~Zayn's POV~
Without thinking twice, I turned and pulled Nantam into a hug. He chuckled, patting my back, but I could feel the pride radiating off him.
Deep down, I knew he was the one who had poured his heart into making all of this happen, and for a moment, words weren't enough, I just held on, hoping he understood what it meant to me.
When I finally pulled away, I approached Dean, thanking him and then moving around to greet everyone who had shown up. Some faces were familiar, others not so much, but each smile and handshake reminded me that they were here for my birthday.
The tables were already laid out, and once the laughter had settled a little, the party officially began. Plates of food made their way around, drinks flowed easily, and the music blended with chatter and bursts of laughter. I tried to soak it all in, the warmth, the joy, the simple fact that my friends had gone to such lengths to make me feel celebrated.
