(A/N: A word of warning to everyone. This Chap is is extremely long. I usually don't do an entire day, but it was too important to do less than this. A normal chap for me is 2000/2500. And I uploaded more pictures to tumblr. So check those out at your leisure. Hope you guys have a good Monday.)
Sydney POV
"Have a good day girls." I hear Dad say.
"Thanks." Ellie replied as I shut my door.
Another stupid day at school.
Ellie catches up to me, a smile plastered on her face.
"C'mon! Smile!" She playfully pushed me.
I give her a look.
"Do you like being in school on your birthday?" I ask.
"No. But you should still look happy! It's your birthday!"
I hear "Happy birthday Sydney!" and turn.
Some no name that I've always gone to school with smiled and waved.
I smile and wave back.
He's nice, but I've never really talked to him.
I turn back to Ellie.
"It's your 16th birthday. Aren't you happy?"
"Not really."
"Why not? You can go get a permit. And then a license!" She asked, looking incredulous.
"I could have done that in the last year. But nobody took me." I say, as we approach our lockers.
"You could have asked Raffy to take you there."
"Without my parents' permission?" I retort, grabbing my book for science class.
"He said "Call when you want to go somewhere." He cares about you. If you asked him to take you somewhere and keep an eye on things, he'd do it! Your parents pay him." Ellie suggested.
"But he'd tell the—"
"Sydney!"
I freeze.
Ellie suddenly smiled.
"Don't turn around. Let me get it ready." He said.
"I'm gonna go get some coffee." Ellie smiled.
Focus. Get your stuff for class.
"Ok…you can turn around." I hear.
I turn and—
WHOA.
Austin…
"Happy birthday." He smiled.
He has cupcakes.
And they're lit.
"Make a wish."
"I don't think I can blow them all out at the same time." I say nervously.
I think there are 16.
He's such a sweetheart.
"How about this? You take half and I take half." He proposes.
"Sure."
"On 3. 1…2…"
I blow out my half as he blew out his half.
He smiles and waved away the smoke, then extended them to me.
"For you."
"I…thanks." I smile nervously.
He baked me cupcakes for my birthday.
"No problem." He smiled as I take one.
"Can I have one?" He asked.
I nod, having just took a bite.
"Thanks."
We both spent the next few minutes having a cupcake.
"So…I have a proposition for you." He said.
I look over.
A twist on how he texted me an invite to the movies two weeks ago.
"Ok?"
"Since I am a firm believer that birthdays are days of fun—"
I can't stop my giggle.
"—I say we bounce on out of here."
I freeze and look at him.
"Like…ditch class?"
"Yeah. That's exactly what I am saying."
"Whe…What will we do?" I ask.
I wanna go.
I have no desire to be here.
I've never skipped a full day before in my life, but he's asking me to cut class with him.
Hell of a way to introduce himself to me again.
He's been quiet since we left that stupid movie theater.
I wanna talk to him about it. I just don't know how to start the conversation.
"Go to the beach. Once we're there I'll explain more of my plan."
Then he smiled again.
"Are you in?"
I slam my locker door.
"Let's go." I say.
"I'll grab the cupcakes."
Wait…
"Wait…how will we get there?"
He suddenly popped up, cupcakes still on the ground near my locker.
Then he pulled out some keys.
"Keys?"
"My mom's car keys." He smiled.
"You drive?" I ask.
He nodded.
"Why…why didn't you drive us to the movies two weeks ago?" I ask.
"We'll talk about that. Let's get out of here."
Ok!
He scooped up the cupcakes and walked with me out the front door.
Ellie POV
EEEEEEEPPPPPPPP!
Austin…
Sydney is so lucky!
I saw the cupcakes as he told Syd to stay still.
Hopefully that gets them going.
And hopefully I gave them enough time to start kissing it up.
I sip my coffee and walk back to…
Wait…
Where are they?
Sydney POV
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
Austin smiled and turned down the volume slightly.
"You were supposed to keep singing!" I turn to him.
Now I feel embarrassed.
"Sorry, you were doing so good though, I didn't want to bring you down." He smiled.
"Oh shut up. You're a good singer."
He shook his head.
"I have a question."
"Ok." I say.
He turned the volume down all the way.
"There's always been rumors going around school that Cat Valentine is your mom. I know your last name is Valentine…am I looking too much into it?"
"No, she's my mom." I say.
He was looking ahead.
And froze.
"So…she is your mom."
"Uh huh."
He kept his hand on the wheel, but the look on his face said a lot.
"That's…that's not why you're doing this right?" I ask.
He jumped like he got shocked.
"No! No no noooo. Wh…Of course not. I never believed those rumors. I just asked out of curiosity." He clarified.
Thank god.
I smile to myself.
"I'm just shocked. That's all." He broke the silence.
"Why are you shocked? You probably knew she lived in LA."
"Well, yeah. But I mean…she's an amazing artist. She's all over my pearPod. I love her stuff. The fact that I'm one degree of separation away from meeting her is just kind of unbelievable."
"Unbelievable? Why do you say that? She's a normal person." I say.
"I…she doesn't seem like it. I mean…She's Cat Valentine."
