"I know what's real cannot be denied
Although it may hide for a while
With just one touch love can conquer fears
Turning all your tears into smiles

It's such a wondrous feeling
I know that my heart can't be wrong"
—I Still Believe by Hayden Panettiere

Chapter 13: The Birthday Party

"What are you brooding about, my king?"

My eyes opened suddenly and saw Leslie sitting across from me on the grass, giving me her gentle smile. The light breeze was playing with her long blonde hair, tossing it lightly around her slender face. I caught my breath and couldn't look away. My heartbeat picked up and my mouth was suddenly dry.

Leslie Sophia Burke was and would forever be beautiful and perfect.

"Earth to Jesse!"

Mentally shaking my head, I realized I was gaping. My jaw snapped shut and I blushed from embarrassment, looking down at my lap.

"Oh. I'm disturbing your thinking, aren't I? I'm sorry, Jess." Leslie stood up to leave.

What the heck are you doing, Aarons? Get out of your paralysis!

I quickly grabbed her wrist—me almost kneeling on the ground. She stopped in her tracks. I was still looking down at the grass, but I felt her gaze at the back of my head. "N-no. You got it wrong," I said, then stared directly into her eyes, determined. "Please stay, my queen."

Her eyes widened in shock, then she smiled softly after a brief moment. "Okay, my king."

We sat back beside the tree on a hill that was overlooking the school. Still holding Leslie's wrist, I moved my hand on top of hers and caressed it while looking up at the clear blue sky.

Leslie rested her head on my shoulder. I smelled her sweet perfume and the usual strawberry scent in her hair. I forgot about my problems about Leslie and Groban for now. Just being here with her in this moment was enough. I had to treasure it before she confessed to Groban. After that, I'd let my feelings for Leslie go, but I'd still be always with her. Best friends did that, of course.

Then I remembered what had Conrad said: Everything is never as it seems.

What the heck did he mean? I couldn't sleep properly last night because of that. And what had happened to Leslie and me yesterday seemed long forgotten now.

Thank God.

But there was still the school play to think about.

Boo.

"You're thinking deep, Jess," Leslie said softly, snapping me from my thoughts. "Care to share what's inside that head of yours?"

I chuckled lightly. "It's just about the play, Les. You know, tomorrow's Literature Day, and, well, I'm nervous to the core. What if I'm gonna mess up?"

"Hmmm, there's a solution for that."

"And that is...?"

"Don't think like that," she simply answered.

I snorted. "Easy for you to say; you're a great actress."

Leslie giggled. "And you're a great actor, you know?"

I rolled my eyes. "Um, thanks?"

"You're welcome."

I remembered something. "Oh, right. Sarah reminded me earlier about Lance's birthday party. We're still going, right?"

"Of course," Leslie said bluntly.

It was still lunch time, but we could barely hear the chattering of the students from here, which made this spot nice for a nap.

"So," Leslie started after a moment of comfortable silence, "wanna eat Oreo cookies? But I don't have tea."

I smiled and gently squeezed her hand. "Sure. And I don't mind."

000

The party had already started when Leslie and I arrived at the Bradfields' house. Elizabeth immediately ushered us to the back where the party was being held: a big lawn with a swimming pool where some of the guests were taking a swim. Children songs played through the big speakers, and a clown was currently entertaining some of the kids.

"Leslie! Jesse!" Kezia called us from a circular table where she was already seated with Alice and Emmanuel. Looks like we were the only ones who Sarah had invited from her literature class.

At the other table were students whom I only know by their faces. I guess they were Sarah's classmates in her other subjects.

"So glad you could come, Jess," Emmanuel said as Leslie and I took our seats. "I mean, I was the only guy at this table; I was kinda out of place."

I raised my eyebrows and Alice crossed her arms over her chest. "Why would you feel out of place, Emman? We're already friends since way, way back!"

"So, how are you two holding up?" Kezia questioned while grinning. "Tomorrow's the play and all. Are you excited or nervous?"

"I'm excited, Kezia," Leslie said with a laugh. "I don't know about Jess, though."

I shuddered. "Nervous, of course. How 'bout you guys?"

"I'm just the narrator, so no problem there," Alice replied, shrugging.

"Somewhere in between, truthfully," Kezia admitted. "I'm just really hoping that I'll not forget my lines on stage."

Emmanuel grinned. "The music team's already prepared."

"Good for you all," I deadpanned, then we all shared a laugh.

