The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 34

I smile at Xander as we drive back to his house. "Thanks for taking me out. I know we were gone a while, but I really wanted to get to this sale." I hold up the shopping bag in my lap, containing the new pair of grey boots I bought this evening. Xander nods as we exit the highway. "You're welcome. I wasn't doing anything anyways," He says in a slightly sad voice. I hide a smile. Today is his twenty-first birthday. I made sure to call up all of his friends and tell them ahead of time not to go out with Xander tonight. I dragged Xander out of his house so everyone I invited could decorate it. I wanted to do something to thank him for what he did at my birthday. My first thought was a surprise party. So, I planned, called, bought, and prepared everything for it. We've been out for about two hours, with me making sure everyone could have enough time to get to the party and set up before we got back.

Xander pulls into the driveway, which is thankfully empty of cars. I made sure to tell everyone to park about a block away so Xander doesn't suspect anything. I hop out of the car once he's parked in the driveway. He unlocks the door into the house. We hold hands as we enter the dark house, slowly making our way into the living room. "Lemme get the lights." He mutters. Xander flips on the lights to reveal the room packed with people all shouting "Surprise!" I look up at Xander's face, which is holding an expression of shock. He looks down at me. "You do this?" I nod, unable to stop smiling. He bends down and kisses me sweetly as a round of oo's goes through the crowd. I hug him "Happy Birthday Baby." He hugs me back before going around and greeting people. I hear the same words over and over as Xander talks to everyone. "Congratulations" and "Happy Birthday" circle around the room. I lean against the wall as he hugs Isabelle Fuhrman. Watching as he fist-bumps Jack and Dayo. Watching as he high-fives Blake. There are so many famous people here. Josh Hutcherson is sitting in a corner talking to Yolo while Anna Sophia Robb is giggling with Sharon.

I turn around to find Xander and bump into Sophia, Xander's younger sister. She smiles up at me. "Great party Em." I smile back. "Thanks for coming. I know-" I'm cut off by Sophia's instant laughter as Xander tackles her from behind, picking her up and spinning her around. "Its good to see you Soph." She hugs him, "You too Xander. Happy Birthday!" Xander grabs my hand and pulls me over to a woman that looks a lot like my boyfriend. Oh, this must be Mrs. Ludwig. Xander introduces me to his mom. "Em, this is Sharlene, my mom. Mom, meet Emilee." She smiles at me, her eyes sizing me up. "Its nice to meet you Emilee. Alexander talks about you all the time." Xander rubs his neck, embarrassed. "Gee thanks mom. She didn't need to know that." She smiles at him. "I'm your mother. Its my job to say things like that." I'm about to comment when Xander whispers in my ear, "Lets get away from all these people baby."

Xander pulls me into the kitchen, away from the crowd of people. I hop up onto the kitchen counter, crossing my ankles. I stare at the ground, thinking. Was this really a good present? Just a party? Maybe I should have gotten an actual gift, something wrapped. Xander asks me, "What are you thinking?" I look up at him, seeing he's now standing in front of me. "I didn't know what to get you, so I thought, maybe, a... a party or-" He cuts me off. "Baby, being with you with is best present I could ever ask for." He bends his lips down to mine. I put my arms around his neck, holding onto him tightly. He pulls me up against him, as if he's trying to get me to mold into him. My legs slip around his waist, keeping me from falling off the counter. Our lips move faster, still in rhythm. He flicks his tongue across my bottom lip. I take a sharp breath before I deepen the kiss. He moans, and then we hear a loud cough. Xander jerks around to see his dad standing in the doorway, a smirk on his face. I. Am. So. Embarrassed. I bury my head in my hands, pressed into Xander's large torso. His arms are still around me, still holding me close.

I keep my face hidden as Xander starts talking to Harald. "Hey Dad." he coughs. "What did you need? Harald walks over to the black fridge and pulls out a half-drunken bottle of Moscato. "This." He says in a voice dripping with hidden laughter. He leaves us with, "You two have fun. Oh, and nice going on getting the role son."

I whisper, "That was horrible." Xander chuckles. "How?" I look up into the handsome face that is so close to mine. "He walked in when we were, were..."

"Kissing?" A blush takes over my cheeks as I nod. Xander half-smiles as he brushes my bangs away from my forehead. "You know, this wasn't the first time." I raise an eyebrow, not understanding. "I mean, not with you, but with a couple of my past girlfriends."

"Oh." Don't be surprised. He's probably had loads of girlfriends before you. I know he'll have many more after you. Who wouldn't want to date this amazing, incredible, gorgeous, talented, selfless, passionate, brilliant man?

I slip my arms around his waist, wanting to feel him as near to me as possible. Enjoy this moment with him while you can Em. Cause it won't last forever. I wish, really deeply wish, it would, but I don't think Xander will be happy with me forever. Dylan wasn't... I mentally slap myself. NO! Xander is nothing like Dylan. I sigh. Still, better enjoy it while it lasts.

I ask, "Xander? He tilts my head up to look at him. "Yeah?

"What did Harald mean? About your new job? I keep hearing people congratulate you on getting it. What happened?" Xander looks at me, a strange look in his eyes. He kisses my mouth, my ear, my cheek, my nose, my chin, my forehead, my neck. Over and over again, like he can't get enough. As he starts all over, I interrupt. "Xa-" He kisses my nose. "Xand-" He kisses my neck. "Xander." He kisses me hard on my mouth, holding my shoulders tightly. I grab his face and pull him back. "Xander!" He tries to kiss me again, but I dodge, not letting him. I search his darkened eyes. "Baby, what happened? Tell me." I run my thumb over his cheek in little circles. He picks up my hand and places little kisses on each of my fingers. I try again. "What. Happened?" I'm starting to get concerned, he keeps avoiding me.

"I got a lead role for a new movie. Its, um, based on a really popular book series." He whispers the name in my ear, making my eyes widen. I sit up and kiss him. "Baby that's great! I'm so proud of you!" He half-smiles. "Why didn't you tell me?" Xander bites his bottom lip absentmindedly, making me want to kiss him again. "Because. Um, before I accepted, I uh had to really think about it. I'd have to go to Germany to film it." Oh... "Well, that's. That's still great. Not too-"

"All summer." What?! "All, summer?" He nods with a sigh. I lean my head on his chest. Not see Xander, all summer? He plants a kiss on the top of my head. I hold onto him tighter, as if I could prevent him from going. He rubs my back slowly as we stay there, with me pressed against his strong frame, head resting on his chest, hearing his heart pound against his rib cage. Enjoying the moment. I can't do anything else except focus on the now.

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I came up with couple names!!! Which one is your fav? (not favorite couple, just favorite name) Any one's I missed or that you think could be a couple?

Emilander = Emilee + Xander

Emilan = Emilee + Ian

Shake = Sharon + Blake