PS: I've been taking long to upload bc these recent chapters have been sooooo long. I'm trying not to space everything out in different chapters when I don't have to, because tbh, I already have too many hahah. Also, I was going to upload early on Christmas Eve as an early gift to you all, but I was in the Bahamas and wasn't able to. But I'm home now! Anyways, happy reading, and merry Christmas!

-Chapter Fifty Nine-

Five Days Left

Mumbling. I heard mumbling. Two different voices, two different people. One male and one female. They were having a conversation, but with all my might I attempted to block out the sound of their voices.

I snuggled further into my bed, burying my face in my pillow and pulling the blankets up to my chin. My bed was super comfortable and all, but it was no Jake. The two wouldn't shut up, and I just wanted some more sleep.

What time was it anyways? It still felt early, at least ten in the morning.

"I don't understand how she can sleep in on a day like this."

"She's always been like this. Lazy and in bed. She would marry her bed if you weren't her boyfriend, I'm sure."

My boyfriend? Jake? Why would he be here? He had to go home last night and spend some time with his parents. He couldn't be back already, could he?

"Well, good thing I am then, right?" It was him. Now that I listened, it was definitely Jake's voice.

And Danielle's? I opened my eyes, to see Jake and Danielle hovering over me next to my bed. "What the--why are you two in my room? I want to go back to sleep," I slurred sleepily. "Jake, get in my bed. You make a really nice pillow. And Dani, you can leave."

"I refuse," she said, crossing her arms. "I'm sure I would make a fantastic pillow..."

Jake had an adoring grin on his face. "You need to wake up, babe."

"No," I shook my head and closed my eyes again, then turned in bed so that I was facing away from them. "Let me go to sleep."

"It's already ten in the morning, and if you slept all day, we wouldn't be able to do all the fun stuff that I have planned for today."

"I don't care," I murmured. "I'm going to sleep."

My covers were gone in a split second, rather harshly torn away from my body.

"That's not an option," he replied. Next thing I know, I'm being carried bridal style out of my bedroom as if I was weightless. I wasn't even properly dressed; I was wearing an old camisole and a pair of shorts.

"Jake, please put me down."

"No."

I nuzzled my face into his chest and shut my eyes. "Hey, you're actually pretty comfortable." He smelled good, too. Heavenly, actually. Maybe he shouldn't put me down after all. Perhaps this was better than my actual bed.

"So I've been told." He chuckled. What a wonderful sound.

"You know what..." I never finished my sentence. I'd forgotten what I was going to say. Did I even have anything to say in the first place?

"What do I know?" I could hear the smile in his voice. I loved his smile, and I allowed my eyes to flutter open for a fraction of a second just to see it.

"It's not cool to yank nice girlfriends out of their beds when all they want to do is have a nice, peaceful sleep."

"But what I have planned is better than just lazing around all day."

"I doubt it. I was having the best dream, too."

"Oh, really?"

I nodded into his chest. "What do you have planned, anyways?"

"We're going out." His voice was laced with amusement, as if he was hiding some hilarious secret from me—which wouldn't be surprising. "But that's all I can tell you."

"You're always so secretive. I hate it."

"That's what you say, but you love me anyways," he said with a small kiss to my temple.

He didn't know how true he was in that moment. Tingles lingered where his lips had previously been on that small section of my forehead. A small smile curved at lips as I simply offered a slight nod into his broad chest. I wasn't sure if he noticed the nod or not, but even if he hadn't, he already knew I loved him.

At first, when we had gotten to the top of the staircase emerging from the basement, I knew where we were in the house. Though, soon I'd lost track of all the turns and bends around corners that Jake was making as he sauntered through the large house.

When I was suddenly lowered onto a bar stool, I instantly knew we were in the kitchen at the breakfast bar. I finally reopened my eyes when the warmth of Jake dissolved into nothing and the chilled air hit my bare legs, chest, and arms. For the first time in a while, goosebumps spread all across my body due to temperature and not Jake.

Vicky and Matt were weird. They always—and I mean always—had the temperature in the house at some unbelievably low setting. Sure, I'd never really been one for heat, but this was ridiculous.

I looked down in front of me, to where an incredibly enticing plate of pancakes and bacon sat. I was practically drooling at the sight of them. After yesterday's breakfast, I had high hopes.

Jakes cooking skills were utterly incredible. He continued to amaze me.

I nearly missed the fork and knife next to the plate—I was that excited to scarf down.

Jake was laughing at me from the stool next to me. He'd pulled the stool closer to mine than it usually would've been, his arm and thigh brushing against mine.

"In a rush, are we?" He watched as I took the first heavenly bite of pancakes (in a very ungraceful way). I nodded vigorously and struck my pancakes with my fork.

I hadn't realized how hungry I had been until that first bite. I swear, it tasted like God himself prepared the meal in front of me.

"Speaking of food," he started again, even though no one was speaking of it, just devouring it as if her life depended on it, "my parents would love it if you could come over for dinner tomorrow tonight. They adore you so much. But then again, I see why."

It registered then that neither of us had ever had dinner at each other's house. You know, like the whole meet-the-parents-over-the-first-handmade-dinner-we've-had-in-weeks deal? We never had that.

In fact, I had never "officially" met his parents. Not like that anyways. And I was leaving in five days? Wow, great planning Jalex.

"We totally skipped that part, oh my gosh."

He gave me a sheepish smile, as if it was his fault. "I know. My mother wouldn't stop talking about it. She didn't notice it until last night."

"I didn't notice it until ten seconds ago."

He scratched the back of his head, a smile on his lips. "So dinner, then?"

"I actually have something to do."

The disappointment on his face showed immediately. His smile dropped in an instant, and the look on his face reminded me of the crying baby picture of him.

