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"Hey fellow humans," I greeted Melissa and Callie as they came into my room.

I finished stringing up the fairy lights and arranged the snacks and pillows on my bed as they changed into their sleepwear. Callie danced her way over to my bed and plopped down. Melissa collapsed beside her.

"How was your birthday?" she asked.

"It was really great actually," I smiled, thinking back on yesterday. "Your girl's an adult now!" I did a little, happy dance. "You said you had some big news to share?"

"Oh no, you're spilling the tea first," Callie smirked. "You and Ashton spent an entire day at the hotel yesterday. Tell me what went down."

"What if nothing went down?" I asked innocently.

"We weren't born yesterday," Melissa grinned. "You're practically glowing."

"That's just the Korean face mask I used."

"Liz!" they both yelled in curiosity.

"Okay, something did happen!" I beamed at them. "Ashton and I are officially dating!"

"Oh my gosh!" they screamed and attacked me in a hug.

"I know!" I screamed back. "I didn't think this would happen. Not in a million years."

"I'm so happy for you!" Melissa shouted as she squeezed me in a hug. "Power couple!"

"It's so cute. It's the irony that makes a love story so great." Callie said as her eyes sparkled.

"Was that all?" Melissa smirked.

"Melissa!" I blushed, hitting her with a pillow.

"What? I mean you had him for a whole day and let's face it, he's not shy."

"Well, we're taking it slow. I don't think he has a problem with that. Besides, we've only been friends for a few months," I informed her with another hit from the pillow.

"The real question is, what about you and Trey?" Callie winked.

"Trey's a Christian, so he's waiting until marriage," Melissa said. "I respect his beliefs. He's been inviting me to church with him." She smiled.

"That's so sweet! Trey's a total keeper. Don't you let him go," Callie squealed and I had to agree with that. Trey was honestly such as good guy for her, and she was a great girl for him.

"The question is, what about you and Demetri?" Melissa giggled.

Callie sighed and rolled her eyes. "We haven't done anything yet either. Every time I feel like we're getting closer something happens and we drift apart. Maybe it's because he isn't my soulmate."

She drifted into a sad silence.

"Then... what about Daniel?" I asked hesitantly. I still didn't know if he was a touchy subject or not. But they did talk every day, so I figured it was at least safe to ask.

Callie brightened up at his name. She showed us her call history with him. They had talked on the phone for a whopping six hours straight.

"It's annoying to admit it, but he's still such a great guy, just like back then. When I talk to him it just feels like we just took a short break and we're catching up. It doesn't feel awkward and he's still so sweet and romantic." She frowned. "But I have a boyfriend."

I frowned and Melissa made a sound of disapproval which she had explained to us as steupsing or 'kissing her teeth'.

"Sis, lemme tell you something real quick. In the words of my mans Trey, you should do what makes you happy. Even if it's not Demetri."

"I agree," I added. "Maybe you feel this way about Demetri because he saved you that day, but is it anything like what you feel when you're with Daniel?"

Callie shook her head and pulled her knees up to her chin. "Daniel makes me feel free while Demetri makes me feel... I don't know..." She trailed off. "But I still want to believe in him and give him a chance. He's just not the greatest at showing how he feels, but we can work on it. I can change him. We can fix this."

"Relationships are give and take, Callie," Melissa told her. "And I feel like he's just been taking and not giving you back anything in return. As your friend it hurts me and honestly, I'm putting up with him because of you."

"Same," I admitted. "I want you to be happy, like you were before."

Callie groaned into a pillow. "Daniel and Demetri," she said weighing the two names. "I think I should just stay away from guys whose names start with 'D'."

We laughed at that.

"Since we're all still virgins, let's just become nuns," she suggested.

"I'm going to have to pass," Melissa said, holding her hands up.

Callie turned to me.

"Tempting, but that's a no from me," I laughed.

"Okay, so I guess I'll cross that career path off the list. I'll just have to settle for acting then," she grinned.

"You'll be an amazing actress," I told her.

"I really wanted to be in the movie with Mila though," she said with a slight pout.

"They'll probably announce the cast soon," I gave her a small hug.

"They already have."

We stared at her. "Well... what happened?"

"I'm... in!" she shouted and we all erupted into some loud screams.

This seemed like the best time to pop the non-alcoholic champagne that I had picked up earlier. We laughed as it erupted over us, and filled our glasses. There's no way, I'd even consider letting them drink anything alcoholic when we had school tomorrow. I was a responsible adult now... kinda.

"I can't believe you actually held that in for so long," Melissa said, squeezing the life out of her in a huge hug.

"I'm getting better at doing that. It's not the lead or anything," she continued as we clinked our glasses. "That spot's taken by Mila, obviously. And I'm only in a few scenes. But I'm going to be acting as her younger sister. I can't wait!"

"Callie, that's incredible!" I squealed.

"I can't believe I actually got a role. I keep wondering if it's a mistake."

"Nope, you're just that good," Melissa declared.

Callie grinned. "I can't wait to tell Demetri, and guess what? Daniel's coming back tomorrow. It's been weeks and I can't wait to see him again."

"I'm sure they'll be happy for you," Melissa grinned. "I kinda have some good news too."

"What is it?" I asked excitedly.

She scrolled through her phone and then held it up for us to see.

"Mel!" both of us yelled excitedly. "Congratulations!"

"It's just a preliminary acceptance, until final exams are finished, but I'm so happy!" she laughed. "I've wanted to go to this university since I was little and now it's finally coming true."

We hugged her happily as we congratulated her on getting a preliminary acceptance into her dream university. Callie and I had also applied to different universities, but they wouldn't be issuing acceptances until later. Hers came early because it was overseas.

Callie sniffed beside me. I looked over to see tears rolling down her face. "I'm so happy for you, Mel. But I can't believe you're going to be leaving in a few months."

"Hey Callie, if you cry I might just start crying," I said, trying to keep my tears at bay.

"I'll come back during the breaks. And we can face time too," she comforted Callie who was now bawling her eyes out.

"Yeah, but we won't get to hang out so much or go to the mall or Creamy Dreams."

A tear slipped down my cheek as I thought about that. She would be gone for at least five years.

"Not you too, Liz," Melissa groaned, wrapping her free arm around me

"I'm just a video call away. I'm happy that I got to meet you guys. You've literally made high school the best thing ever. I wish we had known each other even sooner."

"Our kids have to be best friends too," Callie sniffed.

"What about Trey?" I asked.

"I haven't told him yet, but I know he's going to be happy. We already talked about doing long distance and he's going to get his degree before enlisting."

I wiped my eyes, but Callie was still crying. She always took it hard when someone she was close to had to leave.

"I can't wait to watch your movie," Melissa laughed. "Make sure I'm invited to the premiere," she said, smoothing Callie's hair.

Callie smiled. "You, Liz and Kevin have to come. There's no way around that!"

"Kevin and Ashton are going to the same university, right?"

I nodded, "They're going to do special leadership courses at the Royal University."

"I might do classes online because of the acting," Callie mused. "And Liz is going to that super brainy elite med school."

"Hey," I said, smacking her hand.

"What? It's true. You have to be freakishly smart to go there, which you are," she laughed and I threw some Oreos at her.

"I'm glad we got to do this sleepover," Melissa sighed contentedly as she caught the chocolates that Callie chucked at me.

"I wish Kevin was here too. Too bad he had to go to Gregoria today."

"We'll fill him in tomorrow," Callie said as she hugged the pillow. "Best friends forever?"

"Till the end of time," I promised.

"And then some," Melissa grinned.

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