"So, where's Sarah?" I asked after the laughing had subsided. I thought I saw Leslie frown at the corner of my eye.

"Preparing in her room. Oh, never mind. Here she comes," Alice said, and I turned around to see Sarah wearing a yellow knee-length dress and yellow sandals, her dark hair in curls. She was just simple, which suited her great. After saying hellos to her other friends, Sarah came toward our table next.

"I hope you're feeling great, guys," Sarah said, sitting between Kezia and Alice.

"Well, as long as there's food later, I'm great, Sarah," Emmanuel said. Alice shoved him in the ribs, hard. "Hey!" he yelped, causing her to stick her tongue out with an eye roll.

Sarah giggled. "Don't worry, Emmanuel. After the games, it's dinner time." Then she looked at me with a smile. "What do you think of my outfit, Jess?"

Before I could compliment her, Leslie said, "Your dress looks like it's having the flu."

Sarah glared at her. "I wasn't asking you, Burke."

My best friend smiled sarcastically. "I was just answering for him, Bradfield. Isn't that right, Jess?"

"Um..." I faltered, unsure of what to answer.

Kezia facepalmed. Emmanuel and Alice were still bickering with each other. I didn't know what was going on exactly, but at that glorious moment the emcee called for all of our attention and introduced the birthday celebrant.

Lance walked to the mini stage with a grin, wearing a simple blue polo shirt and jeans. We gave a round of applause. He said his speech, thanking everyone who came.

"I hope y'all are having fun. And I can't wait to open your gifts!" he added, making us all laugh.

After the games for the children, we got food from the buffet table on the right side of the lawn. I almost drooled when seeing the yummy-looking foods, which were ranging from Italian to Asian, since my family wasn't that rich and I rarely got a chance to be invited to a party like this.

Minutes had passed and we were all full. Lance went to our table.

"You all came!" he exclaimed and hugged Leslie, Alice, and Kezia. Emmanuel and I gave him a high-five while ruffling his hair.

"Happy birthday, Lance!" we greeted in unison.

He grinned widely. "Thank you! Your gifts better be nice!"

"Don't worry, little brother," Sarah said while rolling her eyes, "I promise you that all of our gifts are nice. Perfect, even."

"Yay!" He jumped, then went to his other friends, probably to ask if their gifts were also nice.

A magician was currently showing a trick to us guests. He displayed two bank notes and showed them openly back and front for all of us to see. The magician placed them back to back. He cut through the center of both notes with a pair of scissors. Well, this trick was new to me.

Then, the magician instantly opened both halves to show the notes—restored to their original condition.

I gaped while the rest of the audience clapped in amazement. B-but...how did he—oh, right. That's why it's called a magic trick.

Even Leslie's eyes were sparkling with wonder. "I'm going to ask him later how he did that," she told me.

I chuckled. "As if he's gonna reveal his secret to you."

Leslie raised a challenging eyebrow. "Wanna bet, my king?"

I smirked. "What's the bet, my queen?"

She thought for a few seconds. "If he reveals his secret to me," she said, "you'll be the one who'll give P.T. a bath next week. If not, then I'll be the one who'll give him a bath next week."

"But I can't do that alone!" I complained. "If I lose, anyway."

"Take it or leave it."

I sighed in defeat. "Fiiiine. Well, he's done performing. Go ask him now."

Leslie dashed to the magician in record time.

"Jess," someone whispered in my right ear. Startled, I turned sharply to find Sarah's face inches from mine. I instantly leaned away, blushing. "Geez, Sarah. Why do you keep doing that?"

She smiled sweetly. "What, making you blush?"

My face heated up tenfold. "Uh...w-w-whispering, I m-mean..."

Sarah giggled. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"S-sure. About what?" I asked.

She exhaled. "I mean, can I talk to you for a moment, alone?"

I smiled sheepishly. "Oh, er, r-right. Sorry. Sure."

We walked to the side of their house where we were alone and could see the moon and the stars clearly. I couldn't help remembering the night when Leslie and I had done stargazing.

"Say, what do you wanna talk about, Sarah?" I asked as she stopped and faced me. "The play tomorrow?"

Sarah shook her head, and then took a step forward, gazing up at me with thoughtful brown eyes. I swallowed the sudden dryness in my throat. What's happening?

"Jesse," she said softly. "Hope you'll hear me out."

Unsure of where this was going, I just nodded but could feel sweat starting to form on my palms.

