☾A L I Q U I S☽

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Evelyn, happy birthday to you!"

Muffled cheering and kazoos make Evelyn pry the covers from over her face, yawning as she squints at the sudden noise. Two dozen faces beam back at her, old and young alike, enthusiastic smiles etched onto their lips. Evelyn bolts up, cheeks reddening at the sudden crowd. "W-wha—"

"Happy 18th birthday, honey," Eva pipes up from the edge of her bed, holding a chocolate cupcake topped with a candle. Evelyn drags a hand through her hair, aware she must look like a mess with bleary eyes and bed head hair, and smiles at the sight of her relatives. "Blow the candle, Evie."

Evelyn's smile widens at the nickname, and she huffs out a breath, blowing the candle and leaving a tiny trail of smoke. Everyone cheers, the sound of clapping filling the room.

Eva moves forward to kiss her forehead while Charlie ruffles her hair playfully. "My little girl's all grown up now," Charlie sighs, a wistful smile on his face. Evelyn rolls her eyes, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"Oh, c'mon, Dad, not this again. You do it every year—"

"But it's true!"

"Alright, everyone, let the birthday girl get dressed," Eva announces, opening the door and bustling everyone through it.

Evelyn watches in bewilderment as her relatives wish her happy birthday as they exit the room.

Eva blows her a kiss and Charlie throws her a wink before she's left alone in her room.

"Well," she whispers to herself, staring at the closed door opposite the room. "Today's going to be interesting."

∞

Evelyn looks beautiful.

Her dark hair is flowing over her shoulders in loose curls, framing her petite face. A single layer of black mascara brings out her green-blue eyes. She's wearing a blue dress with an open back that reaches up to her waist, and a crisscrossed front that shows slivers of her light skin. All this was Eva's doing, while Evelyn had begged for the pair of Vans.

"Oh, dearie, you look simply astounding!" Evelyn's grand-aunt - Idalia - exclaims, holding out her hands to take Evelyn's as she admires her dress.

Evelyn blushes, her face glowing with happiness. "Aw, thank you, Ides," she says, kissing her on the cheek.

As if a massive breakfast wasn't enough, Eva planned an equally extravagant lunch at a pretty café called 'The Tea Tree Garden'. Despite its odd name, it has a woodsy cozy interior with windows overlooking the sea harbor, the sound of gentle chatter and the sea mingling.

Eva reserved a large area - big enough for a hundred people sitting down - for this afternoon, a good distance away from the main café hall. Evelyn didn't know they did reservations but then again, you can do anything when you're rich and persuasive.

Eva glances down at the seating plan "Okay, Evelyn, you sit with Amora and Tara. Niko, you sit beside your grandmother. . . okay, Margarida and Marinda - Não posso dizer a diferença . . . Both of you sit together, and Kai swap places with the twin that's currently getting out of her seat."

Evelyn zones out, seating herself between her first cousin - Tara - and her first cousin once removed - Amora - whose fruity perfume is overpowering.

Tara tilts her head towards Evelyn, her eyebrows raising in her direction. "Wow, you actually look decent," she says in her thick Portuguese accent. Evelyn knows that's the most of a compliment she'll ever get from Tara in her life, so she smiles.

Amora touches Evelyn's curls, eyes wide with admiration. "You legit look like a Disney princess, perfect skin and all." Evelyn smiles at the fact that Amora hasn't killed the habit of saying 'legit' in most of her sentences. "I can't believe you're eighteen already. The last time I saw you we legit were both in diapers."

"That is so not true," Evelyn protests, squinting at Amora. "We both went to the same Educação Infantil, and I left a year after Ensino Fundamental."

"Why did you guys leave?" Tara butts in, cat-like eyes studying everyone around the table like they're potential terrorists. Evelyn shrugs.

"You'll have to ask Eva, I've no idea—"

"Oh look, they're bringing out the food now. I swear, your mom is amazing. Paying for our tickets here, to the U.S., letting us stay at your place f—" Tara babbles before Evelyn interrupts her.

"Wait, you guys are staying at my house?"

"Yeah, didn't you know?" Amora grins, her white braces flashing. She flips her long hair over her shoulder. "We're staying for, like, a week. Your place isn't big enough for us all - I'm not saying it's small, it's legit the size of the White House - so the adults will stay in some hotel not far from here but they'll drive here for lunch and stay until after dinner. I don't know what they're gonna do in those hotel rooms - and I don't wanna know - but at least us girls will be together. I think we'll be sharing a room with you - Evelyn - which is gonna be so cool I'm legit shakin' with excitement."

