I will follow the first two people who comment, go!

***

Birthday girl

**❤**

The clock read six o'clock by the time more than half of my guest list arrived to my party. I was stood outside the double doors of the mansion, greeting all my family and friends alongside my parents. I was happy to see all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Most of my cousins were older than me but I had a few younger ones who I loved to death. It was a pity I saw them all so little. Most of my family lived places outside of Seattle, and I had a few cousins who were European.

I had a huge smile planted on my face all the while, filled with happiness when everyone I cared for was in the same space. I think that we've done a good job on the decorations too, and the place was sparkling by the time we were done. All the finger foods were cute and everyone seemed to like it. I had a satisfied feeling settled inside me. I loved to make people happy and to have them be satisfied with me.

I was in the midst of looking for Gabriel, when I bumped into my mom. Gabriel had been missing for the past half hour and surprisingly, out of everyone at my party, he was the one I wanted to find. Call it instinct.

"Sera!" My mom exclaimed, a cocktail glass in her hand. "I'm so proud of you my baby." She placed a kiss on my cheek causing me to smile. I seriously missed my mom.

"Thanks, mom." I said in appreciation.

"You're growing up so fast and you've become such a beautiful young lady." She continued. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't here for the summer."

"Mom, don't sweat about that." I said seriously. "I'm okay, I promise."

With a deep sigh, she said, "I just feel so bad for being gone so long."

"I promise it's okay." I assured, reaching over to give her a half hug. My mom was a bit taller than me, but other than that I think that I inherited her height, that's why I was so short.

"Oh, yes, I almost forgot. There's a young man outside the mansion, asking for you. He wasn't on the guest list so security didn't let him in."

I gulped, nerves creeping up my spine. It couldn't be Logan. He would never have casually knocked on my door.

"Uhm, okay. What does he look like?" I asked warily.

"Dark hair, tanned, tall. Quite the looker actually." She winked. She basically just described Logan, which made me twice as nervous as before.

I couldn't help but blush too. I rarely spoke to my mom about boys, so it was weird. I only ever spoke to Bella and Caitlyn about boys, like my past crushes for example. But the topic of the opposite gender made me awkward so I always tried to avoid talking about it. Seeing my mom wink at me was super cringy.

"Okay, I'll go check it out." I said in a rush. I left her before she could respond, feeling too panicked that it could maybe be Logan. But if it was him, our security would have recognised him instantly.

I dodged people swiftly while scurrying towards the opened mansion doors. It was a bit dark outside, so I couldn't see clearly. When I got there, I noticed Jeremy standing at the entrance, blocking someone's way. When the person was revealed, much to my surprise, it was Clarke and . . . Parker?

"There she is. Thank God, Sera." Clarke said with a sigh of relief.

"Jeremy," I scolded. "Let him through."

"He wasn't on the guest list though." Jeremy said in defense.

"I thought I told Bella to put you on the guest list, Clarke," I said in embarrassment. "I'm sorry."

"No worries, Little Red. I hope you don't mind I brought my cousin with." He said once he was passed through the door. I gave Clarke an awkward hug, in which he returned with a chuckle.

"Uh, hi." I said awkwardly, tucking my hair behind my ear. Parker looked just as surprised as I was. "It's Parker, right?" I asked, like I didn't totally remember him. I remembered him perfectly, and also the part where I threw his number away in fear that Logan might find it. Gosh, Logan had impacted my choices since the beginning of the summer already.

"Yeah," he said back, equally as awkward as I was.

"Wait, you guys know each other?" Clarke asked in surprise.

"Yeah, we met one time by the ice cream parlor." Parker explained.

"What are the odds?" Clarke laughed. I only noticed the silver gift bag now in his hand, which he suddenly handed to me. "Here you are Sera. Happy birthday, Sweetcheeks. You look gorgeous." My cheeks warmed the slightest bit when he bent down to place a kiss on my cheek.

