Invisible // l.h

Chapter 38

I stare in shock at was once my idol, then one of my friends. My mouth hangs open slightly and I feel my cheeks heating up. It takes me a few moments but I then finally gather my thoughts.

"Why would you want to date me? I mean no that's not what I mean... Like why me? Umm no that sounds bad. Umm I mean yes I would love to be your girlfriend but..." My blabber is cut off by Luke leaning in and pulling my face to his. Time seems to freeze around us as our lips move against one another. Eventually we pull apart and Luke suggests getting back to the party, and I agree. He pulls me into his side, his hand resting on my lower back, as we open the door and head inside.

Everyone is laughing and dancing, and just frankly having a good time. We join everyone and Tori sends me a smirk. I then see her and Calum walking up to Luke and I.
"What have you lovebirds been up to?" Tori asks grinning. I see Calum lean over and whisper something to Luke. I can only manage to hear him say "Have you asked her yet?" Luke just nods and shyly smiles. Tori squeals and pulls me into a tight bear hug.
"I've been waiting for this day for my whole life!" Calum squeals, pretending to be Tori. Tori rolls her eyes and I just laugh.

The rest of the night is spent talking with the girls, messing around with the guys, and bonding with my mum and dad. Time seemed to pass by so quickly and before I knew it, it was 1:00am. Mum and Dad had left about an hour ago claiming they were getting too old to stay up at these hours of the night. Once we had left the venue and packed the car with the leftover food and presents; Tori suggested we all go back to her place and that I open my presents. Everyone agreed this was a good idea, and Justine suggested we all grab some pyjamas on the way back and have a huge sleepover. Tori squealed in delight to this, which Calum once again impersonated her.

• • •

Once we have all arrived at Tori's place, they tell me to go ahead and pick the first present from the pile. I decide to grab the one closest to me. It was a small, lilac bag and inside was a wrapped present, with a card. I opened the card and read through it,

Dear Ivy,
Happy Birthday! I can't believe you're finally 18! It seems like just yesterday we were toddlers running around together at the park, around the corner from my old house. I'm so happy you came to visit this summer, because it's been one I'll never forget. I hope you enjoy your gift, and have had a great birthday.

Love Tori xx

P.S I finally replaced your favourite book that I may or may not have lost a while back, when borrowing it.

I smile up at Tori, and she grins back. I pull the present out and unwrap the paper. Inside is a hardcover copy of the book, Wuthering Heights. Alongside it is a vinyl of 5sos' album, which by the way, is signed by all four boys. I look up and look around the room. The boys and Tori are chuckling and everyone starts to laugh with them. I also notice a gift card for the shopping mall near Tori's house and I grin. Another excuse for her to take me shopping.

Soon enough I have unwrapped all the presents, apart from one present that remains. The square shaped present is very tightly, and neatly wrapped. There is a bow around it, and a card on the top. I open the envelope to the card and read it.

To Dear Ivy,
Happy 18th Birthday! I hope you have had a great day, spending it with the ones you love. I know the present is a lot, but I really wanted to make it special. I know I've only known you for not long, but it feels like a lifetime.

Lots of Love,
Luke :-)

I can feel my cheeks starting to flush, and I look up at Luke and smile. He shyly smiles back, before Tori hurries me to open it. Everyone is watching eagerly waiting to see what is inside. I try to open the wrapping paper and struggle immensely.

"Luke how did you wrap this so well?" I ask.

Michael snickers and says, "He didn't wrap it, his mum did."

Luke wails saying that he can't wrap for shit, and that he wanted to get it right. Soon enough everyone is laughing again.

Once I finally get the wrapping paper off, I notice is is a large red box. When I open the box, inside is a medium sized green box. Calum laughs asking how many boxes I will have to go through before I get to the present. Once I open the green box, inside of it is a small purple box; and once I had opened the purple box, my eyes went wide. Inside was a jewellery box, one that could fit a ring. And when I opened the box a small gasp escaped my mouth. The ring inside was beautiful. It was silver, with a small, blue coloured stone in the middle, with diamonds on either side.

"It's beautiful Luke." I say my eyes wide.

"I wanted to get something as beautiful as you, but I couldn't find anything. This was the closest I could get." He says grinning.

"I can't accept this Luke." I say.

"Ivy, please take it. I'll be offended if you don't."

"Luke this must have costed you a fortune."

"Ivy, I am not worried about money. Please take this ring, it would mean a lot to me. Think of it almost like a promise ring." He says.

"I...I mean... Alright. It's beautiful, thank you again Luke." I say before hugging him, resting my face into his chest.

• • •

We all sit together on the couch and floor, with loads of pillows and blankets. We are all watching Mean Girls; and Emma, Justine, Tori and I are all dying from laughter as the boys are mimicking the movie. Luke and Michael know way too many of the lines before they come. It gets to the point where Justine is clutching her stomach, and Tori had to retreat to the toilet before she peed herself from laughing.

Once Tori had come back from the toilet we all continue to watch the movie. We are all laughing having a good time, and soon enough we are having a pillow fight and throwing marshmallows at each other.

And when I look around at everyone I know that this is where I want to be, and who I want to be with.

The End