The Moment

Chapter Thirteen

"Regan..." Tayler said, with wide eyes as he looked at me.

"Why do you look so surprised to see me in my own house?" I didn't really understand what was going on, honestly. The vibe in the room had changed drastically since Tayler walked in and I couldn't really tell you why. "What?" I asked, getting annoyed with the continuous silence. When everyone in the room knows something except you, it can be frustrating as all hell.

"It's nothing, just Hype House shit." Tayler explained, shoving his phone in his pocket and brushing the situation under the carpet. "Anyway, what's next on the list of birthday events?"

"Well Casey is currently upstairs doing...something but apparently Noah's in charge."

"Oh, no no no, I'm not the planner." Noah denied, raising his hands in defence. "I'm just...assisting the planner."

"So you're Casey's bitch." Bryce joked.

"If you want to get technical." Laughing as he spoke, I couldn't help but admire the way Noah carried himself. He's not the loudest one in the room but when the joke's on him, he takes it with confidence in himself and I just think it's quite different to what the others offer.

"Alright boys," Casey said, joining the group. Looking down, I noticed she was holding my now full duffle bag and I couldn't help but wonder where we were going. "Let's go."

---

The car ride was long, too long honestly but as we pulled up to our destination, my sore ass was definitely worth it. It was beautiful, definitely something you see in movies but I wouldn't expect anything less from Casey.

"Welcome home...well...for the weekend." She said, laughing as she looked over at me.

Getting out of the car, it wasn't until that moment that I realized how many cars we actually had following us. I mean, with Casey and I, we had Addison, Charli and Dixie in my car and I guess we had been too busy having our own little party that I didn't realize how many people were actually behind us.

"It's time to fuckin' party!" Josh and Bryce yelled from the window of the car they were in. I looked over at Addison and hoped she would be okay this weekend.

"This weekend is about you," She said, wrapping her arm around mine. "not him."

Nodding my head in support, I said "We're going to have fun."

"Hell yeah we are!" Tayler said, running over to me. "So let's get a drink!" Throwing me over his shoulder, I laughed as he carried me into the house and the crowd of people followed suit.

---

"They look good on you, you know?" His finger traced the earring on my right ear as the party around us got crazier and crazier.

"I hate you for buying them for me." I loved the earrings, don't get me wrong but the amount they cost...the idea of Tayler spending that much money on me...I don't know.

"Hey," He said, letting his hand run down my cheek, stopping at my jaw. "you're my best friend, you've done more for me than most people ever would and I can never thank you enough for that."

"You don't have to." I explained. Sure, I've seen Tayler at his worst and I've seen him at his best but that goes both ways and that's just how a friendship works. "You're my best friend." Squeezing his cheeks, I laughed at his awkward face before pulling him into a hug.

"Beach time, baby!" Nick yelled, squeezing his way in between me and Tayler before disappearing into the crowd.

"You heard the man." I said, extending my hand, allowing Tayler to grab it as we headed out to the beach.