Chapter 125 Birthday party games

Chapter 125 Birthday party games
#NEXT DAY #
#FRIDAY#

ZOE'S POINT OF VIEW

“What? Seth asked you out?”Maya's voice practically shook the room.I burst out laughing at her expression.
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“Yes!”She stared at me as though I'd just announced that I'd won the lottery.

“Wait, wait, wait.” She put down the makeup brush she was holding and turned completely toward me.

“Seth actually asked you to be his girlfriend?”I nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

“Oh my God!”She jumped up from the edge of my bed.

I laughed again.

“I was surprised too.”

“Surprised?” Maya repeated.

“Zoe, you looked like someone had just told you the school was being closed forever when you told me!”

“I didn't know what to say.”

“So what did you tell him?”I looked down at my hands.

“I told him I would think about it.”Maya's mouth fell open.

“You told him you'd think about it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”I shrugged.

“I don't know.”

She stared at me for a moment before slowly narrowing her eyes.

“Wait a minute.”I already knew where this was going.

“You like him.”I immediately looked away.

“Maya…”

“You like him!”

“I didn't say that.”

“You don't have to.”She folded her arms.

“I've watched you whenever Seth is around. And don't even try to deny it. Remember when he was spending all that time with Alicia?”I frowned.

“What about it?”

“You were jealous.”

“I was not.”

“You were!”

“I wasn't.”Maya laughed.

“Zoe, please. I know you.”I sighed.

“I honestly don't know what I'm feeling.”She sat beside me again.

“Then figure it out.”

“That's the problem. I don't know how.”I picked up a strand of my hair and played with it.

“I like Seth. He's a great guy, and I love spending time with him. But I don't know if I like him enough to…”I stopped.

“To what?”I shook my head.

“Nothing.”Maya sighed.

“Are you seriously going to keep him hanging?”I looked at her.

“What do you mean?”

“He's going to be at the party tonight.”

“I know.”

“And you already told him you're going to give him an answer today.”

“You shouldn't have told him that!”

“Why not?”

“Because now there's pressure.”

“Zoe, he likes you. You like him. What's the problem?”I opened my mouth, then closed it.

“I don't know.”Maya shook her head.

“You're impossible.”

“I just don't want to talk about this right now.”She raised an eyebrow.

“Fine.”

“Thank you.”

“Now sit still.”I looked at the makeup brush in her hand.

“How long are you planning to keep doing my makeup?”

“As long as it takes.”

“Maya…”

“Don't worry. You're going to look amazing.”I laughed nervously.

“I don't want to look strange.”

“You don't trust me?”

“I didn't say that.”

“Good.”She turned my face toward the mirror.

“Because I'm very good at this.”I watched her work while she carefully applied the makeup.

Every now and then, she would step back, study my face, and then continue.

She eventually moved on to my hair.She stretched it, shaped it, and then carefully worked through it until the curls began to form.

When she was finally satisfied, she stepped back.Her eyes widened.

“Oh my God.”I looked at myself.

“What?”

“You look so pretty!”I smiled shyly.

“Really?”

“Really.”She looked incredibly proud of herself.

“I told you.”She had already finished getting herself ready.

Her black leather gown fit her perfectly, and her hair was pulled back in a way that gave her this mysterious, almost villain-like appearance.I laughed.

“You look like a villain.”She smiled.

“Exactly.”

“You planned this?”

“Of course.”She picked up the dress she'd chosen for me.

“Now, put this on.”I stared at it.

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“Is this a birthday party or am I the birthday girl?”Maya laughed.

“Just put it on.”I held the dress up.It was beautiful but it was also a little more fitted than what I normally wore.

“I don't know about this.”

“What's wrong?”

“It shows my shape.”Maya rolled her eyes.

“That is the problem with you.”

“What?”

“You're always hiding yourself.”I frowned.

“I just don't like clothes that make me feel uncomfortable.”She grinned.

“And that's why you're still single.”I immediately grabbed a pillow and hit her with it.

“Are you serious right now, bestie?”She burst out laughing.

