[|]

I didn't forget about Lucas' birthday or think of what to get him as a present. But knowing how rich he was, I was sure any gifts he received today would be too expensive and high above my wallet to impress him.

"I'm just going to get him whatever I can and not embarrass myself in the process," I said as I folded the rest of my clothes into my luggage. I had just a few minutes to leave Lucas' house for Jared's before Andrea came over.

She had called Lucas and told him that she would be arriving in an hour and my time was up. It was annoying that I had to drag my things next door but I had to bear the consequences of my lies.

"Done," I said as I placed the last folded clothe in the luggage. I immediately zipped it and dragged my luggage out of the room.

I saw Lucas downstairs on his laptop with a lot of scattered papers around him. I always wondered why he was still doing such when we weren't in school sessions. I looked away from him and went downstairs.

"Oh, you're already packed?" He asked as he rose to his feet. Lucas approached me and tried to take the luggage from my hand but I refused and stumbled back only to trip over my luggage.

I was ready to fall but a strong arm around my waist pulled me back into a standing position. I looked up at Lucas and down at his broad chest when I saw that my palm was on it. I could feel his heartbeat and how warm he was underneath his white v-neck shirt. I swallowed and locked eyes with him.

We were so close that I could feel his breath on my face. I snapped back to my senses when I felt his hand make shapes under my shirt. I felt a hot tingle down below and moved back.

"You have to be careful," he said and I nodded. "Give it, I'll take it to Jared's house."

I rolled the luggage around my body and handed it to him. Our fingers brushed and I felt a flutter inside of me at the few seconds' touch. When I looked up, he was staring at me softly and blinked right after before leaving the house.

I sighed and followed suit. Jared's house was two doors away and I was glad he lived close by because I was not ready to move back and forth...Andrea can go to hell.

Before I reached the door, Jared opened it, smiling wide. He took my luggage from Lucas and I approach them.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Jared said and motioned for me to walk in.

"Why thank you, young lad," I mimicked and stepped into the house, holding my imaginary dress.

I heard laughter coming from them behind me as I stepped into the studio apartment similar to ours. The only difference was the theme. Jared had guitars hung on the walls and other musical instruments in different corners of the living room.

"Make yourself comfortable," Jared said and walked past me.

"I will," I said and walked into the kitchen.

Jared and I had become close over the weeks and he was a fun person to be around with. On my free days, we would spend the day outside or in Lucas' place watching movies and talking about the trending news.

I opened his fridge and saw varieties of foods, snacks, and vegetables. I spotted a tub of ice cream and took it then closed the fridge. My phone rang in my back pocket and I fished it out but scoffed when I saw it was Andrea. I wanted to not answer her calls but I had to.

"Hello," I said and made my way to the sink where his dishes were.

"Hi! I need help!"

"What is it?"

"You need to help me get a cake! The one I ordered was customized and all have been ruined. The bastard of a delivery guy crashed into a car, ruining the cake I spent so much money on. So, please! Get a new cake for me at the address I'll send to your phone. I'm going to send the money to your account. Don't waste my time, please! I'm so busy right now, bye!"

"But... And she's gone," I said and placed my phone back in my pocket. I grabbed a bowl and spoon then scooped some ice cream into the bowl. "Why can't she get someone else to get the cake. Why me?"

I returned the tub of ice cream and carried my bowl of ice cream to the living room where Jared was. He took my bowl, annoying me.

"That was my ice cream," I said and tried to take it back but he pushed it away, scooping some into his mouth.

"No... This is technically mine," he argued and I gave up. "Who called you anyway?"

"Andrea. She wants me to get her a cake; Lucas' birthday cake. Man, I don't know why she wants me to do this. Ugh, all I want to do is to have this day over once and for all."

Jared chuckled. "Come on, don't be like that. At least, be happy for Lucas. It's his birthday."

He was right. I was not supposed to be sulking because of Andrea. I had not even wished Lucas a happy birthday which was bad of me since he let me live with him. A simple happy birthday would help. I would do it later.

My phone vibrated and I had a feeling it was an alert that Andrea's cake money had entered my account. I rose and glared at the now empty bowl. When Jared caught my eyes, he sheepishly smiled.

"Sorry, I guess I was craving ice cream and didn't even know I needed it," he said.

I rolled my eyes and walked out of his house.

[|]

Two hours after waiting for the cake to be designed at the bakery store, I got back to the apartment building and stopped in front of Lucas' door since Andrea had sent the apartment's address and house number to me via text— if only she knew.

I was about to open it when I remembered I needed to knock like I didn't live here. I knocked and a few seconds later, the door opened. Andrea was standing in front of me with a sweaty face. Her hair was in a messy bun and her outfit was rumpled.

