Hanging With The Bad Boys (Edited)

Chapter 30- This Been The Best Eighteenth Birthday

When Luke arrives at my house, I hug him and say, "Happy birthday, Luke," kissing him on the cheeks. He blushes, relieved that Trina isn't here to embarrass me. I suggest, "Let's order pizza and watch Netflix," and he nods in agreement.

I place the order, and the delivery person arrives quickly—it's Brandon. He smiles and says, "See you at the park." I whisper to him, "You almost blew our cover," and he shrugs before leaving with the money. I close the door, grateful that Luke is in the theater room.

I walk to the room and announce, "Pizza is here, let's dig in," and we start eating. Luke wonders, "I wonder what the guys are doing? They only called this morning to wish me happy birthday." I smile to myself but shrug in response.

____

Justin's POV

We are decorating my living room and the pool area for Luke's surprise party. My gift to him is one of my motorcycles; I have three, so I can spare one.

Arlene calls from the front door, "The cake is here." We ordered a large rectangular cake. I tell her, "Put it in the kitchen, and let me know when the thirty boxes of pizza arrive—that's the first trip." It's a pizza party, and I know Luke will love it.

I'll send someone to pick up Luke and Anne when it's time. Jordan asks, "How are we going to get this disco ball up there?" pointing at the ceiling. I call our family repairman, who will be here shortly. I tell Jordan, "Our repairman will handle that; go check on the chocolate fountain outside." He nods.

Jordan came over looking furious this morning; he got pranked, which I knew because he didn't win a million dollars. Anne has the video, and I plan to show it tonight—I just need to get popcorn.

I shout, "Hi Carl! Come here for a sec!" Carlos comes from the kitchen, asking, "What's up?" I reply, "Go to the grocery store and buy twenty microwave popcorns. Hurry—we still need to set up the DJ, and everyone has to get ready. Arlene will take forever." He takes the money and leaves while I put up the sign: 'HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY LUKE.'

****

Anastasia's POV

5:00 pm

We're in a taxi heading to Justin's house. Luke is wearing joggers and a matching T-shirt, while I'm in a blue short dress with silver heels and my hair in a bun. I edited the video, so tonight Jordan will be famous.

Luke sighs, looking bored; my gift is already at Justin's. When we arrive, the taxi driver says, "Happy birthday, son; hope you enjoy it." Luke mumbles something as we get out of the car.

I open the gate and walk to the front door with Luke behind me. I text Justin before we leave. Luke looks unhappy, so I quickly enter the house before him. When he opens the door, everyone shouts, "Surprise!" Luke is speechless.

Carlos greets him with a hug, saying, "Happy birthday." Justin whispers in my ear, "You have the tape, right?" I nod. Arlene, looking beautiful in a green dress and gold heels, hugs Luke and says, "Happy 18th birthday." He smiles.

I hand my camera to Arlene and say, "Group picture, everyone." We pose in front of the sign, and Arlene snaps the photo. I spot Stephanie and her friends—what are they doing here? Most of the boys head into the kitchen, so I tug on Justin's shirt.

He looks concerned as I ask, "What are they doing here?" pointing at Stephanie. He shrugs, "We kind of invited half the school, and since she's popular, she goes to every party." I say, "I'm going to get something to drink," and he nods.

Just then, the front door opens, revealing a handsome guy, Brandon, holding a bag. He smiles at me, and I walk over to kiss him. Suddenly, Nikki clears her throat behind us, frowning, and says, "This isn't a make-out party." I snap back, "What about that couple over there? They're practically having sex." I grab Brandon's hand and leave.

******

Luke's POV

They're about to give me gifts. I ask, "Who wants to go first?" Brandon raises his hand and hands me a bag. I open it to find an iPod and say, "Thanks, man."

Next is Arlene, who introduces me to her cousin Gabriella, a girl with black hair and blue eyes wearing a dress with a bow. She gives me a shy smile, and Arlene warns, "If you break her heart, I'll kill you." I laugh and say, "Hi, I'm Luke," and she smiles back.

Kyle gives me a leather jacket and new gloves, while Carlos surprises me with two tickets to a basketball game. The twins gift me a new Xbox and headphones. Finally, Anne hands me a wrapped gift. Inside, I find a gold hoverboard. I squeeze her, saying, "This is the best gift ever!" She replies, "And it gets better," handing me tickets to the water park I wanted to visit. I gasp, "This is amazing!"

Justin snorts, "Please, my gift is way better. DJ, music please!" The music starts, and he says, "Follow me and close your eyes." Someone blindfolds me, and when they take it off, I gasp—it's a motorcycle with a red bow on it. Jordan boasts, "Told you mine is the best." Anne rolls her eyes. I whisper to her, "He wishes; yours is way better," and she laughs.

****

After everyone leaves, it's just me and my friends. Arlene says, "I have one more surprise for the birthday boy." I smile.

Justin announces, "And action," as they set up the projector. I watch Jordan walk into a bank, smiling, while I notice him clenching his fists at Arlene. I laugh when he finds out it was a prank, and everyone else laughs too, especially Kyle, who rolls on the floor.

When Jordan exits the bank, I clap. He asks, "How did you get to two places at once?" Arlene shrugs. Anne is laughing so hard she falls off the couch, but Brandon catches her. I yawn, feeling satisfied—this has been the best eighteenth birthday ever.