I took the bag from his hands. "Thank you!" I said in appreciation. I couldn't wait to open all of my gifts when the party ended.

"So this guy was bored at home and surrounded by his annoying sisters, so I thought I should be a good cousin and bring him out of the house."

"I don't mind." I smiled.

"Good. Now, where's the alcohol?"

I slapped him on the arm. "There's no alcohol, Clarke."

"Kidding." He chuckled, holding his hands up in defense. "If you don't mind, I see Bella so gracefully stuffing her face with cake over there and I'm gonna go say hello."

"Go ahead." I nudged him, giggling afterwards. The mention of Bella was a bit disheartening, given the argument I had with her about an hour ago. I didn't like to be on bad terms with my friends, but Bella and I seemed to be on bad terms a lot lately. All because of Logan, my subconscious reminded me. I nudged her far to the back of my mind.

"So. . ." I trailed off shyly, having nothing to say. Parker was very attractive and also close to my age. He seemed like the perfect poster boy whom my parents would love for me to date. Although, I had to admit that I didn't feel anything for him besides friendliness, which was odd because when we first met at the ice cream parlor I was very attracted to him. Things have changed since then.

"So. . ." He murmured, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Things were way too awkward, I had to break the tension.

I smiled brightly. "There are snacks and beverages if you'd like."

"I'm good, thank you." He smiled back.

I nodded, folding my arms. I assessed my outfit which consisted of a high-low, pink and floral dress. I had on white wedge heels which made me stand a bit taller, an inch below the height of Parker. I couldn't help but compare how Parker was almost a head shorter than Logan. He didn't tower over me like Logan did, and maybe that's why he seemed far less threatening and more friendlier. I was usually very wary around basically any strange guy that I'd just met. However, other than feeling awkward and shy around Parker, he had a pretty comfortable aura. He oozed that 'nice boy' vibe, which was so different to Logan.

Why was I comparing him to Logan? Ugh.

"So, about the other day. Did I write my number incorrectly on that piece of paper, or. . .?"

"No, no," I couldn't help but rush out, feeling embarrassed. "It's just that I put it in my jeans pocket and ended up throwing my jeans in the wash that day without taking your number down." I lied.

"Oh," he sighed, looking relieved. "I thought that you were just being friendly that day because you felt sorry for me or something."

"That definitely wasn't it." I giggled, scratching my arm up and down.

"Happy birthday by the way. Did you have a good day today?"

"Thank you," I stretched out the 'u'. "Today mostly consisted of ordering the event planners around but other than that, it was fun. What about you?"

"Remember how I said that I have three older sisters? Well, my day was spent with them ordering me around whole day. My sister is getting married in a few weeks times so you can imagine how she's been overreacting." He stressed. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Congratulations!" I said in excitement. I loved the concept of marriage.

"Thank you."

I was about to say something when I noticed Gabriel enter through the mansion's doors. I perked up suddenly, moving past Parker and instinctively pulling him with me by the arm. I blushed when I realised what I'd done and dropped his arm.

"Gabe!" I called. When his eyes shot towards me, he came towards where Parker and I was stood.

"Is that your brother?" Parker asked nervously. I remembered their last and only encounter and understood his skepticism.

"Yeah, he may look tough on the outside but he's actually a giant softie so don't worry." I giggled.

"Good to know." He gulped.

"Sera, what are you doing standing here? Go entertain all of your guests." Gabriel scowled.

"I am! And where were you this whole time?" I asked in confusion. "All of our family came and asked for you but you were missing."

"I had things to do, Sera. But I'm here now." He assured.

"Good. I also want to introduce you to Parker, my new friend. Do you remember him?" I asked.

Gabriel only seemed to notice the presence of Parker in that second. I noticed him analyse Parker from head to toe, and mentally face palmed myself. Way to make the guy feel awkward.