"And I'm Sydney Valentine. What's your point?"
He sputtered and said "Nothing. Sorry. It's probably a sore subject for you."
"Not really." I say.
He looked over at me.
"Really? People don't compare you to your mom all the time?"
"I really don't see people that would say that much. I'm ghost child remember?"
He smiled and nodded. "Why is that?"
"I hate the spotlight. I'm Sydney. I don't like how they take pictures just because my mom is famous."
"That's part of it I thought." He said, pulling off the highway.
Santa Monica.
I wish I would have brought my swimsuit, or something more comfy.
I dressed up to catch Austin's eye.
Instead, he's driving me to the beach.
"I just don't like it." I say.
He seemed to understand that. "Are you thinking about doing music or theater?"
"I'm looking into it. I'm taking classes for theater."
"Good. You're really good. And you can really sing. It's like your mom's…but it's got its own awesomeness."
I giggle and smile.
"Really?"
I've never heard someone say it like that.
"Yup. It's amazing. I'm glad I didn't run off the road. It's hypnotizing." He smiled.
"Thanks…I wish I would have brought like a swimsuit or something."
He pulled into the turn lane.
"We can buy something. We are on the beach." He stated.
"But…it'll be all expensive." I protest.
"I'm buying." He said.
"Austin!"
"I don't hear you. What about the radio?" he said, turning it up then smiling.
Boys…
I try to hide my feet as I silently jam out.
He's got some great songs going.
He parked and held the door for me at the little shop.
It's small, but has a nice smell of seashore.
I love the beach.
I just love water in general.
I like this two piece.
I'll probably use it at home or Jade's too once we go back.
Austin is up at the front buying a case of something.
"I'm here." I say quietly.
It's half peppy cola and half lemonade.
He's so smart.
The guy behind the counter rang us up.
"37.70."
Austin handed him two bills, and the guy made change.
"Thanks." Austin smiled.
He unlocked the car, and I hopped in.
Austin stopped at the Ice container and dragged out a bag.
He didn't buy it.
"What are you doing?" I ask, half frantic.
"Just a sec. I bought it." He smirked.
He popped the trunk then pulled out a cooler.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
He put in a layer of ice, then placed the drinks inside and dumped ice on top, then heaved the whole thing back to the trunk.
After throwing away the bag and hopping back in, he started towards the beach.
"You're smarter than you look."
"Thanks…I think." He smiled.
I giggled again.
STOP THAT!
He turned up the radio on the brief drive from the store to the beach.
"Okay…" he said after hopping out and popping the trunk.
He heaved the cooler out and plopped it onto the concrete.
"I'm not carrying that." I blurt out.
"Me neither." He said.
Then he popped a button on the side and a handle revealed itself.
"Nice!" I say, as he begins pulling it on two wheels.
"Thanks. My mom bought it when I started doing AAU ball. She said the cooler was going to kill her otherwise."
I smile and carry my swimsuit with me as he stops at the backseat, then throws a bathing suit of his own over his shoulder.
We walked for 2 or 3 minutes, and then found a nice spot in the sun.
"Uhm…can I see the car keys?" I smile.
"Why?" He asked.
"I was going to go change and put my clothes in the backseat if that's ok."
He suddenly dug in his pocket.
"Here. I'll follow you and get the towels I brought."
"You brought those too?" I yelp.
"Uh huh. I tried thinking of everything."
"You are smarter than you look." I smile, and then impulsively ruffle his hair.
He laughed. "Now that is a complement."
"Yep. Let's go." I waved.
He followed me and grabbed the towels, then let me lock it before showing me where the changing rooms were.
I nervously slip in and change.
I hate places like this.
I'm constantly afraid of some creepy guy seeing my boobs.
What scares me more though, is Austin seeing my bra and stuff. So I set those on the bottom of my clothes pile, then cover it with my shirt and jeans, then top it off with my purse.
The beach is deserted, as it should be for a Friday morning.
I take a deep breath and try to stay calm as I approach him.
He's texting on his phone.
He's going to think I look fine.
God I hope he thinks I look good.
"I'm back." I smile, then toss the keys next to him.
He looks up and swallows.
"Oh…Ok. I'll be right back." He said, and then scurried away.
I can't hold back a smile.
That's a relief.
I spread out a towel and plop onto it.
"Where are you?" –Ellie
I take a picture of the sand leading to the water and send it.
It's really pretty.
I can't believe I'm supposed to be in 2nd period right now.
It's almost 9 AM.
And I'm at the beach.
I love living in California.
All I need to do is get my permit and license and I can come here all the time.
Talk about paradise.
I'm thirsty.
I crawl over to his spot and pop open the cooler and get out a lemonade.
Too early for a soda.
Even though it does sound good.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT? He took you to the beach?"
"Yep." I smile and send back.
"I'm back." He said, bending to get a towel to lay out.
OH MY…
I feel faint.
I thought he was hot while clothed.
The boy is all muscle, clearly from working out and playing baseball.
"Cool. Thank you again for choosing this over school." I smiled at him.
He laughed. "Anytime. I'm glad I did it. This is already better than school can ever be."
