When Kenzie got home from her cheer practice she called Alex, Cayllum, Dylan and the twins to her dad's study. She was sitting at her father's desk with a notebook open in front of her when they entered Damon's study. "Good, you are all here even though you all took your sweet time getting here. Anyway where's Zoe?"
"Still outside playing in the pool with Aslan." Dylan said and rolled his eyes.
"As you know tonight is Zoe's party and I'm in charge of planning it and making sure nobody screws this up for me." She said to them.
Dylan whispered hard to Alex and said. "She must be feeling very important right now." He nodded his head in Kenzie's direction.
Alex hid his smirk behind his hand. Cayllum didn't hide his.
"I heard that Dylan Salvatore don't make me come to you and rip your lips off. You will have a hideous smirk on your face for the rest of your life." Kenzie said with red cheeks.
The guys burst out laughing.
"Focus everyone because believe me if something goes wrong tonight I'm not going to blame myself cause you know what I hate blaming myself. Its something I don't like and I sure as hell don't want to be a laughing joke if anything goes wrong, now will you shut up and listen." Kenzie said with heated eyes.
"Aren't you taking this whole thing too serious Kenz? Come on its just a little small informal party no big deal." Dylan said.
"I agree with Dylan and besides its not like we having the king and queen over." Alex said with a smirk.
"Unlike you imbeciles I strive for perfection." Kenzie said and flipped her hair back.
"Okay enough with the sweet names. You want our help so show some respect Kenzie." Alex said to her.
"You tell her brother." Dylan said with a smirk.
Kenzie rolled her eyes and said. "Okay starting with the guest list. I've got uncle Stephen and the whole clan coming. Zoe's friends that I invited are Liz and a girl named Suzy, Chad and Walter. I also have Aunt Stella uncle Jack and Estelle on the list, oh I also invited Antwone and Stacy. They all confirmed that they will be here tonight. Who else can you guys think of?"
"Liz is coming?" Dylan asked and tried to sound nonchalantly about it.
Kenzie smiled sweetly at him. "Yes she's coming so don't forget to pluck your nose hair or whatever it is you do to make yourself look extra hot for her.
"Uh thank you for telling me in so many words I'm hot I will cherish it forever in my heart." Dylan said with a mocking smirk.
"I think that's about everyone that Zoe would want to be here tonight. I cant think of anyone else so I guess the guest list is sorted out. What's next?" Alex asked.
"The cater will bring the food at six o' clock so that's sorted out." Kenzie said and marked it off on her list.
"Wait you hired a cater to prepare food for the party. I thought we going to roast some meat on the fire. We have fresh baked buns." Alex said with a surprised look.
"Yeah, you and the girls can make salads and voilà. Meat, fresh baked garlic buns and salad. Easy squeazy." Dylan said.
Kenzie rolled her eyes. "Stop being so primitive I saw how you guys don't wash your hands when you get back from the toilet. Oh no you just go straight to the barbeque and touch the meat with your hands. That's so disgusting. Yuck." Kenzie said and pulled a face. "I already paid the cater so that's sorted out."
Alex sigh and said. "I'm starting to think why you called us here."
"Where's Aslan?" Caden asked with his finger in his mouth.
"And that's another thing we should keep Aslan locked up in Zoe's room. Dylan's friend Walter got a big mouth that fits his big belly." Kenzie said.
"Stop body shaming my friend not all of us likes to eat like rabbits and speaking of rabbits what is on the menu carrots and grass?" Dylan said and made a face.
"Whatever. Anyway Dylan you are on music meaning you will be our DJ and please none of that rap crap or dad's and mom's golden oldies keep it fresh and modern."
"I will play noting but hits nothing but the motherfucking hits Madame." Dylan said with a mocking smirk.
"Hey language." Alex said and nudge him with the elbow on the arm.
"This is what I'm working with." Kenzie said and sigh out loud. "Cayllum you are in charge of taking Zoe out so that we can get everything ready for her. I will call you when we're done."
Cayllum nodded his head.
"Great and here's your list Alex." Kenzie said. She carefully tear out a page from her notebook and handed it to him.
Alex looked at the items on the page and raised his eyebrow. "Cool I hope this list comes with the money to buy all the alcohol you've written down in detail." Alex said.
