The Unexpected

Chapter 23

(EMMA'S POV)

It's my birthday in a few days. I'll be 18, which really scares me. The fact that I'm gonna be a legal adult terrifies me. Honestly, I'm not big on birthdays. All I want is to be with the people that I love and care about. I just want to be with them on that special day, or every day to be fair.

I got home from school and decided to call Daniel. Usually, he's the one who calls me but I just miss him so much that I just couldn't wait.

It took a while for him to answer. Probably still busy in the studio.

"HI BAB- WAIT, YOU'RE NOT DANIEL." I say.

"Haha that's right, I'm not." A blonde blue eyed guy says, giving me a good look.

"Wait a minute, YOU'RE EMMA! I'm Corbyn. Well nice to finally meet you!"

I nodded and smiled.

"Hey guys say hi to Emma." I hear Corbyn say.

"HI EMMMAAAA!!!!" Zach and Jack say, harmonising.

Damn, they sounded good.

Couple of seconds later, they're with Corbyn, facing the camera.

"Oh hi Emma! I'm Jack."
"I'm Zach. We've heard so much about you."

"Nice to meet you both. And I hope you heard good things." I chuckle.

"Don't worry, nothing but good things." They chuckled.

Then I could see Jonah. He was looking for someone.

"Hey Emma! Nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too, Jonah. How are you?"

"Oh you know, just busy in the studio and all that."

I knew he wanted to ask me something else but stopped himself.

A few moments later, Daniel came in.

"IS THAT MY PHONE?" I hear him say.

"Give me that." Grabbing his phone back from Corbyn.

"Oh, hi babe. Did these idiots call you?"

"Haha no, they didn't. I called."

"We just answered it for you, man." Corbyn says.

Daniel gives Corbyn a glare then the boys walked away laughing.

"I'm sorry for the boys. They're just...somethin. Hope they didn't bother you too much."

"Haha it's cool. They're great."

"Anyways, why'd you call?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"I'm good. Still working on the album and all. BUT!! Your birthday is coming isn't it?"

I looked away.

"Well, I guess."

"C'mon, tell me, what are your plans? You're turning 18!! That's a special one."

"Not much really. Probably just gonna eat out somewhere that's all. Besides, I have school that day so I can't do much."

He nodded.

(DANIEL'S POV)

I was trying to control myself from telling Emma what my plan was for her birthday, so I tried to keep it casual.

"How's school? How's the project going?" I say, changing the topic.

"It's been good. But exams are coming up so I need to study. Project is good, not bad. We're surviving."

I giggle.

"So...how's Ali?"

She looked at me all confused. "Uhh, she's fine?"

"That's good." I looked around the room to check if Jonah was around. The coast is clear. "Okay listen, Jonah asked me to ask you about........ Ali. I don't know if it was just me, or you saw it too but when they met, they had that something between them. Almost the same as when we met. Jonah's a little hesitant to admit it, but I know him."

"Well, yeah. I can't say that I didn't see it, but I don't want to force Ali into anything."

"I know that. But if I could just, maybe have her number?...I just want to help Jonah out."

"Daniel...I'm not gonna say anything. If Jonah wants to get to know Ali, then he should be the one asking and making the effort. We're not gonna play cupid on them."

"Yeah. I guess you're right."

"Ali's coming over tomorrow to work on the project again. We can call tomorrow and if they're both around, we can give them a chance to get to talk to each other. How's that?"

"Sounds great."

After our video call, I got home and continued planning my surprise for Emma. Her sister and her mum are aware of what I have in mind and they're totally on board with it. I want her best friend to be on with it too, but I had no way on contacting her. I just scrolled through Emma's pictures on her Instagram and saw one with Ali. Perfect.

I clicked on her profile and sent her a message saying, "Hi Ali, it's Daniel. Listen, I'm planning something for Emma's birthday and I was wondering if you would like to help out? Her mum and her sister knows about it and I wanted you to be part of it as well. Emma doesn't know about any of this, so if you could, can you please not mention to her about any of this? Hoping for your reply soon! :)"

"Daniel?!"I hear my mum say.

I put my phone down and walked downstairs.

"Yes?"

"Do you think Emma will like this?" She says, showing me some silver earring studs.

I stare at it for a minute, "She'll love it." then I gave her a cuddle.

"Ohh I really hope she does!"

I went back to my room and saw that Ali replied back. "Hey Daniel! Sure, I would love to help out! Anything for Emma. What do you need help with exactly?"

I explained to her all the details and seeing from her replies, she seemed excited.