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When he entered the hall of the Archibald Twins Birthday Party, Sam saw Caitlin standing by one of the tables, chatting with Michelle, Zach, and Henry. She was always gorgeous, but looked extra stunning dressed up in a cobalt blue dress with her hair done up. He headed towards her while the rest of his family headed towards the Birthday boys. Caitlin's face lit up when she noticed him and she immediately left her group to walk towards him.
"Hey"
"Hey"
"I'm glad you came," Caitlin said earnestly.
Sam look down, unable to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry if I was being a jerk."
"You weren't," she cut him off. "I shouldn't have …"
Sam felt a pang of guilt. "No, I shouldn't have …" He lifted his eyes to meet her.
"How about we just call a truce, at least for now?"
Sam wrapped his arms around her as a sign of agreement, which she returned. Her held her for a few moments, inhaling her sweet scent.
"Come on," Caitlin took his hand and led him to her brothers.
The function went off without a hitch. Nate and Serena's parents were among the attendees. Lily and William had gotten back together way back in 2012 and have since gotten remarried, but not without a healthy amount of counselling. Howard and Anne took more time and work, but also found themselves back together again and remarried seventeen years ago. Their Uncle Eric and his family, including his son and daughter via surrogate were settled in Los Angeles and were unable to attend due to work commitments. Likewise, their Aunt Charlie had work commitments in Los Angeles.
Once the guests had arrived, there was no delay in beginning the function. Food was promptly served after they gathered together for the cake-cutting ceremony where James and Cameron cut their respective cakes once the guests had sung them Happy Birthday.
Cameron saw his opportunity to pounce when he saw Isabella alone. "Isabella, how's the food?"
"Terrific"
They continued conversing with Cameron being careful with amount of flirting he did as not to come off too strong.
In the meantime, Haley and Audrey were having their own conversation.
"Maybe they're just friends," said Haley when she noticed Audrey occasionally shoot annoyed glances at Cameron and Isabella.
"I don't care. I'm just wondering if he's pathetic enough to try and make me jealous," said Audrey.
Haley wasn't sure she believed that. "You should talk to him?" she suggested.
"About what? I honestly don't care what's going on between him and Isabella".
"Alright," Haley decided to let it go.
"Hey girls," came James's voice.
"Hey" said Haley.
"Oh, hi James." Audrey looked from James to Haley before saying "I need a drink". With those words she was gone.
James and Haley barely begin conversing when Rachel showed up.
"James, there you are. I was looking for you".
James raised his eyebrows "I was just with you two minutes ago."
"Well, what are doing with her?"
"Am I not allowed to have female friends that I talk to?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. Haley felt a pang in her stomach. Perhaps she shouldn't be friends with James anymore.
"James, could you please get me a drink?" asked Rachel.
"But you already have one in your hand?"
"Yeah, but I'd like sode instead of champagne."
"Which flavor?"
"Surprise me".
"Haley, would you like a drink too?"
"No, thank you. I'm good."
Once James was gone, Rachel gave Haley a menacing look. "Your little friendship with my boyfriend is over. You hear me?"
"Rachel, we're just friends, I swear."
"It doesn't matter. It's over or else …"
Haley felt a shiver as Rachel dumped the contents of her glass on her dress.
"Also, if you think you'll be Queen Bee next year in place of your sister and that being with James would help with that, you're dead wrong." Rachel shot her a last glare before walking away.
"What on earth?" Audrey had just come back with her drink.
"It was probably an accident," said Haley quickly.
"Oh please. I heard the last part of that conversation. You should tell your sister. I don't think the Queen Bee would appreciate how her minion treats her sister."
"Maybe I will if she continues, but for now, I just wanna let it go."
"I guess that's your choice." Audrey shrugged. "Come on, let's get you changed in my suite before the games begin. You can wear one of my dresses".
"Thank you" said Haley gratefully. Fortunately her best friend lived at the Empire Hotel where the party was held (Or more accurately, her dad owned the Empire Hotel).
They had several party games before the dance floor was opened. It was 1 am before the Archibalds returned home and the twins got around to opening their Birthday gifts.
Their gifts mostly consisted gift cards at branded stores or fancy restaurants but they also received gifts like watches, shirts, sweaters, ties, perfumes and cuffs from said branded stores. Aside from these, they received concert tickets from three different guests (But thankfully they were to three different concerts) and several sunglasses. From their four grandparents and Uncle Eric (who mailed his gifts) they received gifts like white gold rings, football tickets, leather jackets, premium leather wallets, Parker pens carved with their names, video games and expensive sunglasses. Even their Aunt Charlie mailed them a large box of mostly Marvel Disney Store Merchandise. Nate and Serena on the other hand had gifted them diamond white gold bangle bracelets that matched their new rings.
The last gifts they opened were from Rachel and Haley. Rachel gifted them yet another set of expensive watches but added a cashmere sweater from James.
James was in awe as he stared at his gift from Haley; a miniature Superman mobile personalized with his name. The detail was excellent, including the colors; blue, red and gold.
"Whoa, how did she know?" asked Cameron as he admired the exact same version of a miniature Batman mobile that was gifted to him.
"I might have mentioned it to her," James admitted.
Haley had remembered a passing comment James had made about how Superman was his favorite superhero and Batman was Cameron's and how he, Cameron and Caitlin used to pretend they were Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman respectively. James was touched by this.
=to be continued=
