The door suddenly burst open, filling the quiet apartment with laughter and excited voices.
"BOOM"
"SURPRISE!"
Iris blinked in shock as a group of her classmates and friends crowded into the room, throwing confetti in the air. Balloons floated near the ceiling, streamers hung from the walls, and the smell of vanilla cake filled the space.
She turned to Avelia, who was grinning mischievously beside her.
"You really thought I’d forget your birthday?" Avelia teased, crossing her arms.
Iris let out a breath, pressing a hand to her chest. "I almost had a heart attack!"
Avelia laughed. "That would’ve been bad. We worked too hard to throw this party!"
The guests cheered and clapped as they placed their gifts on the table. The small apartment filled with chatter, the soft hum of music playing in the background, and the occasional sound of someone pouring drinks. A corner of the room had even been decorated with fairy lights and a photo booth setup.
Iris shook her head in disbelief. "How did you pull this off?"
Avelia smirked. "Oh, you underestimate me. I had help, of course."
She gestured toward a few of their classmates, who grinned proudly.
"We planned it for weeks," one of them said, nudging Iris playfully.
Warmth spread through Iris’s chest. With everything going on—classes, assignments, her strange thoughts about Avelia—she had completely forgotten about her own birthday.
"You guys are amazing," she said sincerely.
Avelia nudged her playfully. "Don’t get all emotional now. Come on, there’s cake!"
At the center of the table was a beautiful cake—chocolate with smooth white frosting, decorated with gold flakes. The candles flickered gently, casting a soft glow across the room.
"Make a wish!" someone called out.
Iris hesitated for just a second, her mind flickering to the past few days—the odd feeling she had about Avelia, the strange girl in the library, the whispers she thought she heard at night.
Maybe she was just overthinking.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and made a wish.
As she blew out the candles, the room erupted in cheers. Avelia handed her the first slice of cake, grinning. "Iris, this better be the best birthday ever."
And for the first time in a while, everything felt right.
---
The party stretched into the night. Laughter filled the room, and soft music played in the background as they played games, took pictures, and even had a mini dance battle.
Avelia stuck by Iris’s side, making sure she had fun. She cracked jokes, stole bites of cake, and even forced Iris onto the dance floor when she refused to join.
For the first time in weeks, Iris let herself relax.
Maybe she was just overthinking.
Avelia had never given her a reason to doubt her, and this party was proof that she cared.
Maybe all those weird moments—the hushed conversation near the library, the strange way Avelia sometimes stared into space—were just coincidences.
Nothing more.
---
By the time the party ended and everyone left, the apartment was quiet again. Iris stood in the kitchen, staring at the pile of gifts.
She smiled to herself. Maybe she had been too caught up in her own thoughts lately.
"Happy Birthday, Iris," she whispered to herself, feeling a little foolish for ever doubting Avelia.
Tonight was perfect.
Everything was fine.
Please log in to leave a comment.