Another Soulmate AU

This is something I wrote which is inspired by a prompt I saw. It fired up my imagination so I spent the day writing this. It is no way perfect and is barely finished, maybe on day I'll add more depth and character but for now this is what I have. Enjoy!

On everybody’s 18^th birthday time freezes everyone except them and their soulmate for 24 hours.

It’s your birthday and you and your bf/gf had already planned what you’ll be doing in those 24 hours. Both of you truly believe you are soulmates.

When the time comes, time freezes like it’s supposed to, except you find that your s/o is still frozen. One of your OTHER party guests is not.

Nobody ever knows the time of the freezing, it adds to the mystery of it all - and it means my mum can still organise a party.

“That way you get to celebrate for two whole days!” My mum loves parties, and she tries to rub it off on me. I mean I don’t hate them, but having my mum organise my 18^th is a little embarrassing. My friends and I have been talking about it for months and we’re going to have another party too, to celebrate me and Aiden, my boyfriend. We’ve been together for 2 years and we’re both 100% certain that he’ll be the one to be awake with me tomorrow, we’ve even made all the plans for what we’re going to do. At first it was all crazy things, like hoarding all the Nutella in the world, or robbing a bank but we figured we’d still get caught so we slimmed the list a little.

My friends come over the night before my birthday to help me stay awake all night. We figured that if time freezes in the early hours of the morning then I would be wasting a load of hours by sleeping so we’re going to do an all-nighter.

“Ohmgee, I am so excited for you Gemmy!” Tina squeals as she heaves her suitcase into my house. “And I’m also jealous, how come you get to be the first to find your soulmate?” At the word ‘soulmate’ she fake swoons. I laugh and help load all her stuff into my house. Tina is what you might call eccentric, but that’s why everybody loves her.

Almost as soon as we’ve bundled all her stuff in the family room, the rest of the girls show up and the noise of them makes my brother retreat to his room. My mum fusses over us, trying to feed us snacks and drinks but she finally leaves us alone when we’ve settled down ready for a movie, which never actually starts.

“So, are you excited?” Melissa looks at me intently, and the other girls look just as enthusiastic to hear my answer.

“Of course I am. People keep asking if I’m nervous but I don’t really understand why because me and Aiden have been together 2 years already and every time I’m with him it feels like time stops, so I don’t see why it’d be different now.” Each one of them either melts, or fakes gagging.

“You make me sick Gemma.” Eugene rolls her eyes at me but she’s grinning a little.

We make it through the night without falling asleep and celebrate the new day with champagne.

“Girls, you cannot get me drunk before the freezing because I do actually want to remember it.” Even if I don’t get drunk I know some of them will be by the time the actual party starts at lunch. We help my mum prepare but I’m not sure we’re actually helping seeing as we’re all sleep deprived and tipsy. In the end she sends us upstairs to my room to get ready ourselves. We spend hours giving each other makeovers and choosing the perfect outfits. Tina’s mum is a dressmaker and she made us all dresses to wear to my party but we debate who’s going to get each dress. Around noon, there’s a little knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I call.

“It’s me, Aiden.” His voice comes muffled through the door.

“Okay baby, I’ll be out in a second.” I zip up my dress and climb over the girls sat on the floor. They cheer after me and I can still hear them when I close the door. “Hey baby.” I giggle.

“Happy birthday, you look amazing.” He kisses me and I can’t help grinning. “I think you might need some coffee before our adventure later.” He takes my hand and guides me down the stairs. The transformation of the house is stunning, I can’t believe what my mum has achieved in 2 hours. There are lights everywhere, it’s like walking through a twinkling wonderland. I smell the flowers before I see them but when I do they take my breath away, they’re everywhere.

“How did you put a garden inside Mum?” Aiden hands me a cup of coffee as I walk around in circles, trying to take it all in.

“Isn’t it so romantic?” She seems just as excited as me. She dances around the room, pointing out things to me that I hadn’t noticed yet. It feels like I'm walking through a secret garden.

“I love it mum, thank you.” I turn round to hug her but she’s not there, it’s only Aiden. He takes me in his arms and we start to sway to the soft music playing.

“Has time stopped yet, because it feels like it.” He murmurs.

“I know.” I breathe. I could stay here forever in his arms but we’re interrupted by the doorbell and 10 girls squealing as they run down the stairs.

“Your guests are here honey!” Mum yells to me from the kitchen. I reluctantly break away from Aiden and answer the door. For the next hour I am back and forth to the door, welcoming guest after guest. Just when I think we couldn’t squeeze more people in, another ring chimes through the house and I’m making my way through people to open it again. Most of the people I’m happy to see, but one guest I had specifically asked mum to not invite, but obviously she hadn’t listened. I open the door with a smile on my face but it falls as soon as I see him.