Seconds passed until I couldn't bare it any longer. I caved and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I'm just kidding, Jake. I don't actually have a life. Of course I'll go!"

The relief was visibly apparent. His previously tense body relaxed into me, and I busted into a fit of giggles, pulling away.

"Why are you laughing? I thought you were a nice girlfriend?"

"Only most of the time," I said in between bursts of laughter.

"You're mean."

I rolled my eyes, looking at him. He was trying to pretend to be upset, but evidently, it wasn't working one bit. It was his eyes that gave him away. They shone with the laughter he was biting back. "You say one thing, but your eyes say another."

"I mean it." He tried to ice his eyes and hide away his emotions, but I knew him too well to see through like I wasn't even trying.

"As if. And you know you love me," I said in a sing-song voice. My heart beat hard and furious as I anxiously waited for his response.

"Hmm," he hummed with his eyes on my lips.

I didn't realize I was biting my lower lip until Jake made a move to gently tug it away from my teeth with his thumb.

"You're really irresistible when you do that." His eyes returned to mine with a steady, fixed gaze. He was close. Like move-forward-a-couple-of-mere-inches-and-we-would-be-kissing close. And I would've—kissed him, I mean—but, there was syrup probably all over my mouth, and kissing him then would've been far from romantic.

After a few lingering second of just us, he moved back so that I was able to catch my breath again. I couldn't tell if my heart rate was any slower or not—his arm and leg were still pressed against mine.

"Eat up," he said, tapping my nose with his pointer finger and a silly grin on his face, "we have somewhere to be in half an hour."

"Somewhere to be?" I questioned, dunking a slice of bacon in the syrup on my plate. Somewhere to be for what?

"Mhmm." He pulled out his phone and tapped in the password, 2-5-3-9 (Alex, which I thought was adorable. Mine was 5-2-5-3, Jake.) He pulled up his texts, and since I didn't want to be snoopy, I continued to eat my pancakes.

Anticipation grew as I considered all the places we could go today. First, it was Kings Dominion, then it was the beach. Now where?

Just as I was finishing off the last bite of my pancakes, I heard multiple pairs of feet bounding down the staircase that entered into the kitchen. It was Mom, Dad, and Peyton who entered the room seconds later.

"Jake!" My mother squealed once her eyes landed on him. His eyes shot up from his phone. "Pleasure to see you here, honey."

A warm, heart-melting smile stretched across his mouth. "Good morning, Mrs. Turner, Mr. Turner." He scooted his stool back from the breakfast bar and stood up to engulf Mom in a hug when she walked to him. He gave Dad a firm handshake. To anyone else, Jake might've come off as relaxed and at ease when he shook my father's hand, but to me, I could see how tense he was.

I suppose he was still a bit on edge when it came to Dad. He was still intimidated by him, I could tell you that. I've tried to tell him multiple times that my dad was nearly as carefree and easygoing as Jake, but he just wouldn't accept that. By the way his shoulders were tensed up and how he didn't give my dad a hug like he would to anyone—and I mean anyone—else, I could sense that he still felt like my dad would murder him if he so as much as laid a finger on me.

As Jake and my father talked a bit, Peyton yawned and went to the fridge in search of something to eat for breakfast. "What smells so good?" she asked out loud then nodded towards the empty pan that had been rinsed off and set in the sink. "Whatever it is, I want some of it."

"Jake made me breakfast," I told her with a smirk. "And no, you don't get any of it. Maybe if you got a boyfriend, he could make you food, too."

"—which won't be happening any time soon," Dad said, jumping from his conversation with Jake into ours for a split second. "That's why you have your mother. She's an excellent cook."

My mother was not an excellent cook at all. Peyton, Dad, and I all knew it, but we chose to admire the skills she had anyways to make her feel good. "Right," Peyton replied sarcastically before turning back to the fridge.

Mom pulled me into a hug from the side. "What's got you up so early, dear? You're never up this early in the summer."

I shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. Jake says we have plans, but won't tell me what they are. And he insisted that I get up for it," I said pointedly and giving Jake a look from across the kitchen. His eyes flicked to me as my dad was telling him something, and his lips were slightly curved upwards.

"Hmm," Mom hummed in reply. She took what had been Jake's seat and tapped her fingers on the bar with her body turned towards me. Mom had a massive grin on her lips. "Well, maybe it has something to do with the fact that today is your birthday."

The slice of bacon stopped midway to my mouth as my hand froze in place. In fact, my whole body felt like it froze. My eyes widened as everything seemed to shift into place.

"Holy crap, Mom," I said, realizing that she was right. It was my birthday. And I hadn't even realized it. "Today's my birthday! I'm eighteen!"

Everyone was laughing as I exclaimed and pulled my mom into a tight, excited hug.

"Mom, I'm eighteen!"

She sobered up when I said it again. "Yeah, don't remind me."

"It's about time you realized it was your birthday, smarty," Peyton chimed, but she was smiling. "We were all waiting for it."

"Wait," I started. I probably looked confused as hell. "Waiting for it?"

"Jake texted us like five minutes ago saying how you forgot about your own birthday. We decided to play it off until you remembered." She shot Mom a fake glare. "But mom just had to bring it up."

"Sorry!" Mom laughed again. "I couldn't help myself. I was too excited."

"You all suck." I grimaced.

"That's what family's for," Peyton said again. She came over and hugged me. Then she stole my last slice of bacon from me and sent me a wink. "Happy birthday, sis."

"Happy birthday, honey," Mom and Dad both said in unison. Dad came over and engulfed me in a hug, even picking me up off the floor.

Mom gave me a long hug, too, followed by a brief kiss on the cheek. "I can't believe my baby is all grown up! You're an official adult!"

"It's crazy, I know, Mom. Don't get all emotional on me, either."

