Forever

Part 5

It was Sarah's birthday and she was getting ready for the party Caro was throwing her. She was excited, but Nick was in Columbia, doing promo work for his latest single. He'd miss her special day. She already received the 6 dozen roses he'd sent, faced timed with him twice, and spent the day texting him, but it wasn't the same. 

They had spent almost every night of the three weeks before his tour together, and, even though he'd only be gone two weeks, she hadn't realized how much she would miss him. She had wondered if they were moving too fast, but then realized she didn't care. She felt right beside him. And, she was sad that everyone she cared about would be at her party, except him. 

She finished getting a dress, snapping a pic of herself in the full length mirror and texting it to Nick. Almost immediately, she got a return snapchat pic of Nick, with super huge eyeballs bulging out of his head. She laughed, and texted him "I miss you".

She put her phone down  and finished getting ready. Caro was hosting the party at Jose's house, and it was already in full swing by the time she came downstairs, from the guest room she was spending the night in. She greeted people as she passed them, looking for Caro. Earlier that day, Nick had made her promise she'd have fun, and she intended to at least try to keep that promise. 

When Sarah found her best friend, the two danced the night away, drinking shot after shot of tequila. By the time everyone was gathering to sing happy birthday and present her with cake, she could barely stand upright. She linked arms with Caro, each girl supporting the other, keeping them from falling. 

"Quiet everyone!" Caro yelled above the din of the crowd. The music cut out and people quieted down. "Today, we celebrate the birthday of someone I've been blessed to know forever! She has been my rock, my good judgement, and my partner in crime". She placed a hand on either side of Sarah's head, kissing her forehead. "Happy birthday, baby girl. I hope this is the beginning of the best years of your life!".

The two girls hugged each other tightly, only pulling apart when they heard the beginning of the happy birthday song come over the speakers. Sarah looked up at the ceiling mounted speakers, the voice singing the song sounding familiar. Suddenly, Nick walked out from the kitchen, singing "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

Sarah covered her mouth with both hands, not believing he was really there. Tears filled her eyes, threatening to spill over to her cheeks. 

The crowd joined Nick in singing, "happy birthday, dear Sarah, happy birthday to you...".

She stayed glued to the spot she was standing in, hands still over her mouth, staring at him, until he hugged her and she finally realized he was really there. She wasn't just imagining it. She hugged him back, burying her face in his chest, not wanting anyone to see she was crying. 

He took her face in his hands, wiping her tears away with the pad of his thumb. "Hey", he said, his voice full of concern, "what's wrong". 

She shook her head, laughing to herself. "I wanted you here so bad. And,  here you are. It's so perfect". 

Caro appeared with a cake, interrupting their moment. When she told Sarah to make a wish, she leaned back against Nick, who immediately enveloped her in his arms. "Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight! I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life! All my wishes have come true, so I'm going to have to think up some new ones. But, in the meantime....". She blew her candles out in one breath, making the crowd cheer for her. 

She turned in Nick's arms, facing him. The song that played with an uptempo pop song, but they swayed as if a ballad played. 

"You're pretty drunk" he told her, amused.