- Middle Of The Night; The Vamps -

Aurora Holland

Bailey's birthday party was a huge success. She was having the time of her life, smiling and laughing and just enjoying the presence of other people. She was so into her little karaoke and food bar that she didn't even want to bother with cake or presents, but eventually after a while, Layla was able to convince her to do it.

"This was the best birthday bash I've ever attended," I complimented the birthday girl herself. "You outdid yourself on this, Bails, seriously."

Bailey smiled at me, her beautiful smile lighting up the room. "You think so? I think I had the perfect group this year." She then looked around, her smile falling only slightly. "Well, for the most part. There's a few things I'd change, but I guess I can't complain as I've really had the time of my life."

"I've had quite a good time as well," I told her, taking a sip from my drink. "I don't think I've had this much fun in quite some time."

It was true. I've been so caught up in the Jackson brothers that I'd forgotten what life was like outside of boys. I hadn't ever been so caught up in a boy before, not even when I had that childish crush on Asher. I've let Carter and Logan run my life long enough, I've finally found the group of people I can be myself around and not have to worry about doing something wrong.

For the most part.

"I'm sorry if it's been hard with Logan and Carter here," Bailey started, her voice slightly lower than it had been seconds before. "I know that it must be hard being around them all the time, but-"

"But they're your friends, and they were your friends before you were mine." I cut her off, sending her a kind smile. "It's fine, Bails, really. I'm doing okay. Both boys are out of mind. Can't say out of sight because every time I turn around it's one or the other - but I'm at a healing point to where I can deal with it. I respect them, I respect their relationships, and I'm moving on. It's okay."

Bailey looked at me, a look I know all too well. She didn't believe me, but I smiled again at her. "This is your day. Let's not talk about me."

She didn't respond and instead looked out to the group. I took another sip of my Hawaiian Punch silence between us as we both got stuck in thought.

"Thank you," Bailey then said, bringing up more conversation. "For the help with, well, all of it. Decorating, planning. I really couldn't have done it without you."

My cheeks flushed as I smiled, not expecting the compliment. "Thank you, Bailey. Cameron helped quite a bit as well."

"You're really kind to Cameron, and I love that." Bailey then said, "He's well-liked, don't get me wrong, but I don't think he's taken to a girl as much as you. Not in any romantic way, but in a friendly way."

"He's a good friend," I said.

Her eyes then landed on Miles, who was in the middle of a conversation with Logan. "Miles seems to be enjoying himself."

"Yeah," I responded.

"I'm glad you brought him and introduced him to the group. He's different, much in the same way you and some of the others are, but it works. I like him." Bailey explained.

"I'm glad, he's one of the best friends I've made here. Helped me through a lot, honestly." I couldn't help but smile bigger, happy to know that one of my closest friends was liked by my friend group.

It grew silent again, and I could tell that the party was getting to a point where it was dying down. To prevent it, I grabbed Bailey's attention. "Want to do gifts? I can pass them."

Bailey smiled, her eyes crinkling at the sides of her cheeks squishing up. "Sure!"

After gathering everyone together, I stood by the gift table as Bailey sat in a chair in the center of the living room. The lights were turned to a different setting than before, one putting a bit of a spotlight on her. She looked beautiful, and I smiled even bigger as Griffin put a fake tiara on the top of her head.

I gave a few gifts here and there, some being from some of the people through the group and others that were brought by classmates and other guests who'd left before the karaoke sessions. I was glad that the party wasn't half as big as before, it made it a little more bearable since it was so crowded.

She opened a gift from Katherine and Elijah, who chipped in for her gift together. The next one I grabbed happened to be from me, and it was the painting I'd painted a while back that reminded me of her. It was one of the many I'd painted that had things my friends loved, and although at first I was nervous since it didn't cost a lot of money - I grew less nervous as I saw the look on her face.

Bailey's eyes widened and a bright smile covered her beautiful features, looking over at me. "You did this?!" She squealed, "Rory it's so pretty!"

My cheeks flushed, and I ignored a comment I heard from the crowd. "I-It's nothing. Next present!"

As I grabbed the next one, I hesitated to hand it to her. I saw the writing on the card attached to the gift, handwriting that looked extremely familiar. My eyes shot up to Quinn sharing a look with her before looking back down at the writing again.

"Who's this one from?" Bailey questioned as she set the painting to the side, causing me to break out of the trance I'd been put in by the gift.

Before I could look, she excitedly grabbed it away from me. I glanced at Quinn again, and her eyes darted from the gift to me, back to the gift, then at me again as a look of realization hit her features. She raised a finger, but before she could do anything I just nodded, answering her unasked question.

The handwriting was whoever had been writing me those notes in French all school year.

Whoever had written all of those notes to me was currently at the party. This meant it was someone in our friend group, someone I saw on the daily.

Bailey ripped open the gift, cooing at it just as she had with the majority of them. She was super thankful and grateful for all of the gifts, even the ones that were just plain cards with names written on them. She was one of the most selfless and caring people, she deserved the royalty she was getting for her birthday.

Bailey then opened the card, her smile growing bigger. "'Happy birthday Bailey, thank you for being a good friend.' Carter, you didn't have to!"

I choked on my own spit at the name, my eyes connecting with Quinn's almost immediately. Her jaw dropped, but it quickly turned into a smirk as a look of smugness hit her face.

My eyes trailed back to the present, which was now set to the side with the other gifts. I handed Bailey the next one, continuing on like that until all of them were opened. She had about the same reaction to all of them, adoring each and every gift as if everyone had gifted her the best thing in the world.

After the presents were finished, she told everyone they could continue on with the dancing and party as she didn't want the night to end just yet. Everyone obliged, and as soon as everyone scattered, I rushed over to where the opened presents were.

I grabbed the card, lightly running my fingers over the handwriting. Remembering I'd had one on me, I was quick to pull it out of my purse.

"The same exact handwriting. It's him, it's been him all along." A voice said from beside me. I looked to see Quinn and Guin standing there, looking between the note and the birthday card.

Tears filled my eyes, and my heart felt crushed. How dare he say the things he said, that what I felt was nothing.

"He feels nothing yet he-he-" I stopped myself as I set the card back on the table, angrily shoving the letter back into my purse. "He swore there was nothing between us but proceeded to do stuff like this. What is this, a sick joke?"

"I don't think it's a joke, Rory. I think there was much more to it than what we know." Guin softly said although it was very hard to hear due to the loud music playing.

"I just don't understand, he made it so clear he doesn't want me. Why lead me on like that?" I asked, looking between the two siblings.

Wiping under my eyes to prevent any tears from falling, I took in a deep breath as I evened my thoughts out. At the feeling of someone watching me, I glanced over to see Carter across the room. His eyes met mine, a look I couldn't describe sitting on his features.

It did nothing but make the feelings much stronger than before, my anger coursing through me as if someone had just slapped me. My heartbeat increased and I just stared at him, not knowing whether to confront him or ignore it like I usually do most things.

Before I could decide for myself, however, the feeling of someone grabbing my hand took my attention away and to the dance floor, where I was brought in the middle of my friends.

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Shorter chapter, hope that's ok <3