---
It was already evening when Adrian suddenly turned to Sarah with a strange spark in his eyes.
"Sarah… can you get dressed? The finest you can."
Sarah raised a brow.
"For what?"
Adrian avoided her gaze with a tiny, mysterious smile.
"I want to take you somewhere."
Sarah so surprised but quickly hid her surprise face and him where.
Adrian replied "it's just a Boba shop but I think you will need to wear some makeup and the prettiest out you have"
Sarah sighed dramatically.
"It's just a boba shop, right? It's not that deep."
But Adrian was serious today. Too focused.
"Makeup. Dress. Please. Just trust me."
She blinked at him, confused but amused.
Fine.
She went to her room, applied a soft, light makeup — nothing heavy — and wore her simple pretty dress.
When she came back, Adrian looked her over and nodded.
"Yeah… that works."
Then he stepped forward and tied a ribbon gently over her eyes.
Sarah jolted.
"Adrian! Seriously? What is this? Where are we going? Why are you covering my eyes? What about your sisters"
He let out a breathy laugh, then softened his tone.
"Don't worry… my sister's are safe home. And my dad will be here soon. Just one minute , that's all. You're safe."
Sarah exhaled slowly.
"Okay… fine. I trust you."
Adrian guided her carefully to the car and drove off.
---
The Reveal
A few minutes later, he led her into a quiet room.
She could hear faint movement, whispers, soft giggles.
Then—
He untied the ribbon.
And her heart nearly fell out of her chest.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"
The whole room exploded in color.
Lights, balloons, decorations, cake… all of it for her.
Sarah froze.
Her hands flew to her mouth.
Tears blurred her vision.
She had never seen anything like this.
Never felt so loved.
Never been celebrated like this in her entire life.
She turned slowly and looked at Adrian.
He smiled.
"It's for you."
Sarah threw her arms around him.
Adrian stiffened for a moment, surprised — then melted into the hug.
For a heartbeat, it felt like the world paused.
Just them.
Just warmth.
The party continued beautifully.
People danced, laughed, and shouted her name.
She cut her cake, glowing like a small sun.
---
Her Room
Later, she brought Adrian upstairs.
She showed him her drawings — even the creepy ones she usually hid.
He didn't think they were weird.
He didn't mock them.
He traced one drawing lightly with his fingers.
"These are beautiful. The emotion is… real."
Sarah's chest tightened.
No one had ever said that.
"Thank you for everything," she whispered.
"You're a very good friend."
Adrian held her gaze.
"What if I want to be more than a friend?"
"What if I want… us?"
Sarah's breath caught.
He was confessing.
Her birthday.
Her heart.
Everything felt too big.
She opened her mouth to speak—
CRASSSHHH!
A loud noise shattered the moment.
---
Downstairs Chaos
They rushed downstairs.
Rose and Kim were tearing through the decorations like wild animals.
Throwing confetti.
Kicking balloons.
Laughing like it was funny.
Adrian's face darkened instantly.
"Oh, come ON… not again."
Rose smirked.
"Relax, we're just having fun. Right, Sarah?"
Sarah's anger snapped sharp and hot.
"Why do you always do this? Why do you ruin everything? What did I ever do to deserve this?"
Rose rolled her eyes.
"Poor little runaway princess is angry? Why didn't you invite me to your big birthday?"
Something in Sarah broke clean in half.
Without thinking—
SLAP!
She slapped Rose so hard the sound echoed.
"GET. OUT."
Her voice trembled with rage.
Kim stepped in front of Rose.
"You don't EVER touch—"
Before he could finish, Adrian yanked him by the collar—
and PUNCHED him straight in the face.
Kim stumbled back, shocked.
Sarah stepped forward, fury burning through her tears.
"I SAID—GET. OUT."