Epilogue

Natalie's POV

I was on my way back to Middesville but this time I didn't go alone; I went with my newfound friends and boyfriend on a bus. Today is my birthday and instead of celebrating it with a bunch of crappy people I didn't know, I decided to go to a place where people knew me well and I was allowed to do whatever I want. Darren and Mira were behind us acting all lovey-dovey, Xander was in front and I'm guessing he was face timing Lucy while Xavier laid on my shoulders, operating his phone while I listened to music with my earphones.

I have to admit, sometimes our relationship still surprises me because we are so different in so many ways. While I liked to do everything hard and rough, which almost always got me into trouble, Xavier was more of a cool guy... Something I didn't think I was ever going to manage. It's weird how we get along just fine and not get into tons of arguments as people expected us to.

“For the last time Natalie, why didn't you invite anyone other than us from our school to your birthday party? “Darren asked as he blew a bubble gum. I chuckled as I removed an earpiece and turn towards him.

“Because I hate everyone in your school. You are all so boring.” I muttered. He grinned as Mira pulled on his cheeks. I sat back comfortably on my seat and stared out the window. Xavier glanced at me.

“Hey, girlfriend. How long till we get there?” He asked.

“We're almost there...” I answered as I saw the “WELCOME TO MIDDESVILLE” sign right ahead.

“And we are here...” I said as the bus got past it. We all looked out the window and the layout of my favorite town. Middesville, how much I've missed running on your streets. A familiar sight caught me in her cheerleader's uniform. It was Ariana, and she was with her pom-pom. I giggled as the bus stopped and we got out, one after the other.

“And here we are....” Darren muttered and Mira hit him playfully at the back.

“Guess who's back!

The bitch's back!!

Today is her birthday!

And she wants to have some fun!” Ariana cheered excitedly. I grinned as I went over to hug her tightly.

“Ari!!! I missed you so much!” I said as we hugged.

“Me too.” She whined. When we pulled apart, tears were already clouding her eyes. She quickly cleaned them off and went over to the rest of them.

“Hey, guys! How was your trip here?” I turned over to them.

“Good.”

“Great...”

“Boring,” Darren muttered. I scoffed. “It was the first thing you said when you got here,” I replied.

“And he ended up eating up his words.” Ariana completed.

“Did he?” Mira asked, glancing back at us. Ariana giggled. “You have no idea how much fun we are going to have... Without the press or social media interrupting.” She said.

“Where's the rest of them?” Xander asked

“Oh... They are at the park. Speaking of which, we should begin heading there.”

“Wait....on foot?” Xavier asked. I shrugged.” What were you expecting? We were going to drive a super expensive sports car there? Let's leave that in New Orleans.”

“Now giddy up people! It's going to be a long walk!” Ariana chanted and walked right ahead. I joined her and so did Mira, leaving the boys behind us.

We kept making small talks as we walked to the park. As usual, the streets were silent, but that doesn't mean the people here didn't know someone had arrived. Rumors here spread faster than wildfire. Good thing it's kept on low-key. We finally arrived at the park that when we saw a huge crowd of people waiting for me with a huge banner that had the words 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!!!' it was everyone who knew me that was here.

“Wow... Did not see this coming.” Xavier muttered as he walked up beside me. I smiled as I nudged him by the waist.

“What can I say? Welcome to my world.” I said. Drake, the captain of the basketball team, was the first to greet me.

Hey Natalie. Welcome back. Thought you've forgotten us.” He said as he hugged me.

“Never,” I replied, and we disengaged. He looked at the guests that I brought and smirked.

“Darren? Did you come to visit too? I thought you said you were never coming here ever again!” He said as he gave him a pal handshake.

“Guess what? I might've changed my mind.” Darren replied as they hugged.

“And who's this pretty lady beside you?” He asked as he raised his brows. Ariana chuckled.

“She's my girlfriend. Her name's Mira.” Darren replied. Drake widened his eyes. In a flash, he turned to the rest of the crowd and yelled. “Guess what? Darren's got himself a girlfriend!!”

The entire crowd looked in Darren's direction and I swear he blushed. Mira just looked surprised beside him.

“Congratulations man!”

“Congratulations....” echoed in the entire park. Ariana and I giggled. A girl shot out from the crowd walking directly towards us. Her name's Betsy and she's the head cheerleader.

“Natalie! Happy birthday.” She greeted me as she hugged me.

“Aww, thanks. "

“.... Oh my gosh, Natalie, you brought the Anderson brothers??” Betsy squeaked excitedly.

"Yeah... We're kind of friends now.” I answered. She smiled warmly at them. “Hello, welcome to Middesville. I'm sure Natalie must have been a real-time jerk to all of you.” I gasped.

“She sure has,” Xavier answered, and I slugged him in the arm. He groaned in pain.

“See? Don't worry, she does that all the time.” Betsy added, giggling.

One of the boys walked up to me with a bow and arrow in his hands.

“What's that?” Xander asked. I shrugged.

“It's tradition. On your birthday, you get to shoot the type of party you want. It could be a pool party...”

“With lots of boys...” Ariana added. I rolled my eyes.

“Night party, beach party, barbeque party... Or all at once.” I explained. He made an 'o' expression, meaning I understood.

“That must be fun.” He added

“it is....” I muttered as I concentrated on the spinning wheel I had to shoot the arrow to.