"Of course it does what do you take me for." Kenz said with a smirk.
"And now for the most important task of all." Kenzie said and bend down in front of the twins with a smile. "We should make Aslan as comfortable as possible in Zoe's room. We're going to need some toys for him to play with it and who knows toys better than you two. Dylan help them pick out toys for Aslan."
"Yes!" the twins cried out with happiness.
The guys moved out but Kenzie called Cayllum back.
"Is there anything else you want me to do?" he asked.
"Yes there is. I want you to stay away from witches dressed in black." She said to him.
"I don't know what sick story your air headed friend told you but she clearly got it all wrong." Cayllum said.
"Stacy told me you were all flirty with the girl and making googly eyes at her. I'm not going to tell you twice Cayllum." Kenzie said with heated eyes.
Cayllum swallowed his words back and walked out. This was Zoe's night and he too wanted this night to be special for her. If he start a fight with Kenzie now she won't stop it there. She will make his night miserable and taunt him all night. It was best if he let it go for now.
Cayllum was so caught up with his thoughts that he almost saw Bonnie too late but she clearly didn't see him. He stopped just in time before they collide into each other.
"Hi Mrs Salvatore." He said.
Bonnie snapped out of her daze and blink her eyes to try and focus on him. "Cayllum." She said like someone whose mind were miles away.
"We were just discussing Zoe's party for tonight. Kenzie's got all the details and she's got it all sorted out." He said and watched her closely. He saw Jack out of the corner of his eyes standing by the door like a phantom watching them closely.
Bonnie smiled at him and said. "Of course I will catch up later with her."
"Mrs Salvatore are you okay?" He asked with a worried look.
"Yes, I'm fine Cayllum. I' just tired that's all." Bonnie said but Cayllum knew she was lying.
He watched her carefully take the steps up one by one until she disappeared out of sight. He turned back to look at Jack but Jack was gone.
...
The food arrived exactly on time six o' clock. Stacy and Estelle were busy decorating the outside patio with the help of Sophi who came over early to help them out. Kenzie were upstairs in her room getting herself ready for the party.
"Ladies the drinks are here you guys must be thirsty by now." Alex called out with a smirk as he and Antwone entered the kitchen with arms full of beer, ciders and two bottles wine.
"Wow look at all the alcohol. Thursday is still a weekday guys." Sophi said with wide eyes.
"For you yes but not for us so don't get tempted. There are juice and soft drinks in the fridge in all flavours." Alex said and winked at her.
Sophi smiled and said. "Dad said red wine is good for the heart. There are certain substances in red wine called antioxidants it may help prevent coronary artery disease, the conditions that leads to heart attacks. It also have high concentration of polyphenols, particularly resveratrol, which is found in the skin of grapes. These antioxidants may work to reduce inflammation in your body a marker that commonly plays a role in the progression of heart disease."
Antwone chuckled and said. "That does it. Red wine for me."
"There is nothing wrong with my heart I'll have a cider." Stacy said with a flirtatious smile at Alex.
Alex smirked and handed her a cider. He handed Estelle one too and took out a beer for him.
Kenzie came in looking dazzling and fresh with her hair braided back and dressed in a blue short floral dress showing of her well tanned legs. Her face and skin looked radiant with zero make up on. She had a natural blush on her cheeks.
Antwone whistled when he saw her causing Kenzie to smile shyly. He put his arm around her and whispered in her ear "you look beautiful."
"Thank you." Kenzie said and blushed scarlet red.
"Antwone I don't know how you do it but I think your the only one who can turn my sister into a soft little lamb." Alex said with a smirk.
"That is so true and they look so cute together." Stacy said and smiled up at Alex. Stacy was hoping that Alex can see her more than just Kenzie's friend now that Sam is out of the picture. There might be hope for me if I play my cards right. She thought to herself.
Kenzie looked at all the delicious platters on the table and smiled to herself. There were five Hot Gourmet platters with meatballs, sticky chicken wings. Mini beef kebabs, quiche, chicken liver and bacon bites, coriander lamb croquettes and spring rolls. Five chicken and rib platters with a combination of marinated pork and BBQ chicken drumsticks. Five health platters with chicken and pineapple kebabs, fish kebabs, Greek salad kebabs, cucumber cups, Rosa tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto sauce kebabs. And of course five more classic sweet platters with a selection of mini sweets on them. It all looked tasty and delicious.