"Really?" I blurt out.
Idiot!
"Yep." He smiles, then grabs a drink.
I check my phone.
"You better make a move. I'm sure he doesn't take every girl to the beach."
I toss my phone away.
Thinking that way surely can't help.
"So…do you mind if we talk about the other night?" He nervously asked.
I chance a look at him, and he's looking at me, clearly uncomfortable.
"I know you're mad." He added on.
I tilt my head.
"Oh really? How's that? Are you psychic too?"
"No. I heard you last Wednesday yell 'I don't care' at the top of your lungs. I saw you and Ellie talking, right after she basically told me to talk to you."
"Ok. Talk." I cross my arms.
No lookie at my bikini while you're in trouble.
"Where do you want me to begin?"
"How about you tell me why you invited me to the movies, then once we leave you can't get away fast enough, then don't talk to me for two weeks!" I say.
He bit his lip.
"I thought that's where you'd want to start."
"Go. Talk."
"Look…my parents don't like me being out late. I texted them, telling them I was out with friends and that I'd be home. They didn't like it. So I had to get home ASAP."
"Me too. My mom and dad didn't like that I forgot to text them. Ellie came up with some lame alibi. But that doesn't explain why you didn't tell me this earlier! I would have taken it fine!"
"How would I have known that? Seriously? Girls are so confusing. I don't even know why Skylar broke up with me back in September ok? Plus I heard you be all mad, so I just got nervous. Today I manned up, baked the cupcakes and took action." He said.
"Skylar thinks that you're too perfect for her. Too good of a guy." I say flatly.
"How do you know? You guys never talk." He replied.
"Word got out once the hottest guy in school was single again."
OH CRAP!
I clap my hands over my mouth, and his eyebrows shot up.
WHY DID I SAY THAT?
He then started smirking.
"Is that your opinion or a general opinion?"
I blush madly.
"No comment."
He lightly laughed and sipped his drink.
"Look Sydney…I'm really sorry. I know I messed up. I should have handled things differently. I apologize for hurting you. You're a great girl who didn't deserve me being such a jerk." He said, looking at the sand and playing with it.
Awww…
"Thanks Austin." I smile.
"Can we hug and forget about that? Cause it's been eating me alive." He asked.
I smile and crawl over to him.
He quickly pulled me into a soft hug.
God I hope that wasn't awkward for him.
"You're soft." I say, defiantly sitting on his blanket.
I do not want to move.
"Thank you. My sister disagrees, but she's not here, so who cares what she thinks."
I laugh, and he chuckled.
"You have a sister?"
"Yeah." He sighed. "She's 5. Had to baby sit her a ton before she started going to school. As soon as I got out of her grasp, I fell into Skylar's."
I roll my eyes.
God I hate her.
There's a reason why she's got the nickname the wicked witch of the west.
"I'm sorry." He blurted out. "I know you guys hate each other. I won't bring her up anymore."
"No, it's ok. There's a reason she's the wicked witch of the west." I say.
He suddenly looked shocked. "What'd you call her?" he laughed.
"The wicked witch of the west. She's evil." I say
"So true. And you're so much more talented and prettier than her."
I smile at him.
"Is that your opinion or a general opinion?"
"That's my opinion. And proud of it." He smirked.
We both laugh.
"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" He asked.
"Two brothers. All they do is play sports and NextBox." I say.
He smiled.
"They sound cool."
I groan.
"Oh no. Not you too."
"Oh yes. Me too. What sports do they play?" he asked.
"Baseball. My brother that's 12 wants to play football, but my mom won't let him."
He gave me an odd look.
"Why not?"
"She watches the news about all this concussion damage and suicides from ex-players and doesn't want that from her sons." I say.
"Makes sense to me. Are they both younger than you?" he asked.
"Yeah. 12 and 8."
"Ahh. What're their names?"
"Kevin and Corey." I say.
"Corey is the younger one?"
I nod. "What about your sister?"
"Samantha. But she goes by her middle name Crystal."
"Ok…" I say nervously.
That's weird.
"I know. My family is weird." He smiled.
"Not nearly as weird as mine."
He laughed.
"Doubtful."
I subtly shift so we're side by side.
He hugged me again around the shoulders this time.
"Did Ellie ask where you went?"
"Yeah."
"What'd you say?"
"I sent her a pic of the beach."
He jumped.
"She won't rat us out?"
"No." I smile. "She's been telling me to talk to you for weeks."
"I should have listened to her." He sighed.
"…Nah."
"Nah?" He asked.
"I like how things worked out. I'd rather be here on the beach making up then in the hall or a closet."
He smiled and played with the sand.
I sipped my drink.
"Agreed."
I sigh and "accidentally" lean on him.
"Oh. Do you mind?" I ask.
"Of course not. Go ahead."
I frown at him.
"No staring. Got it?"
He went bright red.
"I…no. Never. Sorry I made you think I'd do that."
"It's ok. But if I'm leaning on you, you have a nice view, if you get my drift." I say.
"Loud and clear."
"Good." I say, then resting on his side.
MAN THIS BOY IS COMFY.
Can I make him into a pillow or something?