“I'm joking!”

“That wasn't funny.”

“Come on.”She handed me the dress.

“Put it on. We're going to be late.”I checked the time and immediately my eyes widened.

“It's already 6:43!”

“Exactly!”

“How have we been doing this for so long?”

“Because you kept complaining.”

“I was not complaining.”

“You were.”I shook my head.

“Fine.”I hurried into the bathroom to change.

When I came back out, Maya stared at me for several seconds.

“Well?”I asked nervously......She smiled.

“Perfect.”I looked at myself in the mirror.

For a moment, I barely recognized myself......The dress was elegant, and the makeup Maya had done made my face look different.

Not completely different.Just.......older.

I smiled slightly.

“Okay.”

“See?”She grabbed her purse.

“I told you.”We picked up our things and headed downstairs.

The moment we entered the living room.....Mom and Lily looked up.....They both froze.

Lily's eyes widened.

“Oh my gosh!”She jumped up.

“Is that my eldest sister, Zoe?”I immediately started blushing.

“Lily…”Mom smiled brightly.

She looked me up and down before raising both hands excitedly.....She gestured rapidly.

I laughed.

“Yes, Mom. It's me.”She pointed at me and smiled......I knew exactly what she was saying.

You're beautiful.

“Thank you."Lily ran toward me.

“You're so pretty!”I laughed.

“Thank you.”Mom came closer and gently touched my cheek before giving me another approving smile.I couldn't stop smiling.

Maya placed her hands on her hips.

“Okay, everyone, I deserve some credit.”Lily looked at her.

Maya pointed at herself.

“I did all of this.”Mom gave her a thumbs-up.

Maya grinned.

“Thank you.”Lily looked at herself.

“I want to look pretty too.”Maya laughed.

“We'll work on that later.”She looked at me.

“But right now, we're late.”I grabbed my purse.

“Okay, let's go.”We started toward the door.

Then Lily's voice came from behind us.

“Zoe!”I turned.

“Yeah?”

“Please greet my boyfriend for me!”I stared at her.

“Your boyfriend?”She nodded enthusiastically.

“Tell him I love him so much!”I shook my head, laughing.

“Okay, Lily.”Maya looked at me as we stepped outside.

“Who is her boyfriend?”I laughed.

“Who else? Seth.”Maya burst out laughing.

“Of course!”We entered her car and Maya started the engine.

“I didn't bring my driver today.”

“Why?”

“Because I knew I'd spend forever getting you ready.”I laughed.

“He's coming to pick us up later?”

“Yeah. After the party. I'll drop you home and then he'll take me back.”

“Thank you.”

“Don't thank me yet. We still have to survive Carl's party.”I smiled.

“Please play my favorite song.”

“Anything for you.”She connected her phone to the car.

Die for me by post Malone started playing, filling the car with an upbeat rhythm.

Almost immediately, I started singing along.

🎤Said you'd take a bullet, told me you would die for me
I had a really bad feeling you've been lying to me
We were on the low, but you were getting high with me
When it's past 11, that's a different side I see

Said you'd die for me, you'd die for me, you'd die for me
But you lied to me, you lied to me, you lied to me
Said you'd die for me, you'd die for me, you'd die for me
But you lied to me, you lied to me, you lied to me🎤

Maya joined me......Within seconds, both of us were laughing and singing loudly enough that I was pretty sure the driver in the car beside us could hear.

It felt good and for a few minutes,I forgot about everything and just simply enjoyed myself.Eventually, Maya slowed down.

“We're here.”I looked through the window.Carl's house was already crowded.

Even before we reached the gate, I could hear the music....Loud music,Very loud music.

“Oh my God.”Maya laughed.

“What?”

“It's so loud.”She pulled into the compound.

People were everywhere,Some were dancing outside.....Others were laughing near the entrance.

The moment we got out, the music became even louder....Maya said something but I couldn't hear her.

“What?”She shouted again.I still couldn't understand then she leaned closer to my ear.

“I said it's so loud!”I laughed.

“I know.... you've said that before!”We entered the house.

