On Friday morning, Tasha and Mr. Davenport have their second appointment at the adoption center. Mr. Davenport hacked into their system yesterday, and added Sloane Mccarty into their program. He couldn't make anything remotely connect to her real file. Not the same middle name, birth date, or birth parents. He had to fake everything. Davenport made it look as if Sloane has already been living with the Davenports for a trial time of three months. Everything is set for their second appointment.
Adam, Bree, Chase and Leo had found out on Wednesday exactly what's going on. They're totally cool with it, and couldn't be happier for Sloane. Sloane is actually starting to feel safe for once in her life.
About ten minutes before they're about to leave for school, Mr. Davenport walks up to Sloane who is sitting at the island. "Sloane, I have something for you."
"You do?"
"Yes," Davenport says as Tasha walks into the living room and joins everyone who is now all gathering around Sloane to see what Davenport has for her.
"You didn't give it to her yet, did you?" Tasha eagerly asks.
"I am right now," he answers, and sets a small gift bag on the island in front of her. "Happy sixteenth birthday, Sloane."
"How did you know?" Sloane can't help but smile.
"Of course we know."
"You didn't tell us," Chase says. He's standing next to Sloane already, but he moves and hugs her from behind. "Happy sweet sixteen baby," he kisses her on the cheek.
"Oh, get a room," Adam says.
"Open it up, Sloane," Leo urges.
With one of Chase's arms still around her, she grabs the small gift bag. She tears away the tissue paper and pulls out a brand new iPhone 5s. It's the white one with silver lining.
"Oh my gosh, I love it! Thank you so much," Sloane hops of the island chair and hugs Tasha and Davenport.
"You're welcome, honey," Tasha says.
"Yeah, it's from all of us," Leo says.
"No, it's not," Mr. Davenport says. "I already set everything up on it for you," he says to Sloane. "So you can take it along to school with you."
"You guys didn't have to do this," Sloane can't stop smiling.
"It's your birthday!" Tasha insists.
"Thanks again, really."
"You're welcome, Sloane."
Bree walks around the counter, "Happy birthday, girl." She hugs her, "You're sixteen just like me now."
"Yeah, I can't believe you're older than me," Chase says. He leans over onto the counter.
"You should all get going," Tasha says to everyone.
"Yeah, you're right," Davenport glances at his watch. "To the car, everyone."
On the way to school, Sloane checks out her new phone while everyone silently listens to the radio.
"Did Mr. Davenport already put our contacts in?" Chase asks next to her.
"I don't know," Sloane says, "I'll check." She taps the contacts icon and Tasha, Davenport, Adam, Bree, Chase and Leo are all already entered. "Yup."
"Can I see it a sec?" He asks.
"Sure," she hands it to him. He moves his upper body so Sloane can't see the screen. "What are you doing?" she asks.
Chase types something, then hands it back.
Sloane looks the screen over. Chase changed his contact name to 'Babe' and put a few heart emojis by it. "Ha ha," Sloane says. She pulls back and aims her phone at Chase, "Smile," she says to Chase.
"What are you doing?" Chase asks even though it's obvious. Sloane's phone makes that snapping-a-picture noise. "Hey, let me see that," he says.
Sloane laughs and lets him see.
He laughs too, "Ew." He was making a weird face in the picture from when he was talking.
Sloane erases it from his contact. "Take a cute one," she says.
"When am I not cute?" Chase jokes.
"Just smile," she says. Sloane takes a second picture. "I'm using this one whether you like it or not."
"At least let me see," he looks at the screen. "That's okay."
As the kids get out of Mr. Davenport's car and walk into the school, Chase takes Sloane's hand. "Are you excited?" He asks her.
"For what?" she replies.
"Tasha and Mr. Davenport are getting custody of you."
"Guardianship, but yes, definitely," she smiles at him. "It's still gonna be another three months before that actually happens though."
"Hey, at least it's not six months."
"I know." They stop at Chase's locker.
"How come you didn't tell me today was your birthday?" Chase asks as he turns his lock.
"What was I supposed to say?"
He looks up at her, "Friday's my birthday."
Sloane shakes her head. "It would've seemed like I just wanted you to get me a present."
"No, I wouldn't have thought that," Chase opens his locker.
"Well, I didn't know how to say it without people thinking that."
The first bell rings. Chase grabs a few books and puts his backpack inside before he slams his locker. "I get it."
"Hurry up, you have to walk me to class."
"Sloane, what if I'm late?"
Sloane makes a face at him, "You can walk fast," she hooks her arm around his and they walk to her first period together.
