Alyssa's PoV:

The last two days have been a whirlwind of emotions-mostly numbness. Emily hadn't spoken a word to me since that night. She hadn't replied to my texts or picked up any of my calls, and the silence between us felt heavier than I could bear. To make it worse, today was my birthday, and everyone else seemed so excited about the party. My family was buzzing with energy, my friends were making plans to dance the night away, and yet... I couldn't shake the guilt. It weighed on me like a stone, sinking deeper with every passing hour.

The only thing keeping me grounded was knowing that Mason and I had agreed to talk to Aiden tonight, once everyone had left the party. It was a conversation we couldn't put off any longer-not just for the guilt consuming me but because Aiden deserved the truth. Mason and I deserved the chance to have a real relationship, one that didn't feel like we were sneaking around every corner.

Still, my stomach churned at the thought of how my brother would react. Would he feel betrayed? Would it break something between him and Mason-or worse, between me and him? I shook off the thought as the sound of my mom's voice brought me back to the present.

"Alright, Alyssa! Time to blow out the candles!"

I stood in front of the cake in our living room, surrounded by smiling faces. The Mamma Mia-themed decorations my mom had worked so hard on were perfect-white and blue streamers, fairy lights, and even some Mediterranean-inspired centerpieces. My friends cheered as they finished singing the birthday song. I smiled for them, for my parents, for the moment, but it felt hollow.

As I blew out the candles, the sound of applause and laughter echoed around me. My mom pulled me into a warm hug, and my dad, ever the sentimental one, dabbed at the corner of his eye with a tissue. I tried to absorb their love, their excitement for me, but my mind was somewhere else entirely.

Emily wasn't here.

After the cake was cut and the presents opened, the party moved outside to the backyard, where lights strung across the patio illuminated the dance area. My friends danced, laughed, and sang along to the music. It should've been fun-it should've been everything I'd wanted. But instead of joining in, I found myself retreating to the outdoor fireplace, sitting alone on one of the chairs, staring at the flames.

How did everything change so fast? Just a few days ago, life felt normal-complicated, but normal. Now, I wasn't sure if I'd ever feel that way again.

"So, birthday girl isn't feeling too birthday-like, huh?"

I looked up to see Mason standing there, his hands in his pockets, a soft smile on his face. He sat down in the chair next to mine, his presence instantly making the tension in my chest ease, even if just a little.

"You caught that, huh?" I said, trying for a small smile.

"I'm usually pretty attentive when it comes to you," he replied, his tone playful but warm.

That made me smile a bit more. "I know I should be happy today," I admitted, turning to face him. "But... she's not here."

"She will be," Mason said confidently, his eyes never leaving mine.

"The night's almost over," I muttered, glancing at the clock on my phone.

"It's 10 p.m., babe," he said with a teasing grin. "The night's just getting started."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "I miss her," I said quietly. "I haven't talked to her in two days, and it's killing me."

"She'll come around," Mason reassured me. His confidence in Emily made me want to believe him, but the doubt in my heart was hard to ignore.

"Are you ready for tonight?" I asked, shifting the conversation to the other weight hanging over us.

"I am," he said with a nod. "He's my best friend, Alyssa. Nothing will change that-even if he's mad at me at first."

Just the thought of Aiden's reaction made my stomach twist. "I just... I don't know how he's going to take it," I admitted. "The idea of him being mad, of him not understanding... it makes me sick."

"He'll come around too," Mason said, reaching over to squeeze my hand gently. "He's your brother. He loves you. And, let's be honest, he's not going to be able to stay mad at me for long."

I couldn't help but smile at that. Mason's optimism, his unwavering steadiness-it was one of the things I loved most about him.

"ITS YOUR SONG, ALYLILI!" Luke's loud voice interrupted my thoughts as he came bounding over to me, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet.

Mason grinned as he watched Luke drag me toward the makeshift dance floor on the grass. "Go have fun," he said with a wink.

Despite myself, I found myself laughing as Luke and Nate started dancing around me like two overexcited kids. Selena stood off to the side, snapping pictures with my camera, and for a brief moment, I let myself forget everything and join in.

