PS. A big HARLOW everyone, I'm back again. Sorry I took so-ooo awfully long, and I have some news for you too. I have already another story in hand but not yet ready to be uploaded and it seems that my other story "In love with the enemy" isn't getting too good a response, huh? Tell me about it, okay? And, the other news is I won't be uploading until probably next year, I'll be on vacation. I'll try though to continue the party soon…
One more thing, I'm still looking extremely forward for all your reviews. Once again, I say a BIG THANK YOU to those who reviewed…
Dump me once, shame on you.
Dump me twice, shame on me.
We are never more totally alive than when the loved one is lying in someone else arm.
- James Kennaway
There is nothing holier in this life of ours than the first consciousness of love, the first fluttering of its silken wings.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Love is something eternal, The aspect may change, But not the essence.
- Vincent Van Gogh
Love is a hidden fire, A pleasant sore, A delicious poison, A delectable pain, An agreeable torment, A sweet and throbbing wound, A gentle death.
- Fernando de Pujas
The sky was alive with stars that night. A beautiful full moon burst out from behind the clouds. "It's a full moon," Sydney said after several minutes. They were walking down hand-in-hand a path they knew so well, heading towards the beach. Behind them, the lights from the S.P.D building faded and vanished totally.
They stood under the stars and stared up into the sky. Sky slipped an arm around her and Sydney turned in his arms. Her eyes shone a brilliant sapphire blue, lips curved up in a smile. Unable to resist anymore, Sky lowered his head, and their lips touched lightly at first, then teasingly and more fiercely.
"Syd, have I ever told you that you're so beautiful—so perfect and absolutely breathtaking." Sky murmured into her ear.
Sydney smiled. He had learnt how to be romantic; a trait she had known was in him all along.
"Sky, I'm feeling so glad and fortunate..." Sydney told him and left the rest of the words trailed, unsaid.
"I know." He knew her too well, knowing that she was, as quoted, glad and fortunate to have him, and him—her.
Little did he know that the girl whom he had had quarrels and arguments with would be the one that he sworn to protect her with all his life. Memories started flowing in. It started with having to undergo an S.P.D entry test and he was mortified, yes he was mortified to see her pass the whole test effortlessly. He certainly hadn't seen her put in any efforts, especially in the theory test.
He seldom spoke to Sydney although he had seen her laughed and talked to the other guys. She was always so into looks, cosmetics and fashion magazines, it's a wonder she didn't put on make-up to bed, he thought sarcastically.
Their favorite activity was light ball. She was really good at it that was undeniable and they were usually the last two left in the game. He hated to admit though, that he was defeated at least twice.
The few of them graduated from D-squad and proceeded on. He didn't know Sydney could climb her way up as well. She doesn't look like the sort to ace in butt-kicking skills or shooting. Yet that was exactly what she was, together with her ability, she sure kicked many of their butts.
Never trust a stunning lady to be weak, and never judge a book by its cover. By then, only three would make it B-squad. Cruger awarded him his certificate and pinned the S.P.D badge on his cadet uniform, honor and justice, followed by Bridge, nothing surprising until—"Congratulations, Syd." He almost dropped the certificate, a look of astonishment on his face, including the others as well.
Sydney had a smug look on her face as she walked past him while he pretended to be looking elsewhere.
By the time they were promoted to B-squad, their sleeping quarters were moved to the wing, close to the command center, a place where was once resided by the A-squad.
Morning had always been bad. He had to have at least ten rounds of mouth battles with Sydney, just to use the bathroom.
Then there was extreme training—mud course, topo, shooting and sparring.
He was the acting leader of the trio and it felt good to be ordering her. She was as usual, fussing and stomping grounds, especially when it comes to mud course. Frankly speaking, he hadn't enjoyed it as much as her. There were battle trials with Krybots, and although he had to admit, she performed well. Even Dr. Kat Manx complimented her, much to his dismay.