Her smile didn't die down one bit. If anything, it grew wider. "Okay, I'll try my best not to."

"Anyhow, Jake's got something planned for you today," Dad informed me. "You two had better get going."

"I second that," Jake said. "Got a long day ahead of us, Alexandria."

I looked down at my outfit and cringed, then couldn't even imagine what my hair looked like. "Give me thirty minutes. Possibly more."

Jake smiled. "Anything for the birthday girl."

* * *

What was supposed to be thirty minutes turned into forty-five, but Jake didn't seem to mind one bit, almost like he expected that.

When I met him in the living room after getting ready, he seemed as cool as a cucumber. He was watching Fantasy Factory, slung across the couch like it was his house. And honestly, it practically was.

His eyes turned to me and he stood up, clicking the TV off as a smile graced his lips. "Hey, beautiful," he said casually, like it wouldn't have an effect on me. Even two words from him made me blush.

"Hey, handsome," I said, walking up to him and kissing his cheek. "You ready to go?"

"Of course," he told me. He gave me a once over. "But really, you look really amazing today."

I'd picked out a nice, casual summer dress. It was nothing special, really. I'd thrown on a cute dress that I've wanted to wear all summer but hadn't yet. It was an adorable button-up denim dress that stopped mid thigh with a brown leather belt that tied around the waist. With a pair of strappy leather sandals that matched the belt, I completed the outfit with a simple gold chained necklace and a pair of golden colored earrings.

"Really?" I looked down at my outfit. It was a last minute, and I had a hard time choosing what to wear since I had no clue what we'd be doing. I'd also decided to go with simple makeup today: my basic foundation base, then a neutral eye look with a small winged eyeliner. Despite the heat, I kept my hair down and quickly curled it the best I could, wanting to look somewhat nice for my birthday. I smiled at the compliment. "Thank you."

"No problem." He was so freaking adorable, especially when he smiled the way he was.

"Should we get going then? The suspense is killing me," I said overdramatically. He nodded, and I spun on my heels to make way towards the door.

I was halfway down the corridor when Jake entangled his hand in mine and spun me around. "By the way, happy birthday, beautiful," he said, before kissing me hard on the mouth for what seemed to be hours, not seconds.

When he reeled away, I was rattled, to say the least. He just smiled and tugged me out the front door. My feelings for this man were all over the place.

"We're taking your car," he informed me, snatching the keys out of my back pocket.

I frowned. I was looking forward to riding his motorcycle again. It had been too long. Over the past couple of months, I'd grown pretty fond of the death trap on wheels. "What about your bike?"

"Oh, so now you actually enjoy it?" He smirked at me and didn't let me answer. "Can't take it, though. I've got some luggage I need to carry."

My eyebrows shot up, but already knowing that he wouldn't satisfy my curiosity, I stayed silent and followed him to my and Dani's rental. Like the gentleman he always is, he opened my door for me before going to the driver's side.

"So where to?" I asked, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would give a little.

Instead, he let out a sarcastic bark of laughter. "You're funny, babe. Hilarious."

I rolled my eyes at him. "You're terrible."

"Don't worry, you'll love it."

I glance at the digital clock just above the radio. 11:10AM, it read. "And cruel. I swear to you, whatever you've got up your sleeve doesn't require me being fully awake this early."

"Actually, it does." He hummed for a minute before asking me, "Have you ever been skydiving, Alex?"

My stomach dropped instantly. Not because of disappointment, not at all. Because of sheer joy. "Are we going skydiving!?" I sounded like an excited little girl.

"Nope, I was just wondering." He laughed at me, then. Now I really was disappointed. "But I'll remember that you want to go in the future."

"Have you ever been?" I asked him. I've always wanted to go skydiving. You know, one of those crazy ideas that you'll never actually do.

"Nope." He nodded. "But my father went with my bro—" He stopped suddenly in the middle of his sentence, like he just caught himself from saying something.

"Hmm?" I questioned. "What was that?"

"Nothing." He cleared his throat and shook his head, almost nonchalantly. Almost. "My dad went years ago, before his accident."

I hummed thoughtfully for a while, not quite knowing what to say. "I've wanted to go for a while," I said. "Just to do it."

"Yeah, me too." He eased to a stop at a red light. "What do you think you're going to miss the most, Alex?"

"Well, I think that's a no-brainer." I rolled my eyes and laughed with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Aside from you and all our friends, probably just the sense of home. Everything and everyone that I care about is here; this has become my home." It was weird explaining it with words rather than thoughts. "You know how you settle into a routine over time? Well, I've already developed a new one over summer. We've all already settled down here in California, and it's going to be weird to just uproot my new life and move it all three thousand miles back."

"Yeah, I see what you mean." I looked at him then, because the way he said that sounded almost as if he wanted to add something else but was on the fence about letting it out or not. Beats passed before he did. "Would you stay?"

If you asked me to, is what I wanted to say. I held my tongue. "Would I?" Of course I would, if given the opportunity. But even the chances of that happening seemed like a dream. We both knew that. "Absolutely."

* * *

It was eleven forty when we got to the coffee shop. It was thoughtful of Jake to make this our first stop. He knew I needed coffee if I woke up this early. Jake opened my door for me and encased my hand in his on the way into the small, quaint building. Over the summer, it felt like this place had been getting busier and busier. Every time I ended up here, there seemed to be more people each time.

When I saw Brent standing behind the counter, I couldn't help the fact that my face lit up. Jake and him had officially made up awhile back—I wasn't actually too sure on the specifics. But when I knew they sorted everything out between the two of them, it was almost like Brent and I had never been a thing at all.

Yesterday at the beach we didn't really have a chance to talk so much, so I was hoping that we could get a word in. I suppose he already knew we were coming, because as soon as we approached the front counter, Brent already had my favorite drink whipped up and ready to go for me.

