And as the music played on and the celebration continued.
Sebastian stood there, surrounded by people, yet haunted by the one person who was no longer in his world.
Unaware that fate was already preparing to bring their worlds crashing back together.
Janelle smiled as she continued chatting with Sally and Jones, her laughter light and effortless.
But then, her eyes drifted across the room.
And everything changed.
There, standing a few steps away, was Eric… talking to Ruby.
The smile on her face slowly faded.
Janelle Dion, the girl everyone admired. The one everyone wanted to be around. The undisputed queen of their school.
Yet out of all the attention, all the admiration…
She had chosen Eric, not just as a friend but as someone she liked.
And now…
He was standing there, completely absorbed in another girl.
"Is that about Eric?" Sally asked, noticing the shift in her expression.
Janelle rolled her eyes, trying to mask the flicker of irritation in her gaze.
"Seems like Ruby is getting more of his attention than you tonight," Sally added with a teasing smirk.
Janelle frowned slightly. "You know how Ruby can be sometimes."
"And it seems like you actually like him," Jones chipped in, raising a brow.
Janelle scoffed lightly, lifting her chin. "Whatever. Just enjoy the party."
Her smile returned, but this time, it wasn't real.
She turned to leave only to bump straight into someone.
"Hey!" she snapped, instantly annoyed.
"Oh! sorry," Eric said quickly, holding up his hands. "I was actually coming to talk to you, but Ruby wouldn't stop going on about something pointless."
Janelle let out a soft scoff, crossing her arms. "And you just stood there… listening like a fool?"
Eric sighed. "I said I'm sorry. Anyway… happy birthday." He smiled, clearly trying to ease the tension.
But Janelle wasn't having it.
"Keep that smile to your ugly face," she shot back coldly before brushing past him and walking away without another glance.
5:00 PM.
Maja stepped into the house, her heart still full from the day's outing.
"Today was truly the best," she said with a bright smile. "Thank you for everything, Mom… Grandpa."
Joe smiled warmly. "No, thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate."
Claire nodded. "Go on, freshen up a bit."
Maja nodded and made her way to her small room.
A soft smile lingered on her lips as she closed the door behind her…
But slowly, that smile faded.
Adrian.
He hadn't come, not even once throughout the day.
And she had no way to reach him. No phone. No message. Nothing.
A quiet disappointment settled in her chest.
I wish he was here…
She sighed softly before heading into the bathroom, quickly taking her shower.
Moments later, she changed into something simple, a pink bum short and a soft singlet. Pulling her hair into a neat ponytail, she stepped back out into the living room.
Claire and Joe were seated together, deep in conversation.
Their expressions… serious, too serious.
The moment they noticed her, they fell silent.
Maja paused. "Is… everything okay?" she asked cautiously.
Claire quickly smiled, brushing it off. "Oh, nothing at all. Just discussing something."
She stood up almost immediately. "I'll go freshen up too."
Something about it felt… off.
But before Maja could think further, the door suddenly opened.
"Happy birthday, Maja."
Her heart skipped.
That voice..
"A… Adrian?" she called out, her eyes widening in surprise.
He stepped inside with a soft smile.
"Good evening, ma," he greeted Claire politely, then nodded respectfully at Joe.
"Adrian" Claire said, clearly surprised as well.
"I just came to wish Maja a happy birthday," he said simply.
"Well… here she is," Claire replied before quietly excusing herself to her room, leaving them.
"I thought you weren't coming," Joe said.
Adrian smiled lightly. "How could I forget my best friend's birthday?"
His eyes shifted to Maja.
There was something different in his gaze, something softer.
"I want to show you something," he said, reaching for her hand before she could respond.
And just like that, he led her outside.
"Why are you coming now?" Maja asked, trying to hide the excitement in her voice.
Adrian chuckled. "Because I knew you'd be out with your family earlier. Timing matters."
Maja frowned slightly. "Wait… how did you even know that?"
"My dad told me."
Then his voice softened.
"Anyway… happy birthday, my sweet friend."
Maja felt her cheeks warm instantly.
"Thank you… sweet friend," she replied shyly, playfully pinching his nose.
"I'm really lucky to have you," she added, her laughter soft and genuine.
Adrian didn't respond immediately, he simply held her hand a little tighter as he led her toward a car parked nearby.
He signaled to the driver.
Within seconds, the driver stepped out, holding a bouquet of flowers… and a cake.
Maja gasped.
"Wow! Where did you get all these?" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with pure surprise.
Adrian smirked slightly. "I'm seventeen, Maja. And I think you've forgotten who my father is."
She laughed softly, shaking her head.
He then picked up a picnic mat and spread it carefully over the green grass nearby. Placing the flowers gently beside them, he set the cake at the center.
"Sit," he said.
Maja smiled and sat beside him, her heart beating faster than she could explain.
Adrian lit the candle.
"This is our own little celebration," he said quietly. "Now… make a wish. Just one."
Maja didn't respond immediately.
She was… staring at him.
Lost.
How did he think of all this?
How did he always know exactly what to do… to make her feel special?
Her heart fluttered in a way she didn't quite understand.
She knew she was young.
Too young to feel something like this.
But what she felt right now was different. And somehow only Adrian made her feel this way.
"Make a wish…" Adrian said, gently tugging at her ear.
"Ouch! That hurts, you know," Maja complained, narrowing her eyes at him.
He grinned, clearly unbothered. "You were too busy staring at me. Probably because I'm so handsome."
She scoffed lightly. "In your dreams."
He leaned back slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Actually… I'm jealous."
Maja blinked, confused. "Jealous? Of who?"
"Of you," he replied smoothly. "You're more beautiful than I am. And your smile…" he paused, his voice softening just a little, "…your smile can melt any heart."
Maja laughed, shaking her head. "You really know how to sweet-talk, Adrian."
"Yeah," he said quietly, the playfulness in his tone fading. "I got that from my mom."
Something shifted.
Maja noticed it instantly, the sadness that crept into his voice, the way his eyes dimmed slightly.
"You miss her, don't you?" she asked gently.
He nodded.
Without hesitation, Maja leaned forward and pulled him into a soft hug.
"It's going to be okay," she whispered, her voice soothing.
For a moment, they stayed like that, wrapped in a quiet comfort neither of them fully understood.
Then suddenly..
"Ow!"
Adrian jerked slightly as Maja pinched him, then began tickling him without warning.
"Hey..stop!" he burst into laughter, trying to push her hands away.
"This is the only way I know how to fix your mood," she said, laughing along with him.
Their laughter filled the quiet evening, light and carefree once more.
"Alright," he said after catching his breath. "Now, make a wish and blow the candle."
"Okay… okay…" Maja smiled, closing her eyes gently.
Adrian watched her, he studied her. The way her face softened, the calmness in her expression, the quiet beauty she carried without even trying.
Even with her eyes closed… She looked breathtaking.
Her nose, perfect.
Her lips, soft, pink… almost irresistible.
Something stirred within him.
Before he could stop himself, he leaned closer… drawn by something he didn't fully understand.
But just as he got close, Maja's eyes flew open.
She froze.
"H..hey! You jerk! What were you trying to do?" she demanded, pulling back slightly.
Adrian immediately straightened, caught off guard. "Nothing!" he said quickly, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice.
Maja narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing more.