Chapter 20: How thoughtful

NOVA'S POV

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asks seriously before Mila pulls her in for a private conversation from the way she's throwing daggers at me.

My phone vibrates lighting up with a notification the same time Sofia leans back. She looks over to me before taking a sip from her glass, her eyes shifting to a table in front of us.

The text is from Delia and what it says doesn't make the situation lighter. I try to talk to her but Paolo calls out to her and she's more than happy to talk to him about the trip to Bali. What trip to Bali?

We get through dinner and I can't help but feel like I spend my nights wrong. That I'd feel this included without alcohol and I'd be happy with the choices I made for the night.

"Nova, a word," Mila gets up straightening her red dress that matches Luca's outfit. They really are one. The rest of them share glances then look over to me. Is it automatic thought that I did something wrong?

I walk over to her before she leads me away from the table. All this time i can feel her eyes on me from the table. "The cake is bring brought out and I sure as hell hope flowers wasn't your surprise,"

I chuckle.

She's protective of her bestfriend but that's her own way of hoping I'm not making a fool out of her for including me.

"I called earlier and I'd like to sing for her. And give her a necklace I had custom made a week ago," I say patting my sides but remember my jacket is back inside.

She lets out a laugh. What's so funny? I am human.

"Something amusing, Mila?"

"You've never sang a day in your adult life and now you're a certified girlfriend material,"

"No I'm not! I just googled up something nice to do,"

"And you settled for thoughtful gestures. You really like Sofia huh?"

I pause.

Then same guilt from Delia's words creeping in. Did I really like her or am I just determined to win the dare?

"What if I do?"

"Then you're not as bad as I thought,"

I hesitate but give her a nod, my lips pressed together. They don't know me that way. They wouldn't understand. I just have a week to do it. She'll hate me after but atleast she'll be away from me. She deserves alot better than whatever mess I am of a person.

We agree on me queuing the performance before the cake is brought out. I open the text message from Delia and reply with a thumbs up. How else would I reply to her reminding me that the clock is ticking.

I slip through the room with her distracted by her friends to notice the pianist switch places with me. They add in a mic, adjusting the loudness.

"Good evening, " I start with the room now focusing on me by the raised corner of the room.

"Today is a special day for someone I'm so fortunate to have agitated. Long story,"I start with the people laughing. "When I first saw her, she was sitting in my lecture hall, more focused than I could ever be and I never forgot how beautiful she was. Today is her birthday and I thought I might sing her this song I really love. It's called Wild Love by James Bay. This song is just for her but the rest of you can pay for the tickets at the exit. I'm kidding," I finish setting myself properly with the laughter dying down.

I look over to her and her face is bright again, still chuckling.

She looks so fucking hot.

I inhale and exhale twice before stroking the keys gently.

"Don't know what to say to you now

Standing right in front of you...."

My eyes never leave hers until the song is over. I wait for people to laugh or call me out but instead the room erupts with claps and they all become faint background noises when she stands up, still clapping.

"Happy Birthday Tink– Sofia," I say before walking down the step to join the group. She cups my face pulling me down to her and crashes her soft lips on mine. I don't know what it was about it, but I stumbled a little when we broke it off. If I wasn't already smitten by her then I was lost, and found after that kiss.

"Did you mean that?"

"Every word," I say making her smile grow wider. This moment is all that matters to me right now and I'll carry it with me through everything.

The cake comes out with the waiters singing at the table and we join.

"Thank you to everyone at this table for being a part of my day. I never thought I'd feel anything but a huge weight on my back for ever feeling happy when I lost my family. Mila, Paolo, thank you for reminding me that there's always an unkissed frog and then there's me," she says and they chuckle. I don't get it so it must be an inside joke.

"And to Nova, you still do the cringiest things i imagine you to do. I really like it," she finishes with all of them clapping as she blows her candles.

I never thought a birthday could feel this fulfilling without drugs or random strangers shouting your name because the alcohol got to them. If I ever got a chance to choose different, I'd choose this moment with her looking at me like reminded her how to live.

When the gifts are brought out I still hesitate with mine. Everyone seems to know her so well she might hate my gift. She barely puts on a necklace.

"This is soo cute Paolo! I'm wearing these boots every fucking whereee!" She sasses with him blowing her a kiss across the table.

Luca takes out a gift confusing me a bit.

"You're so much like a little sister to me I thought I'd get you a gift for being 22. And please get a girlfriend. You're hogging my girlfriend," he says and she throws her napkin at him.

Far from offended.

"You do know she promised to leave you for me right,"

I chuckle at the banter.

Her eyes never meet mine, like she doesn't want to put any pressure on me.

"I also got you something, "

I blurt out. I planned to give her in private so it wouldn't be as embarrassing if she hates it.

I take out the box, with my family name engraved on it.

She takes it, looks over to me before opening it. Her eyes gloss up suddenly.

"Oh...I'm...sorry I didn't....I didn't mean to offend you. I promise,"

I say nervously. Feeling everyone's eyes on me.

"No. I love it,"

"You mentioned you like to look up at the stars and I do to. Only when I look up it's to figure out which constellation you like," I say earning aaws from the group. It wasn't funny, I really meant that.

"But this..this looks expensive,"

"I wanted to share my map when I feel lost. So you can always find me,"

I say surprising myself with my words. This was me letting myself feel something.

"Could you help me put it on?"

She hands it to me, turning and letting me have a proper view of her bare back. I put it on, grazing her skin with my fingers.

The action alone turns me on.

"See something you like?" She asks noticing my eyes shamelessly on her.

"I see everything I want. You're really bad for me Tinkerbell."

She just rests her chin on the palm of her hand. Her free hand tucks a chunk of hair behind my ear.

"Show me how much then, Castiello,"