"No . . . I don't. Actually, wait. I do remember you. You're that preppy blonde dude that we met at the ice cream parlor. Yeah, I remember how you were starting at Sera like a creep."

"Gabriel!" I exclaimed, shoving him harshly. Dear God, Gabriel seriously had to work on his bedside manners.

Parker shifted awkwardly, looking ready to pee in his pants. It was both amusing and embarrassing, but the embarrassment on Gabriel's behalf was enough to overpower any feelings of amusement.

"Sorry, alright. I'm just saying it how it is." Gabriel said.

"No, you're being rude." I said in annoyance.

"Fine, I apologise." He held his hands up in defense.

I scoffed and with one last shove at Gabriel, which did nothing to him really, I grabbed Parker's hand and pulled him away. I heard Gabriel's laugh as we walked towards the giant dining hall, where the most noise came from and loud laughter.

I let go of his hand when we neared Bella, Caitlyn, and Clarke. "I'm sorry about Gabriel."

"No worries." He shrugged. "I get it."

"Luckily for you, Mikhail and Sebastien are far more friendlier than he is."

"Wait, you have more brothers?" He asked in bewilderment.

"Yep, don't you remember?" I giggled.

He groaned and placed a hand on his head. "This place is seriously monitored all the time, right? You're super protected."

Not against everyone, Parker.

"Yep." I nodded. "Let's go introduce you to Bella and Caitlyn."

***

An hour passed and my parents decided that I needed to be sang Happy Birthday to. Everyone gathered in the dining hall, ready to sing me the happy birthday song. When the room began filling with the sound of everyone singing happily, my mind couldn't help but drift off to a certain blue-eyed man. I was barely listening to my family and friends sing to me, too concentrated on the fact that Logan ended up staying away, instead of asked Gabriel if he could come over like I'd told him to.

Why was I disheartened by this? It was supposed to make me happy that he stayed away. That was my initial plan, which is why I didn't invite him in the first place. He would complicate things way too much, and I didn't forget the fact that the majority of my family was of those rich, prim and proper types. They would judge him and wonder what someone like him was doing at my party.

Or perhaps it was because as I looked at all the faces of people that I cared for and loved, he wasn't amongst them.

"Sera, come cut the cake!" Caitlyn called, waving me over. I snapped out of my daze and felt bad for being so distant.

"Coming." I mumbled, stumbling towards where she was standing.

That was it. I would usually have enjoyed myself way more at a birthday party, my birthday party to add to it, but I wasn't feeling quite like myself.

Without anyone noticing, I slipped out of the dining hall and into the mansion's foyer. It was fairly empty there, and I needed fresh air, away from all the attention. I would never have minded it before, but I felt a bit off put btonight.

I left to the backyard, the Rose garden to be specific. I was about to step outside when a hand latched around my wrist. I turned around in surprise.

Parker.

"Hey, where're you going?" He asked, his tone sounding concerned.

"I just need a bit of fresh air." I sighed.

He dropped my hand slowly. "Oh," he scratched the back of his neck. "You seemed a bit estranged inside there so I thought I'd find out the problem."

"You're too sweet." I blurted out. It was funny how he, almost a complete stranger, noticed that I was feeling a bit down. Just the tiny fact made me like him even more.

"I try." He winked, causing me to giggle.

"Do you wanna join me in the garden?" I offered.

"Sure, why not?" He asked rhetorically. I led the way outside when he followed after. "Wow, it's amazing."

I smiled, feeling proud of my parents property. "Yeah, my dad gets a gardener to come in every third day to look after these plants. It's sort of a safe place for me."

"This is awesome. My garden at home is nothing near to this."

"Thank you, but I'm sure yours is just as beautiful. Plants are plants, right?" I said, stepping over the marble pathway but making sure to step on the darker shade of brown marbles instead of the lighter shades. It was a miniscule game I liked to play for fun.

"Right." He agreed, his tone light and friendly. I couldn't keep the small smile off of my face.