“Happy birthday” He grins, handing me a tiny gift. “Nice dress.” I mutter a thanks and let him in. “You don’t look very happy to see me, did I do something wrong.” He pulls a mock innocent face and I just shake my head. Luckily I don’t have to deal with him for that long because as soon as we enter the lounge he’s swallowed by choruses of “Jordan, hey!”, “Ohmgee, Jordan, hey!”. I walk away and try to ignore his presence here.

I fully enjoy the party, mum has organised an event that will go down in family history, but the whole time I steal glances at Aiden and I know we’re both waiting for the moment. At about 2, my mum emerges from the kitchen carrying a huge cake with 18 candles on top and the whole room starts singing.

“Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy biiirthday…” The end of the song fizzles out as I notice that the whole room has stopped mid song, and only one, very manly, voice carried on to the end of the world. I swivel round with a big grin on my face, ready to embrace Aiden but my face drops as I come face to face with Jordan, who’s grin seems to stick. In panic I search for Aiden’s face but notice it among my friends, his mouth stuck forming to word ‘day’. My stomach drops and I swear I hear my heart break. I make my way over to him, ignoring Jordan hovering over my shoulder. I stroke his cheek, tears running down mine.

“What am I going to do?” I whisper.

“Well, we’ve got 24 hours, we could do anything you want. After all, it is your birthday.” I turn back round to face him, fury burning my cheeks.

“Shut up Jordan. I just found out that the love of my life is not my soulmate, you could at least have some sympathy.” He attempts to stifle a grin.

“I’m sorry Gemma. Honestly. But I’m pretty sure he’s gay.” I slap him across the face and storm out of the room. Well, try to. It’s quite hard to storm out when you have to weave past a room packed full of  frozen people. “Gemma, come on, it was a joke. Well, sort of. He’s just so soppy, no dude is like that.”

“Maybe no dude like you, because you’re an idiot and a pig and I hate you.” I storm up the stairs, into my room and slam the door. Good thing my mum didn’t hear that. I sit behind the door, hugging my knees and let myself cry into them. All this time and he’s not even my soulmate, how does that even happen? That’s why my mum always told me not to get a boyfriend until my 18th, to save me from this pain. What am I going to tell him tomorrow when he wakes up - that after 2 years, he’s not the one I’m meant to be with. That in fact my worst nightmare has come true, my soulmate is Jordan Hanes. All the girls in school will be jealous but I really don’t care because I can’t bear the thought of living my whole life with him. I spent my life so far hating him, so what makes the universe think that I can stand the rest of it with him, loving him. They’ve got it wrong, someone’s messed with the system. I stand up and storm back down to the kitchen, where he’s stuffing his face with snacks. He looks over to me, crisp half in his mouth.

“Finally come around?” He grins. I want to storm back out so that I never have to see his face again but I take my stand.

“This is wrong, the universe has got it wrong. I’m meant to be with Aiden, not you.” I stand with my hands on my hips, but that just seems to amuse him.

“Has it now, how very sad for you. What are you going to do about it?” He sits, hands folded in front of him as if he’s ready to listen to everything I’m about to say.

“Argh, you’re so annoying! I bet it was you who did this. Like you have some weird magic powers to manipulate time, and this is all a joke to make me hate you even more.” He laughs, throwing his head back, and somehow his laugh makes me want to laugh. I notice that I’ve never actually heard him laugh like that before. I keep a straight face, trying to remain angry.

“I wish I had the power to do that, that would be pretty awesome. But I would not use them purely to annoy you, because honestly I don’t think of you enough to come up with a plan like that. No, I’d use my powers for good, like world peace or something, you know, destroy all the guns in the world or something and replace them with bananas.” He starts to giggle at the thought. I just stand there stunned.

“How can you be so rude and then crack a joke in the same statement?” He looks at me, eyebrow raised.

“I was not being offensive, I was just letting you know that my world does not revolve around you. Unless that’s offensive, and in that case I’m just helping you out because you need to get your head out of your ass.” He continues to stuff crisps in his face. I want to be offended, but I know that if I show that then he’ll be right and I can’t stand that, so I just don’t say anything. He looks up at me.

“Okay, instead of wasting your time watching me eat, why don’t you tell me what you want to do with your 24 hours of total freedom? You must have thought about it.”

“I had, but I thought I was going to spend it with someone else.” I glance over to Aiden again, my heart hurting.

