Sister Styles

{1} Birthday Surprise

"Surprise!" Shouts, in unison, hollered around the room. "Happy birthday!"

I jumped back, startled at the sudden surprise of people crowding in my tiny little apartment. Not just people though, friends and family. I sat there expressionless until my face fell into a huge gaping grin, my left hand on the door knob and my right hand on the light switch.

My cousin and good friend, Bella, came running up to me. She grabbed my wrist, pulling me into a squeezing embrace. "Happy birthday, Lilli!" She said in my ear, then pulled away and grabbed my bag. "I'll take this to your room, you go say hi to everyone."

I couldn't help the gigantic smile on my face. I was mega surprised, that's for sure. All day, multiple people have been ignoring my texts and calls. I thought I did something to have everyone mad at me, but I guess not. My beautiful mother and gorgeous sister, Gemma, both walked up to me, pulling me in for a group hug.

"Surprised?" Gemma asked me, pulling me in for an individual hug. She looked absolutely stunning in her pale blue party dress with her solid brown curls. Her eyes were bright, as well as her smile, and she stood a head taller than me in her three-inch heels.

I nodded, my smile radiating still. "Very, holy, who planned all of this?"

"Gemma, Payton, Bella, and I," my mother intervened, hugging me tight. "Happy birthday, baby girl."

I pulled back, tilting my head to scan over her gleaming face. I loved seeing my mum so happy. It's been a while since I've seen her this happy. For the last couple months, our phone conversations would be mostly quiet and less talkative. I would ask her what's wrong and she would make up excuses that she was too tired or that she wasn't feeling well. I asked Gemma if she knew anything, but apparently my mum tells her the same thing too.

"Thank you mumzie," I smiled, laughing a little. She laughed along too, showing off a big smile, happy and beaming. "Speak of the devil, where is Payton?"

As soon as the words came flying from my mouth, a pair of strong arms picked my up by my waist and spun me around in circles. I squealed, not struggling, as I went around and around until I was dropped to my sore feet, once again, facing my tall best friend.

"Happy birthday, love," Payton smiled, hugging me tightly. He kissed the top of my head and let go as I stepped back to regain the breath he squeezed out.

"Thank you Pay Pay," I teased, tapping his nose, and he rolled his eyes.

I have known Payton since freshman year and we had really gone through hell and back. He knows every single little detail about me, as do I about him. He's the only one that understands me and my life. I couldn't thank God enough for sending me this amazing best friend. He truly is the brother I never had.

"So, is he...?" I trailed off, eyeing Payton to see if he was getting at what I was trying to say. Of course he knew what I was saying.

Payton pursed his lips and looked at the floor, but quickly brought his deep brown eyes back up to meet my green eyes. "I'm afraid not."

"Did you try contacting him?"

"We tried."

"And?"

"Never got an answer."

I nodded, licking my lips. I started playing with the car keys still in my hand. My eyes wandered down to watch them as thoughts of my brother, my twin brother, forgetting about me haunted my brain.

If you hadn't gotten the clue yet, Harry Styles is my twin brother. We literally look identical in every single way -- except for the fact that I'm a girl and he's Harry -- and I've even had a couple of strangers in my life come up and ask me if I was related to Harry. Unfortunately, I had to lie and tell them no.