"So, are you a senior in highschool next year?" I asked.

"Yeah, I am. What about you?"

"Same!" I said excitedly. "You don't go to Southernfield high do you?" I wondered. I've never seen him at my highschool before so I doubted he did.

"Nope. I've been to Lakers my whole life."

"That's a good school too." I nodded absentmindly.

"It is. So what do you do for fun around here? This place is huge. I wouldn't know where to start."

I giggled. "I usually just watch movies or swim. I mean I'm used to this place."

"It's so cool." He commented.

"Thank you." I smiled.

We reach the end middle of the path and stopped. I noticed that Parker was looking directly at my face and I immediately shied away. I focused my attention on the plants instead.

"You're so beautiful, Seraphina." Parker said.

I moved to look at him in surprise. Out of all the things I expected him to say to me, it definitely wasn't that. The main reason was because he seemed far too shy at first. I guess people could surprise you.

"Uhm," I could feel my cheeks heating up. "Thank you. You're quite beautiful yourself."

He let out a laugh causing me to giggle.

"You have quite a big family. And they're all really friendly. And I'm assuming that you're single since I didn't see any boyfriend around." Parker shrugged, looking at me expectantly.

The smile left my face slowly. "Uh, that department of my life is complicated." I chuckled nervously.

"So you do have a boyfriend?" His shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry for assuming that you don't."

"No, no, you're good. It's just that it's complicated." I sighed, thoughts of Logan flashing through my mind. His bright blue eyes that was always so dark and angry, and the way he had hurt me. I didn't know why I even still considered myself in a relationship. He had been cheating on me while we were together, any same girl would have wiped him out of her life already. I wished I was stronger than I was.

I wished I didn't love him.

"It's always complicated." He smiled. "That's just the way relationships work."

I exhaled deeply. He had no idea what kind of complicated I was talking about. "I'm sorry if it seemed like I was. . . I don't know, suggesting something else." I apologised.

"No, it's okay." He chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I don't mind being friends. You're really comfortable company."

"You are too." I smiled brightly. He truly would be perfect for me. He remained as friendly as he first was when he first got here, not seeming too disheartened by the fact that I wasn't romantically interested. It just showed the kind of person he was. "You can still hang out with me and my friend's over the weekends and stuff. We can be friends."

"I would love that." He agreed.

"Do you want to exchange numbers?" I suggested, losing all thoughts of what Logan might do. Logan couldn't decide who I could be friends with and who I couldn't.

"Sure, let's do that."

"Okay, just wait a second I'm gonna go get my phone from my room quickly." I said, stepping backwards towards the path we came from. I was so busy the whole night that I didn't realize my phone wasn't on me.

"Sure, take your time." He waved it off.

I smiled and turned around to jog towards the entrance. When I got inside I dodged the huddles of people on my way to my room. I held small conversation with random family members on my way there, not wanting to seem rude. The mansion was louder than it had been in a long time, and it felt completely homey as opposed to how it usually felt.

I took the east wing stairs to my room. The foyer was empty compared to the kitchen, dining hall and lounge. The further I ascended the stairs the more the noise drowned out. When I got to my room I pushed my door open and hurried to get my phone, not wanting to leave Parker standing there and alone in the garden. I bent towards when phone that was standing on my nightstand pedestal, when I heard my room door shut close. I jumped in fright and spun around.

My eyes met the sight of Logan for the second time today.

"Logan? You scared me." I released a deep breath, holding my hand against my heart.

"I'm sorry." He murmured lowly, causing me to frown. What was he doing here? My party was practically already over and people were beginning to leave. I felt anxiety spread over me. I was sad to say that despite loving him, he still frightened me to the core. He was too unpredictable. And before I met him, my whole life was completely predictable.

"What are you doing here?" I asked breathlessly, feeling my heart racing unexpectedly.

