Hello Nigeria!

Chapter 32: Safe

I can't help but pick a song for this chapter. I was inspired by it so...

Song of the chapter: I'll Stay by Isabella Marced. Played it while I wrote and it fits the last scene.
Now let the last chapter begin...
Drumroll please!!!
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"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!" We sing loudly. Jasper stands near his birthday cake, grinning at me. We're all wearing white T-shirts with blue jeans. Well, except a few adults.

"So you'll cut the cake after we spell Jasper," Mrs. Lawrence says and he places a hand on his chest to fake a touched expression.

After the count of three, we spell, "J-A-S-P-E-R!" He cuts the cake and we clap. He remains there as we present our gifts. I intentionally stay back while others present theirs. After that, everyone gets a piece of cake and we go to the back of the house for the dinner.

"Man, I can't believe you're having a family birthday," Kevin laughs and Ayo joins him. At our table there's me, Jasper, Melody, Alice, Kevin and Ayo. Nes is sitting with my family while Jasper's family is seated at another table.

"He never celebrates his birthday at home," Ayo chips in when I look at him. I shake my head at Jasper as if in pity. He rolls his eyes.

"Trust me, outdoor birthdays with friends are awesome," he defends, chewing on his food.

"But mum's cooking surpasses all else," Melody chimes in and we all agree.

"Hey, where's Simon?" Ayo asks.

Alice smiles before responding. "He travelled." Ayo nods.

"So this is the point where we talk about the celebrant. Make him feel special by talking about something he's done that we love," Kevin starts, giving Jasper a side look.

"Aww," we the girls coo at once, looking at Jasper. He's clearly not comfortable with the whole cuteness as he readjusts on his chair. We laugh at him.

Jasper's cute when he's shy.

"Okay, I'll go first," Melody chirps. Always in the mood. "When I first knew Jasper, I was scared of him. He looked mean but one day when I was in dire need of assistance in school work, he offered to help out of the blue! And by school work I mean impromptu test," she whispers the last part. "Don't tell anyone I cheated. I felt like I would die because that mean teacher attached a whole lot of marks to that test."

Laughter erupts around the table, gaining other people's attention. I feel a little jealous, missing out on certain things that involved him.

"Okay Alice, you go next," Ayo says.

She looks at him with a smile and he does the same. "Well, there was a time when I was down. There was a lot going on and I couldn't focus. He was there. He gave me a shoulder to cry on." Everyone nods with a smile. Jasper smiles in remembrance.

I don't know why I'm feeling left out in this whole circle right now.

"So he gave you just one shoulder? Not the two?" Melody suddenly asks, causing laughter to flood out of our mouths. A brief silence follows after.

"I'll go," Ayo begins. "You know we guys have a lot to do with money." He pauses to look at us with a grin. We all roll our eyes at him except Kevin who supports by nodding.

"So this guy gave me a lot of cash. I mean more cash than needed when I asked for it. Thanks man, that was life saving."

"It's fine," Jasper replies.