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“It's just a way to say happy birthday to a close friend. It’s nothing secretive,” I say. I don’t understand a lot but most of what is directed at me I know. Benefits of studying with Creed when I was younger. He was determined to learn a new language; I always thought he had a crush on the tutor.
I open his present and look over at him. “Are you serious?” he nods. I run my fingers over the tools. Many might find it weird but Creed got me an autopsy instrument kit.
Case hands me his and I open it. It’s a picture of stars; I read the inscription.
“You named a star after me?”
“I did. Once it gets dark enough, I'll point it out. I have a telescope packed away in the basement somewhere.”
Brennan is next, he hands me his gift. “Happy eighteenth, Jolie. You made it.”
I open his carefully and my mouth falls agape. “It’s like the rose fromBeauty and the Beast.”
It's so delicate and the entire thing looks like it's been hand crafted from a conversation that I had with Brennan so many years ago, even down to the carefully placed string lights wrapped around the rose.
“You remembered.”
“I literally can’t forget anything,” he says with a laugh, tapping on the side of his head. “I could tell you exactly when you told me that you wanted a gift like this for your eighteenth, right down to the second.”
“Okay showoff, I still have to give her my gift.” Kai butts in, waving his gift in the air. I take it and open it, finding a laminated picture. The way it’s drawn is like a tattoo.
“Is this what I think it is?” I ask looking over the colours. A skull with gems in the eye socket the same colour as mine, wild flowers, a chess board, so much detail and colour packed into one tattoo. It’s us, all of us in one design.
“Sure is. You mentioned me doing an arm sleeve and this is the idea that I had. I was hoping Chester would want to help with some of the design that’s more suited to him.”
I look over to Chester and he smirks; his mind just went to the gutter. He nods and I turn my attention back to the guys.
“You’re all amazing. I love everything.”
We have some time before dinner is ready, so Case and I decide to go and look for the telescope while Brennan cleans up all of the wrapping paper and Davis and Marlow check on dinner. I make Kai come along with us and hope that being around each other will ease their tension.
After an hour of searching through boxes of crap stored in the musty old basement, we find what we're looking for.
Finally making our way back up the stairs, Marlow and Davis announce that dinner is ready. The roast meal they made turned out surprisingly well–it’s full of flavour and cooked perfectly.
After clearing our plates, Kai rushes away and comes back with the cake he made. Even I have to admit that it’s absolutely perfect. He went all out with a teal buttercream frosting, some meringue decorations on top and pink sprinkles around the base.
Completely gorged on food, we all head into the living room and relax sprawled across the couches, enjoying each other’s company.
At exactly 10:13pm–Brennan tells me that this is the exact time that I was born–I get a message from Mr. Z that says ‘happy birthday’ with a picture of what I’m presuming is the day I was born and a younger Mr. Z in the picture, the smile on his face is pure happiness. I wonder what happened to that man in the photo.
As I get up to head to bed, the guy’s play rock paper scissors to figure out who gets to sleep in my bed tonight. After muttered curses from the losers, Davis is declared the winner and I all but drag him upstairs to my room.
It was an amazing day today, and an even better night, especially now that I get to fall asleep wrapped in his arms with a smile on my face.
20
Jolie
Last week the guys had extra security measures put in place–silent alarms that alert them when anyone enters the property. They’re imperative to have so we can hide those of us who are presumed dead. We can’t risk anyone seeing them yet.
Sinclair set off the alarms today. She turned up with bags in hand and demanded that we are going to a party. Not just any party though, something for the wealthy. She even brought me a gown, shoes and a mask since it's a masquerade party. She also invited Kai, who is currently off getting ready in his own room.
After a full day of primping and priming our bodies, I stand and look at myself in the mirror. The dress she picked out for me is absolutely perfect. It’s a beautiful black satin A-line gown, with long sleeves and a deep V neck that goes all the way down to my belly button. My cleavage is on full display and sure to catch Kai’s attention. There are also two daring slits, one on each side, all the way up to my hips.
Sinclair squeals as she spins in her dress. It’s a two piece: the top half is silver and covered in sequins, and the skirt part is multiple layers of ruffles in a soft peach colour with a waist band that matches the top half. She looks spectacular. Sinclair is already wearing her matching mask, which is adorned in a silver glitter.
She hands me a simple, yet intricate black lace mask. I’m glad she went with black so it doesn’t shine like a beacon on my face.