Topo was the worst of all. Sydney's bearings were so bad it got the whole team to report later than the actual time. He remembered arguing and yelling at her for leading the team in the wrong direction. It was his entire fault, he had thought, since he allowed her to lead when he was their leader. Bridge, looking exasperated and weary had tried to knocked sense into us with his usual ways of diplomatic talks and he wasn't doing a good job at it.
Sparring was all right, he guessed. Bridge and Sydney teamed to spar with him or Sydney and he against Cruger while Bridge diving under the zords, with Boom.
He was forever losing his cool when it came to dealing with Sydney. They had different ideas and yelled at each other when either wanted his or her way. He had never given in to her and he like watching her pout her lips. Engaging in mouth battle daily had been an exercise and habit already. But he was glad that it had stopped now. When Jack and Z had joined B-squad, he was already and excellent criminal profiler, while Sydney, a surveillance expert and Bridge, mechanic expert. He had never dreamt that the bossy girl would be in the same team as he. Well, then again, maybe he had underestimated his opponent—Sydney, witty and pretty—and his girlfriend now.
Pulling his thoughts back to present, he gazed at Sydney, who was now, laying her head against his broad chest, listening to his steady heartbeats.
Sky hugged her even more tightly and asked what she was thinking. He rested his chin atop her head and listened to the faint ripples lapped against the dock, in a rhythmic slap.
She spoke slowly, "I was thinking of having a birthday party—celebrated with you guys and friends from school. I know my parents are throwing one huge ball party for me, but I prefer a not-so-big affair—you know, having to deal with those millionaire's sons and daughters, it's, the feeling is…horrid. I feel like a vase on display."
Sky pulled her gently away from him and looked earnestly into her eyes.
"Well, I would love to celebrate it with you," he stopped, thinking of what to say, then added, "but doing anything with you, would be divinely for me."
"You do?" Sydney asked, thrilled at his words.
Sky nodded firmly.
"I was thinking—since Halloween's coming…I would love to have a party themed Halloween's Night—Tricks or Treat." She cocked her head and asked for his opinion.
"It's brilliant, the group can start preparing soon, and we've to send out the invitations. Who are we calling? When is it and what about the venue?"
Sydney smiled. The usually serious, no-nonsense Sky was acting more exhilarated than she was and she was glad.
"Yes? Will you kindly share the joke too?" Sky asked nonchalantly.
"Nope. I'm not telling. Let's go back and let Jack and Z know. Not forgetting that Jack is the birthday boy too."
XXX
"A fancy dress party? Ooh, my favorite." Jack exclaimed.
"Syd, I second the idea. It's awesome." Z was happy at the idea. Her mind was already elsewhere like what clothes to wear and what a fancy idea it was, combining Halloween and birthday. It was going to be a great party.
"I'm for it too, do I get to be in-charge of food? Do let me be the food and logistic person, Syd?" Bridge pleaded with Sydney.
The entire group laughed joyously. They definitely deserved a real break after the unhappy past weeks.
Sydney was most happy, it was great feeling having the group sitting together and talking, planning the whole event. It was going to be the best celebration she has had in her eighteen years of life.
Sky began penning down the details for the party, "Right, so Bridge is the food personnel. Z is décor, Jack?"
"Well, I'll help to wallop the food. The birthday boy's and girl's job, right?" Jack winked at Sydney.
Sydney nodded, grinning from ear to ear. Jack was like a dear brother to her, as of Z. They were the best of friends, and sworn brothers and sisters as well.
"Okay, so Sydney and I will do the rest of the planning. We'll finalize this in three days time," Sky told the group.
Sydney chipped in, "guys, I think we'll have this party in two weeks time. Do you think it's too short notice for my friends?"
Bridge said, "Naw. I think it's perfect timing."
XXX
"Guys, I really hope you can turn up for my party," Sydney said sincerely to her friends.
"You bet, Syd. We'll all be there," squealed someone.
"All right, see ya guys later."