"Oh, look, the birthday girl has finally arrived!" he said in greeting before coming around to pull me into a tight, genuine hug. His face was buried into my neck and his breath fanned my skin as he wished a sweet happy birthday to me.

I pulled back, not wanting to stir any tension that had already been settled between Jake and Brent, and offered a smile. "Thanks, Brent."

Jake was by my side in an instant, wrapping a possessive arm around my waist and holding me to him. I slid my hand into his back pocket because I wanted to. Brent's smile faltered the slightest bit. Jake didn't notice.

"Hey, man, we 'gotta get going, but we'll see you tonight."

Brent smiled at Jake, but it seemed forced more than anything else. "Yeah, bro. See you later."

Jake turned around, but when I looked back to send Brent a final wave, he shot back one of his famous winks. It felt exactly like it did when I first met him—he was my boyfriend's cute and flirty friend that sent me secretive winks just to annoy Jake.

I chuckled with a slight shake of my head and we exited the shop, the ringing of the bells above following us out the door.

When we were back in the car, I crossed one leg over the other and turned to Jake. "You're cute when you're possessive, babe."

He rolled his eyes at me and laughed. "I'm not cute."

"Okay, Boo-Bear."

He grunted, but a smile was still tugging at his lips. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

"As many times as you'd like, just know that I won't listen."

"You're ridiculous."

"I try." I reached over to ruffle his already slightly messy hair. He needed a haircut. Especially with Vicky's wedding coming up. I made a note to remind him later. "So now where are we headed?"

"To pick up your present," is all he said before placing a large, warm hand onto my exposed thigh. The thought of a present made me giddy as my stomach started to flutter. But that also could've been because of his hand.

Nonetheless, I squealed in excitement and anticipation.

It didn't take long to recognize my surroundings— we were on the street with the boutiques and shops and little restaurants. I still wasn't sure which shop we would be going to until Jake pulled up right in front of it: the pet shop.

I remembered the last time we were here together, when we met the little husky, Bolt.

I turned to Jake then, my eyes wide and shining with happiness. "You serious right now?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He winked and unbuckled his seatbelt, turning the car off as he twisted the key out of the ignition.

I was going to let him come and open my door for me, but I was practically bubbling over with joy. If my thoughts were in the right place, then I had every right to be.

To say the least, I burst out the car and ran to the front door of the shop. Jake was just laughing behind me, his dimples probably showing. He held the door open for me as I went in.

"Babe, calm down."

"I can't!" I shrieked. My cheeks were hurting from smiling too much. "Where is he?"

"Are you assuming that I bought you a dog?"

I was bouncing with excitement—literally. "Yes? Isn't that what you did? Please tell me you got Bolt!"

Bolt was the husky puppy we had the privilege to meet months back.

"I don't know what you're talking about." But as he said it, the same girl that was working here before appeared—Marissa, I think.

And she had a leash in her right hand. And just the husky that I was looking for was attached to the other end of it. He was almost the same as I remembered, just a bit bigger now. He was still just as adorable. Marissa smiled as I practically launched myself towards the dog. Bolt attacked me with a handful of furious licks like he'd missed me as much as I'd missed him. I already loved him.

I looked up to Marissa with a hopeful glint in my eyes. "He's mine?"

"Yup, all yours. I'm gonna be sad to see this one go." She patted his head and rubbed behind his ears. "He's a thing of energy, really."

I laughed. "I can already tell."

She handed the leash over to me, and told us that we were free to go whenever. "We don't have to sign any papers or anything?" I asked.

Marissa nodded towards Jake. "Your boyfriend already did when he initially bought Bolt. I've just been holding him since then."

Everything was already perfectly in place. So without waiting a moment more, I slipped my hand into Jake's, and we were on our way. "I can't believe you," I told him.

"Why not?" he mused.

"Because you bought me a dog! Purebreds huskies are extremely expensive, Jake. How did you even—you need to stop buying me stuff!"

He laughed at that. "It's your birthday, so it's fair."

"Happy Birthday!" chirped Marissa. "Hope you have the best day today."

Jake smirked. "Oh, she will."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

He shushed me and took the leash from me. "Thanks so much for all your help, Marissa." He gave her a hug. "I really appreciate. Seeing her smile like that was worth the money."

I couldn't control the blush. "You two are so adorable, oh my goodness. But it was no problem! Stop by anytime, both of you. I hope the rest of your day is great." She wished me another happy birthday, followed by a hug. "If you ever need help with Bolt, I'll be happy to assist you."

"Thanks a ton," I told her, smiling. She was so cute and adorable, shorter than me, even—which was honestly very surprising.

Jake planted a kiss on top of my hair and ushered me out of the small, cute shop with an arm casually draped across my shoulders.

"We need dog stuff," he said suddenly as he unlocked the car and opened my door for me.

"Dog stuff?" I asked once he placed Bolt in the back seat and sat down in the drivers seat.

"You know, like dog food, bowls, etc. And a cute collar! We should get him one with the spikes. You know the one with the spikes?"

"I do." It was funny because he seemed almost as excited as I did just a few minutes ago.

"He'll look so fierce. Fiercer than Beyoncé, even." He was so bubbly, it was so adorable.

"Totally," I teased. Bolt had been surprisingly quiet and calm in the back seat until he let out a yelp, attempting to bound forward to where we were sitting. "Aw, he wants to come up."

He was still relatively small, so I decided to haul him over the middle console and onto my lap. He licked my neck and chin, excitement washing over him. His excitement was greater than both mine and Jake's combined. I laughed and cupped his head in my hands, making baby sounds and faces at him.

"Hey, it's not fair that he gets to kiss you and I can't."

"Yup, keep your eyes on the road, babe."

