Why Won't You Love Me?: Sequel to Dazed & Confused

25

19th of November 2023
You Make My Dreams: Hall & Oates
'Well 'cause you. You make my dreams come true.'

My least favourite part about my birthday is having happy birthday sung to me. However, in the moment that all my friends and family sung happy birthday to me at my twenty-first birthday party, I could have not been happier.

I decided to have my party two months have my actual birthday, so I could be done with university and that was not too close to Evie and Michael's wedding, which was a good decision because almost everyone in attendance was recovering for days afterwards.

I had chosen my parents, Ashton and Milly and Izzy to make speeches, not wanting too many because I would rather people enjoy their night than have them listen to an assortment of people dribble on about me for five minutes or so.

Ashton's speech made me cry, and I was thankful that my mascara was waterproof and that Milly had a tissue handy, otherwise my face would definitely be tear-stained.

My parents had offered to host at their house, which I gladly accepted because their backyard is the perfect set up for a party or two.

'Hey gorgeous,' Luke said to me after the speeches were over. I had contemplated having him do a speech as well, but I knew that he did not really want to and he would show his appreciation for me in other ways, which he did around my actual birthday which I loved.

'Hey babe, how are you?' I asked, slurring my words slightly, which meant the bar was doing its job. The theme of the evening was 'Suit and Tie,' which meant everyone was dressed formally, which I loved.

'Not as good as you by the sounds of it,' Luke said with a giggle and I just rolled my eyes at him, being careful not to spill any of my espresso martini on my white dress.

My dress was something out of a dream. It was a silk white colour and material, with one long sleeve and one open arm, with a high low skirt, the back of the skirt forming a small train, with a small opening which showed just a sliver of my stomach. I had been searching for the perfect dress for months, when one afternoon, when I was with Milly and Henry shopping for god, knows what, we found it in the city and I knew it was the one.

'Hey! It's my twenty-first, I'll get blackout drunk if I want to!' I protested and Luke groaned at my words, knowing that it was fully possible.

'Well if you are going to do that, please don't do it on your dress, it's way too pretty to be ruined by vomit of alcohol.'

'I'm not that clumsy,' I giggled, stepping closer to Luke so I could place my free hand on his black suit jacket.

'I seem to remember you at our formal after party all those years ago, throwing up all down your white dress and having to call your mum to come and get you,' Luke laughed and I groaned at that memory because it was potentially one of the dumbest things I have ever done.

'We can talk about that tomorrow, I want to party right now,' I said with a grin, taking Luke's hand and pulling him to the dance floor, where most of my family and friends were dancing and singing to 'King Kunta' by Kendrick Lamar. I giggled as I danced with Luke, before being spun around by Ashton who lifted me up and carried me bridal style, spinning me around as everyone cheered and I continued to giggle, feeling so incredibly blessed that I was loved by this many people.