"Happy Birthday!" Everyone jumped out of their places.
Sam nearly had a heart attack, but laughed, throwing a hand over his head.
"Christ, guys. I thought I said no party!"
"Yeah, well. Funny how know one listened to you." I teased, hugging him tightly. "How's it feel to be 16?"
"Great, now. How are you from the whole…"
"Sam, it's been two weeks. A little house fire isn't going to kill me."
"Yeah, it takes more than that to slow our girl down!" Emmett laughed, wrapping an arm around me.
I dodged a noogie and watched him walk towards some friends.
"You really should stop drooling." Sam said slyly. I swatted at him.
"I was not drooling!"
"You so were."
"Oh, kiss my ass Sam. I'll be right back."
I headed into the dining room and sifted through the drawers. No matches, no matches, no matches. Damn it. The cake would have to wait. I made a pouty face to myself and went into the living room, where Emmett was setting up the stereo system. 'Tonight' by Pitbull blared through the speakers.
People began to cluster together, moving as one. Emmett raised his eyebrows and grinned at me. Before I could protest, he'd grabbed my hand. He kept me at a distance, moving his arms awkwardly.
"Emmett." I laughed as he smiled nervously. I turned my back to him and got closer, Emmett running his hands up my sides as I swung my hips to the beat. I put my fingers in his hair and soon it was like he was trying to pull me closer, closer than we were before.
I started to feel the smoldering in my stomach, the tingling in my fingers and spine. I don't know how long we moved like that. Touching, moving-the heat was all over me and I loved it. It was abrupt, Emmett grabbed my hips and brought us to a halt. Our heavy breathing was by far my new favorite sound.
"We should, ahh…"
"Cake," I stammered. "I should get the cake."
I pushed myself away, running into the dining room again. The candle I passed flickered to life. I paused, poking at it. I shook my head and brought the candles to the kitchen.
"Oh, good! You already lit them!" Emmett pointed. I furrowed my brow and looked down. They were all lit. All 16. I handed them over without another word. "You alright?" Emmett asked.
"Yeah, just get the cake ready."
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Sammy, happy birthday to you!"
Everyone cheered as Sam blew out the candles.
"Make a wish!" I winked at him.
All had taken their cake and scattered around the house when I went back into the dining room. I leaned onto the table, focusing on the candle. I pushed, trying to find some unknown force inside my body.
Light.
Light. Please. Pretty please?
"Light," I whispered. "Light!"
Nothing. I sighed and shook my head. What the hell did I think I was doing anyway? I left the room, admittedly bummed, when a shadow flickered across the wall in front of me. Slowly I turned, stepping back into the room. Every candle on the table was lit.