“Please God, let it be an all-around party..” Ariana muttered beside. I chuckled softly and stretched the bow. Once satisfied, released it and watched it hit the wheel. One of the girls stopped it and squealed in excitement.

“What did it hit?” I yelled.

“We are having an all-round party!” She yelled in reply. I grinned.

“I deserved that....” I muttered. Ariana giggled and dragged me by the arm.

“Sorry guys, but we girls have got to prepare for this. Darren, I might have to steal your girlfriend for a while.” Ariana said and dragged Mira along too.

“See you guys at exactly, 6:00 pm. In the meantime, have fun!” She said and we ran out of the park, to my house.

This is going to be fun.

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(Evening time.)

Darren's POV

“Are they always like this?” Xander asked after a while. The party had already started, and people were already trooping in, but the girls and the celebrant were nowhere to be found.

“Trust me, when they disappear like that... It means they are up to something.”

“Is it good or bad?” Xavier asked.

“We'll find out,” I answered.

Soon a girl came upon the raised podium with a microphone in hand.

“Hello everyone! Welcome to this party. As you all know, today is the day where a queen jerk was born... And she's been tormenting the whole of Middesville ever since. We are glad to have another year's journey with her and there are many more to come. So while you're waiting for her to show up, please relax and enjoy this little show. Thank you.” She said and got down on the stage.

“What are they about to do?” I asked Drake. He looked at me and smirked.

“Stuffs girls do when there's a party.”

Soon there was a blackout and the D.J put in a new song. Everyone recognized it and began cheering... This is going to be fun...

Betsy came up first with the opening verse, then Ariana came in, then Mira, in which they sang the chorus together.

Then Natalie arrived, and she was taking up the rapping verse before finally ending with a chorus.

Everyone cheered and clapped as they bowed and hugged each other and turned around on the podium. The cake got rolled in and it had six layers and was designed like camouflage, just like the ones in the army. Natalie got down and read the note attached to it.

' Happy birthday to my favorite bush baby.'

Love

Dad.

“Aww... He remembered.” Ariana called. Natalie chuckled.

“Of course he did... Why shouldn't he?”

“Wait... There's more.” Mira called out. “It says here... Fireworks.”

“He also arranged fireworks... No way!” Drake said as we crowded in on her.

“Soo... What are you waiting for? Cut the cake and let's light up the night's sky!” Ariana squealed.

“Just wait a sec... “she said. “Ariana, I have a surprise for you and you too, Xander.” She announced. They both looked at her quizzically.

“You do?” They asked together. She nodded, smiling, and brought out her phone.

“You can come out now.” She said into the phone. And just like that, the crowd opened and Lucy and one other guy I didn't recognize showed up. Their mouths hung open.

“You called Lucy?” Xander asked, staring at Lucy while Natalie giggled.

“I had to. I figured it would be unfair to have a party without her being beside you... And you too, Ariana. You told me you still liked the guy... Even though you never got his name, so I managed to track him down.” She explained. Lucy walked over to Xander, and he pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. Everyone exclaimed and, taking everyone by surprise, kissed her. Everyone cooed.

“Wait, wait, wait... Before I do anything rash, how long are you going to be around??” Ariana asked the guy who was wearing army clothes.

“Two weeks.” He answered.

“Two weeks....” Ariana muttered and nodded. Then went over to hug him as well. Natalie laughed.

“By the way... My name is Jason.” He said.

“Hello, Jason.” She muttered.

“Now I know why you fell for him. You've always been a sucker for freckled guys and green-eyed people. And he has it all.” She added. Then she stared loftily at Xavier before walking up to him and dragging him close to the cake. Mira also came to me and stayed beside me while I held her by the waist. She looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back.

“You were amazing up there,” I whispered to her.

“Thanks... I'm glad you like it.” She replied. I grinned.

“You are going to help me cut the cake.” She said to Xavier.

“On the count of one...two... Three! Happy birthday to me!!” And she cut the cake, then pressed the button. The fireworks were released, and it lit up the night sky... Everyone wowed as they saw it.

“It's really beautiful...” Mira muttered.

“Yeah, although it's not as beautiful as you..” I muttered. I think she heard because she glanced up at me. I leaned in and kissed her, and the rest was history...

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Natalie's POV

So that's it. I was officially plus one today and I had amazing people here with me to celebrate it, but most especially Xavier. Slowly he put his arms around me and pulled me closer to himself. I chuckled.

“And what's that supposed to mean?” I asked playfully. He looked at me grinned.

“You tell me.” He replied slyly. I chuckled.

“You sure know how to do this stuff... I don't think I'll ever be able to manage it.” He said sincerely.

"It's why I came home to do it. Home is the best place to throw a party.” I said and looked around. “Everyone is truly happy for you and nobody's faking it.”

“Your kind of right, though.” He replied and looked at me. I moved closer and soon our foreheads were touching.

“So what happens next?” He asked and raised his brows.

“I think this is the part in movies where the girl and boy finally kiss,” I replied, and he chuckled. Then brought his lips closer to mine, and we kissed... In front of people. I heard people exclaim and coo around me, but I didn't care about that. What mattered the most to me was being in Xavier's arms at the moment. It felt perfect and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Everyone's love story was beautiful, but ours is my favorite... I thought to myself, and nothing could be better than that.

THE END.