The Ugly Bet

Chapter 16 - Surprised

Dustin

When I woke up, I immediately grabbed my phone and called the two Mexican cooks I know to confirm the food they will be preparing tonight for the party as well as the Dj to operate the music and to put some disco lights in and out there near the pool. Today, I'm going 18 and tonight's party would have to be not just an ordinary house party but an unforgettable one. And now that I'm no longer a minor, nothing could stop me from having the party of my life.

After making my coffee, I started getting the ingredients to make Pamy's cake. I did a chocolate cake because I know Pamy loves it and put it in the oven. Then I made my own breakfast and eat that in my veranda.

I was eating bacon when my phone rang. I looked at my screen and smiled while answering the call. "Hey bro!" It was Jace. He's my other bestfriend, aside from Greg. We're cousins, he is the son of my Dad's only sister, the eldest sibling. We have three other cousins from their half brother but they were girls. Despite the competition our parents try to put between us, we were very close. We never gave in the pressure of always being compared with one another. We never fight, he always put me before himself. He's more of a brother, an older brother coz he's three years older, and he's the best brother I've ever known. Maybe if not because of him, I wouldn't be able to get through my childhood insecurities and dramas and may be turned to a rebel son or even worse. He keep me a good guy.

"Hey, happy birthday!" I miss his deep voice and his accent. I thanked him. "Guess what, I have a surprise for you."

I laughed. "Surprise? What am I? A female debutant?" he chuckled. "Seriously, a surprise for me? You should be getting a girlfriend already because you're becoming less masculine and more feminine,"

"You want a jab?" he yelled at me from the other line. "I told you, I'm very busy now even for flings, you know my Dad, he keeps me even busier in the company than with my studies..." we both chuckled at that. We know our parents' drama and just to avoid so much argument, we just do what they want. "Anyway, guess what."

"Your surprise? Aw, cmon Jace, Im no longer that lil boy you used to surprise with candies and toy cars, man spill it out!"

"Okay. We're coming to your party. I'm with Paul, Shane, Jessica and Shawn." he said.  "Yes, it's Wednesday but we're cutting our last class in the afternoon so we'll be there before seven..." I grinned. When we were in Grade 9 and they're senior high school, we sometimes cut classes and I miss doing that with them.

"Wow, man... thanks, I..I really appreciate that..." I said. Jace's taking Engineering course in Adam Dale Engineering School at NY, the most prestigious engineering school yet in the country. It is the first school established by the Dale before Cameron Dale School. Even I know that I'll be going to college there. "I'll be so happy with you here bro..."

"Same here. I have to go now, our class is going to start now. Bye."

After ending the call, I started doing the icing. When the cake is finally baked, I started filling it with strawberry and cream and started dressing the cake we designed.

It was almost eleven when I finished the cake. And seeing what I bake made me excited to give it to Pamy. She is really dear to me and I really even researched and practiced hard to perfect this cake. I'm so proud of myself coz I accomplished this.

After taking a shower, I got dressed for school. It's already lunchbreak and we talked to surprise Pamy with this so I have be there on time.

And when we sang to her 'happy birthday' while bringing the cake after lighting the made-to-order cherry candles, it's all worth it. She's eating her lunch on Lyz's table near the trashbins. So far, there's not much difference between their table and mine, only that ours is a lot bigger and that hers is a little more private coz it's in the corner. We ate the cake I baked on that small table which is just good for four but we cluttered it with three more. It's so much fun,coz Elyzabeth's usual snappy and rude attitude added spice to the already sweet cake I baked. Besides, this is the first time that Ashley joined us again since last last week. I even saw her smiling with Lyz silently.