Chase makes it to Chemistry just in time. Chemistry is the eleventh grade science at Mission Creek, but Chase is in advanced Science and Math. Today there's an in class lab, and Chase got assigned to work with Caitlin.
Before they begin, Chase says to Caitlin, "Alright, Caitlin, let me handle this."
"I don't think so, Chase."
"Yesterday, you set Logan's notebook on fire, and we weren't even doing an experiment. I'm handling this," Chase tells her as he slides on his safety glasses.
"Fine."
Midway through the class, Chase whispers to Bree, working at the lab table in front of him and Caitlin. Her lab partner for today is Ethan. "Bree," he whispers to her.
She turns on the first try. "What?" she says annoyed.
"We have to talk."
"Why?"
"It's about Sloane's birthday."
"Gotcha," Bree nods, "After class."
Chase nods back and Bree turns back to her experiment.
"So, today's Sloane's birthday," Caitlin says as she's about to pour some random chemical into the beaker. Chase takes it from her cautiously before ruins she their assignment.
"Yeah, her sixteenth," Chase informs her.
"I see," she says. "Are you and Bree throwing her a surprise party?"
"Hopefully. Why? You don't even like her."
"True. But I still want to go if you're throwing a party."
"Whatever, Caitlin," Chase just wants her to stop talking.
Chase gets through the rest of class without anything blowing up in his face because of Caitlin. Bree meets him in the hall.
"So, what are you thinking?" She asks as they walk.
"A surprise party for her. I doubt she's ever had a birthday party before."
"Why do you doubt she's ever had a birthday party before?"
"It doesn't matter," Chase remembers he's the only one who knows about Sloane's past. "Either way, this is supposed to be her sweet sixteen. It's got to be good."
"Aw. I never got a sweet sixteen," Bree complains.
"Perfect," Chase says. "Plan it like it's your own."
"For tonight?"
"Yeah," Chase shrugs and stops before his next classroom.
"How am I supposed to do that? And what about Tasha and Mr. Davenport."
"I'll worry about that. And I'll worry about the guests too."
"No, you won't," Bree stops him, "No one's going to come if you tell them to."
"Touché."
"I'll invite people and plan it. You deal with our parents. I'll get Leo and Adam to help out too."
"Okay, and don't forget, this is a surprise." He lowers his voice, "And no alcohol."
"I firmly agree." Bree nods immediately and makes a face.
Chase laughs.
"I've got to get to class," Bree leaves and Chase enters the classroom.
Leo is in Bree's next period, Art.
"Alright everyone," Mrs. Rainfield, the art teacher says, "Silent sketch time for the first ten minutes of class." Bree rolls her eyes and takes her seat next to Leo. She wanted to get right to telling him about the party. She pulls her sketchpad out and starts writing down party supplies she needs to get before tonight, and secretively. Maybe that's an easy enough job for Adam to handle. She decides against it, just in case. She'll give him something easier to do, like filling snack bowls and blowing up balloons. Even with that, it takes him ten minutes to blow up just one balloon.
When ten minutes is finally up, Mrs. Rainfield says to work on their clay mask project, and if you're done with that, to keep sketching. She puts on Pandora.
"Leo," Bree says when he returns to his desk with some paint and a smock. Bree finished painting her mask the day they started painting with her super speed.
"Yeah?"
"We're throwing a surprise party for Sloane tonight."
"Are you sure about that? Remember when you threw me a surprise party?" Leo says with wide eyes.
"Yes I'm sure and yes I remember."
"Alright," Leo retreats as he paints his mask, "What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to get decorations and supplies after school." Bree rips the page from her sketch book and hands it to him.
He takes it from her, "Why do we need a padlock and a durian fruit?"
Bree laughs, "Oh. That's not for the party."
Leo looks a little scared.
"Don't worry, it's not for you," the smile hasn't her face.
Leo nods, "Then I'm in," he high fives Bree.
Later during Bree's eighth period study hall, she gets a pass to go the library to work on an 'essay.' Sloane isn't with her today, she's in her study hall with Leo. Once Bree finds a computer, she gets to work right away. She opens a word document, and starts with 'Birthday Party for Sloane! Shh, it's a surprise!' Once she's done, she prints fifty copies of the flier. It just so happens to print out on different colored paper that already filled the printer. She discreetly takes a roll of tape off the librarian's desk and plans on returning it later.
She super speeds around the school hanging the fliers face down on random lockers so Sloane won't see it at first glance. Leo will be with her to keep her from looking when school is over. The only person she runs into is Stephanie.
"Bree? What are you doing?" She asks like it's actually any of her business.