He scratched the back of his head for emphasis when he asked, "Why do I feel like I just lost you to the puppy I bought for you?"

"You might've," I said, even though we both knew that that would never be possible. I scratched Bolt behind the ears and continued to play with him.

"Yeah, right," Jake said, scoffing. I laughed.

"So what's next?" I asked, excitedly. He'd already given me an amazing gift, but knowing him, there was still more to it.

"No matter how much I want to go glam up Bolt right now, I still have plans. But you'll see when it happens." He paused to look at me as we pulled up to a stop light. "How long have we been dating? I honestly don't know why you always ask when you already know the answer."

A smile broke out on my face. "My mom told me to never give up. I think you should've made an itinerary or something."

"That would ruin the fun." He was right, but I would never tell him that. We both knew I loved his surprises.

* * *

The next place we stopped was the park. We got out of the car, Bolt with us, and stepped out. Jake moved to the trunk as I gazed around. The grass seemed as green as ever, and it smelled like the it had been just freshly cut.

Kids played on the playground located in the far left, their faint laughter sounding throughout the park. There were other dog owners scattered around, either walking their dogs near the tree line or playing with them in the main open area of flat ground.

I smiled as one dog ran and caught a Frisbee in his mouth. That could be Bolt in the future.

Jake appeared next to me. He had a woven basket with a neatly folded cotton blanket on top of it in his hand.

"Let's go," he said, naturally entangling his larger hand with mine. "I'm hungry."

I smiled down at the basket. "A picnic?"

"Yup, including your favorite club sandwich—extra bacon, obviously—and homemade lemonade and chocolate chip cookies."

"You're too much." I would never get over how great he was, really. "In a good way. The best way."

"That's my job."

When we were starting to walk, it didn't take Bolt long to find a small bush to pee on. He almost lost his balance as he lifted up his leg.

"That's literally the most adorable thing ever," I said. "He's so cute."

"You just called a peeing dog cute."

"Well when you put it that way," I started, laughing.

"Exactly."

Bolt finished up and we continued our walk to our tree, the oak one that we always sat under. When we got there, we tied Bolt's leash around the trunk of the tree, and I helped Jake place the blanket down on the ground. We sat down Indian-style across from each other with the basket between us and Bolt lying down a couple feet away from us on the blanket. Jake opened the basket and handed me a sandwich and a lemonade-filled thermos with a bright smile. "Dig in."

* * *

We'd hung out at Jake's house for practically the remainder of the day until it was nearly time for the bonfire to start. Jake had dropped me off at my house a couple of hours before the bonfire was supposed to start because he promised Austin he would help buy food for the barbecue and set up everything.

Nearly thirty minutes before Danielle and I were going to head out together, she randomly said, "Is it just me, or is Audrey a bit of a bitch?"

I laughed at the abrupt question. "I mean..." I started, "I don't really know her yet."

"It's literally so clear that she's trying to break you and Jake up." When I looked confused, she added. "Are you serious? Alex! You can't see that?"

"I don't think those are her intentions." But then again, she was still in love with him. Danielle didn't even know that part. "I mean obviously, she would still have some type of special connection with him. They were together for how long?"

"Man, I don't even know. But I honestly don't care." She chewed her bottom lip then turned her head back to The Big Bang Theory which was playing on my TV. "Whatever. I don't trust her."

"I feel I should give her a chance to at least prove she's not the worst person on the earth." I shrugged, "She deserves that much, right?"

"Barely," Danielle said. "She can be manipulative, from what I've heard from Lily. And apparently she's really fake."

"How so?"

"Lily said she'll gain your trust first, then turn against you or just use you for her own gain. I don't know." If she's right, I'd rather trust my best friend than someone I barely know. "Lily said she doesn't even know why Jake actually dated her."

I pushed the thought of Jake and Audrey being together out of my mind like I always did, practically ignoring it as a whole. "Then again, Lily probably said the same things about me when she found out me and Jake were together for the first time."

Danielle shrugged. "Why are you dodging it, dude?"

"I just think I should at least give her the benefit of the doubt until she gives me a reason not to."

"You're too nice for you own good." She rolls her eyes. "I could never live like that."

I snickered. "Yeah, I know. You're an awful human being."

She laughed at that, beaming. "I know, right?"

Finally I sighed before looking into the mirror above my dresser once again to check my appearance. Aside from throwing on a bathing suit under my dress, I hadn't changed my clothes. I'd touched up my makeup not too long ago since my face had gotten a little oily during the duration of the day. I'd also thrown my hair up into a nice-looking messy bun since the curls had gotten a bit unruly, especially after Bolt decided it would be fun to try and eat them.

Speaking of him, Avery—along with mostly everyone else—was absolutely in love with him. Ever since Jake had dropped me off with him, she hasn't been able to detach herself from the puppy. I was afraid that she would hide him somewhere so I wouldn't be able to bring him home with me when I left.

My father, on the other hand, was not as excited to see the puppy as everyone else had been. He'd gone on and on about how a dog—a puppy more so—requires more responsibility and attention than I could handle. He'd told me that he'd send Bolt back to wherever Jake had gotten him from if he peed on any piece of furniture/inch of carpet/anywhere or on anything within the walls of our house.

However, it didn't take long for Bolt to grow on him after Bolt practically drenched his face with puppy kisses. I already knew my dad would like him. He had a soft spot for animals.

"We've got to get going soon," Daniel said, punching the power button on my TV remote and cutting Sheldon Cooper off in the middle of a line.

"Alright." I slid my shoes back on and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind my ear. I grabbed my phone off its charger before turning to Danielle. "Ready."

"Do you think the Antichrist will be there?" she asked, as if she was asking a genuine question and was expecting to receive a genuine answer.

Of course, I knew she was referring to Audrey. "Most likely."