"Where's the surfer boy tonight?" Nate asked with a mischievous grin. "You could use some boy company, you know."

"Oh, I'm better off with my friends," I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from Mason.

"It's always a great time for some D," Nate said with a wink, making me roll my eyes.

"Totally," Luke chimed in, earning a confused look from both Nate and me. "I mean-not that I want it or anything. Just saying!" He pointed awkwardly to the side. "I'll, uh... I'll just go now."

Jaden walked over just in time to hear the end of Luke's rambling and shook his head with a laugh. "You're something else, man," he said, clapping Luke on the back.

I laughed too, but my heart wasn't in it. As the others continued to dance, I couldn't stop thinking about what was coming next-the conversation with Aiden, the uncertainty of his reaction, and the distance between me and Emily.

I have no choice but to play along, smile for the camera, and dance like everything was fine.

The boys were playing some game while we were dancing with Jaden.

The sound of the music and the laughter of my friends pull me out of my thoughts. But the guilt lingered, wrapping itself around me no matter how much I danced or smiled. After a while, I gave up trying to mask it and took another sip of my drink, watching the others have fun as my stomach churned.

Just as I started to think I'd ruined my own birthday, my mom's voice called from the house.

"Hey, honey!"

I turned to see her standing at the door, smiling at me.

"Hi, Mom," I said, walking toward her, relieved for the distraction.

"Emily's at the door."

The moment the words left her mouth, my heart stopped. "Emily?" I half-shouted, not waiting for my mom to finish before rushing past her and toward the door.

I opened it so quickly I almost yanked it off the hinges, and there she was-Emily, standing on the threshold. The sight of her blonde hair and familiar face, her eyes filled with unspoken emotion, brought tears to my eyes instantly.

I pouted, and so did she. Then, as if we were on the same wavelength, we surged forward and hugged each other tightly. The dam broke, and we both started crying uncontrollably, loud and unfiltered.

"I'm so sorry!" I sobbed, clinging to her.

"I'm sorry!" she cried back, her arms gripping me just as fiercely.

"I was so stupid!" I choked out, tears spilling faster.

"You were," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

"I love you so much!"

"I love you more!" she cried, her voice breaking.

"I'm sorry," I said again, my words barely audible.

"I'm so happy for you," she managed through her tears.

"Thank you," I whispered, finally pulling back enough to look at her face. We didn't let go of each other's hands, though. Her eyes were red and puffy, and I could feel my own tears still streaming down my face.

"You look like you fell into the ocean," she teased, her voice wavering but lighter.

"I didn't wear waterproof makeup," I replied with a weak laugh.

"You should always wear waterproof makeup on your birthday," she said, smiling faintly.

"I know. I'm sorry, Emily," I said, squeezing her hands tightly.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have stayed away so long," she admitted. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. I should've told you everything from the start."

"It's okay now. I just-I'm so happy for you, Alyssa," she said, her smile warm.

We were interrupted by Mason's voice behind me. "Hey, is everything alright?"

I turned to see him standing hesitantly in the doorway, his hands in his pockets, looking between me and Emily. "Should I come back later?" he asked nervously.

"No, it's fine," I said, wiping my tears and laughing softly. Mason stepped closer, offering Emily a tentative smile.

Emily's expression hardened slightly as she turned to him. "You better treat her right, Mason. Or I'll kill you myself."

Mason's eyes widened briefly before a small, confident smile appeared on his face. "You'll never need to do that."

"Yeah, let's hope not," she said, her tone lighter. Then her face grew serious again. "What about your brother?"

I sighed, my stomach twisting at the thought. "We were planning to tell him after the party."

Emily frowned but nodded. "You're ready for that? You know how he gets."

"Not really," I admitted.

"I can help if you want," she offered. "Sometimes he listens to me."

"That would be amazing," I said, feeling a small wave of relief.

"But be prepared" she said not letting my hopes got too much higher

"Still... we need to tell Aiden" I said

Before any of us could say more, a voice came from behind.

"Tell me what?"

My heart sank as I turned to see Aiden stepping out onto the patio, the door swinging shut behind him. His arms were crossed, and his expression was curious but quickly turning suspicious.

