The Warrior Queen

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven
I stared at myself in the mirror, trying to decide if I'm really going to go to that party. What I really want to do is curl up in bed and watch movies until I fall asleep. No part of me is in any kind of partying mood.

On the other hand, I know that I need this. Maybe this party will somehow pull me out of the slump I'm currently in. Maybe all I need is my friends and some alcohol, and I'll be perfectly fine.

I sighed and scrunched my newly made curls as best as I could. Then I straightened out my outfit and nodded my head to myself, decision made. I'm sure once I get there, I'll have a lot of fun. It's the being alone and sad part that is making me dread going. But once I'm there, I won't be alone and hopefully won't be sad.

In that moment, there was a knock on my door. I allowed it to swing open, knowing who was there. Sure enough, Mal and Amilia stood on the other side of the door.

"Ready for girls night," Amilia questioned.

I decided to keep to myself that I know about the surprise party. I know how bummed Aiden would be if he knew that I knew. So I played along with their cover up.

"Yep," I announced, smiling as brightly as I could muster.

I walked over to them and allowed them to each throw an arm over my shoulder, sandwiching me between them. I sighed into their embrace, basking in their warm smell of home. I didn't realize how much I missed this.

After the party, I'll have to talk to them about a real girls night.

They led me out of the building from the front, but began to walk around the side of the building. I mentally prepared myself for how I'm going to act surprised. It can't be too obnoxious, that would give it away. Maybe a small gasp and a lot of excitement?

Before I knew it, we were at the backyard. Turns out, my gasp ended up being real at the sight. Fairy lights were strung up, filling the night with a soft glow. A dance floor was set up with some kind of light shining on the ground, much like the autumnal equinox. A lot of people lined the open space, large smiles on their faces as they screamed, "Surprise!"

My joy wasn't fake as I grinned at all the people I loved. I may hate surprises, but this might've been the one that I really needed.

I walked up to Aiden first. "I'm assuming you're the one behind this?"

"You know I can never turn down an opportunity to party," Aiden teased.

"Oh, I know," I laughed as I pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you," I whispered into his ear before we pulled out of the embrace.

"Anytime," Aiden grinned, absolutely genuine.

I don't know what I would do without that boy. Speaking of boys I can't live without, Cameron came running toward me to pick me up into a large bear hug.

I laughed as he spun me around, the wind making my hair whip into his face. Once he put me down, I embraced him once more. Cameron sighed into the embrace and rested his head on top of mine. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Me too," I murmured.

Mal and Amilia came in for hugs too, even though I just saw them. Mal's was slightly strained, but I can see in her eyes how glad she is that I'm okay.

The twins were next. They launched themselves in my arms. I hugged them tighter than I hugged anyone else. They didn't seem to mind, as they hugged me just as tight. I was reluctant to let go, but I noticed James trailing slightly behind.

"So, anything going on between you and James," I questioned Lily, wiggling my eyebrows.

Red instantly coated her cheeks as she shook her head vehemently. "We're just friends."