A Timeless Place

Chapter 60 - Part 2

A Special Miscalculated Surprise 

The moment that Jordan walked in and the lights turned on to reveal a house-full party shouting happy birthday (or rather a handful that were still sober enough to remember to shout happy birthday), all my regrets immediately washed away. I forgot the fact that some guy had just thrown up in my favourite vase, I forgot that some girl had just dumped a mojito she didn't like onto the lily of the valley that took me a year to grow from mere seeds. Or the punch bowl I had to now replace. Or the all alcohol-poisoned teenagers. Nothing compared to the way Jordan's green eyes lit up the moment he saw us. His expression of confusion turned to one of pure delight and utter shock.

"HAPPY BIRTHDDAYYYYY!" Eli sang over the microphone that she had ripped from the lead singer's hands.

Everyone cheered in unison and pulled Jordan from the doorway. I giggled at his facial expressions as he was man-handled all the way from the front door to the small stage we had set up.

His eyes first landed on Eli and froze, moving very slowly over her as if he was memorising each and every detail of this moment right here, right now- of her in that beautiful dress and the way she smiled for him and only him. He looked as if he were the luckiest man of all and I felt lucky even standing next to him.

Eli smiled shyly at the intensity of his focus on her. And his face bloomed into happiness at her reciprocation. He then turned to me and utter shock replaced his face.

"Kitty?" was all Jordan could manage.

"Yes, Jordan?" I giggled at his flabbergasted state.

Instead he hugged me tightly, "Thank you, Kitty. Really."

I hugged him back in the hope he understood- that I wanted to try to be a good friend. That no matter what happened between Wes and I, I still wanted to be his friend.

I pulled away from him and held his hand in mine, gently tugging him towards where Eli stood on the stage. She raised an eyebrow at me.

"And now, I shall give you your birthday present," I winked at the both of them, placing his hand securely into Eli's. They both raised their eyebrows at me. "My blessings."

"What she means is, she was so busy planning this party that she forgot to get you something," Kevin came up to the stage and grinned at us.

Jordan bellowed, jumping down from the stage and hugging Kevin.

"You sneaky little things!" Jordan exclaimed. "And you had me believe you guys were hanging out without me!"

"Hope the hurt was worth the surprise," Jan materialised right behind Kevin, smiling smugly.

"Well played, guys," Jordan nodded in acknowledgment of our efforts.

"Did you suspect anything?" Eli stepped down from the stage to stand next to him. He smiled and looked at her again with that look. It puzzled me why Eli was worried about having the talk with him.

"Honestly, even if you guys sent an invite to dance naked in front of my eyes, I still wouldn't have expected Kitty to host my birthday party here."

"I don't know whether I should be more insulted or proud of us," I raised an eyebrow at him.

"The latter- it really is amazing," Jordan looked around at the dancing guests. The party was in full swing and kicking off.

Just then, there was a loud knock on the front door. Then several loud knocks. Everyone froze- who would knock at a party?