And then.....Everything seemed to stop.

The music continued playing and I noticed it was turned down a bit.... people turned toward us.... just then I began hearing whispers.

“Oh my God.”

“Is that Zoe?”

“Zoe Daniels?”

“Wow!”

“She's so pretty!”

“Who did her makeup?”

“I didn't even recognize her!”I felt my cheeks burning.....Maya leaned toward me.

“Bestie…”I looked at her.

“You're the center of attraction.”I shook my head.

“Stop.”

“I'm serious.”I wanted to disappear.

I'd never been comfortable with so much attention. I was looking around to the familiar faces but then someone said something about Andy......I didn't catch the entire sentence but I heard his name.

I instinctively looked around and that's when I saw him.......Andy.

He was standing near the other side of the room, holding a drink.His eyes were already on me and I swear he wasn't looking away....not even for a second.

I bit my lip......There was something about the way he was looking at me that made my stomach twist.

Maya noticed.She looked from me to Andy and immediately smiled.

“I'm going to the other side of the room, bestie.”

“What?”She leaned closer.

“Have fun.”She winked and disappeared into the crowd,I shook my head.

“Traitor.”A moment later, Andy walked toward me.

He said something.......I couldn't really hear him.....so I frowned.

“Huh?”He laughed and leaned closer.

“What did you say?”Instead of answering, he gently took my hand.

“Come with me.”He guided me away from the loudest part of the room.

Once we were somewhere quieter, he turned toward me.For a moment, he simply stared then he smiled.

“You look beautiful.”I smiled shyly.

“Thank you.”

“Seriously.”He shook his head.

“I almost didn't recognize you.”I laughed.

“Come on.”

“I'm serious.”He looked at me again.

“When you told me earlier that Maya was dressing you up, I knew she'd do a good job.”I smiled.

“You're making me feel weird.”He chuckled.

“I'm glad.”I rolled my eyes.

“Andy.”

“What?”

“You're impossible.”

“And you're beautiful.”I looked away, trying to hide my smile then a new song started playing.

The beat immediately caught my attention.....I didn't even know when I began moving my head slightly to the rhythm.

It seemed like Andy noticed....he smiled.

“Come on.”

“Come where?”

“Let's dance.”I laughed.

“No.”

“Why?”

“I'm not a good dancer.”

“You look like you're going to be one.”

“I'm just vibing.”

“Then vibe with me.”Before I could argue, he held out his hand.....I stared at it then I sighed.

“Fine.”He smiled as I took his hand.

We walked back onto the dance floor.The music was loud, the room was crowded, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

I relaxed a bit and started moving with the rhythm.....Andy followed.

At first, I was nervous.Then I started laughing.

He twirled me around, and when I turned back toward him, we ended up standing very close.

I froze for half a second while my heart fluttered as our nose almost touched but just then I noticed someone across the room.....Seth.

He was standing near the edge of the dance floor watching us.....there was something sad in his eyes...... immediately my smile faded.

Suddenly, I didn't feel comfortable anymore......so I stepped back.

“I need a drink.”I said and cleared my throat.Andy immediately nodded.

“Sure.”He took me toward the drinks table. The girl behind the table smiled.

“What would you like?”I looked at the choices.

“Pepsi or Coke would be fine.”The person handed me a drink.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”Andy and I moved to a quieter corner and sat down.

I took a sip but my mind immediately returned to Seth.I knew I was going to see him tonight,I knew he would want an answer but what was I going to tell him?

I stared down at the glass....I liked him....I knew that much but.......Why I'm I still feeling this way???I sighed.

Just then, Andy reached over and gently moved a strand of hair away from my face.

“Damn.”I looked at him.

“What?”He smiled.

“You're so pretty.”I immediately felt my cheeks warming.....He noticed.

“You're even cuter when you blush.”I laughed softly.

“Come on, stop it, Andy.”Before he could respond, Diego approached us.

“Sorry to interrupt you guys.”Andy looked up.

“I need to talk to you.”Diego leaned closer and whispered something into Andy's ear.