My thoughts are distracted by him brushing the sand off my leg.
"Thanks." I smile.
"No problem. Happy to be of service."
His voice…
Gotta stay calm.
Stay. Calm Sydn—
He suddenly tuned my head gently with two fingers on my jawbone, and then kissed me.
…
He's kissing me.
OH MY GOD.
This isn't my first kiss, but it's my most anticipated for sure!
I waited 5 months for today.
He pulls away too soon.
I'm so shocked I don't open my eyes a few seconds.
I…
HE KISSED ME!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!
"Oh god…I messed up didn't I? Oh no…I'm so sorry—" He sputtered, looking miserable.
"You didn't mess up. I…" I say.
"Did you not like it? You didn't kiss back. Am I a bad kisser?" He panicked.
"No. That's not it. I…I'm just surprised."
"Do you not like me? Is it that kind of thing?" He asked.
"No, it's not. Do you like me?" I turn the question around.
"Uhh…yeah. I do. I like you a lot. I wouldn't do all this for a normal girl."
I smile. "Thanks."
"So…now what?" He asked, voice betraying his calm appearance.
I look at him and cock my head to the side.
"I think we kiss again."
He lit up, then happily obliged.
Robbie POV
"Robbie!"
"Hey Mom." I smile.
"Cat! How are you honey?" Mom asked as Dad appeared in the back of the house, coming our way.
"I'm wonderful Mrs. Shapiro, how are you?" Cat beamed.
"I'm great."
"Dad." I smile.
He smiled back and clapped my shoulder. "How are you holding up?"
I let out a breath. "Ok…can't believe the time has passed so fast."
"That's how it goes." Mom smiles.
"16. I can't believe it." Cat said.
"She's at school I take it." Dad said.
I nod. "I dropped her off. I didn't like doing it, especially since it's her birthday AND a Friday. Just seems like she should have the day off."
Dad smiled.
"You're a softie." Cat joked.
"And you're no better."
"Why not?" Mom asked.
"Well…we bought Sydney's birthday gift earlier today."
"Which is?" Dad asked.
"Well, when she was a baby, Cat promised that she'd get a car when she turned 16. So today we fulfilled that promise."
"A car?" My mom beamed.
"Yup. White range rover." Cat said.
"Model year?"
"This one. 2027."
He nodded.
"Point is, Cat cried while we signed the papers." I say.
Cat swatted my arm.
"You just had to say that didn't you?" She asked.
"Yes. Yes I did."
"It's fine sweetheart. I cried every year on Robbie's birthday since he was 14 to 21." Mom said kindly.
"I even teared up at his graduation." Dad admitted.
"What?' I yelp.
"Really?" Cat smiled.
"It's true." Mom said.
Dad nodded.
"So why are you here? Just to say hi and tell us the news about a car?" Dad asked.
"Uhh…no." Cat said.
"I wanted to ask you guys for an opinion on something." I say.
"Ok. Shoot." He said.
"Cat and I have been talking about whether or not to tell Sydney the truth about her father." I say.
"I think we should wait." Cat piped up.
"I say that we've gotten damn lucky she hasn't found out already. The other night we zaplooked her, and it came up on the first search." I say. "I think we have to tell her soon, otherwise she'll find out on her own and this becomes a disaster."
Mom bit her lip.
"I agree with Robbie." Dad said.
Cat frowned.
"Sorry angel. You know I love you." He smiled at her.
Cat nodded.
"I see both sides. But I agree with Robbie. We don't want her finding out on her own."
"We thought you'd say that." Cat said.
"Then why'd you ask us?' Mom asked.
"Because we wanted to see how it's sound when we talk to you. Plus I want to do it." I say.
Then Cat jumped in.
"Without me."
Both my parents look to me for an explanation.
"Cat. I'm the one that's been the lying one. I have to tell her. By myself. I want to make sure she understands why I did it, and that I absolutely love her."
"I can reinforce that!" Cat said.
"She can." Both my parents say.
"But…Cat might sound like we're ganging up on her." I counter.
"Possibly…what about her actual dad?" Mom asked.
"I don't know. He emailed me a few weeks ago, updating his info and asking how we were." I say.
"I've been impressed that he hasn't hidden from you guys." Dad says.
"I know right?" Cat piped up.
Still hates him.
She has a right to.
"She'll want to know who he is." Mom says.
"I know. I was going to pull her aside after I get back from my tour. Cat was going to compile some pictures and the actual birth certificate and custody transfer docs. Stuff like that." I tell them.
"What's he doing nowadays?" Dad asked, arms crossed.
"Manager in some office building. Makes decent money. Like 90 grand a year. Family now. Wife and 3 kids." I say.
"Four." Cat, Mom and Dad all say.
"Yeah…4 kids." I amend my statement.
"She might not like that. He has a family, but didn't stick with her." Mom said.
"I know." I say.
"You look nervous." Dad said.
"Of course I am. I've been lying to her whole entire life. And now I'm going to burst that bubble? What if she starts screaming at me? What then?" I ask.
"She won't do that." Mom and Dad both say.
"Yeah, but you get his point." Cat adds.
"This could go VERY bad." I say.