Sky and Sydney walked to class together and started giving out the invitation cards. Devon Meyers strolled towards Sydney and said in a quiet and husky voice, "I'll be there, and you know it."
Devon Meyers, one of the top ten richest and gorgeous male in their college. He had always had the hots for Sydney Drew ever since they met in lab class. Devon had hoped she would give him a chance but he apparently, Mr. Snobbish-Boy was luckier than he and that was maddening.
Now that he received her invitation to her birthday party, it showed that she still had feelings for him and he wasn't about to decline it. He knew to grab the chance when he got one.
Sydney gave him a broad smile, "Thanks, I'll be looking out for you then." She turned to the class nerd cum genius, Marcus Stevens, "You'll be there, won't you?"
Marcus stopped writing in his thick as encyclopedia notebook and promptly received the pink envelope from Sydney.
"You…you, you are go-going to in-invite me to your party?" Marcus stuttered in his sentence and looked at her incredulously behind his thick glasses.
Sydney laughed. Marcus was the class nerd. He was extremely good in Math and excelled in all of the other subjects as well. He doesn't mingle with others much, and is considered as an introvert. No one paid much attention to him although they laughed at his sheepish dressing. The clothes he wore were slacking in style and he so needed to change his wardrobe.
His sandy blond hair was always center parted. Marcus was five feet four, had little confidence in him and always spoke slowly. He seemed more of the couch potato fellow, always sitting in the library reading. And he slouched.
Sydney had felt that this would be a most credible time to help him find a suitable friend to be with and seeing that he must feel lonely on a Friday night, buried in his textbooks. He deserved another chance and a break. Besides, he seemed to be a fine friend even though she had to admit this was the second time she spoke to him the new term started.
"Absolutely." Sydney grinned.
"I…I will be there." He told her, still quite unsure of himself.
At the exact moment, Courtney and gang click-clocked their way in.
Courtney spoke loudly, as if to announce of her arrival, "what's up with the class, running around. So unethical."
To her amazement, none answered her. The rest of the classmates were too absorbed in the coming party and were indulging in deep conversations in big groups.
"You," Courtney pointed her well-manicured finger at Dana, "go find out what's going on," she ordered, still standing at her table.
Dana returned shortly.
"Well?" Courtney asked.
Dana shrugged, "Syd's having a party and they are hyper-excited over the coming event."
Courtney yelled loudly, "a party?"
All heads turned to her and she hadn't the cheek to look embarrassed. Sydney handed her an envelope too.
"Come if you wish, the class is invited."
"We WILL." Courtney spoke loud enough for their ears. She was determined to dress in her best, better than the birthday girl and be the limelight of that night.
Sky handed the last invitation to Heather Holmes who sat alone at the last row. Pretty, quiet and intelligent described her overalls.
She took the invitation from Sky, hands touched with him and she blushed.
"Thank you, Sky."
"No problem," Sky smiled.
Heather was stunned. She had never seen Sky smiled to anyone except Sydney, his girlfriend. She had a secret and not even her best friend knew that she had a crush on Sky. Right now, her heart beat so loud and fast she thought that he could hear it but Sky had walked back to sit beside Sydney.
She sighed. This was a good opportunity to see him from afar where no one knows. She was going, she thought and continued typing her report, tossing the invitation into her bag.
XXX
"I'm so glad Sky and Syd had reconciled. It was long." Z told Bridge who was pushing the trolley up and down the supermarket.
They were doing the almost final shopping and preparations for Sydney's party. By now, packs of finger food and utensils were already in the trolley.
"Yeah, me too. But Z, you know I'll never abandon you, ever." Bridge told her, a look of seriousness written on his face."
"I know, Bridge. That's why I chose you." Z patted his back.
"We need to get lots of bread. I'm going to do toasted breads, buttery." Bridge wiggled his hands in front of Z, who was exasperated by him.
"Sure you do, for yourself. No one will want to eat toasted and buttery bread at a party." Z pointed out dryly, "Accompany me to the mall later, will ya? We are getting some fancy clothes for ourselves."