"I wanted to see you one last time before your birthday ended." He said, walking towards me ever so slowly.

I nodded up and down. "Okay. But how did you get in?"

"Your security recognised me and let me in." He explained. "I have something to tell you."

I vaguely remembered telling Jeremy once to keep Logan out of the estate. But I guess his orders changed once Gabriel came home.

"Okay, go ahead." I cleared my throat, after my voice suddenly came out squeaky.

Once Logan reached me, I instinctively backed away and nearly missed a step on top of it. Embarrassment burned through me.

"A girl that I used to sleep with was at my apartment when I got there earlier on." He admitted casually.

My breathing almost stopped.

"But I sent her away and told her never to come back. In fact, I'd deleted all of their numbers out of my phone. You can check if you don't believe me."

My breathing went back to normal. Well, a shaky type of normal. I took note on how he said 'all' of their numbers, as if it were more than one girl. The thought made me so angry and nauseous on top of it.

"That's good." I said shortly.

He took my hands his his, pulling me closer towards him unexpectedly. "I did it for you. I want you to be with me without having any reason to be hesitant or afraid."

My shoulders slumped. Subconsciously, I was holding up a strong front but not even a few minutes later and I found myself defeated. Too many emotions came out when he was around.

"None of that can change the fact that I'm still afraid that you would hurt me again." My lips wobbled.

He ran his hands over my arms before he placed them on my waist, igniting the spot with his touch.

"I would try my best to control myself, babygirl. I just don't wanna lose you." He sighed, placing a deep kiss on my forehead.

"I don't wanna lose you either." I murmured truthfully.

He breathed heavily and took the back of my head in his hands before placing my head against his chest. My arms wrapped around his waist as I rested against his chest, feel so safe in his arms.

"Why didn't you come sooner to my party?" I mumbled in question, my voice muffled by his chest. He smelled so familiar like he always did, and it felt so comfy. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, baby. I wanted the place to clear out a bit before I came. I was looking for you everywhere then finally I saw you come up to your room." He explained, his hand massaging my sculp. I sighed deeply and relaxed, when suddenly a thought occured to me.

Parker was still waiting for me in the garden.

I pulled away from him abruptly. "I-uh- I should probably head back down to the party."

"But I just got here. Can't you stay a little longer?" He asked hopefully, reaching out to touch my arm. I felt so guilty knowing that I was about to exchange numbers with Parker after he deleted all of those girls numbers. I wasn't doing anything wrong though. Parker and I were just new friends. I made that clear enough.

I grabbed my phone from the pedestal.

"I have to do something quickly, but I'll be back I promise." I said nervously.

"I still have more to say. Please stay." He pleaded, his eyes so soft and different from all those times he's hurt me. It made me crave more of his gentleness. It made me want to stay. What if I left here and went to the garden to see Parker, and Logan followed me? I knew for a fact that it would not end very well for both Parker and I. I made the last minute decision to stay, my shoulders slumping when I realised that once again, I've lead Parker on only to neglect him.

"Fine. But soon I have to say bye to my guests." I said in defeat.

"Thank you." He smiled, placing a kiss on my lips. I released a shaky breath.

"What else did you want to say?" I asked curiously, moving over to sit on my bed. Logan followed me and sat down next to me.

"I wanted to ask you if you would like to go out with me on a date." He said, his eyes searching my face. I was caught off guard and my eyes widened a fraction.

"A- A date?" I repeated.

"Yeah, a proper date where I can take you out and treat you like the princess that you are." He chuckled slightly. "You deserve so much for putting up with all my shit."

"I- I mean, what would I tell my parents?" I asked warily.

"You can tell them that you're going out with Bella and Caitlyn. You can make up some thing."

"Then I would be lying to them." I said gently. I was not expecting to hear any of the words coming out of his mouth. Maybe he truly was trying to change. It made the hope inside of me bloom once more.

