Be My First 3 - Tying Ends

30. Happy Birthday Jack!

After coming home from the show, it was time to party. Jack has no idea, but Jack J and I rented out a huge Family Fun Center for his birthday- and we invited everyone.

I got changed into some running shorts and a tshirt. When I walked back out into the front room, Jack looked confused.

"Why'd you change?"

"Get in something that you can play some sports in!" I said. Just then, Jack J came out into the front room dressed in his sports clothes.

"Wait why?" Jack grinned.

"We're gonna go have some fun!" I laughed. "Go!" I pushed him.

He ran into our room and got changed. When he came back out, he was still smiling. "Wait really what are we doing?"

"Go Gilinsky! Go forth into the car!" Johnson said. I ran outside.

When we pulled up to the Fun Center, Jack was blindfolded.

"Am I underdressed for this?" He asked. He has no clue where we even are.

"No." I giggled.

I told everyone to wear sports clothing. Once we walk in there, everyone will jump out and yell surprise.

Jack J led Jack out of the car, and we both began walking him towards the entrance. He kept asking questions, but we didn't answer. We giggled the whole way into the building.

Once we entered, a big crowd of friends and family smiled at us.

"Can I take it off now?" He asked.

I slowly took off the blindfold, and all at once, everyone yelled surprised. And boy, he was surprised.

"Woah!" He laughed. He smiled at Jack J and I, wrapping us in one group hug.

"I love you guys." He whispered.

People ran over, playfully greeting all of us and telling Jack happy birthday. That big smile of his seemed to never leave his face, and that was our goal.

The cool thing about this place was that it was completely air conditioned, clean, and had lots of laser lights. Bowling, laser tag, trampoline walls and foam pits... Everything. It was like being 9 years old again, but 10 years later.

We had a DJ too, so the music was great. Everyone danced, and partied a lot harder than expected. You'd be surprised how much more fun adults have at family fun centers than the kids do.

It was just the end of the night, and everyone had left. Jack J, Jack, and I were sitting at one of the party tables, trying to finish off Jack's huge cake.

"Truly, you guys are the best friends I could ever ask for."

I was just about to smile and respond to him, until I saw someone walk through the front doors.

I stood up, furious. Speeding to the door. She nearly dropped the present box out of her hands because she was so shocked that I was angry.

"Hi-" she began.

"Get out." I pointed to the door. "Get out."

She didn't move, so I pushed her. The present fell to the ground, and she gave me a sad look. Jack J and Jack ran over to us, separating what probably wouldn't have turned into a fight anyways.

"Ava. GO!" I yelled.

"Stop Paige! Just stop!" Jack looked at me like I was crazy.

"I'm sorry- I- I just wanted to give you this." She bent down and grabbed the present, handing it to him.

"You know damn well that this is going to put us in danger. Nothing has gone wrong in weeks, but oh, Ava to the rescue! To ruin everything! Like always!" I threw my hands up.

Tears arose to her eyes. "I'm sorry." She turned around to leave, but Jack stopped her. Of course.

"Hey, we have cake, do you want some? You missed the party, but I'd still like to talk to you." Jack smiled.

"No, no. It's really okay. Paige doesn't want me here." She shook her head. Damn right I don't want her here. I know exactly what's going to happen- things are going to go wrong.

"This isn't Paige's party." He shrugged.

"Really?" I defended.

"This wouldn't even be a party without Paige bro." Jack J looked at the ground.

"I really should go. I'm so sorry." Ava said.

"Stay." Jack said. "It's okay."

She stared at me, waiting for some kind of approval. As if she was going to get any. I angrily walked back over to my seat and sat down.

"What's going on?" Jack J whispered into my ear. I could barely hear him, so I'm sure Ava and Jack- who were engaged in conversation- didn't hear him either.

"I'll tell you later." I whispered back. Maybe then again I shouldn't, because I don't want him involved at all.

At one point, the table got silent for a moment, so I abruptly said something before someone else could.

"So why are you here?" I asked.

She sighed. "I'm not here to ruin things. I just wanted to give that present to Jack." She pointed to the box that was in his hands.

"Can I open it?" He asked.

She nodded.

I watched as he unwrapped the red wrapping paper.