FROZEN IN BETWEEN

SILENT CRY

JUSTINE'S P.O.V

"Do I surprise you?"  Sheryl came toward me and grabbed me in the shoulders like a freaking best friend.

"I thought you weren't coming."  I simply smiled.

"Of course I do.  I just wanted to mess up with you."  She giggled happily.

I just smiled again at her then left them all to give one last check on Mom's party preparation.  I have no time for drama.  I wish you knew how I hate this situation so much.

"Starla wants to meet you."  Toby handed my puppy.

"Thank you for keeping her safe."  I nodded, took her with me, and turned around.

"Hey Justine!  Are you okay?"  He stopped me.

"Yeah sure."  I chuckled.

"It's not that you are okay."  Toby studied my face.  "Is there something I should know?"

"Not really.  Go join the rest.  I need to prepare some stuff."  I walked away.

I walked away with Starla in my hands to Danny's room and cried there over 15 minutes.  I told you.  Since we were 13, Sherly has been around because Toby wanted her.  There's been always about her between every conversation, between every lunch time, between every Starbucks hang.  I'm just dang tired of it.  Ever since she showed up herself from that classroom across ours, I just lost my quality time with Toby right away.  Sounds selfish.  But wait until you fall in love with your own best friend.

"Darling, your parents are here!"  Danny knocked his room that I locked for myself.

"Alright alright I'll be there!"  I sniffed.  "Thank you Danny."

"Can you please open up?"  He knocked again.

"Hey..."  I embraced myself then opened the door.

"Are you...baby, you're crying."  Danny hugged me right away.  "Oh no.  No.  Don't tell me."

"I'm sorry I can't handle."  I sighed.

"I actually love that girl out there but you, truth be told, are better."  He rolled his eyes.

"Ha I wish I was."  I chuckled and hugged him again.  "Don't tell anyone."

"Secret's save with me baby."  He stroked my hair.  "You deserve him, or so many better guys out there anyone you choose.  I know it's not gonna make you feel better but darling, you're special."

"Danny..."  I cried against his chest.  "Oh alright alright let's go meet my parents."

I put one last touch on my make-up then walked outside with Danny.  Even though my eyes were red, Danny knew how to make it not so obvious.  This time, Joan Mark and some family friends have came up too.  The party's about to start.

"Mom!"  I hugged her once Dad put a blinfold on.

"Heeey sweety!"  Mom kissed my cheek.

"Careful with the steps."  I held her hands.

"Where we going?"  She sounded worry.  Yeah Mom doesn't like dark.

"About to find out!"  I giggled to Dad.  "Alright.  Here you go...some stairs after you...careful."  I slowly brought her upstairs.

I glanced at Danny.  He led these people to surprise my Mom in no later than 10 seconds.  Danny counted down quietly.

"SURPRISEEEE!!!"  All of them cheered and so in time when my Dad put off the blindfold from Mom.

"Oh goodness!"  Mom stepped aback and grasped for air.

"Mom you're okay?"  I laughed.

"This is...  Unbelievable...  How...  Thank you so much!"  She lost her words.

"Hahaha you're welcome Mommy.  Happy 40th birthday."  I hugged her tightly.  "I love you."

"I love you more, sweetheart.  This is amazing."  Mom started to walk around the rooftop and hugged literally each and everyone in here.

"Good job, lovely."  Dad side-hugged me.

"I know."  I smirked.  "Go enjoy the party Dad."

He pinched my cheek then followed Mom to say hi to the guests.  It's so fun and lovely to see them have some quality time with the relatives.  I've tried to gather all of my uncles aunts and cousins here.  We collected almost 35 people, alongside with the neighbors.  I saw Joan and Mark also enjoyed the party.  We're fine.  I'm fine.  The party's good.

"Great throw off, girl!"  Connor spin me around.

"Thank you!  You love it?"  I kissed his cheek.

"Of course!  I love the food!"  Riley came to us with a mouth full of food.

"And you don't love me.  Just the food.  Okay bye."  I playfully pouted.

"Sheesh you grumpy girl.  This is amazing.  I didn't know that this restaurant has a very cool rooftop!"  Riley replied.

"That's why, hang out with me.  You'll find some cool spots in Florida."  I smirked.

"Right.  You're something like a property agent."  He nodded.

"Shush."  I messed his hair.  "Wow, so glad everybody's here."

"Yes you did it.  The parents have fun."  Connor nodded.  "Next time you should throw me a birthday party."

"Hahaha alright.  I'll save the date."  I laughed.

"Hey, so...Toby really waits for a perfect time to talk to you.  You want to meet him now?"  Riley said unsure.

"Hmm?  Why so formal?"  I chuckled awkwardly.  "Tell him, that we've been talking for a while before.  So no need to be too official whatever."

"Good point."  Connor raised an eyebrow.

"Do you know who this Sheryl girl is?"  Riley whispered.

"You better ask him, don't you?"  I smiled.  "She's somebody from the classroom across us.  Why?"

"Toby has never officially introduced her to us yet.  And the parents were asking."  He answered.

"New best friend, I believe.  Or a crush."  I laughed.  "Either way, he'll make it official someday."

"You're okay?"  Connor held my shoulder.

"Why shouldn't I?"  I choked.  "Bros, I'm completely fine.  It's for a million times today."

"You know you have us anytime you need."  Connor kissed my forehead.

"Of course...  Thank you guys."  I hugged them both.

I glanced to him from Riley's hug.  He's watching us.  It's a complete mess.  As far as I remember, it's Toby who's my classmate.  It's Toby who supposed to be the one who congratulated me.  Instead, he stood there by Sheryl's side all the time, fed her some food, have fun everything with her only.  Remind me whose party is this.