“Well, why don’t you show me some of the things you were going to do with him?” I blush at the thought of telling him. “Wait, unless…” He looks between me and Aiden, disgust on his face.

“No, no no! It was nothing like that.” He lifts his eyebrow but I think he believes me.

“What were your plans then?” I squirm at the thought of telling him. I just know that he’d think it all so stupid. I shake my head. “Come on, I promise I won’t laugh.” I shoot him a look that lets him know that I didn’t think he was going to, even though I know he’s going to.

“Well, we researched the most romantic places on earth and we wanted to try and see as many as possible. Obviously we’d only really only have been able to see the ones in this country but there are actually quite a few here. So we were going to take pictures in all these places and he was going to take me to all these really expensive restaurants and we were going to see a couple of movies in the cinema. It was just going to be amazing to be with just him for a whole day, with no interruptions.” I look wistfully over to Aiden, and when I look back to Jordan I can tell he’s trying not to laugh. “You know what, don’t even. I just got my heartbroken, you’re not allowed to laugh at me.”

“I’m sorry. Honestly I am. But more about the fact that you spent 2 years with that guy. I think you’re going to have more of a shock when he turns 18 and discovers that his soulmate is the boy next door.” I slap him on the cheek again. “Seriously? I’m just trying to help you because you’ve been in this little bubble since we started college, it’s like you took the high school hierarchy and put yourself in it, but it’s more pathetic because you’re older and should know better.”   

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that you spend your life hanging out with the most ridiculous people. They’re nothing like you. You used to be so cool, you were so independent and you didn’t need anyone’s approval but now it’s like you go round searching for people to look at you and tell you how amazing you are. You weren’t like that until you started hanging out with those girls who pamper you and make you feel pretty. I mean look at you, nothing you’re wearing right now is really you.”

“So after 2 years of laughing at me, you’re only now telling me what you think of me, and on my birthday. Thanks.”

“That’s because if I’d told you before how much you’ve changed you wouldn’t believe me, but now that you see that he’s not made for you, then maybe you’ll begin to see.” I don’t want to believe him, I want to slap him around the cheek again, but this is the most honest he’s been with me in a long time and I think he’s right. Not that I’d tell him that. “Now, back to your plans for today. We’re obviously not going to do any of the things you mentioned before, so is there anything you’ve always dreamed of doing that you haven’t done yet?” I try to think but there are so many other things going on in my head so it makes it difficult.

“I don’t know.” I shake my head. Suddenly a thought pops into my head. “Wait, what did you do on your birthday?” He had turned 18 last year but we hadn’t been friends so I hadn’t thought to ask him before.

“I spent the day by myself, couldn’t be bothered with the whole soulmate thing, I knew she’d come to me on her own.” He grins at me. “I tried as many ice cream flavours as possible. It was an epic day.” It made me a little sad that he’d spent the whole day alone but I shake it off.

“So which one was the best?” I ask.

“Definitely the triple chocolate Oreo cookie ice cream sandwich from Betsy’s.”

“That sounds like you’d throw up after the first bite.” I laugh.

“It’s honestly a bite of heaven. Come on, let’s go get one.” He takes my hand and drags me out of the door. If anyone was awake they would think we looked so odd, a couple of young adults running through town in a ballgown and suit, and stealing ice cream. When we get into the shop he grabs an apron and climbs over the counter.

“Hello ma’am, how can I help you?” 

“I would like your most delicious flavour please.” I laugh.

“Coming right up.” He hurries around, trying to do tricks with the scoop and failing which resulted in a very messy ice cream parlour. “There you go.” He hands me my ice cream sandwich. It’s covered in chocolate but I can’t really tell because of the layers of sprinkles.

“It’s the most beautiful piece of art I’ve ever seen, thank you.” I fake wiping away a tear from my cheek.

“All in a days work.” He bows and climbs back over the counter. We make our way out of the door, eating and talking. “Okay, so now that I’ve taken you somewhere, you need to take me to one of the places you were going to go with Aiden.” The mention of his name sends a stab into my heart but I decide that I need to move on because I can’t have a future with him now. I shake my head. “Come on, it’s only fair!”

“Oh, sorry, I wasn’t shaking my head at you. There is a place near here that I was looking forward to going to.” We get back into his car and I give him the directions. As soon as he turns the engine on his music starts playing. I look at him, amused. “You like this song?” He looks a little embarrassed.

“Yeah, I know every word, it’s kind of a guilty pleasure.” He busies himself turning the wipers on, even though it’s not raining.