"Wow," is all Evelyn can say after Amora has finished yapping, forcing a smile onto her glossed lips. "These next few days are gonna be fun."

"They sure are," Tara chirps, reaching for a plate after they've all said grace.

Oh god, Evelyn sighs, having the anxious feeling her mother is planning something much bigger that'll end up in disaster.

∞

✯ E V E L Y N ✯

"Mom, this isn't necessary—"

"Don't be silly. It's your birthday and you've got to look the best. Now, wear the dress and I'll find some shoes to go with it," Eva instructs before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.

I can hear signs of life downstairs as guests - relatives, neighbors and family friends - trickle into the house, the crowd getting bigger by a dozen every time the doorbell rings. So, my begging of a tiny get-together was completely futile. I'm sure the whole city is here, unsure why but well aware of the free food and booze.

I stare at myself in the floor-length mirror, in nothing but my underwear. Everything I've worn today has been assigned and approved by Eva. Even my underwear. Some fancy, lacy white bra with matching underwear that goes with the dress.

The dress.

It's stunning. A white maxi dress with black diamonds scattered all over the bodice. It has a sweetheart neckline and - unlike the previous dress - my back is completely covered.

I eye the dress before carefully slipping into it, the fabric sitting like silk against my skin. I stare at the girl in the mirror, wondering who the hell she is.

My hair is a lovely whisky color, left lying wavy over my shoulders and emphasized by a large rose by my ear. My makeup is subtle, my smoky eyes the feature that pops out the most.

Eva barges back into the room, and I barely have enough time to react when she tosses a pair of heels at me. "Put these on. I'm pretty sure you're still an 8-ish, so they should fit." She stops wandering around the room and looks at me, jewelry in hand.

A wobbly smile takes over her lips, and her eyes fill with tears. "Oh, Evelyn, you look gorgeous."

I pad my way over to her, wrapping my arms around her thin shoulders. She sniffs, and I can already predict her words. "It would've been his eighteenth birthday too," she whispers, her voice breaking as a round of sobs engulf her throat.

Pulling away from her, I walk across the room and pull open my wardrobe. Eva's eyes follow my every movement, and once she sees what's in my hand, her face crumples, tears falling down her cheeks. I set the baseball cap on my head, swallowing the lump of emotions that try to get the best of me. "I miss him too, Mom. Every single day," I admit, wiping away tears and inhaling deeply. "But Evan wouldn't want us to be sad on our birthday. I know he wouldn't."

Eva nods, using her fingertips to wipe away her tears. She rolls her bottom lip into her mouth, obviously holding back a cry or a sigh. She beckons me over with a hand, and I stand in front of her. She fixes the white cap on my head before ushering me to turn around. She clasps a necklace around my neck.

"Evelyn, I know I don't tell you this enough but I love you," she smiles, brushing a stray strand of hair from my cheek.

"I love you too, Mom."

"You look beautiful, meu anjo. I'll see you back downstairs." She kisses my cheek before leaving the room.

∞

"This is legit the best party I've ever been to! Your mom is definitely planning my sixteenth birthday and my wedding," Amora tells me, raising her voice over the pop music. I don't know how Eva managed to pull off pop/EDM and champagne and finger food, but she did it wonderfully. "The food is yummy—oh wait there's pizza?! Excuse me, I gotta get a slice before they disappear."

I wave her off, almost tripping over my feet as I try to squeeze through the crowd forming at the buffet table. I say my greetings to everyone passing by, plastering a polite, content smile on my face. I can feel my face heating under the soft gold lights overhead, and I know my face is glowing even more.

"Evelyn!"

I hear the voice from a distance, and I turn my head towards the source. My eyes search a dispersing crowd before they fall on Lio standing near the door.

She looks breathtaking. Dressed in a modest lilac dress that makes her porcelain skin look snowy, she offers me a warm smile. I return the smile, a bunch of butterflies taking residence in my stomach and going crazy in there. It's just Lio, I try to reassure myself as we both move forward until we're standing so close I can smell her shampoo.

"Happy birthday," she murmurs, raising her glass of what looks like lemonade as a toast.

"Thanks." I clink my champagne glass against hers and take a sip. Lio glances around the room with a look of awe on her face, eyes sparkling. I take this opportunity to study her. She's wearing a little makeup, very subtle, that enhances her features. She looks amazing. "You look really nice. Amazing, actually," I blurt out, and feel my cheeks redden at the sudden outburst.