"Suddenly, I don't want to go anymore."

I rolled my eyes at her overdramatic-ness. "Shut up. It's my birthday party. As my best friend, you literally have no option. Plus, there'll be s'mores."

Next to Nutella, s'mores were one of her favorite foods. "I'm going for the s'mores. Not you."

I sighed and gave her a light push out my bedroom door. "Yeah, alright."

When we got upstairs, it seemed as if no one was home, so I didn't bother letting them know I was headed out. My parents and both Vicky and Matt knew that everyone had decided to have my party at the bonfire tonight, so it's not like they didn't already know where I would be.

So as I buckled my seatbelt in our car, I remembered something about Danielle and a certain somebody.

"Dani," I started, squinting my eyes in suspicion at her. Her gaze left her phone to meet mine as I said, "You never exactly told me about all the details between you and Mason."

Almost instantly a blush crept up her neck and spread to the tips of her ears. "Oh yeah, those."

"Mhmm." I started the car and backed out of the parking lot, carefully going around the fountain in the middle of it. "Spill."

She was smiling widely as she went into detail about some apparent date they had gone on about a week ago. The date itself seemed pretty adorable. They had gone to some drive in theater a city or two over and spent the duration of two hours cuddling and making jokes and eating a great amount of popcorn in the bed of Mason's brother's truck. They had pillows and at least five sets of blankets set up for comfort. After the movies had ended, they drove to somewhere in Huntington Beach—she forgot exactly where it was—and just parked and watched the stars and talked for hours.

"He's literally the best boyfriend I've had, Alex," she said once she was finished telling her story.

I was honestly so happy for them. She deserved to be happy. Danielle had been through a whole lot of heartbreak ever since freshman year first began, and she really needed someone like Mason. I could tell she was genuinely happy, because I hadn't seen her smile like the way she was in a long time. I could see how Mason was one of the few people that could bring out this side of her, and that alone said something about him.

"I'm happy you're happy," I told her, a small smile on my face. She needed to be happy after all she'd been through with past relationships and horrible heartbreaks that left her empty. After calling me in the middle of the night, crying over how some worthless guy mistreated her or how she should just stop trying and give up, or how she even started to believe that she wasn't worth it. She began to think that she herself was the problem, rather than the idiotic guys who didn't know better. "You deserve the best."

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see her nod and look out of the window. I knew tears were beginning to well up in her eyes without having to check. "Yeah, I know," she said with a shaky breath.

* * *

A wave of déjà vu swept over me as I was happy to see a friendly face open the door. "Well, if it isn't the woman of the hour," Austin greeted me warmly with a bright smile and soon, a huge bear hug that shortly followed after. "Happy birthday, Alex."

He let me and Dani into the house, and we soon joined the crowd of people we could hear from outside of the house in the living room and backyard. The fire had already been started up down on the beach, but no one was around it. Mostly everyone was around or in the pool, enjoying the night.

To the side of Austin's back patio, there was a table with balloons and a huge Happy Birthday! sign attached to it, as well as other birthday decorations, and a surprisingly decent stack of presents around it. And of course, in the middle of the table sat a huge birthday cake decorated to a T.

Once everyone saw me, a huge chorus of happy birthdays and etc. (London said, and I quote, "the birthday bitch is here!!" I knew she was at least slightly drunk, because she only cursed and called girls bitches when she wasn't in the proper state of mind) erupted.

A huge smile bloomed on my face as a slight blush crept up to my cheeks. "Thanks, guys," I said loud enough for all of them to hear.

Jake, who'd previously been dancing to the chill music that was playing as he grilled, turned around and beamed at me. He was by my side in an instant, excited, as if he hadn't seen me an hour ago.

"Happy Birthday," he said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his chest. He was acting like he hadn't told me happy birthday at least twenty other times today. "You know a birthday isn't really a birthday unless you get your birthday licks."

He's such a kid. "I hate you."

"Do you?" He punched me in the arm, and even though it wasn't hard at all I still said "ouch." "That's one so far." He smirked down at me before I wriggled away so he couldn't land any more punches on me.

I walked over to where Lily and London were hanging out together at the side of the pool, and they immediately engulfed me into a tight, mini group hug. "Happy birthday, you loser," London said to me. She was so rude when she was drunk.

Lily rolled her eyes and explained. "She's had quite a few drinks. And one of them happened to be one of Blake's famous Bombs."

"Bombs?" I asked, laughing.

"Yeah, they're these crazy drinks he always makes. They're something else, really. He named them Bombs because they're 'the bomb,' as he puts it, and it also literally feels like a bomb detonated in your head the next morning when you wake up. He says it's worth it, but it really isn't." She rolled her eyes again. "If he offers you a drink that looks a little bit mysterious with a slight red tint, do not drink it."

I smirked. "Will do. Thanks for the heads up."

"Yeah, no problem. I made that mistake once. It was horrid."

I saw Blake come up behind her before she could even notice his presence. He was bit too close to her to just be "friendly." I wonder if something had happened between the two of them. I made a mental note to make sure to ask her whenever I had time. "Are you talking about my Bombs again?"

She smiled when she heard his voice. "They're the only horrid thing about this party, aren't they?"

"They're bomb."

"More bomb than you'll ever be," she retorted, turning around and poking him in the stomach. They began bantering back and forth. Puppy love at its finest.

"They're so in love," London said and contorted her face as if she just smelled something repulsing. "It's disgusting."

Blake only smirked. Lily hit him in the arm. Yeah, something was definitely up.

"Don't be bitter because you're single," Lily said.

And that's when my jaw dropped.

"You guys are together!?" I couldn't stop smiling and I instantly pulled them into a tight hug, even though my arms couldn't fit around the both of them. "The feels are hitting me hard."

"Yeah, we are," Lily told me.