"You got here on time," she said and looked at the box in my hands. "Is that the cake?"

"Yeah," I replied and looked behind her. There were party designs all over from where I could see. I wonder what Lucas would think of it.

"Come in and drop it in the kitchen," she said and stepped aside.

I walked in and went straight to the kitchen since it was not hidden like most houses. I dropped the cake box on the counter and walked over to Andrea who was setting drinks on the coffee table.

"Are you the only one doing all of these?" I asked, taking in the whole place.

"No... I hired some people to help but I did the rest. Especially the bedroom?"

I automatically looked upstairs and saw nothing serious but when I realized what I had done, I looked away and luckily saw she was paying attention to the drinks and didn't notice my slip up.

"Can I go now?"

"Sure but be back by seven. The party starts by then... Oh, you can invite whoever you want."

"Alright," I said and rushed out of the house only to bump into someone. I grunted at the impact and looked up— Lucas.

"Are you okay? Why were you running?" He asked and I felt his hands on my hips.

"I was running away from your girlfriend," I teased and he chuckled then squeezed my hips softly. I gasped and felt my core quiver at the gesture.

"She's not mine," he said and I looked at his face. His eyes were moving from my eyes to my lips and I licked my lips. He squeezed my hips again, causing my breath to hitch.

"Lucas?"

My eyes widened at the sound of Andrea's voice. I moved away and spun around to face Andrea who was frowning at me before frowning at Lucas. She looked back at me and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you still doing here?" Andrea asked in a cold tone.

"I was just leaving when I bumped into him," I said and she eyed my body up and down. It was so degrading that I felt a lump in my throat.

"I hope so," she said and looked at Lucas with a smile. "You're back. Come see what I've done to your place."

I watched as she grabbed his arm and dragged him into his house then banged the door. I sighed and walked toward Jared's door.

"Tonight is going to be a long night," I said.

[|]

"Are you ready?" Jared asked as we stopped one door away from Lucas' house.

I was nervous about going to this party because I knew they were most likely going to act like the perfect couple tonight. I didn't want to go to this party but I wanted to be there for Lucas.

"What's wrong?" Jared asked and cupped my cheek.

"Nothing. I'm just not interested in this party at all," I said and he chuckled and then patted my cheek.

"Me too. You know, we have to be there for him."

I took a deep breath and exhaled then nodded my head. Jared winked and took my hand. Together we walked to his door which was slightly open. I could hear the faint sounds of music and the chatter of people. Jared opened the door and I saw a lot of people around the house.

I never knew Lucas had so many friends but then again, I didn't know him that well. Jared let go of my hand and walked in, then I followed suit. Some people looked at us as we walked in but I was looking out for Lucas amongst the small crowd of people.

"Where is Lucas?" I asked.

"Welcome, everyone!"

I turned my head toward the bedroom and saw Lucas and Andrea standing together, arms locked. Andrea was smiling so wide while Lucas looked bored.

"Thank you for coming to the party. I hope you're all enjoying yourselves? Here's the birthday guy," Andrea said, pointing at Lucas who rolled his eyes. "He's too overwhelmed!"

Jared scoffed. "I hate that girl so much."

I watched them descend from the steps. Jared waved beside me and the duo saw us. Andrea said something to Lucas who shrugged his shoulders then they made their way toward us.

"Hey, Jackie. I didn't know you would end up coming. Who's this?"

"This is Jared, the guy I live with," I said and she eyed him up and down, so slow yet almost sexually.

"Hi, I'm Andrea," she said and extended her hand out for a shake which Jared hesitantly accepted and yanked back quickly.

"Happy birthday, Lucas," I said and made eye contact with him. He had something emotional in his eyes as he stared at me.

"Thanks," he replied and I nodded.

"Happy birthday, man," Jared said and they shook their hands. "Nice party."

"Yeah, I made the party so," Andrea said and I cringed.

She was just too much.

"Uh, I need to talk to some people," Lucas said but Andrea held him back when he wanted to take his arm out of her grip.

"I'll go with you. You can introduce me to some of your friends," she said and they walked away.

"I know that Lucas is plotting her death in his head," he said and I laughed behind my hand.

[|]

An hour later, the party was still going on and extra boring for even me that don't go to parties. Some people had even left and I noticed that Andrea was angry and to herself while Lucas was nowhere to be found.

My bladder began to demand release so I made my way up the stairs. I got to the room and went into the bathroom. After doing my business, I flushed and washed my hands then left the bathroom. I froze to a spot when I saw Andrea standing almost close to the bathroom.

"What are you doing up here?" She asked eyes narrowed.