Lio giggles, shifting a little on her feet. "Thanks, but I really don't. I also don't feel amazing; I have the flu or something," she admits, and I look at her worriedly.

"Should you be here? I mean, shouldn't you be resting at home? You know, with chicken soup and Dylan O'Brien?"

A throaty laugh escapes her lips, one that gives me goosebumps that won't go away. "Dylan O'Brien . . . Oh, right you remembered my obsession with Teen Wolf." She laughs softly. "No, if you're worried about me sneezing over the tiny frittata thingies - which are delicious by the way - don't be, it's more of a stuffy nose and crappy internal feeling. And besides, I wanted to be here."

"'I'm happy you came," I tell her sincerely, feeling awful that she feels awful because of her flu.

She winks at me, flashing a smile. "Me too. This is awesome, no lie. I was surprised I got an invitation - I didn't even know you were having a party."

"Yeah, I didn't neither but then my mom happened . . . " I trail off, thinking back to her previous words. "Wait, you got an invitation?"

"Yeah, everyone did. Only people on the guest list are allowed in." She finishes off her lemonade with a polish, setting her empty glass on the table beside her.

Was Jesse invited? Were Landon and Aisha? "Well, I have to do another round of wishing everyone a good time and getting my cheeks pinched," I say in a monotone voice, and evoke a chuckle out of Lio.

"Oh, don't let me stop you." Something shifts in the air, and it's as if the loud music and people melt to the ground. Lio's eyes drop to my mouth, her gaze heavy with an emotion that makes me breathless and flustered. "I would kiss you right now, but I don't want you to catch what I have."

I wouldn't mind, as long I'm kissing you. I blush at the thought that passes through my mind. Lio presses her lips to my cheek, her lips lingering for a second before she pulls back. I drag air into my lungs. It wasn't even on the mouth and yet it makes my heart do somersaults.

"If I don't see you later tonight, I do hope you get better," I say to her. She grins, her straight shoulder-length framing her face. Her teeth are so white and straight, her nose perfect and her eyes the brightest I've ever seen. I need to stop staring. Get a grip.

"Go have fun, birthday girl." She playfully shoos me away, and I take that as my cue to break my gaze and disappear.

∞

Almost midnight and the party is still raging.

Of course, the kids under fifteen are gone to a hotel to sleep since it's too loud to even think in the house. Everyone else is making a point of either drinking a lot and letting loose or going crazy with their dance moves. I saw Amora dancing and drinking with what I guessed is the next door neighbors' son, and I'm not surprised no one's stopping her from getting drunk. She'll probably get a killer hangover and a lecture in the morning.

"Where is Jesse—?" I whisper to myself as I exit the living room, gripping my glass before someone bumps into me.

The little bit of wine I'd poured myself splashes over my white dress, ultimately staining it for life. "Shit," I curse.

"Watch that mouth, little girl," a male tuts at me, and my heart rate spikes at the voice. My whole body freezes. Time stands still. It takes every ounce of courage I have within me to turn around.

Messily perfect blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and a sly smile. "Allen," I choke out, liquid fear filling my lungs instead of oxygen.

"Happy birthday, Evelyn," he whispers in my ear. I'm as still as a statue while his fingers brush against my ear, pinning back a loose tendril of hair. Run, run, run, run, run, run. My mind is screaming at me, going crazy at his touch and not in a good way. It's as if I'm watching the scene through a screen, screaming at the person to get the hell out of there but they can't hear me.

He adjusts the baseball cap on my head, gazing thoughtfully at it. "I'm sorry I didn't bring a present, you might get it a little late but you'll love it," he says lowly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He winks at me, a gold incisor flashing at me in the dim light. "I'll give you a hint: it's called karma, and oh, she's a bitch."

He pushes past me and heads back out the door, and I automatically hug myself. Karma? Revenge for that night? He's getting back at me because I wasn't a submissive helpless girl?

Where is Jesse?

Why is this happening, on today of all days? How did he get in? Did he get an invitation? I can't help letting out a sob, running a trembling hand under my eye. My dress is clinging to my chest in an uncomfortable way, the heady smell of wine making me dizzy.

I drag myself up to my room, the loud music dying away until it's only the beat of the bass against the floorboards. I sit on the edge of my bed, letting my head rest in my hands for a moment and sucking in a deep breath before I try to unzip my dress.