"At your service, Mdm." Bridge saluted to his girlfriend.
XXX
Two weeks past quickly and there was one last day to do the final prep. Sydney stood surveying around her villa, pen on her right hand, and clipboard on another.
"Okay, balloons checked. Decorations checked…blah blah… Food…hmm, food…. Bridge?" She shouted in the large living room.
"All taken care of." Bridge yelled back from somewhere in the villa.
"Okay, checked," Sydney put down the clipboard on the table and looked around once more. All was practically ready. Her friends had helped washed, decorated, and they were right now, somewhere. "Where are you guys? Z? Sky?"
"Right here." Sydney heard Sky's voice, which seemed to be coming out from the den.
She followed his voice and found the whole gang there, wrapping souvenirs.
"Hi, guys."
"Hi, no time to talk. We still have lots of gifts not wrapped yet. And it was all Omega's fault—not reminding us about these. Damn, so many teddies still." Z grumbled, wrapping a pink teddy in pretty plastic wrappers.
"Come here, Syd." Sky motioned her to sit beside him.
She shook her head. "A little tired, Sky. I'm heading to my room for a nap. Later."
Sydney headed out to the balcony of her room and sat on a beach chair. She sat in a daze and occasionally drank her cider from a glass. It was her birthday tomorrow and she was both excited and tired.
Several moments later, Jack knocked on her door, "Missy? Can I come in?"
"Sure."
"Hey, penny for your thoughts? You can tell me, I'm your bro." He paused before asking, " Is it Sky?"
Sydney looked at Jack through her wineglass as he sat opposite her. It was going to be the second time she celebrated her birthday with Jack, her brother.
"Brandy or cider?" She asked.
"Cider will be fine."
Sydney poured out a glass and handed it to him. "Nope, I was just resting and thinking about our birthday last year. No Piggy this year, right?"
Jack assured her firmly, "no Piggy."
He looked outside and stared at the clear blue sky, a perfect day for outing indeed. He had wanted to help the others in wrapping gifts, but they insisted that the birthday boy and girl to leave everything to them, insisting that all's fine.
Sydney nodded and took another sip of her cider.
"Good, isn't it?"
"Yeah. So, Jack, what are you going to dress up as tomorrow?"
"It's a surprise, so I'm not telling now," Jack winked at her, "what about you, Syd?"
"I'm not telling either. I want to keep all of you in suspense."
Jack raised his glass and toasted to her, "To our birthday and surprises then."
"To our birthday and surprises." They clinked their wine glasses synchronously.
"I've gotta go. See you over dinner. Bye."
"Later, Jack."
XXX
Later that night while everyone was in bed, Sky brought Sydney out to a clear landing, beneath the glittering stars.
"What's up, Sky?"
"Nothing. But I just want to spend this time with you. Haven't seen you much today, and I admit, I certainly miss you."
"Me too." They sat down on the well-trimmed carpeted grass. "I know I mentioned this before, but I want you to know that I want to spend the whole of my life with you."
Sky gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'd got something for your birthday and I want to be the first person to give you your present." He handed her a velvet box.
Sydney unwrapped the slim, gift-wrapped package. She opened the pink case to reveal a dazzling string of pearls and earrings nestled against the pink velvet.
"Wow", she gasped, "it's beautiful. Thanks, Sky. I love it so much."
"Here let me put them on for you." Sky took the pearls and earrings and put them on for Sydney. "Syd, I love you."
Sydney gave him her sweetest smile. "I thought you would never say that. I love you too." Loving kiss once more.
XXX
Guests started to stroll in at six. Bridge was busy running around showing the guests in. He was dressed up in a wizard costume and had trouble with the sharp pointed hat, which kept falling from his head as he ran.
"This way.The birthday girl'snot ready yet. She will be joining us shortly. Take a seat please, everyone."
TBC...
Reviews anyone?