boombox ▻ cameron boyce [1] ✓

fourteen ☆ surprise

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Now the day of her long-awaited party, Marie lounged around a while. As she watched Sleeping Beauty, she smiled, as she went over past memories of her childhood. After the movie ended, she went downstairs and walked into the kitchen.

"Anything I can help with?" She asked, facing her mom and older sister.

Rosalinda gave light instructions while Grace was busy cutting a variety of things.

While Marie did what her mom had asked of her, she heard Grace on the phone with someone. Not a bit curious since she was busying herself, she kept on with her task.

Pedro then walked into the house. "I'm home, girls." He said, as he shut the front door behind him.

"Where did you go, papi?" Marie asked, as she put some jalepeno into a pot.

Pedro walked into the kitchen and handed Marie a card. At the sight of the card, she grinned, and began to read it.

Grace then gasped. "We've only got a few hours until the party starts."

Once the statement was made, everyone was given tasks and followed through with them.

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Hours later, the party was now in full swing. Marie had already greeted her aunts Ruth and Esmeralda and all of her other aunts, who hugged her and wished a happy birthday. She also made sure to go around and greet her uncles and a few of cousins; knowing that if she hadn't already greeted them, she would do so later on into the night. While the party went on, Marie wore a smile, as she was happy to be surrounded by her family.

As the hours blended together and a glance at the clock nearby notified Marie that it was nearing seven o'clock, there came a knock at the door. Grace went to answer the door, chatting quietly with whoever the person was.

"Marie." The person called. At the sound of her name, the girl whirled around and came face to face with Cameron. Upon seeing the boy, a wide grin spread across her face.

"Hi." She greeted.

Matching her grin, Cameron hugged her as he said, "Happy early birthday, M."

At the sound of the nickname that she had allowed him to call her, she could practically feel her heart warm. "Thanks, Cam." She replied.

After the exchange of pleasantries, the two introduced the boy to her family; her aunts and uncles—and everyone else—instantly taking a liking to him.

Once he was introduced to everyone, he and Marie sat at the bottom of the stairs.

"It's great to see you again." Marie said, as she faced him.

Cameron smiled softly, not even having to say a word for the girl beside him knew that he felt the same about her statement.

As the two spoke some more, they were interrupted by Marie's little cousin speaking.

"'Sup, M?" Her cousin asked.

Marie smiled. "Hey, Luke."

Cameron looked up, the name all too familiar to him.

Marie looked at Cameron then, and smiled, her cheeks warming slightly.

"Hey, Luke, come here." Marie said. The young boy walked over and she gave him a bear hug before he walked away.

After the young boy walked away, Cameron faced Marie once more and took her hand in his. "When I said that you mean a lot me, I wasn't joking; but I realize now that I shouldn't have said that over text, I should have said it in person."

Beside him, Marie was struck speechless and even though she was, he continued. "You mean a lot to me, M. Since we met, texting you has become something that I have gotten use to and I haven't been able to stop myself from thinking about you."

"Cam..." Marie said, having regained her voice. "I'm not all too good at this sort of thing but, well, I haven't stopped thinking about you, either."

Cameron grinned at the words that had just slipped out of the girl's mouth. "Even though I don't know you well and I'm just getting started, I really like you, M."

Marie smiled. "I like you, too, Cam."

At the sight of each other's wide grins, the two burst into a fit of laughter, their cheeks red. Neither of the two really had a clue as to how they should proceed but the decision was made when Marie took Cameron's hand, helped him up and brought him out to the porch.

Once on the porch, they sat once more and watched the sunset--the colors changing from purple, to dark blue, to orange and to a mixture of different colors. The two stayed out there until the stars were visible. As they gazed at the night sky, Marie said, "I've always been fascinated with stars."

Cameron watched Marie gaze at the stars, in disbelief that he was in her home state, seeing her again. Seeing her again felt like a dream to him; one that he didn't want to wake up from, he wanted to stay with her for as long as he could.

"Cake!" Grace shouted, breaking the two out of their trances.

Marie and Cameron walked back into the house, hand in hand. With the cake in front of her and the candles illuminating her features, she looked up to see her entire family smiling back at her.

Rosalinda spoke, "Make a wish."

At her mother's words, Marie made her wish and blew out her candles. Once her candles were blown out and smoke flew into the air, cheers emitted from everyone surrounding her and she grinned.

After a while, Marie was making coffee for her guests. As soon as the coffee was done, she poured everyone mugs and chatted animatedly with them.

While her parents, aunts, and uncles spoke together in one giant cluster, Marie sat with Cameron  and chatted with him until one of her other cousins cut in to wish her a happy early birthday. In response, she hugged her cousin who then walked away and went to speak with his brother.

"Do I really remind you of Jasmine?" Marie asked Cameron.

He nodded in reply.

Marie smiled and nudged him lightly in a playful manner. "I guess that makes you Aladdin, then."

Cameron grinned as he laughed, "I guess it does, princess."

At the use of the term, Marie's cheeks warmed considerably.

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Much later into the night, with all of the guests gone except for one, the Santiago family decided it was time to either clean up or sleep. As they debated which to do, the final guest in attendance spoke. "I should really get going to my hotel."

"Nonsense." Rosalinda stated. "You can stay with us."

Cameron asked, "You sure it's no trouble?"

Grace smiled, "None at all. The guest room is right by Marie's and I's room, upstairs."

Cameron nodded, as he followed the sisters upstairs. Once upstairs, he and the girls put on their pajamas. After they had, Marie poked her head into the guest room.

"Settled in okay?" She asked.

Cameron nodded as he yawned and walked over to her.

"You need sleep, Cam, as do I." Marie stated matter-of-fact.

As a form of endearment, Cameron kissed Marie's cheek. After doing so, he pulled back and smiled as he said, "Good night. Sweet dreams, M."

Marie smiled as she muttered the same and closed the door as she made her way back to her room.