"Ever s-s-since..." Sarah cleared her throat. I think this was the first time I heard her stutter. "Ever since I first saw you in seventh grade...you know, in art class, when you helped me with combining colors..."

I remembered that day. It'd been the first day of school. Our art teacher had told us to draw something we loved and should color it. Sarah and I had been sitting beside each other. Well, I'd been late that time, and the only seat left had been the one to her right. Unfortunately, Leslie and I hadn't been classmates in art in seventh grade. "Yeah?"

Sarah exhaled again, then looked into my eyes, determined. "Th-that was the day I fell in love with you!"

My eyes widened in surprise, my jaw also dropping to the ground. Wait, what?

"Even now," she continued, "I still love you. Yes, you're shy most of the time, but you're helpful and kind almost to everyone. And you're so breathtakingly handsome. Who wouldn't fall for a guy someone like you?"

Leslie Sophia Burke, I thought sadly.

"That's why Burke and I have this rivalry going on," Sarah admitted, clenching her hands into fists. "I get jealous whenever I see you with her–that you're having fun with her every single day. What's worse is that you two are freakin' neighbors and best friends! I wish I was the one in her place. It...it breaks my heart, Jess! Do you feel the same way about me? Can we be more than friends?"

I slowly looked away. This was the first time someone had said that to me, which made me really nervous. If I told her I didn't feel the same way, that I just loved her as a friend, I knew what she'd feel. Besides, Leslie had done that to me. Not that I blamed her or anything.

But wait, a voice in my head said, Sarah said, "That's why Burke and I have this rivalry going on." Does that mean—?

I shook my head. Nah, it can't be. Maybe Leslie just doesn't want Sarah for me. Yeah, that's why.

Out of the blue, I remembered what Conrad had told me again: Everything is never as it seems.

I ran my hands through my hair with gritted teeth. Why the heck is this so complicated?

"Jess, are you all right?" Sarah asked with concern, placing a palm on my cheek.

It made me calm down a little and remembered my current position. I lowered my hands to my side, sighing. I forced myself to respond rather than to run away from here. "Sarah," I began, looking directly into her eyes, "you're beautiful, nice, smart, and a great person. Even your dress and hair look perfect on you. But I, er, love you...only as a...friend...I-I'm sorry..."

Her eyes widened in shock, and after a few moments of silence tears started to fall down on her cheeks.

Oh, snap.

"S-Sarah, please d-don't cry," I said stupidly, panicking inside.

She hastily wiped her eyes with her hands. Just when I'd forgotten to bring a handkerchief with me. "No. It's all right. Don't w-worry about it..." Then she started sobbing.

I suddenly felt bad, but it'd be worse if I'd lied to Sarah, telling her I also loved her more than a friend, right?

Not knowing what else to do, I hugged her—as a friend, of course. She cried freely now and, thankfully, didn't back away from my friendly embrace.

Sarah sobbed into my chest, her hands clawing tightly at my shirt, as I ran my fingers through her smooth black hair, trying to calm her down.

"Is it Leslie Burke?" she asked between sobs.

I took a deep breath. "Yes. I'm sorry, Sarah."

After a moment of silence—except for her sniffling—Sarah calmed down and said, "Why don't you just confess your feelings to her, Jess?"

I smiled sadly, even though she couldn't see me. "She already loves someone else."

"W-what? Really?" There was astonishment in her voice.

I nodded timidly. "Nigel Groban. She told me she was falling for him." And yeah, we're both brokenhearted at the moment.

Sarah removed herself from the hug. "But what about our rivalry?"

I gave her a confused look.

I could see in Sarah's face that something in her mind clicked. "You really are dense, Jesse. But still, Burke, what you did was a wrong move," she said more to herself.

"What are you talking about, Sarah?"

She wiped the tears left on her face. "Look, I have a hunch why Burke told you that. But if she really did say falling, then you still have a chance, Jess. Don't let fear get in your way. She has to know how you feel about her from you directly, and not from me or anyone else." She paused. "Heh, as if I'm gonna tell her that you love her."

"You know, for someone who just got, um, brokenhearted, you're good at giving advice to the one who broke your heart."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "That's because I'm not a loser. I have to accept reality."

I kissed her on the cheek. Sarah blushed furiously while gaping as I leaned away. "Payback," I said with a lopsided smile, extending my hand. "Still friends?"

She smiled back and shook my hand. "Still friends."

Then we hugged each other once more. But I knew that underneath her smile was a broken heart and a bucket of emotions that wanted to break from its confinement.