"Just trust that it won't. Ok baby." Mom said, coming to hug me.
I hug her and sigh.
"Tonight's cookout is still a go right" Dad asked Cat.
"Yep." I say, as Mom lets me go.
"Great. So we'll see yo—"
Suddenly my phone went off.
"It's Sydney?" I say, confused.
"Huh?" Cat asked.
I tap 'Answer Call.'
"Hello?"
"Daddy? It's me." Sydney's voice said.
"Sydney! Hey! Everything ok?" I ask.
"Yeah. I'm good."
"Where are you at?" I ask.
Cat and my mom give me a thumbs up for the question.
"In a friend's car in the parking lot. I was just calling to say I don't need to be picked up at school today."
"Ok. Something going on?"
Cat and my parents all look surprised.
"Yeah, some friends want to take me for ice cream and hang out for an hour. Is it ok if I'm back at 5:30 tonight?"
"Hold on." I cover the mouthpiece.
"Some friends want her to hang out and have ice cream after school. She asks if 5:30 is ok for her to get back."
Cat smiled. "We can hide her gift and have it ready when she gets home."
My dad pumped his fist and pointed at her, smiling.
"Why 5:30?" Cat asked.
"I'll ask." I say.
"Hey Syddo, why 5:30?" I ask.
"I don't know. I picked a time. Where are you?" She asked.
"At your grandparents house. You know dinner starts at 7 right?" I ask.
Cat hissed "Tell her she can come at 6:30 if she wants."
"It does?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah. You can come at 6:30 if you want."
"Really? That'd be awesome! Thanks daddy!"
I laugh. "No problem Sydney. Having a good day?"
"Eh. Boring. Sikowitz's is next."
"Ok. Have fun. See you at 6:30."
"Ok! Bye!"
I hang up and smile.
"I take it she jumped at the 6:30 idea." Dad joked.
"Yup."
"I'll text everyone saying she gets there at 6:30 and let Jade know about the driving arrangements." Cat said.
"So I guess we'll see you guys at 6." Mom asked.
"Yeah. We'll need to hide the car in the neighborhood." I say.
"OOH! Maybe once she gets home, we can drive it into the driveway as a way to show her!" Cat yelped.
My dad clapped once. "We have a winner."
"That was easy." I say.
My mom fake hit a button, like in the ads.
Everyone laughed.
Sydney POV
(9 Hours later)
I wiped the tears from my eyes and tried to stop laughing.
"Hah…oh my gosh…" he croaked out, keeping his gaze ahead.
"That seriously happened?" I laugh.
"Yeah. Then he started running around screaming like a girl saying "I'M GONNA DIEEEEEEE!"
I burst into more laughter and rest my head on the dash.
"You guys are crazy." I say.
"Yep. Wild and crazy bunch we are." He said flatly.
He's being so sarcastic.
He said that when he's relaxing he plays video games, relaxes with friends, watches TV or sleeps.
Turns out he's very normal! I always thought he was a lot more…
I don't know where I'm going with that.
But you know what I mean. When you like somebody, things are NEVER simple. And they just seem different.
I smile and look at him.
He's a little darker from the sun we got today.
I probably am too.
But it was soooo worth it.
He pulled into my neighborhood and stopped in a random cul-de-sac.
"So…I really don't want to let you leave." He smiled somberly.
"I know. I don't want to go either." I say sadly.
"But…I'm glad we talked."
"Me too." I smile at him.
"And other stuff."
I laugh.
"Yeah. I have a question." I say.
"Go." He smiled at me.
"Whatttt…does this mean?" I nervously ask.
Then I course correct.
"Where do we stand?" I blurt out as he opened his mouth.
He suddenly burst into an adorable smile.
"I think…I'd like to ask you out. On a normal date."
"Can it be next Saturday?" I ask. "My dad will be gone and my mom won't mind me being out late."
"He's going on tour you said?" he asked.
I nod.
"I think I can make that happen." He smiled.
I smile back.
"But until then…I'd love to call you my girlfriend." He leaned in to me.
I gently lean in to and kiss him.
The feeling that I'm going to melt into a puddle will NEVER get old.
I MEAN EVER.
"I'd love that." I say quietly, our faces inches apart.
He smiled, then kissed me again briefly.
"I better get you home." He said.
"Why are we early?" I ask.
"Good impression. Parents like it when you bring their kids home early. Because usually they are late."
…
"You're good." I say.
"Thanks."
I check myself in the mirror, making sure there are no tell tale markers that I've been kissing Austin.
I close the mirror when he stops.
"This is it right?" He asked.
"Yup. Thanks for the great day." I smile.
"Of course. Happy to do it."
I step out of the car, but lean on the hood.
"Text you once I get done with this dinner?"
"Please." He smiled.
"Ok. Thanks for the best birthday ever."
He laughed. "Go have fun."
"Bye."
"Bye." He smiled, then drove off.
I watch the car go away, then turn to the house.
Everybody's cars are here.
OH NO.
I see Ellie.
She's in my room.
LOOKING AT ME.
With a huge grin on her face.
She waved, and then disappeared.
I take a deep breath and walk to the door.