"Tell me what?" he repeated, looking between the three of us.

Mason and I exchanged a nervous glance. This was it.

"Aiden, Alyssa and I-" Mason began, but I cut him off.

"Brother," I said, trying to steady my voice.

"What's going on?" Aiden asked, frowning deeply. "Why are you all acting so weird? And what happened between you two?" He gestured toward me and Emily.

I took a shaky breath. "I have to tell you something."

"Okay... so tell me," he said, his frown deepening.

"I..." My voice caught in my throat. "I like Mason."

He blinked, confused. "Okay? I like him too. He's my best friend."

"No, Aiden," I said firmly. "I like him."

The confusion on his face melted into realization, and his expression hardened.

"I like her too. " Mason said looking at me " We are dating"

His face was blunt not a single expression over it after some seconds it turned into a frown and the a forced laugh

"Oh you're joking! This a joke right? Good one"

"We like each other for a while" I said

"You what?" he asked looking at me and then Mason "You better be joking me, Mason. You better be fucking joking me man" he said as his voice got rough and angry

"It's true I like your sister"he said plainly.

His smile vanished, replaced by a furious glare. "You're telling me you've been sneaking around with my sister?" he snarled, his voice rising.

"Aiden, listen-" Mason began, but Aiden lunged forward, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall.

"Aiden calm down" I told him

"Calm down? My best friend as been with my sister on my back!" he exclaimed the veins on his head almost popping out

"Out of everyone Alyssa, you chose this motherfucker!"

"Aiden let him go" I said calmly hoping he wouldn't do anything stupid

"My fucking best friend and my sister" he said with a disgusted face

"You motherfucker!" he shouted, his voice shaking with rage.

"Aiden, stop!" I cried, stepping forward, but he shoved me away.

"How long?" Aiden demanded, his face inches from Mason's.

"It doesn't matter " I told him" just let him go"

"How LONG?" he asked pinning Mason against the wall and screaming to his ears, the loud music from inside told me no one would hear Aiden's shouts

"A month," Mason said evenly, refusing to break eye contact.

"A month?" Aiden repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief. "So at the party..." Aiden started to join the dots" at your house" he said in disbelief "you were fucking my sister?YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" he shouted

Before Mason could respond, Aiden threw the first punch. Mason's head snapped to the side, and blood trickled from his lip.

"STOP IT!" I screamed, trying to pull Aiden back, but he shoved me off again.

Mason didn't fight back. He just stood there, taking the blows.

"You betrayed me, man!" Aiden yelled, his voice raw. "You were like my brother! And you-" He turned to me, his voice breaking. "You went behind my back with her? Knowing how much I wanted to protect her from another relationship?"

"Aiden, please!" I cried, tears streaming down my face.

"You knew it, Mason! You knew how guilty I felt, how much I wanted her to be with a good person and you just stab me in my fucking back?!" he spat as he threw another punch and Mason lost his balance. Knowing Mason I realized he was just willingly receveing the punches instead of defending himself

"AIDEN STOP!" I told him as I looked at Mason's awfully state

"You fucking disgrace " Aiden said as he gave another punch

"Mason do something! " I told him between cries realizing he wouldn't fight his best friend. I tried to held Mason but my brother would pull me back and keep on punching him

"Aiden just stop" Emily said

"I never want to see your face again!" he shouted into his face "and I am not because I am going to destroy it!" he shouted punching him again making my heart hurt

"AIDEN!" I cried out as I tried to hold his hand still to not hurt me but he continued not hearing a word I said

"Aiden! STOP!" Emily shouted putting herself in front of Aiden as I took the chance to held Mason. Aiden seemed to snap out of his trance taking his eyes of Mason and finally landing them on Emily. Mason fell in my arms weak and full of blood as Aiden turned around and disappeared while Emily followed him.

I cried trying to clean Mason's face of blood and he gave me a soft smile and cleaned a tear dropping my face.

"I'm fine, love," Mason whispered, his voice soft despite everything. He reached up, wiping a tear from my cheek.

But I wasn't fine. None of us were.