WORD COUNT: 9k+
The twins were flying back home to Jersey today to spend their 19th birthday with their family and some selective childhood friends. Well actually, as far as they knew it was just going to be them and a few close family members spending the day at their house. Lisa, on the other hand, decided that her boys deserved more than that for their last birthday as teens. She wanted to put together a surprise party for them. To your surprise, she found out your contact information and asked you to come. You see, you used to be really close with the twins when you were in school...well closer with Ethan. You were one of the first people he was able to be actual, genuine friends with. You stuck up for them when kids and adults (sadly) would find ways to pick fun at them. After the friendship blossomed you found yourselves inseparable. You two shared scraped knees, broken bones, clothes, food, even drinks. That's when Lisa really saw how much Ethan liked you, he never shared his drinks with anyone but yet here he was, willing handing his beverages over to you.
Being back in NJ after all these years was weird. Memories were floating back into your mind of your childhood that you missed so dearly. But what really brought back nostalgia was the winding road you're Mom had taken you down so many times, the Dolan Family household. Lisa requested that you get there the day before the twins were said to arrive in order to help her get everything decorated. Not wanting to take up parking spaces you pulled up on the side of the road beside the house and got out, leaving your things in the trunk. The walk up the front door was all too familiar and you couldn't help the goofy grin on your face as your arm extended to knock on the door. Moments later the door was opened and you were greeted by a smiling Sean. "You made it!" He bellows, bringing you in for a hug. "It's so good to see you again!" You say, letting him squeeze you tightly. "Sean, who was at the door?" Lisas never changing voice asked, footsteps getting closer. "Oh my gosh!" She practically screams, running up to you and shoving her husband out of the way, to hug you. You laughed softly and hugged her back almost as tightly as she hugged you. "Look at you. You look so different!" She says, pulling away and looking at you. "She's definitely not the little girl that we used to take home covered in bruises because she fell out of a tree." Sean jokes making you blush. You used to be so rambunctious when you came over.
You'd sat around in the living room catching up on each other's lives for an hour or so when Lisa decided it was time to start decorating. She put you in charge of putting helium in the balloons and letting the go in the living room. "So what are the plans for tomorrow?" You ask sitting in the floor and tieing off a blue balloon before letting it float to the ceiling with a few others you'd already done. Sean was outside cleaning up the yard for the guests tomorrow. "Well, I was going to let you be Ethans first surprise. So you'll be staying in his room tonight, so when he goes upstairs to put his things away, you'll be the first thing he sees. Then I have random games planned for tomorrow and then Sean is setting up a projector for a movie night in the backyard." She explains, standing on a small ladder to hang streamers. "They're going to love it." You predict, but one question had been lingering in your mind. "Do you think they remember me?" You ask, turning off the helium machine to make the room quiet. "I'm positive. You were a huge part of their lives for a long time, there's no way that they would forget you. Are you nervous?" She asks, finishing and climbing down. You nodded and ran your hand through your hair. "I'm extremely nervous. I haven't talked to them since we were 14 years old." You laugh softly. "Well, you have nothing to worry about." She assures. You calmed down some and continued blowing up the balloons.
You spent the rest of the day helping both of them hang decorations and do odd jobs around the house. Lisa made burgers for the three of you which you were greatly thankful for since you hadn't had a home-cooked meal since you moved out of your parent's house a few months ago. You were so busy with your job and life that you hadn't had the time to make an actual meal that didn't go in the microwave. After the delicious dinner, you helped Lisa do the dishes and clean up some more before both of you looked at each other, completely worn out. "I can hear my bed, screaming my name." She laughs, throwing a dish towel on the counter and turning off the light. You laughed and followed her up the stairs. "I washed his bedding and put clean sheets on there this morning so it should be nice and comfortable. I'll wake you up in the morning a couple hours before they land so you have time to get ready." She says, hugging you goodnight and going to her room. You sighed tiredly and walked into the all too familiar bedroom. Surprisingly it hadn't changed too much. The walls remained the same color, the carpet was still slightly stained in places, and most of his furniture had been there forever.
