Chapter 158: [Birthday] [I’m not Invited]
[Zoe’s POV]
[Birthday]
The ’hang out sometime’ never happened as Lawrence was always with his family, so we contented with messaging with each other until they got back to their country.
It was a week since, and I felt that there was something between us. A romantic something, but neither one of us wanted to acknowledge it.
Leanna was also back in school. I was glad to see her again, but I was, I don’t know –– ashamed?
Embarrassed.
Unable to meet her until they cornered and forced me to sit with them at a restaurant near our university to talk about Lawrence and me.
I told them nothing was going on between us. That we were just friends (as of now).
"Zoe. You know Lawrence is just a twelve about to be a thirteen-year-old kid, right? Even though he’s mature for his age, it still didn’t change the fact that he’s still –– a kid. Do you know what that means?"
"Leanna, you’re saying Lawrence is still immature, and if ever we do end up in a relationship, I’ll be the one to adjust because I’m older, right? I get it. I’m completely prepared the moment I laid my eyes on him." I smiled a weak smile.
"No, Zoe. You’re completely wrong."
My forehead creased.
"Does Lawrence ever act immature towards you?"
Does he?
No.
Lawrence was far from being immature. If I have to say it, it was like, I was the immature one.
I shook my head.
"And that’s the problem I’m talking about, Zoe."
I continued to stare at her with questioning eyes.
"Zoe, I know Lawrence ever since he was a child. He might have a laid back personality, but he has an enormous sense of responsibility. Since he’s the second male next to my father, he considered himself as the next head."
Leanna grabbed my hand, and I knew she was going to say those words that kept hunting me.
"Zoe . . . I know Lawrence likes you, believe me, I know. But ever since you showed up to him, he’s been making you his responsibility because he took your virginity. He has this mental notion of taking care of you for the rest of your life."
Fudge!
Please don’t speak anymore.
Before I could argue, my tears fell. It was so hard to retort when I also thought the same.
"Zoe, Lawrence has a life ahead of him. Please don’t make him feel trap. That’s all I’m asking of you . . . But if you two still decided to be together . . . then . . . I won’t be against it. And this will be the last that you’ll ever hear this from me."
. . .
. . .
I know . . .
I already knew that.
But Lawrence hadn’t said anything.
Am I trapping him?
----
After that talked with Leanna, I kept myself busy in the remaining days for Lawrence’s birthday, racking my brains on what to gift him.
One day, when I decided to go out for a walk in the park, I saw a craft store near our school.
How come I didn’t see this before?
I shrugged and entered.
The exterior and interior were all modern down to the furnishings. Neatly arranged beads and strings in different shapes, sizes, and designs were displayed. My eyes wanted to split apart, excited to inspect every nook and cranny.
"Hi, can I help you?"
A kind senior woman greeted the moment she saw the frown on my face.
"Yes. Uhmm . . . I want to get something for my boyf––er . . . boy . . . friend. But I don’t know what exactly."
The kind woman laughed and guided me to a place with machines for making glass beads.
"How about you customize something up? That will add that special effect. I’m sure your BOY––FRIEND will love it." she teased and shot me a wink.
My cheeks were heating, but I didn’t retort as I nodded.
----
On the day of Lawrence’s birthday, I was surprised to find Emery at the front gate of the Lee’s estate.
Oh, right.
I forgot.
Lawrence had––I mean has a twin.
Frankly, I didn’t like Lance much. He was the reason why I was heartbroken for so many months (even though it was not his fault).
Emery was stunning in her summer dress, and I suddenly felt inferior in my oxford shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
Fudge! I should have worn a dress.
I grabbed her hand and went inside, secretly sighing in relief that I had someone I knew in this sea of teenage girls and boys.
"Zoe and . . . Emery?"
We turned towards Mrs. Lee’s warm, jolly voice and found the smiling woman walking towards us.
"Mother-in-law! I’m glad to see you again!"
I zoomed to her and we kissed each other’s cheek.
I was actually a reserved person (at least, I wanted to think that way), but I couldn’t help being happy at seeing Lawrence’s mother again.
He got her deep brown eyes.
And Mrs. Lee hadn’t been exactly antagonistic towards me even though she knew what happened between her son and I. If I have to say it, she was somewhat approving of me, much to my glee.