"And It's about damn time," Blake said. He was smiling so hard that I wondered if it hurt.

"That's adorable."

"All these teenage couples and I'm over here all old and stuff without a man."

"You're twenty-three and hot. There's still hope for you," I told her.

"Barely."

London was clearly oblivious to her stunning appearance. Almost any guy would want her. "I'm sure you just don't know how many guys are chasing after you," I said. "Either open your eyes or lower your standards." Which, she needed to do because they were incredibly high. She practically expected Francisco Lachowski to walk through her front door and get on one to ask for her hand in marriage.

"Whatever. I'm hungry," she said. "I'm 'gonna go check and see if the food is done yet. I swear, Jake's been at that grill for like two hours."

Not three minutes later, London was standing on top of a reclining pool chair holding up her cup—which I think she refilled with more of the mysterious red liquid—attempting to make a toast. She clinked a plastic knife against her plastic cup, which was honestly pointless because, well, they were plastic and barely made a noise at all. However, she still managed to get mostly everyone's attention.

She announced that the food was ready, and everyone gathered around the buffet-style table in a messy line. We were teenagers. You couldn't expect anything less.

***

There was close to no leftovers by the time everyone was full. The food had been amazing, although it was the standard party food. All the hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and plenty more had disappeared from the thirty something hungry people here. In all honesty, I didn't know a lot of them, but since they were the friends of my friends, I didn't complain. They acted like they'd known me for a long time, like we were all just any other group of friends.

Truthfully, that alone was surprising to me.

I recognized a lot of them from the last bonfire, and they all went to HB High, like Jake.

"Alright, everyone," Jake announced loudly, coming up from behind me and wrapping an arm around my waist. "It's time to sing happy birthday to the birthday girl."

Oh gosh, this was going to be embarrassing. I never really liked large masses of people singing happy birthday to me. I didn't like to be on the spot, the center of attention. But since it was my birthday, I usually let it slide without comments.

We all gathered around the candlelit cake and Jake started the song off. Everyone joined in to what eventually sounded more like a chant than any type of melody. Mason and Blake were just yelling the lyrics like the hooligans they were.

It was embarrassing, but it was hilarious. When it was over we all clapped and laughed and a few people saying "make a wish" resounded when the noise calmed down.

I closed my eyes and wished, like how I used to wish on shooting stars or whenever the clock struck 11:11, knowing that it was pointless but still secretly hoping it would come true.

I wished that I could stay like this forever, surrounded by those that I loved and those that loved me. That I could stay here.

I blew out the candles and everyone cheered. Jake's laugh was close to my ear and shot happiness throughout me.

Jake handed me a knife to cut my birthday cake, which looked way too pretty to even consider eating.

I cut the first two slices, one for me and one for Jake, then handed the knife over to Austin who kindly offered to cut the rest of the cake into individual slices.

Jake's hand found mine, and he guided me away from the crowd of cake-hungry people. We were reaching the edge of Austin's yard when he said, "So I got you a gift."

"You've given me like five already," I said rolling my eyes as anticipation began to bubble in the pit of my stomach.

"And?" He smiled. "Close your eyes."

I complied and did as he said. He then touched his lips to mine in a short, gentle kiss.

"That wasn't it," he said when I opened my eyes again. "I just wanted to kiss you. Keep your eyes closed."

I heard shuffling for a second or two before he told me to reopen them.

"You did not," was my automatic response.

"Did too." He smiled again. "Please tell me you like it."

I was still gaping at the stunning infinity heart diamond necklace that was on display in its case in Jake's hands. "How could I not?" I couldn't believe he would buy something like that for me. "It's absolutely gorgeous! But why would you buy this for me? That's way too expensive."

He shrugged and motioned for me turn around, and I did so he could clasp it around my neck. I was practically terrified to move a single inch, worried that I might break the precious necklace. "I guess you still don't realize that I'd do anything for you."

His breath was on the back of my neck as he talked and it sent goosebumps crawling up my arms as I held my hair up for him to do the clasp.

"You're crazy."

"For you," he said, making me laugh at his corniness. I turned around once the necklace was secured around my neck and looked down at it.

"I can't believe you," I started, even though I was smiling. "I barely let you buy a meal for me, so what makes you think I'd let you buy a freaking diamond necklace for me?"

"You know you love it."

I rolled my eyes because it was true. "Not as much as I love you."

I didn't realize what I had said until it was already out my mouth. The response was automatic, like it had been sitting on the tip of my tongue just waiting for the right moment to jump off.

He looked like he'd been slapped. In a good way. If that was a thing. He was shocked that I said it, and so was I, but a broad smile crept up his face. "What?"

"What?" I repeated, trying to act as if I hadn't just accidentally told him I loved him.

I was blushing like crazy and I felt like he wouldn't be able to stop smiling. He looked as excited as a kid with his eyes gleaming and his dimples on full display.

"Did you just tell me you loved me?"

"Psht," I said. "Why would I do that?"

He paused like he was trying to come up with a response. He squinted and bit his lip, thinking. I waited and thought about all the sarcastic replies I could possibly come up with to get out of a situation like this.

I wanted the first time that we said it to be special at least, not accidental in a stupid comeback.

I felt almost like I had wasted what could've been a special moment, so I wanted to play it off like right now I didn't mean it, even though I did love him. I wanted him to let it slide like it was some kind of pointless joke, but he seemed like he had a completely different conversation in mind.

"You would do it because it's true." He smirked to himself, knowing that he had me trapped in a corner that I probably wouldn't be able to find a way out of any time soon. Most importantly, he knew he was right. "Isn't it?"

"I mean I guess now it's too late to take it back, huh?" I was already stuck in this quicksand of a problem. There was no point in trying to wriggle myself out of it, only just to dig myself into a deeper hole. "But you already knew that."