I don't even get to open in before I'm being hugged by Grandpa.
"Happy birthday angel." He said, then let me go and smiled.
"Thanks Grandpa. How are you?"
"I'm fantastic. C'mon in. You're going to get hug barraged." He said, holding the door for me.
I hear "Sydney's home!" then a whole bunch of footsteps.
Then Matt, Corey and Kevin are all hugging me from all sides.
"Ahhh! Need…Air!" I joke.
They all let go.
"Sorry." Kevin smiled.
"Happy birthday." Matt beamed.
"Happy birthday sissy!' Corey beamed.
"Thank you…how was you guys' days?"
"Ok." Matt said.
Corey smiled and Kevin shrugged.
Then they moved and grandma hugged me.
"You're so big…and beautiful…"
"Thanks grandma."
Then came Beck and Jade.
"Congratulations…" Jade beamed and hugged me.
"You look good kiddo." Beck smiled.
Then Andre gave me a shoulder hug.
"Happy birthday."
"Thank you…" I wipe a tear from my face.
This is just too much.
Then Tori hugged me.
"Happy 16th birthday!"
I smile at her.
Then I hear a cry.
I turn and see Andre holding Olivia.
"I think someone wants a hug too!" Grandma smiled.
I beam and look at Olivia.
She's looking right at me, and reaching out.
I take her from Andre, and she immediately grabbed onto me.
"Hiiiii…" I smile.
"She wanted in on the action."
"It's hugapalooza!" Jade joked.
Everyone laughed.
I tickle Olivia's tummy, and she giggled and kicked her feet.
Then she reached for her daddy.
So I hand her back.
Just in time for Ellie to smash into me.
"Whoa!" Several people said.
Ellie, who has wrapped herself around me is trying to kill me for real.
"Ok…now really let go. No air…" I croak.
She let go and stood up.
"Hi."
Everyone laughed.
"Ok. Let's let her put her stuff down and give her some space." Grandpa said.
"Wait…where are mom and dad?"
Jade spoke up. "They forgot something at the store. They're running and getting it."
"Your father…forgot it." Grandma said.
Everyone laughed.
Then I find Ellie pulling me upstairs.
"I'll be right back down." I tell everyone.
"Take your time!" Beck said.
Ellie led me into my room, then shut the door.
"Tell. Me. EVERYTHING!" she yelped.
"Shh! Don't yell!"
"Ok! Talk!" She beamed. "Did you guys talk?"
"Uh huh. He explained what happened at the movie theater."
"Which was?" She asked.
"His parents got mad at him, and then he got all nervous and tentative. The reason he did all this today was his way of manning up." I say.
Ellie beamed.
"And?"
"We're good." I say.
Her face fell.
"That's it? You spent over 10 hours with Austin and you're good? That's it?"
She looks horrified.
"No…I KISSED HIM!" I squeal.
Ellie screamed then tackled me.
"No way! Congratulations!"
She sniffed my hair, then froze.
"Uhh…what are you doing?"
She sniffed again, then started sniffing my face, arms, back, everything.
"I…his cologne…I smell him." She said with a grin.
"We kissed…a lot." I say.
"How long?"
"I don't know. Hours. Then we ate lunch, went on the pier and rode rides, went down the tunnel of love—"
"AHH!" She squeaked.
"—kissed more, then drove home." I finish.
"So y'all totally made out."
"Uh huh."
She suddenly tackled me onto my bed.
"Are you guys dating now? What's the damn deal girl?"
"I…he said we are. We're going to go on a date next Saturday."
Ellie lit up like a firework.
"He also gave me my excuse to join Splashface." I say.
"Really?"
We've been wanting to for a while now.
"Yup. He asked me if I was on there. He sounded sad when I said I wasn't." I say.
"We can ask when your mom and dad get back." Ellie said.
"Yeah…we better get back downstairs."
Ellie nodded and smiled.
Robbie POV
C'mon…
Why hasn't anyone texted us yet?
We're sitting here, waiting for our cue!
Cat's on her phone talking to fans.
Blink.
"Oh thank god." I blurt out.
"Anxious much?" Cat asked without looking up.
"Yeah. This is it. Remember?" I ask.
She's here. When you reply we'll move her downstairs.
"Ok. Here we go." I say.
We're pretty well hid in the middle of the neighborhood.
The hardest part was ignoring the odd looks for the gigantic bow on top.
Cat looked up as I drive back to the house.
I let out a nervous breath just before turning the corner.
Here we go…
I cut off the ignition and pull out the key, then Cat and I hop out.
The front door opened, and Sydney stepped out.
…
She's not moving.
"Oh my god…" Jade said.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Sydney screamed, then ran.
All the other kids tore after her, also screaming their heads off.
Cat pulled her into a hug.
"Oh my gosh! It's awesome!" She gushed.
"And it's yours." I say.
"What?" Kevin yelped, as Ellie and Sydney look like they just saw a ghost.
"Noooo way…"
"Yep. Here's the key." I smile.
Instead I get a massive hug from her.
"Happy birthday Sydney." I say.
"Thank you daddy…"
"Sissy got a car!" Corey cheered.
The other kids are climbing in.