"Come, Come." Mrs. Lee grabbed our hand and guided us from all the crowd.
After seconds, my eyes found the young boy who was constantly appearing in my dreams.
"Lawrence! Lance! Look who are here to greet you on your birthday!" Mother in law announced which made a crowd of teenagers hurdled around them glanced in our direction.
I didn’t know what happened next after the greeting kiss on the cheek, but I was snapped out from the dream when Lawrence was about to leave after he guided us on an empty table.
I grabbed his shirt.
"H-happy Birthday!" I greeted and gave him my present.
I hope he likes it.
"Thank you."
He smiled, and it took my breath away. And before I could blink, his lips landed on mine.
The sensation was soft and short, yet it didn’t fail to send waves of jolt down my spine as romantic bumps trailed my skin.
"Let’s talk later."
Was all I heard before he left.
----
[Emery’s POV]
[I’m not Invited]
There was no stopping my giggles as I jumped straight on my bed after I finished taking a bath. I was flat on my stomach as I readied myself to get lost on the list of birthday presents for Lance.
It was weeks since Leanna got out of the hospital, and her family went back in their own country, but it did not stop me from asking our spies for information about him.
It turned out that this Friday, four days from now, it was Lance’s thirteenth birthday. I asked Leanna a while back about the things Lance likes.
No one knows better than family.
I was excited thinking about all the things to give him –– even more excited than finding a new snack that I could not stop humming as I browse the net.
I already filed a leave from school on Friday because I was thinking of personally hand my gift to him. I did not tell anyone about my plans. If my family knew about it, I would never hear the end of it.
I know it is unladylike, but I cannot help myself!
I did not even know I could act this way towards a guy and a kid at that!
"Hmmm . . ."
I wanted to buy him a car, but he was not old enough to drive.
"Then maybe a watch . . . wait . . . this perfume is also nice . . . Shoes . . . ?"
My lips purse in dissatisfaction. All of this did not strike the heart.
It is not special at all!
I searched on how to make a gift special. I blinked before my whole body burned red.
All of this is not appropriate for a thirteen-year-old boy!
Then a site caught my attention.
"Do it yourself . . ."
There were many things on the site that was easy to make, be it for personal use, selling, or a gift. It even had step by step instructions.
I wanted it to be meaningful, reminding him of me whenever he looked at it. I also wanted it to be small and handy so that he could carry it with him all the time.
My eyes shone when I scrolled down and found what I was looking for.
This is perfect!
----
I lost track of how many times I swallowed the nervousness down my system.
I already prepared myself for this and had practiced my acting and dialogue long before.
I also collected the information from our spy network about the details and outlines of his birthday.
I have memorized it all.
Stalker.
I know.
I could not help myself. My feelings were too overwhelming to control!
I want him mine!
----
It was dusk and the birthday party would start at seven. There were already lines and lines of cars parked on the side of the road. The majestic gates stood open, welcoming the pouring guests with a lot of teenagers coming in.
Must be his schoolmates.
The boys dress in formal clothes while the girls dress to impress.
I peek at my simple buttermilk colored sundress exposing the line of my collarbone and the cleavage of my breasts. The fabric hugged my body, molding my every curve. It was the right balance in sexiness and modesty.
The above the knee dress flaunted the length of my legs while the flat coconut tinted open-toe pump shoes blended with my skin. I did not usually wear flats, but since the man I like was shorter than me, I had to compromise.
Although I love snacks and ate them all the time, I maintained my figure due to my mother’s constant nagging. Saying a lady should always be pleasing to the eyes and always presentable and in control of their body.
To shut her up, I was forced to exercise to maintain my figure, and she never complained about me overeating snacks again.
I ignored all the stares and praises thrown at me. Some even tried to grab my attention by pretending to huddle with other men near where I stood as they checked me out.
"Emery?"
I turned to the voice and was surprised to see Zoe in her red oxford top paired with skinny jeans and sneakers.
. . .
. . .
I felt overdressed . . .
"What’re you doing here? Wait, don’t tell me. I already know why." Zoe grinned and seized my hand without my consent.
"It’s a good thing you’re also here. I don’t have to feel embarrassed about going in alone."
"Uhmm . . . ," I hesitated. "I’m not . . . invited."
"So am I. Let’s go."
