Serena's P.O.V.

"Hello, Serena. Did you miss me?"

My jaw dropped at the sound of the person on the other end. I tried to say something, but the words would not come out. The only thing that came out was small whimpers as the nightmare of Cameron trying to assault me came back. "C-Cameron? I told you that I was never speaking to you again! Not after what you did!" I hissed when I finally managed to get the words out. "You honestly thought you would be getting rid of me that easily? Well, you're wrong!" Cameron wickedly chuckled.

Ever since "The Incident," Aidan and his parents tried to get a restraining order against him. The crew also was trying to get one so he couldn't come to the studio anymore. But, unfortunately, they said it was going to take some time. "My life is ruined because of you. Nobody wants to hire me! You pleased with yourself, you little bitch?" "It's all your fault, Cam. If you hadn't conspired with Eden to break up me and my boyfriend and tried to touch me, none of this would have happened!" I said, trying not to draw attention to myself.

"I'm just going to say this. Happy Birthday. Enjoy this day while you still can, because tomorrow, that's when my plan begins," Cameron cackled before the line went dead. "Hello? Hello?" I whispered into the phone. All the happiness I had, had been zapped out of my body and was replaced with a sinking feeling. 

I no longer felt safe, and a part of me wanted to tell Mom, Dad, and Aidan. But they had gone through enough stress with making sure that my birthday went as planned. As I went back to the table, I felt my legs begin to shake uncontrollably, like I had been left in the cold for hours. But as I approached the table, I painted a smile on my face and acted like nothing was wrong.

"Just in time! Our food got here a minute ago," Aidan smiled as I got back in my chair. "Looks delicious!" I commented, trying to push down the paranoia of that phone call. I stared at my veggie burger and salad for a moment before taking a bite, hoping that the food would help take my mind off. Maybe I shouldn't have answered that phone call. But then again, Cameron would've called me again and again until I picked up. 

"Serena, are you okay?" Aidan asked, gently tapping my shoulder and pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Y-yeah. Sorry, I zone out sometimes. It's a bad habit," I lied before taking another bite of my salad. My mind continued to race as Cameron's words repeated inside my head. Enjoy this day while you still can. Because tomorrow, that's when my plan begins. What was his plan? I was praying that this was some sick prank he was doing to scare me, but the knot in my stomach continued to form the more I thought about it. "I'll right back. I got to use the bathroom," Aidan said as he stood up from the table and walked off.

"I can't wait for cake and presents later!" I smiled, breaking the silence. "I think you'll love our gift to you," Dad smiled. The giddiness I was getting from his words was beginning to help with the anxiety, and I was hoping I could forget about what happened. Aidan came back a few minutes later, straightening his t-shirt collar as he sat back down. The rest of the dinner went on like normal, and by the time we were ready to ask the waiter for our check, Aidan cut in, asking if I wanted dessert.

And of course, having the sweet tooth I had, I could not resist a good sugary treat before we had my birthday cake. I nodded at him, and a couple of minutes after we ordered, our waiter came back with a bowl of Vegan Ice Cream with Coconut cream on top. A couple of waiters stood behind him, and Aidan had a grin on his face. "Happy Birthday Serena!" He smiled as the waiters started singing Happy Birthday, making my cheeks turn bright pink with happiness.

When they left, Aidan and I took turns feeding each other pieces of the ice cream. At first, he seemed a little hesitant, but after I assured him that it was okay with me, he warmed up to it. It was my first time trying vegan ice cream, and it was all worth it. Aidan seemed to enjoy it too. After we finished the dessert and paid the tab, we walked back to the hotel, and I could feel my feet started to grow tired.

"Want me to carry you?" Aidan offered after noticing I was falling behind. "Always a gentleman, aren't you?" I chuckled. He walked towards me and gently picked me up, swinging me into his arms. It felt like I was in a romance movie with him, and I started to notice more of Aidan's romantic side come out. He continued carrying me until Mom unlocked the door and sat me down on the couch.

"Ready to see your cake?" Aidan smiled, looking over his shoulder as Mom and Dad went into the fridge. I didn't have an ideas for my cake, so I told them they could surprise me, and I would be happy regardless of what it looked and tasted like. We walked over to the table, and I could hear the flickering of a lighter, and when Dad turned around, a blue frosted ice cream cake with rainbow sprinkles on top and all around it came into my view. And two blue and white candles spelled out 17 in the center.

"Oh," I gasped, my breath hitched and my heart raced as I made a wish before blowing out the candles.

Here's to a better year.