The Substitute Actress [Slowly Editing]

Chapter 6

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Dylan screamed and ran towards me. He wrapped his arms around me, and gave me one of his suffocating hugs. "You're so grown up." He mocked wailed.

"T...th...thanksss..." I weakly said. His muscular arms and hard abs were definitely a one way ticket to death.

"Alright, alright, that's enough." Gia came rushing to us and pulled Dylan away from me. "You know, you almost killed her."

Dylan frowned at her and turned to me, "Was I?" Dylan loved giving me bear hugs. I didn't. Who'd want to suffocate to death?!

He pulled on his best puppy dog face to let him continue the "death" hug. I gave him a flat look, "Yes, you just did."

"Well, let me make it up to you with a softer one!" He grinned.

He flew his arms up, about to hug me again. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. If I let him hug me just one more he'll stop. I prepared myself for the crushing pain. A second passed. Any second now. Two seconds... three seconds...

When I opened my eyes, I was taken a back to see Stephen gripping on Dylan's wrists. He put them down and smirked. "No PDAs."

"We're at my house, not in school." Dylan frowned at him.

Stephen glanced at me and smiled, "Want this guy to hug you again?"

I wasn't able to answer right away as I was mesmerized at his gorgeous face. God, you did a pretty good job with this one; I thank you for that! His eyes where piercing into mine and he still had his heart-flipping and knee-melting smile on his face. I felt a small smile crawling up to my face. His smile already made this day worth celebrating.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Stephen said with an amused expression on his face.

My eyes widened and I felt my cheeks burning in embarrassment. Oh god, what do I say? Should I just shut up and keep my head ducked or should I answer to that? “Uh… I d-don’t have a camera…” I muttered. God was I lame! What was I saying?! I mentally slapped myself. You should’ve just shut up!

I heard him laugh and I looked up to him. “You’re funny.”

Was that a compliment?

“Hey. Stop hitting on my best friend.” Dylan came to my side and wrapped an arm around me shoulder. “Where’s your girlfriend, anyway?”

Stephen rolled his eyes at him and walked away. I didn’t know if I should be glad Dylan came rescuing me from saying anything stupid to Stephen again, or pissed he made Stephen go away.

“Cindy!” I heard two familiar voices squealed my name.

“Ugh. Speaking of girlfriends, here she comes.” Dylan said, annoyed at the two blondes high-pitched voices. “Meet me up at my room later- is that Caroline?” He panicked a bit, his eyes wide open. “Gotta go!” He fast walked away and joined some of his friends. What was that all about?

“Happy birthday!” the two blonde girls greeted me, holding up a chocolate cake and two lit candles. “Make a wish!”

I smiled at them and did what they said. I didn’t ask for anything big. Just for our play to be successful. All of us wanted to go to Broadway and perform there for a night. That’d be good for our college applications, especially Caroline’s since she decided to apply at Julliard.

“Thanks you guys! I love you!” I was about to hug them when I realized they were holding up the cake.

“I’ll take that.” Gia interjected and got the cake from the blonds’ hands.