Never Been Hurt (Cari) (Sequel to 'The Hate Factor.')

Outing In America

Ariana's POV

Cody took me into the city for a birthday lunch and shopping. He said that he had plans to spoil me today, and he continued to tease me about it. He would start to say something, then stop and say, 'oops, I can't tell you.'

It was, to our surprise, a quiet outing. There were a lot of people, but we were left alone. We were mainly able to just walk without fans in our face wanting pictures and autographs.

From what I could see, it seemed as if Cody enjoyed this. I wasn't too sure. It made me feel uneasy for some reason. It's never ever been like this. Why all of a sudden? Why now?

For all I knew, these people could be some of the ones sending h-

No. No Ariana, I'm not going to let this ruin my day with Cody. Nope. Not gonna happen.

"Alright birthday girl, I've got the perfect place to eat." Cody told my happily.

"Tell me!" I pleaded. "I can't take all this secrecy and all that you are teasing me about!"

"No can do, Ariana. All I can say is, it's nice and I've got reservations, the whole nine yards." He grinned.

"Oh, seems as if you've done your fair share of planning." I chuckled.

"That I did."

"Well Mr. Fancy Planning Guy, you could have told me that before so I could have dressed up a little more." I added.

"Don't worry, it's not too fancy. And you look perfect. Come on." We walked a little faster down the streets. Cody had a grin on his face the entire time. He was up to something and was obviously quite proud of himself for keeping it from me.

Before I knew it, Cody stopped and came behind me, covering my eyes. "Just keep walking."

"For all I know you could be walking me into a pole." I joked. He laughed from behind me.

"Would I ever do that to you?"

"I never know anymore, Cody. You are full of surprises. Both good and bad." He continued to lead me somewhere completely unknown to me. "Are we there yet?" I asked.

"Almost. Just hold on." I was stopped, heard a door open, then kept walking. Then I smelled food. Wonderful food. I was stopped once more, then another door opened. Cody removed his hands from my eyes, as I looked at what he had planned. I gasped loudly as I heard a exclamation of,

"Happy birthday Ariana!"

There to my surprise was Lauren, Desiree, Josie and Alison! I hadn't seen them in months! Then Niall and Demi, along with Devin, Ethan and Owen! I slapped a hand over my mouth as Cody put his hands on my shoulders whispering,

"Surprise." I turned around and hugged him.

"Cody, this is wonderful. Thank you so much." I whispered back.

"And this isn't all that I have planned either." He grinned as we pulled away.

"Ey, where are our hugs?" Niall exclaimed. I chuckled and ran over to Lauren first. "Oh I see how it is." He added sarcastically. I hugged my girls for a long time because I hadn't seem them in the longest time! Then I went to Demi.

"How have you been, girl?" She asked. Niall was being loud, so no one really heard her say this but me.

"I'm doing ok." I replied truthfully. She smiled lightly as her reply back. Demi's smile could always make me feel better, even stronger in a way. I then turned to Niall.

"Where are the rest of the lads?" I asked, hugging him.

"They had plans, but they send their happy birthday wishes to you."

"Well tell them I said thank you." I told him. I got a group hug from the boys then I went back to Cody.

"And you mister, deserve this." I kissed him lightly on the cheek making him blush a bit. I grinned, then he wrapped his arms around me and exclaimed,

"Big group hug!" That's exactly what I got. A big group hug.

"Can't. Breathe. Yeah. Um. This is also awkward." I choked out. Laughter was let out as they all backed up.

"Please tell me you didn't spend a fortune on me today." I asked Cody.

"Can't say I didn't." He winked.

"Cody... you don't have to keep doing these type of things for-."

"But I want to. Don't worry about it, I want to do this for you."