There's an inconspicuous zip at the back that drags in until the edge of my waist. I twist my arm behind my back, managing to snag the tip of the zip before trying to drag it downwards. It gets stuck, and I'm uttering curse words when I hear a voice.

"Evelyn."

The sound of my name sends my heart into a flurry. I glance up to see the silhouette of Jesse in the doorway, it being too dark in the hallway to see his face. A smile takes over my lips, and I'm so happy to see him that I'm on the verge of tears.

"Jesse," I sigh in relief, and he closes the door and takes a step forward until he's a few feet away from me. The low, red light above us falls on him, and I see a soft smile on his lips, dimples digging into the sides of his mouth. "I didn't think you'd show up."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world." His eyes fall on my dress spread around me, and he bites his lip. "You look so beautiful. Like an angel." My heart lurches.

"Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself," I tease playfully, glad he isn't in some stiff suit. He's clad in a black button-down, dark jeans and a pair of Vans that make me smile. Even his shoes look sexy. I mentally berate myself for admitting that, appalled and confused at my mixed emotions.

"I'll take as a compliment," he chuckles, casually digging his fingers into his pockets. The heavy smell of wine jogs my memory, and I remember why I came up in the first place.

"Could you help unzip my dress for me?"

He steps forward, seating himself beside me. I turn my back on him so he can unzip it. A shiver crawls down my spine as his fingers clasp around the zip, dragging it southwards and his warm fingers coming in contact with my skin.

He drags it to my waist, and I hold the front to my chest with my hands. "Thanks," I murmur, our eyes like magnets as they stay focused on each other. I can't pull them away from him. I refuse to let my eyes wander down to his lips.

What would it be like if he kissed me, again? The memory of the kiss we shared a while ago flashes in my mind, making my heart race. We hadn't talked about it afterward, steering clear from the topic. But I could - I can - see that he'd like to do it again. I would, most definitely. No matter the consequences.

Why am I thinking like this? Am I drunk?

"I got you a little something," he suddenly says, digging in his pocket and protruding a small-ish velvet box. "It's not flashy, but when I saw it, I thought of you."

He opens it up and pulls out a necklace. My heart catches in my throat at the sight of the silver pendant. The letter E is engraved in liquid gold and glows under the red light. It's beautiful and way too much for me.

"Oh, wow, Jesse . . . it's stunning," I whisper, struggling to hold back my tears of happiness. He clasps the necklace around my neck, and the cold kiss of the silver against my collarbone is welcoming. My eyes latch into his, and he gives me a faint smile, tapping the cap on my head.

"I like the cap," he admits, brushing hair away from my cheek. A shiver runs down my spine at his touch, and I feel my heart race in my chest.

"Thanks." I'm silent for a minute, contemplating on whether I should tell him or not. He needs to know. That's if he doesn't already because of the rumors that fly around school. "It was my brothers. H-he passed away in a car crash w-when he was thirteen."

I know the way I said it was blunt, but I need to get it out there. There's nothing but pure empathy in his eyes, and he wraps an arm around my shoulders, my head resting on his chest. I know I'm not about to cry after mentioning Evian, but I do feel a twinge of nostalgia and longing.

I'm glad Jesse doesn't say anything. I'm glad he doesn't the say 'I'm sorry for your loss', because people abuse that line.

"Evelyn . . . " he trails off, and I can tell there's something on his mind. I pull my head off his warm chest and give him my full attention, my eyes solely on him as he gazes into mine.

A mix of emotions shine in them, all positive. "I know you're scared of giving out your heart to strangers. I am, too. But you're not a stranger. I've only known you for a few months, but it feels like I've been with you my whole life. You're funny, and smart, and so, so beautiful, and I want you to know that. I'll tell you that every day if I have to."

My fingers link with his, and his face is so close that if I tilt my head we'll be kissing. I try to control my rapid breathing, a million emotions wrecking havoc within me. "You've been through a lot - I know - but if you let me in we can fight this together. Me and you, against the world."

Jesse's eyes never stray from mine. His fingers tighten around mine. "Let me love you."

And just like that all curtains of pretense fall and his words set the paper walls to my heart on fire, my guards becoming ashes.

"Jesse," I whisper as our lips brush against each others. My grip on the front of my dress is loosening by the second, and his heated gaze is making my insides melt.

"Evelyn," he whispers back, and we press our lips against each other's, hard.

And, as our clothing falls to the floor, he slams me into a pastel galaxy of temporary pain and intense pleasure.

∞

"I love you."

"I love you."