Message in a Bottle

Surprise (35)

Chapter 35

*Ciara's POV*

It's the day of the party, the first of the guests would be arriving in the next 5 minutes. I was helping Mrs. Renold set out snacks, you could tell how pressured she was. She spent the entire morning cleaning and making sure that the whole house was spotless, it was pointless though because the party was taking place outside.

"Should we put the drinks next to the crackers or..." She observes the tables, looking for the best spot to place the beverages. "You know what, this is probably the best spot." She decides and sets down the saucer of various refreshments next to the pepperoni and different cheeses. "Do you think we should of had a surprise party for James? I was having second thoughts about telling him about it so soon," Mrs. Renold asks.

"I think it's better you told him. It gives him a chance to invite the people he wants and he won't be taken off guard." I reassure her. She's been running around all day trying to make things perfect for this party, I would feel horrible for her to think this was all some sort of mistake.

"Honey, Francis and Tony are here!" Mr. Renold calls from the patio. Mrs. Renold spins around, giving a bright smile to the two men standing next to her husband.

"Thanks for all your help, I don't think I'd be able to pull any of this off without your key eye around," she straightens out her dress and looks me from head to toe. "It's unbelievable how much you've grown up. I know your parents would be so proud." She says before escorting herself away.

I take in a deep breath, I was not expecting that. I'm not good with sappy stuff, I awkwardly reply and hope what I say back is acceptable most of the time. I flee inside the house and go to the dining room where there is a perfect view of the woods. Jordan and I made a deal earlier, she'd take care of Mason while I help her mom this morning. I figured it was the least I could do, they've been giving me a home for quite some time now.

I was almost expecting Emma to walk out of the woods, it seems like it's practically her home. I couldn't imagine her driving here with clothes other than running clothes on. Maybe I'm thinking like this because I've only seen Emma while jogging. When I went jogging this morning around the usual time, she wasn't there. I hope she is still planning on coming to the party, things would be a lot better with her here.

Besides, I feel bad for her. It doesn't seem like she ever has much to do. Whenever I talk to her about family, she just shakes her head or looks toward the ground. I feel like something may have happened to them, maybe her and Harry could be friends. They could grieve together about their passed loved ones, but who knows? I could be just jumping to conclusions, for all I know Emma could live with her parents and a bunch of siblings in a big, happy home.

"Ciara!" Jordan calls. "I could use some help!"

I hear Mason crying, I jog over to them and snap out of my wandering thoughts. I then replace Jordan's arms with mine and try to stop Mason from crying. "Hey," I said in a soft tone. "You're fine Mase," I gently rub his back, his crying decreases and now they're just small whimpers.

"A bunch of people just got here, mostly James' high school friends," Jordan points to a group of people who look a few years older than us through the window. James is guiding them around the corner of the house, they were all laughing and having a good time, already. "Get ready to be ignored by James," Jordan blows air out of her nose which was something she did when she was annoyed.

"Wouldn't be surprised," I say while watching the group of people now separate and go to different parts of the backyard. Jordan and I had noticed this through out the years: whenever James wasn't with his friends, he'd talk to us and want to hang out with us (depending on his mood). But right when one of his friends would come over, he'd shoo us out of his room and make fun of us. I guess Jordan and I are both used to it by now but when we were younger it would always hurt my feelings considering I was in love with James.