Beth's POV

"Thanks for coming along Maggie," I smiled at my sister who was attacking the racks of dresses, searching for the perfect outfit.

They were both shopping for their party outfits because Beth's Sweet 16 was coming up and Maggie was determined to buy her the best dress for her, that will make all boys' jaw drop, all girls let out 'ohhs' and 'ahhs', make mom and daddy smile with pride, and of course, greatly get the attention of her sister's boyfriend, Carl.

"Well, it is kinda my responsibility to keep you looking like a perfect angel, baby sister." Maggie said while tossing another dress over her shoulder, "Especially now that your turning into a young woman."

Beth blushed at the compliment.

"Besides," her sister added, "It is your birthdayafter all."

She held a beautiful knee-length dress, it was dark blue with a v-shaped neck strap lined with shining jewels and cute ruffles at the bottom hem of the dress.

"Wow, is...is t-that mine," I stammered.

"Of course, Bethy who did you think it was for, mine? Well, I would...but blue is more of your color." She said.

She handed me the dress so I can try it out.

1 hour before the party...

"Honey? Are you okay in there?" My mom asked from outside the door of my bathroom.

"Y-yes mom, I'll...I'll be out there in a sec," I said.

I was looking at myself on the mirror wearing the blue dress Maggie bought me. The dress fit me perfectly. The sapphire earrings and silver high heels went along well with the dress fabulously. On top of that, Maggie did my make up and my face looked very pretty. I smiled confidently at myself when somebody knocked on my door again.

"Hey little sis, you ready?" Maggie called out.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Maggie's eyes widened in surprise then her expression became soft as she hugged my gently.

"You're all grown up." She said.

"Oh come on, I'm still your little sister." I said as I hugged her back.

When we parted, I looked at her and said, "You look really beautiful too, you know."

"I know." Maggie smiled smugly.

She wore a red velvet off-the-shoulder dress with gold earrings, gold necklace with a heart locket and red velvet high heels.

"Well come on then. Everybody is waiting outside." Maggie chided teasingly.

She led me through the dining room were my mom was and she smiled brightly and kissed my cheek. She went out first to tell my dad, so Maggie and I can make our big entrance, according to her. Then, Maggie pushed open the door and announced.

"Dun du nu nun, ladies and gentlemen presenting our shining gal of the day," Maggie gestured to me and I blushed at the sight of the crowd staring at me.

I scanned the faces, there was my parents with big smiling faces. My friends, the boys waving at me and the girls giggling and giving me thumbs ups. A few of our neighbours, Glenn who Maggie just linked arms with, The Grimes family with warm smiles, and...Carl. seeing him, made her heart flutter and her grin wider, which happens everytime he's around. He wore a white long sleeved button down and black slacks, his hair was damp and combed to one side like he'd just taken a shower, and his handsome smile didn't ease the pounding of her heart against her chest.

Carl meeted me as I reached the bottom of the steps.

"You looked beautiful," he said dreamily.

I giggled and felt my face heat up, "Thanks, not so bad yourself."

He held out his hand I gladly accepted it.

The party started late in the afternoon, so we had to move everything back in the house because it was getting dark. But we had fun anyway, we played small party games, ate daddy's delicious barbecue ribs and mom's tasty potato salad. Jimmy and the other's sang at the karaoke booth in the living room, while the adults had a toast at the dining room. Finally the main event started, the guys at the party that was close to me, has to dance with me. Randall went first and handed me two roses, followed by Louis, Noah, Jimmy, Glenn, Shawn, and Daddy. Each one giving me two roses. And the last guy didn't surprise me, but definitely took my breath away.

Carl walked up to me and handed me two roses, his roses were the reddest and brightest of them all. He gently placed a hand on my hip and clasped my other hand with his. We danced for awhile, he looked at me intently as we swayed so I couldn't help but blush. His face was just inches away from mine, I thought we were gonna kiss when we got interrupted abruptly.

"TIME TO BLOW THE BIRTHDAY CANDLES, BIRTHDAY GIRL!" Maggie announced loudly.

I looked at Carl, and smiled sheepishly, but he just kissed my forehead and winked at me.

"Later, I promise," he said as he let me go and disappeared into the crowd.

I was a little disappointed but quickly shook it off as I went to the table. My cake was a three-layer chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and blueberries as toppings. On the side was frosting spelled, 'Happy Birthday Bethy', obviously my dad ordered it. They told me to make a wish and so I did, I thought for a moment before blowing the candles and hearing everyone applaud.

After I said all my thank yous to the guest and opened all my presents, I immediately looked for Carl who seems to be missing, I was about to say it out loud when somebody tapped on my shoulder. I turned to see Sophia with a shy smile.

"I have to show you something," she whispered.

I followed her to the garden which was dark because there were no lights, only the moon illuminating the flowers and plants.

"What are we doing here?" I asked my friend.

"Oh, you'll see," she grinned then turned towards the darkness, "NOW! Guys!"

All of a sudden, the garden came to life. The big oak tree lit up with small bright yellow lights wrapped around the trunk and leaves. The wooden archway was now decorated with beautiful flowers and small lights too. The fountain also lit up with the lights, the small cupid statues emitting water from their mouths. Jimmy and Noah played the guitar, while the other guys and girls sang along. And in the middle of the wooden platform next to the fountain was Carl, his hands casually in his pockets and his grin as handsome as ever. I can't stop myself from smiling as I walked through the garden, Sophia and I climbed the steps and she joined the singing group and I walked up to my boyfriend.

"How did you do all this?" I asked in amazement and looked at my surroundings.

He shrugged plainly and placed both of his hands on either side of my hips, "I only want the best for the most beautiful girlfriend ever."

I giggled again and wrapped my hands around his neck and we began dancing. My face only reached up to Carl's neck but I enjoyed the warmth of him through his shirt. Jimmy and the girls started to sing a love song. A slow love song, it was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.

"Did you do this all for me?" I looked up at Carl.

"Of course," he said with a gentle smile.

I smiled back at him and kissed him. Hearing the others laughing but I ignored them, we kissed for what seemed for eternity, and for a moment we ignored everybody else, we both enjoyed each other's company and warmth, a plague might hit and everyone might turn into flesh eating zombies but she didn't care. She loved the feeling of him with her.

And as the night comes to an end, she kissed Carl goodnight and went home. She crawled into bed and couldn't help but smile as she closes her eyes because her wish came true.

'Best. Birthday. Ever.'