getting too old for this
The things we did for these kids.