Before Misery

Chapter 17

♪ ♫Twenty One Pilots – Fairly Local ♪ ♫

It turned out that we were going out clubbing for Kaden's 21st birthday. I thought it was a terrible idea but the guys told me that it was the opposite.

Before the club part, however, we had a nice dinner at a restaurant that I couldn't even read the name of. Kaden knew we were going to have his birthday dinner but little did he know about the things the boys had arranged for him.

"Sorry, Derrick, about earlier. I know you meant it as a joke, I just freaked out," Kaden slapped his friend on the back. Derrick didn't take his outburst seriously and forgave him instantly. I guess these things happened because the band was always together and every one gets a bit frustrated with each other sometimes. I was glad that the fight was nothing big between the two of them.

Along table that seated all of us was decorated wonderfully in warm browns and dark reds. Kaden was in awe and couldn't thank everyone enough for the dinner. Everyone was surprised at how great the restaurant looked, even though the only person who'd been here before was Chris.

Three clinks on a wine glass made us all snap our attention to Aiden.

"Hey, everybody," he started, coughing his voice clear, "as you're all aware, it's Kaden's birthday today.

"My baby brother is turning twenty one and I'd like to present you with a little gift we all, in the band, put together. I really hope this will be something you love and something really useful as well. So, um... Beau?"

Aiden sat back down as Beau came back from his excused trip to the men's room. That wasn't at all the case. He returned with an enormous box in his hands, all wrapped up in striped paper and finished off with a neon green ribbon.

"You expect me to open that huge-ass thing now, aren't ya," Kaden stated, standing up from his chair beside me. Beau, Aiden and Derrick shouted yes in an unison.

Beau had laid Kaden's gift on the floor, claiming it to be 'so heavy that he could feel his muscles rip'. Kaden had a huge smile on his face. He was so excited to see what it was, and so was I since I had no idea what the boys got him.

Kaden ripped the paper carefully, crouching down on the floor. All our eyes were on him, waiting patiently. Beau and Derrick were doing a quiet commentary of what was going on which was actually quite funny.

He opened the cardboard box and inside sat a hard guitar case.

"You're kidding," Kaden gasped, sitting on his knees on the floor, looking up at the table.

"Open it up! Open it!" the boys gushed and couldn't contain their excitement. My smile was bigger than ever. Kaden opened the guitar case to reveal a brand new bass guitar.

"That's a fucking Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray, are you kidding me!?"he gushed at the sight of the shiny new instrument in its case.

"The very same," Aiden replied. Kaden stood up from his position and went around the table to engulf his band brothers in a hug. It was incredibly emotional to watch.

"You've had your bass for a long time now; we thought you could use refreshment," Aiden shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. I'm never going to be able to top that gift, oh man. You guessed it – I still didn't have a gift for Kaden.

"That's sick, guys. Thanks so much," he grinned, sitting back next to me after repacking his guitar and setting it by his chair. Kaden's hand made its way on my knee, squeezing it. I squirmed under his touch but he didn't have any intentions to take his hand off.