Clickbait, baby (david dobrik)

chapter twenty-eight;

My audition is in two weeks. So, I've been in and out of the studio and the gym every single day. I've been watching what I eat. I've been vlogging the experience. I've completely had all my focus on my work.

Which is exactly why I forgot that Gabbie's birthday was coming up.

"Soo.." Gabbie said to Jessi and I as she plopped down between us on our couch.

"Soo.." Jessi and I said back as we looked at Gabbie.

She just grinned, looking back and forth between each of us. "What do you guys have planned for my birthday Thursday?"

Jessi and I both shared a brief glance that said a lot: that we both forgot to plan anything. Jessi had also been caught up in a lot lately. She was working a cashier job, taking a few music classes on USC, and also writing and playing a few gigs at coffee shops and bars here and there. So, while she didn't have much drama in her life, she was definitely a busy girl.

"It's a surprise," I said, grinning at Gabbie, hoping she couldn't see my fear.

"You are awful at keeping secrets. You'll probably tell me before Thursday rolls around." She said with a smirk and an eye roll.

"Not this time," Jessi said. "I've got her under lock and key."

"Ugh," Gabbie said getting up from the couch and heading to the kitchen. "You guys will break before Thursday."

As Gabbie walked out of sight, Jessi and I sent a look of panic to one another.

Over the next few days, Jessi and I were trying to incorporate planning into our busy schedules over the next three days and plan an amazing surprise party for Gabbie over at Scotty, Jason, and Toddy's house.

I went into work at the coffee shop Wednesday morning and it was pretty busy early in the morning as usual. Once it reached about 10 o'clock, things had slowed down a bit, again— as usual.

"Any hot plans this weekend?" Peter said, jumping and sitting on the counter next to where I was restocking cups.

"Well, tomorrow night, me and my friends are throwing a surprise party for Gabbie." I mentioned. Gabbie had came in the shop plenty of times, so Peter was familiar with her.

"Oh, that'll be a blast. What do you have planned?" He said with a grin.

"Just lots of foods she loves, all her friends, cute decorations. Keeping it pretty simple." I said smiling. "Hey, you should come! She'd love it. And you could meet everyone."

"I'd love to come!" He smirked. "What time?"

"8 o'clock. I'll come pick you up before hand. Jessi is the one bringing Gabbie to the location. So, you and I can go ahead to the house and wait." I said.

"Sounds like a date." He said, hopping off the counter as the door bell rang, singling a customer had entered.

Hmm.. date.

Nah, he didn't mean like a date date. It's just an expression.

After I got off work at 3 o'clock and headed home. When I got home I laid down on the couch exhausted. I started scrolling through Instagram finally coming to a photo that David had posted promoting his latest vlog. I stared at his face for a moment before continuing to scroll past.

Honestly, ever since that fight we had at his house, David and I hadn't talked. Liza went back on tour, so I know that they aren't hanging out, but I just wonder if they might end up getting back together. I've been trying to focus on my audition because I don't want to think about David. I just want to think about things that make me happy.

The next day, Jessi and I were in full-on party planner mode. Gabbie was going with Jessi shopping. Jessi told Gabbie she could buy herself an outfit and that she would pay for it and that it was her present from her. Meanwhile, I was picking up the cake and taking it to the guys house. They helped me get it inside and start decorating.

I was beginning to get nervous because I knew David was coming tonight. While David and I were on the outs, Gabbie and him were still friends so of course we invited him. I just wasn't looking forward to seeing him.

Peter suddenly texted me that he had arrived and I told him where to park. I introduced him to a few people and suddenly everyone was arriving. I hadn't seen David yet.

Jessi texted me at 7:55 to let me know that they just pulled up.

"Okay, everyone hide!" I yelled as I turned the lights off. Peter and I crouched down behind the couch.

I heard the door knob start to turn and then Gabbie ask "why is it so dark in here?"

The lights flew on and everyone jumped from their hiding spots and yelled "surprise!" Scotty and Toddy both set off confetti cannons and Kristen took photos of Gabbie's reaction.

"You guys!" She yelled, looking like she was going to cry.

I laughed and came up with Peter following not too far behind. "I knew you guys had something planned!" Gabbie said hugging me. I gave Jessi a smile and then Gabbie and Peter talked for a moment. I looked around and saw no sign of David.

"Hey, you want a drink?" Heath asked me.

"Sure! Oh, and this is Peter by the way. He works at Jitters with me." I explained.

"Good to meet you, man," Heath said, shaking his hand. "Can I get you something?"

"Same to you, bro. And sure."

"Be right back," Heath winked at me. He was strangely comfortable around me since he confessed his love to me a few weeks ago and I've been radio silent since.

Soon enough, Heath was back with our drinks. The music was turned up and we all just started dancing and having a great time. I still hadn't seen David, but I had had enough alcohol that I was starting not to care.

Peter had been hanging out with the guys and I could tell they were all getting along really well. I was dancing with Gabbie, Jessi, Kristen, Erin, and Carly. Suddenly, the guys all join us and Peter takes my hand and spins me around, making me laugh.

I stumbled a little and he smirked at me. He put his hands on my waist and pulled me closer while we danced. He was actually a pretty good dancer himself. We drank some more.. and some more.. until..

Peter crashed his lips on mine and everyone cheered and Scotty fired open another confetti cannon. I pulled away laughing as I looked up at the confetti as it fell in my hair. I looked back down to Peter to see his eyes locked on mine.

He drug me into the hallway and slammed me into the wall and started kissing down my neck. His hands were traveling up my legs. I led him to Toddy's bedroom.

And once again...

The rest was history.

- - (meanwhile) - -

David walked in late to the party for a reason- he was nervous to see Carlie for the first time since their fight. He wanted to talk to her but he didn't really know what to say anymore. He wanted her back, but he didn't trust her. He was too hurt to know what to do.

But he did want to try and talk to her because not talking to her seemed wrong.

He showed up late because he knew people would have been pretty tipsy at this point, so r knew it would be easier to talk to Carlie that way. His eyes searched for Carlie, but with no luck.

He found Gabbie and greeted her. "Hey, Gab. Happy birthday!"

She hugged him. "Dave! I didn't think you were going to make it."

"You know me. Always last minute with everything." He joked. "Where's Carlie?"

Gabbie's face fell and so did Jessi's. David's heart sank, wondering what could be wrong.

"Well, she-" Gabbie started, but David suddenly caught a blonde coming down the hallway to his right.. fixing her dress strap and her hair. With that guy from the coffee shop following right behind her.

David gulped as he saw her. As she caught his stare, walking up to them, she stopped cold.

"Uh, hi David. This is Peter."