Chapter Thirty: Planning Sol's Birthday
(Lyra's POV)
November 30th was just around the corner, and my chest fluttered with a mixture of excitement and nerves. My first birthday since moving here… and I wanted it to be perfect. Not just for me, but for everyone — and maybe… secretly for Evan.
Soraya and Saphira had already taken control. My phone buzzed nonstop as they pinged me ideas.
Lyra, we NEED a theme!
Sol, what about your outfit?
Decor! Balloons! Fairy lights! Confetti! You'll LOVE it.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Do I really need all that?"
"Yes. Absolutely," Soraya's voice chimed through the speakerphone, confident and unwavering. "You're our birthday girl. Everything must be perfect."
Saphira laughed. "And we're doing it. End of discussion."
---
We gathered at our usual hangout — the abandoned music room, now decked with string lights and pillows from everyone's lockers. Somehow, it already felt like home. I sank into a beanbag as Soraya waved a stack of sketchbooks at me.
"Pick your outfit first!" she demanded. "We can't plan decor until we know if you're going princess, edgy, or cute-chic today."
I bit my lip, staring at the outfits spread around me. "I… I don't know. Maybe… something simple?"
Saphira rolled her eyes. "Simple? Sol, you're gorgeous. You need something that shows it. You're radiant. And besides… Evan's coming."
I froze. Evan… oh no. What if he hates it?
Then he appeared — impossibly tall, golden hair catching the sunlight, leaning casually against the doorframe. My gaze shot to his height first. He was easily a foot taller than me, and the thought made my knees weak.
"You're thinking too much," he said softly, smirk tugging at his lips. "Whatever you wear… I'll like it."
My cheeks burned red. "E-Evan! Don't—"
Soraya and Saphira erupted into shrieks of teasing. "Oooh! He's already flustered! Sol, did you do that on purpose?"
"Did you see how he was staring at you?"
I wanted to crawl under the nearest pillow. Evan just smirked, hands tucked in his pockets, towering over me like he always did, his presence impossible to ignore.
"Don't listen to them," he murmured, leaning just slightly closer. "Wear what you want. I don't care. But… if you let me help, I might have some suggestions."
---
We spent the next hour laughing, arguing, and making lists. Soraya sketched ideas for decorations, Saphira argued about colors, and I… tried not to faint every time Evan's hand brushed mine while moving a sketchbook closer to me.
"Okay, fine," I whispered, "maybe… some fairy lights, a few pastel balloons, and… my favorite flowers?"
"Which are?" Evan asked quietly, leaning down so his face was only inches from mine.
I swallowed. "Lily of the valley also lavanders… they're delicate but… meaningful."
He smirked, eyes glinting. "Delicate… like someone else I know."
I groaned. Soraya and Saphira lost it. "OOOH! Did you hear that, Sol? He's flirting with you!"
"I-I'm not—" I stammered, burning red.
---
Next came invites. We compiled a list of classmates, a few teachers, and of course, the friend group. Evan offered to hand-deliver some personally — mostly so he could tease me in the process.
"Sol," he said, towering over me in the doorway as I scribbled names, "you're forgetting the most important part."
I glanced up. "What's that?"
"Me. I'm coming, obviously." His smirk was devilish. "And you better be happy to see me."
I flushed, staring down at the paper. I'm already happy just being near him…
---
Cassian arrived shortly after, casually leaning against the wall, eyes sweeping over me and Evan. His teasing smile made Evan growl lowly, protective. "Careful, Cassian," Evan muttered. "Don't test me."
I bit my lip, heart hammering. This is… so intense.
Saphira nudged me. "Don't tell me you're getting flustered again."
"I'm… not!" I sputtered, though my rapidly beating heart betrayed me.
---
By the end of the evening, we had finalized:
Decor: pastel balloons, fairy lights, lilies scattered around, cozy pillows everywhere.
Outfit: a soft lilac dress, simple but elegant, showing off my sketchbook art skills on the hem (we'd painted little stars and moons).
Invites: sent, confirmed, and ready.
Evan's teasing: relentless, possessive, and fluster-inducing.
As we cleaned up the music room, Evan pulled me aside, his height making me feel small but safe. "Sol… you're amazing," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You don't even realize it."
I swallowed hard, heart hammering. "I… I just hope… you'll like the party."
"I'm coming," he said, smirk tugging at his lips. "And I'll make sure you have fun… my way."
My cheeks burned hotter than any fairy lights. And for the first time, I couldn't deny it. I was utterly, hopelessly flustered… and completely in love.