Sydney let me go, took the key and just stared.
Meanwhile, everyone else has decided to approach.
"Cool!" Dad said.
"A car?" Tori yelped.
"You're not helping us!" Beck said.
Everyone laughed.
"Yeah." Cat said.
"Why?" Jade asked.
"Well, when Sydney was a baby, Cat promised her a car on her 16th birthday. So…here we are." I say.
"Did you guys make any kind of promise like that?" Ellie asked, poking her head out the passengers seat window.
"Sorry. Nope." Beck said.
"Aww man."
"Do I get a car when I turn 16?" Kevin asked.
"We'll see buddy." I say.
"Me?" Corey piped up, in the back row of seats.
"We have some time befre that one Corey."
I hear a small "Aww man." Before Sydney hopped back out.
She held out the key for me. "Seriously? When I was a baby?"
"Uh huh." Cat said.
"Why are you giving that to us? It's yours." I say.
"I…oh yeah."
Everyone behind me laughed.
Then Sydney led the way inside.
"Everything is almost ready. Your dad and Beck have been watching the grill." Jade said.
"Great."
"We have too!" Corey said, standing by Matt and Kevin.
"Thanks guys." Beck smiled.
The crowd all went outside, where it was clearly a party in progress.
"Hey dad?"
I turn around to see Syd and Ellie standing in the kitchen.
"What's up?" Cat asked, standing to my left.
"We wanted to ask you something." Ellie said.
"And that would be…" Jade said, coming from nowhere.
I jump and turn back to her.
"Sorry." Jade smiled.
"Can we join Splashface?" Ellie asked.
"A lot of our friends are on it, and think it's weird we're not on there." Sydney added.
"I…sure. Mom?" I ask Cat.
"I'll get the paper." Cat said.
"Paper?" Ellie asked.
"Well, splashface requires you to have a username." Jade said.
"We know that. An at sign, then whatever it is." Sydney said.
"Your names probably would be snatched up by now, since you guys are well known." I say.
Both girls quickly look horrified.
"Don't worry…we've thought of this already. We got you guys' names already reserved for when this would come." Jade said.
"Whew." Ellie sighed.
"Don't scare me like that."
"I'm back." Cat said, with her laptop open to splashface.
The girls crowded around.
"Birthday girl first…" Cat muttered, typing in the username and password.
"Sydney12? Can't I change that?" Sydney blurted out.
"Yeah. It's a temporary thing." Jade said.
"But give me or your mom a copy of your password in case you lose it or forget it." I say.
Both girls nod.
"Ok! You're in." cat said.
"…I'm an egg?"
"It means it's a new account." I say.
"When'd you guys get these accounts?" Ellie asked.
"When you were like 1." I say.
"WHAT?" Ellie and Sydney yelp.
Beside Cat, Jade is pulling up Splashface on my laptop and logging Ellie in.
"So they're older than Kevin, Matt AND Corey?" Sydney asked.
"Yep."
"Do you have their names too?" Ellie asked.
I nod.
"You guys are smart." Ellie muttered.
"Hidden?' Sydney asked, looking at the screen.
"Yeah. Nobody knows this account exists. When I click it, people can follow you and see your posts." Cat said
"Hold on…almost got Ellie here."
"We'll both make you live at the same time, then you guys can follow one another."
"What do you think people will think?' Sydney asked.
"Oh, they'll go nuts!" Jade said.
"Some people online have been having a countdown clock until you guys come online." I tell them
"Really?" Ellie asked me.
I nod.
"Ok Cat. In 3…2…1…"
Unhidden.
Cat and Jade hop out of their chairs, then let the girls get on.
I go to my phone and type in SydneyValentine
Oh look an egg!
Follow.
"Hey! A follow!" Sydney squeaked.
"That's me kiddo." I say.
"Hey!" Ellie say.
"Hi!" Jade said.
"Mommy!" Sydney spun around.
I quickly follow Ellie and smile at Cat.
God they're growing up.
"Ok. Now we can sync it to your phones and stuff, but now its dinner time. Ok?" Jade said.
"Aww man!" Sydney groaned.
"C'mon…" I prod her up.
She easily hopped up and went outside, where everyone is putting the dinner on the table out here.
"What's going on?" Beck asked.
"The girls are now on Splashface!" Cat beamed.
"Whoa!" Andre said, digging for his phone.
"No way!" Tori said, already typing.
They already know what to look for.
"It's so going to blow up." I tell Cat.
"What's going to blow up?" Sydney asked.
"Splashface." Cat smiled.
"Go. Eat." I say, pushing her to the food.
We all sit down and portion out the shish kabobs, steaks, fish, shrimp, salad, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and various other things and dig in.
"This is delicious. Thank you." I look at Beck and Jade.
They did most of the work.
A chorus of "Thank you!" rounded the table.
Everything was fine until my phone went off.
"Booooo!" Jade and Beck jeered me.
Splashface Inc.
"Hold on…Hello?' I stand up and say.
"Hello Robbie? This is Brian Taylor, head of Splashface. Do you have a moment?"
"Yeah sir, is everything ok?" I say, getting odd looks from just about everyone.