She walked out to the outdoor patio. It was beautifully decorated. The dining table is big enough to seat all the guest and the table was already set. She than frowned when she looked at the balloons. She called Estelle and Stacy and said. "Why is there a blue balloon I specifically told you all the balloons must be green. Take if off."
The two girls almost tripped over their feet to get to the blue balloon. Inside Alex were rolling his eyes when he heard Kenzie. Antwone shook his head with a smirk and Sophi were laughing softly. Kenzie is something else.
Milky World
The waitress put down two milkshakes in front of Zoe and Cayllum. Peppermint for Zoe and bubble-gum flavour for Cayllum.
"Thank you." Zoe said to the waitress. She smiled at Zoe and said. "Enjoy."
"I still don't understand why Kenzie wants me out of the house its not like I don't know about the party." Zoe said with a smile.
"Your sister strive for perfection and she loves you very much that's why she wants everything to be perfect for you." Cayllum said to her but his eyes were elsewhere. He was looking at someone standing in front of the advertising board with the prices and flavours of milkshakes on it. The girl was dressed in black from head to toe.
Zoe turned her head back to see who he was looking at. The only person she saw was a girl dressed in black standing with her back to them. "Who is she? I think I saw her in school today." Zoe asked when she turned back to him.
"Her name is Page. A new girl in my class." Cayllum said without taking his eyes of the girl.
Zoe took a sip from her milkshake. "This is nice." She said. She couldn't think of anything else to say to him.
Cayllum smirked and said. "Yes it is."
"How do you know you never tasted yours or any milkshake ever since we came here. I'm starting to think you don't like milkshakes." Zoe said with a soft smile.
"Let's just say I enjoy watching you drink your milkshake and milkshakes and I were never friends. Its too sweet and cold. Its like drinking ice cold sugar flavoured water." Cayllum said with a soft laugh.
"Its not that bad. Its not bad at all." Zoe said and made cross eyes at him.
Before Cayllum can reply his phone beeped. It was a message from Kenzie. "And we have been summoned back milady."
"Okay let's hit the road cowboy." Zoe said and let him help her up from her chair.
Cayllum kissed her softly on her head and put his arm around her. Together they walked out like that pass the girl who was still standing in front of the board. Zoe felt a sting in her heart when Cayllum turned his head sideways to look at the girl briefly.
The Salvatore Home
Everyone was there having a great time and enjoying the delicious snacks from the platters. Zoe and Sophi were chatting with Chad, Liz and Suzy joking and laughing. Dylan couldn't wait to hear Liz laugh and see her beautiful smile again so after Walter and him checked the music they joined them.
"Hi Liz you look pretty in this dress." Dylan said with a shy smile and to his embarrassment he blushed.
Zoe and Sophi smiled at him. Walter was grinning from ear to ear at a blushing Suzy.
"Thank you Dylan." Liz said with a adorable shy smile.
"Can I get you guys something to drink?" Dylan said with a nervous chuckle.
"Yes thank you Dylan that will be nice of you." Zoe said to him and touched his arm softly.
"Okay" He said and bump a grinning Walter to follow him.
"I feel like a nervous wreck just waiting to say something stupid to Liz" Dylan whispered to Walter as they make their way to the table with the drinks on.
"Feeling is mutual Buddy I can't stop grinning like an idiot." Walter said to him.
Kenzie, Alex, Josh, Neil, Amber, Bailey, Antwone, Estelle and Stacy were all sitting by the pool enjoying their beers and ciders. Antwone was still sticking with a glass of red wine much to the amusement of the others.
"So Bailey have you met a boy that you like. If not I can hook you up with a great guy." Kenzie said and winked at her.
Bailey made wide eyes and shook her head no. "I don't think I have time for boys in my life right now. I enjoy my own time and working at the shop."
"You poor thing don't work so hard before you know it your life are behind you and your old and full of wrinkles. You should enjoy life while your still young." Stacy said with a smile but her smile quickly disappeared when Kenzie told her to shut up.
Estelle smiled gleefully and moved her chair closer to Alex's chair.
"Delicious snacks people let us eat and be merry." Amber said cheery at the awkward silence that settled over the group.