Bree already has her next ready flier in hand, "Shh," she has devilish smile on her face. "It's a surprise," she whispers. Bree takes the already taped flier and puts it right on Stephanie's forehead as she walks past her.
Stephanie rips it off immediately and scans the page. "See you there, cheer reject," she calls after Bree.
Bree turns but keeps walking backwards, "Don't make me call your mom, Stephanie," she smiles diabolically again and turns back around down the hall.
"Would you believe," Bree sings to 'Get it Right' by Miley Cyrus. Her, Adam and Leo are playing music on the stereo as they decorate the living room.
"I'm dancing in the mirror," Adam continues, making Bree laugh.
Bree's crouched on the wall next to the front door, reaching over to hang up a streamer on the door frame. The door opens and pushes Bree's whole upper body, causing her to fall off the wall and onto the ground. Chase is looking down at her.
"Ow," Bree says, entirely annoyed.
"Are you all right?" He asks.
"Just help me up," she puts her hand up and he takes it, pulling her up.
"What were you even doing up there?"
"Putting up streamers," Bree says in a rude tone. "What are you even doing here? You're supposed to be at the mall with Sloane!"
"Ever heard of a ladder? Or a chair? And don't worry, she's outside. I just wanted to come by and make sure everything here is running smoothly," Chase walks towards the kitchen.
"What if she comes in?"
"She's not going to. I just told her I needed a drink," he reaches in the fridge and pulls out a red Gatorade. He starts walking back across the room to the front door.
"Okay, I don't get why you don't have to help," Adam says.
"I'm making sure Sloane is out of the house," Chase says. "That's the most important part."
"Whatever," Bree says. "Just don't bring her back until seven thirty."
Chase pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks the time. It's just about five. "What am I supposed to do for another two and a half hours?"
"Want to switch jobs?" Leo tests him.
"Nope," Chase grabs the doorknob to leave.
"Wait. One more thing," Bree says. "How exactly did you get rid of Tasha and Mr. Davenport?"
"I haven't yet. I'm just going to ask them if it's okay."
"Are you crazy?!" Leo shouts.
"Yeah, seriously! Sloane and I are still grounded," Bree says impatiently.
"Oh. Right. I'll get rid of them, don't worry."
"Hurry up, Chase. They're going to be home in less than an hour if you don't do something."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Chase assures.
"You better," Bree points her finger at Chase.
"Yeah, yeah," Chase slams the door behind him.
Near seven thirty, the Davenports' house is full of high schoolers, but there's still no sign of Sloane and Chase quite yet. Mr. Davenport and Tasha never came home, so they just went along as planned. Chase hasn't answered his phone, so they have no idea where they are.
"Everyone, hide!" Leo shouts. "They're coming!" The guests look around at each other questioningly. There's no where to hide with so many people. The door opens and Chase is in front of Sloane. He moves aside right away as everyone yells surprise for Sloane.
"Oh my gosh!" Sloane says with a huge smile on her face. Bree rushes to give her a hug. The rest of the guests go back to partying. "Thank you all so much," she says over the music to Adam, Bree, Chase and Leo who have all gathered around her.
"You're welcome, Sloane," Leo says.
"It's was really Chase's idea," Bree admits.
Sloane tilts her head and smiles big at him. He smiles back, "You're welcome." He puts one arm around her.
"Where are Tasha and Mr. Davenport?" Sloane asks.
"Yeah, Chase, how did you get rid of them?" Adam says.
Sloane stops Chase before he can answer, "Get rid of them?" She thought they were okay with all of this.
"I didn't even have to do anything," Chase laughs, "They won tickets to a musical an hour away."
"How did they even make it in time?" Bree asks thinking it's too good to be true.
"They were already on their way there when we talked about it earlier. Mr. Davenport texted me just ten minutes later."
"Thanks for letting me know," Bree replies sarcastically.
"Are we gonna party or what?" Adam yells ready to dance.
They laugh and start mingling and dancing with everyone else at the party.
A couple hours later, the doorbell rings and some kid by the door can hear it over the music. He opens the door, and Trent and his friends are there.
"Outta my way loser," Trent says to the boy who opened the door for him. Trent pushes his way through people.
On the other side of the room, Bree notices him and says to Sloane, "Oh my gosh. Look who's here." She doesn't sound at all happy when she says it. Sloane looks up and sees him immediately. Her and Trent make eye contact.
"There you are," Trent shouts when he's close enough for her to hear it.
Sloane crosses her arms over her chest. The only thing keeping distance between her and Trent is the island. "What are you doing here?"
"It's your birthday, Sloane. How could I miss it? I thought we were buddies," Trent says but he has an evil look on his face. He leans over the island and Sloane takes a step back.
