Chapter 23

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Friends

Time flies so fast. I didn't expect that I will spend my eighteen years with them. They stayed by my side until now.

"You're so beautiful omg! I feel like a proud sister! Happy birthday, Aria. I love you. Gosh!" Natatawa ako kahit naluluha na din. Para kaming mga tanga na nag iiyakan dito.

"I'll leave you here. The party's going to start." Noelle kissed my cheeks before she leave the room.

Sa hotel ginanap ang birthday ko. It's a formal party. I don't like the 18 roses or 18 candles—kind of party.

"Princess." Lumapit sakin si Daddy at hinalikan ako sa gilid ng noo. I smiled at his gesture. I missed him calling me princess. Binati niya ako. Lumapit din sa akin si Mommy.

"Anak." Bumilis ang paghinga ko nang tinawag ako ni Mommy. "I'm so thankful you turned out like this. I am so proud." Dahan dahan niya akong niyakap. I tear up again. This is the first time she told me that. My Mom is proud of me. I tightened my hug. I feel like I missed her so much. Parang nakalimutan ko bigla lahat ng mga sama ng loob ko sa kanila. We're still family after all.

I am making my entrance through the party. I am wearing a glittered rose gold long fitted gown with no straps. My back was exposed. Everyone is wearing a nude pink and black. Nude pink long gown for the girls and black suit for the guys. They're all smiling at me when I entered the hall. Isa isa silang bumati habang naglalakad ako.

"Enjoy the party everyone!" I lifted up the glass of wine in my hand and declared for a toast. Tapos na kumain ang mga bisita, tapos na din ang program na pakulo ng parents ko.

I went to the cocktail tables. Doon nakapwesto sila Noelle. Kasama niya si Dustin at Anne. Kumunot ang noo ko nang hindi makita si Wren sa table nila. Wala din si Ryker.

"I want this kind of party too, for my eighteenth birthday!" Anne was smiling widely. "Less drama." She chuckled. Natawa din ako sa sinabi niya.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"You mean where's Wren?" May pang aasar sa tono ng boses ni Noelle. Nasa tabi niya si Dustin na tumawa dahil sa sinabi niya. I rolled my eyes at them.

"Si Ryker nasaan?" I asked.

"Aw. Hindi hinanap ang kuya ko." Pakikisabay ni Anne.

Well hindi ko naman sila masisisi. Lalo na nang makita nila yung ig story ko na picture ni Wren. Doon pa lang, Noelle already assumed that we have a thing.

Simula nung nagpunta ako sa bahay nila Wren at nag confess siya, mas lalo kaming naging malapit, though we're just friends. Hindi naman niya sinabi na manliligaw siya, and I'm fine with it. I'm okay with what we have now.

Nagpaalam ako na may pupuntahan muna. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at napalingon sa humawak sa braso ko. I smiled when I saw Wren in front of me.

"What are you doing here?" Nakakunot ang noo kong tanong. Hindi siya sumagot, nakatingin lang sakin. "What?"

"Can I just say that..." He paused. Mapungay ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko. "You look so beautiful tonight." He said in a very soft voice. My heart starts beating so fast. He still has that effect on me.

"Harot mo na naman. Tara na nga sa table nila Noelle." Pabiro ko siyang inirapan. His hand placed in the small of my back as we head towards the cocktail table.

Nandoon na si Ryker. Nag iwas siya ng tingin nang makita kami ni Wren. I know he's avoiding me. I guess, it's his way of moving on. I didn't know that he really likes me. Ang tanga ko sa part na iyon, hindi ko siniseryoso lahat ng sinasabi niya sakin dati. I felt bad beacuse he's already a friend to me, kaya hahayaan ko na lang siya kung anong gusto niya.

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