His smile really was something. I don't think I would ever be able to get used to it, especially when it was this bright and beaming. "Knew what?"

I hated him, I really did. Which was kind of ironic, considering how I practically just professed my undying love for him. Practically. I just rolled my eyes at him. "That I love you, you idiot."

"You what?" he pushed. My boyfriend was so annoying sometimes. He was so extra, my goodness.

"That I, Alexandria Annabelle Turner, am in love with you."

It seemed like the smile hadn't left his face once, not even for the shortest period of time.

"Are you just going to stand there like an idiot or actually say it back? Gosh, how long am I supposed to wait?"

That's when he pulled me into a tight hug like he was trying to crush every one of my bones.

"Babe, I can't breathe—" I couldn't even finish my sentence, because in a matter of seconds, his lips were crashing onto mine in a firm, heated kiss. The kiss made my prior regrets of telling him that I loved him instantly disappear.

It didn't last too long, and when he pulled away, he just stared at me. Into my eyes and all over my face, like he was memorizing every inch of it. Finally, he said, "God, I am so in love with you."

I smiled and swung my arms around his neck. It felt so good to hear him say those words. I'd been waiting for what seemed the longest time to hear it, and I finally had. It felt amazing, because the last time I had heard it, it wasn't genuine in the slightest bit, considering the guy that had said it was cheating on me with my best friend. This was real. The realest it could get. "I know," I said and kissed him quickly.

"But I am a little irritated," he told me. I made a face at him. How could he be irritated right now? "I wanted to say it first." He gave me a fake disappointed look.

"Oh, hush. It was an accident, and you know that."

"Do I?" He smirked and kissed me again.

I was mid-laugh when it was cut short because I saw a figure standing at the edge of Austin's patio, watching us.

Audrey's arms were crossed as she watched us—watched me, since Jake's back was to her—with a deep scowl on her face.

With a patio light's shadows casting up onto her face she really looked like some sort of villain or menace.

Maybe Danielle was right about her.

When our eyes connected, her shoulders slumped even more—if that was possible—and it almost looked like she was officially giving up. She turned around and disappeared back into the party.

Jake saw me looking in that direction and turned around. "What're you looking at?"

"Nothing important," I said with a shrug. "Come on, we should be getting back to the party."

He placed one last kiss on the top of my head before picking me up bridal style and taking us back to the party.

***

"Woah, that's a nice necklace," Danielle said as we all made our way to the crackling bonfire on the shore. "Jake?"

I nodded. "Yup. It's too pretty, I think."

"Just accept a damn gift, goodness gracious. It's your birthday!"

I rolled my eyes. She knew I never liked it when people spent a lot of money on me. I'd always been like that, even when we were kids.

"Anyways, speaking of gifts, what did you get me?"

"You'll see when you open all of them later tonight," she told me. "Did you really think I would tell you?"

"Nah, but it was worth a shot."

"So, he said it right?" She asked after a few minutes of sand-crunching, wave-crashing silence. "This suspense is killing me."

"Wait how do you know about that?"

She chucked. "Because it's natural for the boyfriend to come to the girlfriend's best friend for tricky relationship advice. I mean, I probably the only person that knows you more than he does."

I shrugged. It was true. "You're right. Anyways, yes, he said it."

She squealed and threw her arms around me. "Oh my goodness, this is spectacular. I'm expecting details soon."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." I smiled at her before she went to catch up with Mason. Jake was standing next to him but he hung back for a couple seconds to fall into step with me.

"Hey, handsome," I said as we sat on a log together, the heat from the fire a bit harsh but inviting. The dark smoke was the worst part, but thankfully the wind had it blowing in the opposite direction. Everyone gathered around the fire with us as someone began to pass out the simple ingredients for s'mores.

Well almost everyone. I hadn't seen Audrey since earlier, and I couldn't help but feel a little relieved.

He smiled down at me and pulled me closer. "Hey, beautiful."

Danielle sat down next to me on the long log, and Mason sat on the other side of her.

I leaned in to Jake and whispered close to his ear, "Jake, guess what."

"What?"

"I love you." I smiled because it still felt good to actually say those words to him knowing for sure that he would say them back.

"I love you too," he said, smiling. I kissed his bare shoulder that his tank top didn't cover and rested my head on it.

This was definitely the best birthday I'd had yet by far.

I was surrounded by my best friends and my amazing boyfriend. It was the best feeling.

Austin and Anthony had their guitars with them and after Austin counted them off, they began to play in harmony. Charlotte, who I'd met at the last bonfire, began to crank out the vocals. It was a song I didn't know, but it was a beautiful one nonetheless.

Daniel and Mason were talking in hushed voices beside me. Jake was just silent, enjoying the music and enjoying the moment. Lily and Blake were on the other side of the bonfire making googly eyes at each other. London was sitting next to Anthony, drunkenly bobbing her head to the music, offbeat of course.

But we were happy. And I was thankful that we could just be a big group of friends being happy together.

I knew this party would push until the early hours of the morning, but I don't think even that would be enough for me.

I wanted to freeze this moment and hold on tight to it, but I knew I couldn't.

So I just closed my eyes and enjoyed what I could when I still could, attempting my best to just soak it all in while I still had it.

I enjoyed the music, and I enjoyed the moment of what could be one of my last memories of the summer.

Author's Note: lol I don't have much to say other than I FINALLY GOT THIS STUPID CHAPTER FINISHED. Lmao. Also, thank you for nearly 2M reads on this story!! I'm so thankful and happy it's crazy. I tried to make this one super long for you all as a thanks. Thanks a ton for everything, and just know that I love every single one of you guys!! I hope you all have an amazing Christmas, and a happy New Year! Have an amazing holiday! First comment gets a dedication!

- Dani x ♥