A/N: Hi guys, The Man of Destiny here. Not only am I a StellarXShinn fanatic but I'm also an avid AthrunXCagali supporter as well. This first part of the story is actually part-true. We can say that this part is based on my experience. Please read and Review. Thanks so much!

Chapter I: You're invited

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiing" a sound of an alarm clock was heard as I woke up for starters, noticing that it was already 8:30 on a Monday morning, I suddenly remembered that I have work at 10. "Better get goin', I don't wanna be late." I told myself. Before grabbing my towel, I opened up my Facebook account on my computer; I noticed that I was messaged by two people. I opened my inbox, and found out that the two people who sent me an offline message were actually Kira Yamato and Cagali Yula Athha. I opened Kira's message first because as far as I can remember, he actually isn't my friend at Facebook, we meet a couple of times every once in a while at church, but besides that, we aren't really that much close at all. "Hi bro, you and my sister Cagali are close friends right? I actually want to invite you to her 18th birthday party, I want to add you to her 18 roses because you know, and you two are close and all that. So, what do you say?" Kira's message stated. Then I read Cagali's message next. "Hey, are you free on Saturday this week? It's actually going to be my 18th birthday celebration; it's going to be held at my house at 7pm. Wanna join? :D" .

Ugh. Wait, before I continue my story, let me introduce myself. The name's Athrun Zala, 21 years of age, I already graduated from college and I currently work at a Call Center. If you're wondering what I look like, I actually have blue hair and emerald green eyes. I like reading comics, A LOT. I'm your nerd next door, ask me about Superheroes, I give you answers, ask me about wrestlers, I give you answers. I'm also a gamer, I'm currently playing a game called "Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3". Oh no. I'm starting to get out of topic again. Anyways, Kira and Cagali are actually siblings. (You don't say?). I've been friends with Cagali for a while though. I've also met her at church. She has short blonde hair and chestnut brown eyes. She actually has a tomboyish personality. She dresses like a boy most of the time, she also acts like one as well. I remember the time when we actually met for the first time.

She was a new member of our Security Department at church, and she was as quiet as a mouse, she just smiles at everyone who greets her. One day, while waiting for my other teammates, we were left alone, I talked to her, and found out that she wasn't a very quiet person after all, she always laughed at my jokes, she listened to my stories, and from there we became friends. She had that innocent child-like smile that lightens up everyone's day for some unknown reason.

So anyways, I was invited to her birthday. When that day finally came, I prepared myself and made sure that I looked my best. I wore a long sleeved black polo and white pants as well as brown shoes. When I arrived at the venue of Cagali's birthday, a man with brown hair and purple eyes welcomed me. It was Kira. He shook my hand and said. "Hey bro, welcome, and thanks for coming to my sister's birthday". I smiled at him and replied: "No problem, thank you for inviting me as well, by the way, where is the debutant anyways?" "She's still getting dressed up." Kira then accompanied me inside a huge room where the celebration was held. It was a simple celebration, ten round tables were placed with a total of five chairs each table, there were a lot of people who were already there, and I'm not actually not that familiar with them, most of them are Kira and Cagali's relatives and classmates. Red balloons can be found on the ceiling of the room, and there was a stage in front of the room with a Royal-Themed Sofa placed on it. A medium sized square table was also there, it had a blue colored cake with 18 candles on it. The cake was surrounded by a bunch of blue cupcakes with small pictures of Cagali placed on each cupcake.

A few minutes passed and the program finally started, a man named Kenneth hosted the program. After doing the introductions, he finally called the birthday celebrant. "And without further a due, let me introduce to you the lady of the hour, once a beautiful baby girl, now a beautiful young lady. Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you, the beautiful Red Rose, Miss Cagali Yula Athha."

Cagali then went out of her dressing room; now let me tell you something before I continue. I've been to a lot of 18th birthday celebrations and I'm going to be honest, I haven't seen any total transformation for each and every one of them. But the moment I saw this blonde haired girl, I mean woman, I was shocked in awe. The tomboyish baby girl is now a stunning young lady. Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail; she didn't have that much makeup. She was wearing a long red gown which made her look like a red rose. I said to myself: "She's beautiful". All eyes were fixed on her as everyone was surprised by the way she looked. Kira accompanied her in front of the stage and everyone clapped their hands for the birthday celebrant.

As the whole program progressed, I can't help but fix my eyes on Cagali. She's so beautiful. No I'm not exaggerating. When she looked at me and gave me a smile, I can't help but smile back and blush a little. Her beautiful smile got me there. No doubt about it.

"And may we call on the men who are close to our birthday girl. Cagali's 18 protectors. Her 18 roses." The host announced. A group of men were announced one by one as they danced with Cagali. A lot of them were actually Kira's friends. "And now for the 10th rose, may we call on Mr. Athrun Zala" it was my turn; I quickly fixed my polo, grabbed a red rose, and went to the stage to dance Cagali. A minus one version of the song "A thousand years" was being played. I gave her the rose I was holding as I held her hands and her waist. She in turn held my shoulder. We danced as the music played. I was silent for a few seconds as I was looking at her beautiful face and bright chestnut brown eyes and I can feel the warmth of her soft hands. "Athrun? Athrun? Hello? Earth to Athrun?" Cagali stated as she was shaking me while we were dancing. "Oh. Sorry about that, I can't help but uh… Anyways, you look beautiful tonight" I smiled. "Uhm… Thanks" Cagali replied with a blush on her face. "Why is your face turning red as your dress?" I joked. "I'm just not used to other boys telling me that I'm beautiful. Well, except for Kira of course. You're actually the first guy to tell me that. Uhm. Thanks" She replied as her face started to get redder than her dress. "Oh. Uh... thanks. I was just being honest. That's all." I replied with a shy tone. "Ha! Your face is red!" Cagali giggled softly as I didn't notice myself that my face was getting a shade of crimson as well. "Tomato head" she added as she blurted out her tongue to tease me. "Ha Ha Ha. Very funny" I jokingly replied. "Anyways, thanks for coming to my birthday. I really appreciate it." "No problem. I…" I was interrupted when the host then called the next person to dance Cagali.

What on earth am I feeling? I feel like my heartbeat is like a speed of a running horse. I haven't felt like this in a while. The way she smiles, the way she speaks, and the way she looks at me. It all feels fuzzy and warm inside for some reason. I… I can't believe I'm saying this. But I feel like I'm in love. In love with a woman named Cagali Yula Athha.