"Yeah, well we noticed that you just activated the accounts of Sydney Valentine and Ellie Oliver. We just wanted to ask if that was you, or did we have a security breach?"
"No, we activated those accounts." I say.
An astonished noise rises from the table.
"Wonderful. So no breach. We're going to verify them."
"Verify?" I blurt out.
"Verify?" Cat yelped.
"What's verify mean?" Ellie asked Jade.
Corey crept up to Cat.
"Yes. Those accounts already have over 600,000 followers."
"WHAT?" I yell.
"How many?" Beck asked.
I turn to him. "600,000."
"WHAT?" The girls yell.
"Shh!" My parents say.
"So we can verify them?" he asked me.
"Yeah. Go ahead." I say.
"Great. Thank you for your time Robbie."
"Bye." I hang up.
I turn and see the girls looking shocked.
"Keep eating." I say.
"That many people? Already?" Kevin asked.
"Why?" Matt asked.
"Because you are your parents kids." My mom said.
Sydney groaned and kept eating.
"I wonder how they found us so fast." Ellie said.
"Well everyone followed you, and we're all verified. So that probably tipped a lot of people off." I say.
"How many followers do you have?" Corey asked.
(A/N: Remember, we have over 15 years of Splashface users now. Factor that in for these numbers.)
"Who are you asking?" Andre asked, holding Olivia.
"Everyone."
"We have a few hundred. But we're hidden from view." My mom said, smiling at my dad.
Tori was next. "About 6 million."
Sydney nearly snorted out her milk thru her nose.
"Easy…" Cat said.
"All kids need mouths clear before we go on." I say.
They all obey and wait with baited breath.
"11+ million." Andre said.
"Really?" Corey asked.
The girls' eyes are huge.
"I have 14." Jade said.
Beck smirked. "21."
"Oh my god…" My mom said. "We knew you did movies and stuff but wow…"
Beck smiled and waved at them. "Thank you."
"I'm slacking at 18." Jade joked, getting everyone to laugh.
Then everyone looked to me.
"You think you're slacking Jade." I joke.
Cat smiled at me.
"Guess." I tell the girls.
"24." Ellie said.
"19." Sydney said.
"A billion!" Corey cheered, sending a laugh around the table.
"Shhh…" Cat said, motioning to the boys.
"Nope. 4 million."
The girls both look incredulous.
"That's it?" Sydney said.
I shrug.
"We need to do a follow drive." Ellie said.
"Oh no." I say, making everyone laugh again.
"And last but not least…" I say to Cat.
This is the mind blowing number.
All the kids provide us with a drumroll.
Remember she's famous.
"45."
"WHAT?" Both girls yelp.
"Uh huh. 45 million people." Cat said.
"What do you guys think we'll get?" Ellie asked her mom.
"I really have no clue." Jade said.
"Anybody want to guess?" My dad said, as I stand.
"I'll get the cake."
"Yay!" The kids cheer.
"I'll grab candles." My mom said.
I hold the door for her, then get inside.
"Wanna check?" Mom asked me.
"I do."
She smiled.
"I'll get the cake."
I pull out my phone and log onto Splashface.
Oh my god…
"Ellie has 1.7 million." I say.
"Wow." My mom said. "And Sydney?"
…
"Just cracked 2 million. In like an hour!" I say.
"Word got out." My mom joked.
"What word got out?" Ellie asked grabbing the door for people with dirty dishes.
"About your accounts." I say.
"What's the number?" Sydney asked.
"Ellie has 1.7."
Ellie promptly screamed.
"And the birthday girl has over 2 million."
"In an hour?" Sydney asked, clearly shocked.
"See? You are your mother's daughter." Beck joked.
"Ok ok…let's have cake." Cat said, taking the cake from my mom.
The kids chanted "Cake! Cake! Cake! Cake!" all the way to the table.
Tori and Jade tag teamed the candles.
Everyone seemed to tense up as I started lighting them, and Sydney sat at the head of the table.
"1…2…
Happy birthday to you…
Happy birthday to you…
Happy birthday dear Sydney….
Happy birthday tooooooo youuuu."
The flashes went off, then Sydney took a breath and nailed all the candles.
A triumphant cheer went up, then we all clapped.
Sydney moved out of the way so Cat could start cutting it up.
She immediately went for her phone and started typing frantically.
I glance around, seeing everyone either talking, getting ice cream or waiting for cake.
Then Sydney finished typing and slipped her phone back into her jeans and walked to me.
I pull her into a quick hug.
"Happy birthday. And congratulations. Now you just have to pick a picture and start posting." I joke.
"What do I post?"
"Just what's going on? You're first one should probably say like 'Hi! This is ACTUALLY Sydney Valentine!'." I smile.
She laughed.
"And a word of advice I'll tell Ellie later, if there's anyone you don't want to get bombarded by new followers because you followed them, you might want to hide them in a mass following spree."
"Like…how many?"
"Say 30. Spread them out between 8 and 25." I say.
"Makes sense." She smiled.
"Now…are you having a good birthday?"
"Blink." Goes her phone.
She suddenly smiled.
"This is the best birthday ever."