"Not anymore, were not."
"Aw, why's that? Did I offend your brother?"
Sloane uncrosses her arms and steps closer again, "Chase is not my brother," she says harshly.
"Get out of here, Trent," Bree says as she walks around the island. Sloane wants to grab her and pull her back behind the barrier.
"But your little flier that was plastered all around school said that everyone was welcome to come."
"Yeah? Well you and your dumb friends aren't welcome. Just go. No one wants you here."
Sloane is taken back by how brave Bree's acting.
"No way, shorty," he shoves Bree, and she almost falls down. That's when people start noticing.
"What's your problem?!" Sloane shouts. Someone cuts the music. She pulls herself onto the counter only to push Trent from on top of it. She pushes him pretty hard, but he doesn't fall back as much as Sloane wished he would. She slides off the counter, and other people around start backing away from the scene.
Sloane goes to push him again, but he grabs one of her wrists. "My problem is that you're playing hard to get," he pushes her against the island with his body.
"I'm not playing anything," she rips her wrist out of Trent's grip, but he's still pushing against her on the island. Bad memories flash through Sloane's mind. Trevor holding her against the wall, pinning his hands above her head. She tells him to back off, but he won't take his lips off her neck. "I want you," he whispers and Sloane can smell the beer on his breath. She reaches for the closest thing: a glass bottle. She whacks it against his head before he can stop her.
Adam and Chase push through guests and get involved, "What's going on here?!" Adam shouts.
"Get your hands off of her, now," Chase yells.
"She likes it," Trent says without looking away from her face and moves one of his hands to her butt. Sloane wiggles away from his hand but still can't get away from him. Chase is on him in a second. He grabs Trent's arm and rips him off Sloane. Chase grunts as he pushes Trent as hard as he can. Trent falls to the ground but gets up just as fast. The rest of the teenagers are rooting the fight on by now, but this isn't just some stupid high school fight to Chase. Trent can't go around shoving and touching girls. Especially not his girl. Especially not his sister. Trent throws a punch but Chase catches his fist and knees him in the stomach.
Bree and Sloane are huddled against the fridge together. "That's not Chase is it?" Sloane asks frantically.
"No way. Spike's back," Bree answers just as frantic, "There's no way Chase would be able to beat Trent without the adrenaline boost that Spike has."
Spike is pushing Trent against the island with his forearm now. Even Trent's friends are too scared to intervene. "How do you like being pushed up against something and not being able to get away?!" Spike's raspy voice says over the shouting teens surrounding them. Spike uses his other hand to punch him in the face. He punches Trent in the face one more time before Trent pushes him away. Trent grabs him and tackles him to the ground. Spike instantly gets a hold of Trent on the ground and gets on top of him instead of vice versa. Spike pins him on the floor, one hand holding down Trent's arm, and his right leg holding down Trent's other arm. Spike punches Trent again before Adam rips Spike off of Trent. Adam holds Spike back.
"Leave now, Trent!" Adam shouts. Spike's jaw is still clenched and his chest is rising and falling quickly. Trent hesitates, then backs up, one step at a time. His lip and nose are bleeding, and he's sure to have a black eye tomorrow. "I said now!" Adam shouts, and Trent and his friends run out as fast as they can.
Spike turns around to look at Sloane. They make eye contact, but Sloane doesn't know if she should be scared or not. Spike starts walking towards Sloane, and she lets go of Bree and walks towards him too. She puts her arms around his neck and hugs him as tightly as she ever has. Spike hugs her back just as tightly.
"Party's over!" Adam yells, and people start leaving immediately.
Sloane pulls away from Spike, not caring what people are doing around her. She looks in his eyes and knows right away that it's Chase again. Her eyes water. As much as she hates to admit it, she loves him. Really loves him, and she knows it because she's never felt love like this for anyone before. The only ones left in the room now are her, Chase, Bree, Adam and Leo.
"I love you," she whispers to him as she looks him in the eye. She hugs him again.
"I love you too," Chase says back, loud enough for everyone to hear. One tear falls down Sloane's cheek.
Bree walks over and joins the hug. Adam and Leo do the same.
Sloane looks up as the group hug finishes. "I love all of you. Really," she wipes her eyes. "And I've never said that to anyone before."
"We love you too, Sloane," Bree says immediately and puts her hand on Sloane's shoulder.
"Really," Leo finishes with a small smile. He redirects his attention, "We should probably tell Chase what he did."
Chase shakes his head and looks Leo in the eye. "I remember everything."
No one says anything for a moment in shock.
"How?" Adam says.
Chase shrugs a little and looks around at everyone, "I don't know."