I watched Andy's expression change....The smile disappeared and he stood.

“I'll be right back.”

“Okay.”Andy and Diego walked away.

I looked after them for a moment and before I could fully process it.......someone pulled out the chair beside me and I ooked up to see anessa.

“Hey.”

“Oh Hi.”She smiled.

“I wanted to come to you earlier, but I didn't want to interrupt you and Andy.”She glanced toward the direction they'd gone.

“You guys looked like you were having a good time.”I smiled awkwardly.

“Yeah. Kind of.”Vanessa's eyes moved over my outfit.

“Oh my God, Zoe.”She smiled brightly.

“You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.”

“Can I take a picture?”I laughed.

“Why?”

“Because I need proof that this is actually you.”She pulled out her phone.

“You look completely different tonight.”I smiled as she took a picture.

She continued complimenting me, telling me how beautiful the makeup looked and how much she loved my dress......I nodded along.

She sounded so sincere,So sweetand suddenly Seth's warning came back to me.

Be careful with VanessaI looked at her.

Could Maya and Seth really be wrong?Vanessa had been kind to me.She had never given me an obvious reason to distrust her.

Maybe they were just judging her because of her past.I hoped they were wrong.....I really did.

I didn't want to believe thats she's trying so hard to become my friend and still secretly have bad intentions toward me.

Vanessa smiled.

“You're quiet.”

“Sorry.”

“Are you okay?, What are you thinking??”

“Yeah....urmm......”Before I could say anything else, Maya appeared.

“There you are!”She grabbed my hand.

“Come on. There's no time to sit down.”I laughed.

“What?”

“We're going back to dance.”

“Maya…”

“Come on!”She pulled me toward the dance floor.

Vanessa laughed and followed us.Soon, the three of us were dancing together.

Maya glanced at her from the corner of her eye....I noticed but tried not to laugh.

She was still suspicious of Vanessa.Apparently, she wasn't going to let me forget it.

We danced for a while then suddenly, the music stopped.

Everyone groaned as a spotlight came on.

Diego walked onto the small stage at the front of the room with a microphone.

“Okay, everybody!”The crowd quieted down.

“We didn't come here just to dance, did we?”Everyone shouted.

“NO!”He laughed.

“Good! Because we're going to have some fun.”The crowd cheered.

“Before we continue, there's one important thing we have to do.”He turned toward Carl.

“Birthday boy, get up here!”Everyone began cheering.

Carl walked onto the stage, laughing.Diego handed him the microphone.

“On the count of three we're going to sing a happy birthday song for the birthday boy!”Everyone gathered around.

“One!”

“Two!”

“Three!”The entire room erupted into a birthday song.

Carl smiled throughout it.When everyone finished, he leaned toward his cake and blew out the candles.

The crowd cheered,People clapped while Carl laughed.Diego took the microphone again.

“Okay!”He waited for everyone to settle down.

“Now we're getting to the real fun.”The crowd immediately became excited.

“So here's the game.”He pointed toward the lights around the room.

“We've got some games tonight and this is the first one.......Those lights are going to move around the crowd.”Everyone looked up.

“If the lights stop on you, you're coming up here.”People laughed.

“But there's a catch.”The crowd shouted.

“What?”Diego grinned.

“It won't stop on just one person.”Everyone immediately began cheering.

“It will stop on a boy and a girl. Both of you come up here and play the game together.”Maya grabbed my arm.

“Oh my God!”I laughed nervously.

“This sounds interesting.”I looked up at the lights.I really hoped t
hey wouldn't stop on me,I had enough problems.....I didn't need another one.

The lights began moving across the room.Left,Right then back again.Everyone screamed whenever the light came close.

I laughed nervously.

“Please don't stop on me,” I whispered.The light moved again.

Then suddenly.......It stopped right on me and I frozed......The room exploded.People screamed and cheered but my heart was now beating like a party drum.

I heard another scream and slowly looked toward the other side of the room......Another light had stopped on someone else.

And the moment I saw who it was.......My eyes widened.