"I want to spend some more time with you, Sera. If you would let me." He said honestly, his hand scratching the stubble on his face.

I opened my mouth to respond, but I was at a loss of words. He was being so gentle now, and so loving. It was as if all my birthday wishes came true when I blew out my candles. God sure worked fast.

"You don't have to decide now."

"Yes." I blurted out.

"What?"

"Yes, yes, I want to go on a date with you." I suddenly clapped my hands eagerly. His lips stretched wide into a huge smile and suddenly, he grabbed me and hauled me effortlessly towards him. My butt squished against his lap, by legs wrapping on either side of him.

His lips met mine in a hurried kiss, the feeling of his lips on mine so familiar and making me want more. I placed my hands on his shoulders lightly and I pulled myself closer towards his kiss. His arms snaked around my waist and he practically squashed me against him, my boobs pressing up against his chest. When his tongue massaged my bottom lip I sighed deeply into the kiss.

I felt Logan's hands play with my hair, before they massaged my back. I was the first to pull away in surprise, when I felt his groin harden against me.

I gasped and pulled away.

Logan leaned his forehead against mine and hummed in approval. "I won't disappoint you, Sera. I swear."

I nodded vigorously, nearly knocking foreheads with him. I was too caught up with the idea and hope that he was finally changing and wouldn't hurt me again.

"I have to go." I whispered. "I was supposed to great all my family goodbye. My mother is probably looking for me as we speak and she might just barge into here." I giggled.

"We can't have that now can we?" He pecked my lips once last time before lifting me up and placing me on the ground. I wobbled a bit, feeling dizzy. Remaining seated, Logan looked up at my standing form, his blue eyes so stormy. My insides quivered, like they always did whenever he gazed at me so intensely.

"Okay." I breathed out. "I'll be going now." I stepped away from him but almost immediately I was pulled back again.

"I didn't give you my birthday gift yet." He said, his hand latched around my wrist. He pulled me back so that I was standing in between his legs.

"A gift?" I asked in curiously.

Instead of replying, he shoved a hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. I bit my lip in curiosity as he handed me the small and black velvet box.

I looked at him after I took it from his hand.

"Go ahead, open it." He urged.

I lifted the lid of the box and it pushed open, to reveal a ring. I took the ring out of its confines and stared at it in surprise. It was a simple gold band with two tiny crystals on either side of it and an engraved word that said 'L&S' with a heart besides it. I basically stuttered out a breath at how beautiful yet simple it was.

"F-for me?" I stuttered out the obvious in question.

He smiled lightly and outstretched a hand. "May I do the honour?"

I nodded shakily and placed the ring in his hand. He took the box out of my hand and placed it on my bed, before taking my right hand in his and grabbing my index finger. Ever so gently, as if I was a fragile piece of glass, he slowly slipped the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. I stared down at my hand.

"It's so beautiful." I whispered, my eyes tearing. I bent down to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Sweetheart."

I kept analysing the ring on my index finger. "When did you get this?"

"I had it made about two weeks ago. I didn't want to ask you the measurement of your finger because that would be obvious, so I just took a wild guess. That ring is actually extra small." He chuckled. "You have tiny fingers so I knew it would fit."

"Thank you. I love it so much!" I exclaimed.

He took my hand in his and kissed it. "Good. I'm glad you like it."

I kept analysing my hand with a huge smile on my face.

"Don't you have to be downstairs now?" He asked.

"Oh, yes! I actually do. Thank you so much." I grinned.

"Anything for you, babygirl. Now go, before I wrap you up in my arms and take you home with me."

I giggled. "Okay, I'm going."

"I'll text you about our date. Listen for my messages."

I nodded, "I will."

I left my room in a haste, all the while staring at my new ring. Logan was so thoughtful.

When I got to the rose garden, I wasn't surprised to see Parker gone.

***

P.s. I hope that all of you are keeping safe, and have the strength to overcome recent times.

🙏🙏🙏