Friday came fast, and it was finally Emma's eighteenth birthday.
She woke up around six and went downstairs, still buzzing with excitement.
Her parents were waiting for her in the living room, both grinning wide.
"Look who's legal," her dad teased as she came down the stairs.
"Good morning," Emma said with a happy laugh.
"Happy birthday, honey," her dad added, pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks, Dad."
Her mum brushed Emma's hair back gently while she was still in her father's arms and said softly, "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
Her dad released her and cleared his throat. "We've been so busy these past few weeks, we didn't really have time to shop for a birthday gift..."
"It's alright," Emma cut in quickly. "The fact that you both planned the party is a gift enough."
"Let him finish," her mum said, giving her a playful look.
Her dad smiled, then said, "Well... you're a million dollar richer today. Happy birthday, baby."
Emma's eyes went wide. She gasped, covering her mouth with her palm. "Are you for real?"
He nodded, amused at her reaction.
"Oh my God! Thank you so much, Dad!" she cried, throwing her arms around him again. "I love you so much."
"You're welcome, honey."
"It's from both of us, you know," her mum added quickly, pretending to sulk since Emma was smothering her dad with all the hugs.
"I love you too, Mum," Emma said, turning to hug her tightly.
By now her cheeks and chin hurt from smiling too much, but she didn't care. She was glowing with happiness.
"So... let's assume I want to get a car with the money. Can I do that?" Emma asked hesitantly.
Her dad chuckled. "Well, I don't see why you can't. It's your money, and you can squander it however you want. You earned it."
"I told you we should've just gotten her a car," her mum said, smacking his arm.
He raised his hands in defense, grinning.
"The party planner should have the house all ready before you're back from school," her mum said.
Emma just nodded.
"And your dad and I are taking a day's vacation," her mum added.
"To Miami," her dad finished proudly.
"Oh, come on," Emma complained. "I want to be in Miami with you both!"
"You've got a party to host, birthday girl," her mum said, pinching her chin playfully.
It was past four already, and Emma and Mandy were the only ones in the house. The party was set for six, and pretty soon people would start arriving.
"He still hasn't texted?" Mandy asked.
Emma just shook her head, sinking deeper into the couch.
The house was fully decorated. Balloons and curled ribbons were hanging from the ceiling, all in the black-and-white theme she'd chosen. A golden balloon spelling 'Happy 18th Birthday' gleamed against the wall. On the dining table sat a perfect four-layer cake, with rows of plastic cups and bowls of punch in different flavors lined up on the other side. Everything looked flawless, except Emma's mood.
Her phone buzzed. She tapped the screen, and Mandy leaned in. Emma read aloud:
Happy birthday, Emma. I'm so sorry this is coming late. Today's been a lot for me. I know I promised to celebrate with you, but I can't make it. The club's dinner and award night is tonight, and I swear I wouldn't have promised if I remembered it was today.
Emma scoffed and locked her screen. She didn't even realize when tears started spilling down her face.
"Hey, hey," Mandy whispered, pulling her into a side hug. "Why are you crying?"
"I don't know," Emma said, her voice breaking as she tried to hold it back but the tears only came harder.
"Are you really going to let him ruin your day?" Mandy asked.
Emma shook her head faintly.
"Then stop the tears."
"How do I stop crying," Emma whispered bitterly, "knowing full well that the guy I love is in love with someone else?"
"Stop talking like that. You don't mean it."
"I do," Emma said quickly. "When I met him at the car gallery, he had just dropped Jenny off at Victoria's Secret. On his phone, I saw a picture of her, one of those unaware shots you take when you adore someone. His entire gallery is full of pictures of them together, Mandy. So yes, I know for sure they're back together."
Her breath caught as she continued, "The other day in Spain, when we... when we had sex for the first time, he screenshotted this Hermès bag he said he'd get me. He did buy it, but Jenny ended up with it. Or maybe she just took it. I don't even care anymore. There's video proof she's been staying over at his place all these while he's been ghosting me. And they look so happy together. So tell me, why the hell does he still bother with me?"
Mandy rubbed her back gently. "Men will always be men, Emma. Maybe he loves you, maybe he doesn't. But you're not sticking around to find out."
She grabbed Emma's phone, fingers moving fast.
"Wait Mandy...'
Too late. Mandy had already typed a reply.
Thank you so much for the birthday message. And good luck.
Almost immediately, Jayden's name lit up the screen.
Why does it sound like you don't want to see me again?
Mandy didn't hesitate. She typed back: Because that's exactly what it is.
The typing bubbles appeared. Paused. Disappeared. Nothing more came.
Mandy stared at the phone a moment, then switched off the screen. "He's a lost cause, Em. Just let him go, okay?"
Emma sniffed, nodding faintly.
"Now wipe that sad look off your face," Mandy said, squeezing her hand. "It's your birthday. You deserve all the happiness in the world."
The home theater blasted music as the party raged on.
Her friends had brought alcohol, and by now, the living room had turned into chaos, people dancing under flashing disco lights, a group in the corner playing truth or dare, laughter and screams echoing off the walls.
Mandy strutted through the crowd with a bottle of tequila, tilting it into people's mouths as they cheered her on. Emma, meanwhile, tried her best to enjoy herself. She smiled for pictures when she cut her cake, but the moment the cameras went down, so did her smile.
Now she sat sulking on the staircase, staring at the piles of gift bags beneath it.
"Hey," Mandy said, spotting her. "You're supposed to be having fun, not sulking." She tugged her arm.
Before Emma could reply, a familiar staggering figure approached. Allan, one of Mandy's messy situationships threw an arm lazily around her shoulder.
"There's some fine-ass guy at the door asking for Emma," Allan slurred.
"Who?" Mandy asked, annoyed.
Allan shrugged. "How do I know? The lights are flickering like a damn disco ball." He staggered off again.
Emma's heart dropped, already knowing who it was.
She rose and walked toward the hallway.
And there he was, Jayden. He standing at the door, sharp in a white suit, bow tie perfectly in place, black shoes gleaming.
"Did you really think I wouldn't make it?" he asked with a faint smile, pulling her into a hug.
She stiffened in his arms. "Are you staying?"
"No. I just came to drop off your gift. Then I need to head to the award ceremony."
Her chest tightened. "Of course you do."
Just then, his phone rang insistently in his pocket. He silenced it quickly.
"You're not going to answer that?" she asked.
"It's no one important," he said too fast.
The buzzing continued. He glanced at the screen and his expression faltered. Emma caught it instantly.
Before he could react, she snatched the phone from his hand.
"Emma, don't..."
"Don't you dare," she snapped, pointing at him.
Her eyes scanned the messages. They were from Mia ❤️💍.
Her throat tightened. Mía meant "mine" in Spanish.
The texts glared back at her:
Why would you ask me to drive myself to the event?
Where did you and Ben run off to?
Babe reply or I swear I won't fuck you tonight.