“Me too. I haven’t heard it in ages though.” He looks back at me, grinning. He turns it up and we sing along together, and although we thought we knew the words, we don’t so we just end up laughing through the whole thing.

When we arrive at the place I wanted to show him, we are both in stitches. We get out of the car and catch our breath.

“Okay, so where is it you’ve taken me, because this looks pretty boring to me.” It’s true, looking around you wouldn’t think that this is one of the most romantic places in the country, but it has a secret, and I know it.

“Follow me.” We wander across the dead grass that seems to stretch endlessly in every direction.

“Why do I feel like you’ve led me out here to murder me.”

“Trust me, I’ve thought about it. But no, there is actually something here.” We walk a little further in silence and then stop above a grate. I lift it up to reveal a big enough gap to fit through, and a ladder.

“Yep, you’re definitely leading me to my death.” He stares at the hole and shakes his head.

“It’s fine, I promise you, look I’ll go first.” I lead the way and climb down the ladder. It’s not actually that far and I’m on solid ground within seconds. “Okay, you’re turn.” I yell up to him. He waits a few seconds before climbing down. When he’s stood next to me he gives me what is probably a questioning look, but it’s dark so I can’t be sure.

“Do you happen to have a torch?” He asks. I shake my head.

“Don’t need one.” I motion for him to follow me but he doesn’t move so I grab his arm and begin to pull him. “What’s the matter, you scared?” He tenses up. “Okay, well don’t worry, it won’t be dark for much longer, I just need to find the switch,” I run my hand along the wall until I come across it. “Here we go.” I flip the switch and the whole tunnel illuminates. I’ve only seen pictures of this place but it is so much better in real life.

“Wow.” Jordan breathes. I nod, because that’s exactly what I was about to say. We stand there for a minute, just standing in awe, but I know that there’s something even better. I start walking through the tunnel of light and Jordan follows behind me. Neither of us are in a hurry, so we walk slowly soaking in the light as if we were flowers on a sunny day.

“How did you find this place?” Jordan whispers, breaking the silence.

“Extensive research. This was actually going to be a surprise for him, I didn’t tell him about this one.” We begin to approach the end of the lights and I can sense him tensing up as we draw nearer. “It’s not a long stretch of darkness, and what’s on the other side is worth it.” I say gently. He nods but he hangs his head as we are emerged in darkness again. I take his hand, it’s only to help him, but he looks at me, shocked. I keep my eyes straight ahead ignoring the tiny spark bouncing around my fingers. We walk in the darkness for a couple of minutes before I start to see a glimmer of light in the distance. My heart jumps in anticipation. If the lights looked better in person I am certain that this is going to take my breath away. I glance over at Jordan, grin on my face, but he’s focusing on the wall next to him. I don’t mind, I know he’ll love it.

I hear the water before I see it, and I nudge Jordan so that we can look at it together. We step out into a cavern, a small waterfall running into a pool right in the middle. You wouldn’t think it’s that extraordinary until you think of the light. It seems to be coming from nowhere but it casts blue light throughout the whole cavern. It’s everything I dreamed of and better.

“How is this place even real?” Jordan steps out toward the waterfall and I follow slightly behind him. “It’s like a dream.” I make my way over to the water and slip out of my shoes. It’s so clear I can see how deep it is, but I only want to paddle on the edge. I dip my toes in and the cold shoots through my feet but I push through it and manage to stand with both my feet emerged in the water.

I look around trying to memorise the beauty of everything, I never want to forget any of this. I suddenly notice that I can’t see Jordan. I turn around, only to have water splashed in my face.

“Oh! That’s so cold!” He’s laughing so hard and something about the way he laughs with the whole of his body makes something spark inside of me. It’s quick and sharp, but it’s there. I join him in laughing when his laughing turns to falling and he splashes onto his butt in the water.

“Come on, help me out.” He grins, laughing still. I give him my hand to help him out and he takes it, but drags me down with him.

“Aah!” I land on my butt too. We sit there for a couple of minutes, trying to breathe, but it’s very hard because every time we look at each other we burst out laughing again.

“How many hours do you think we have left?” I ask him when we’ve both been quiet for a little while.

“I don’t know, but to be honest, I’d rather not know, I’d rather just enjoy this place a while longer.” He looks around a little. “Fancy a swim?” He has a little twinkle in his eye.

“Race you to the other side?” We splash off, enjoying the cool water. It’s fun being with him, I didn’t think I would ever admit that again, but it’s true. It’s been almost 3 years since we properly spent time together and I’m realising that I’ve missed him.

We have to leave the cavern almost as soon as we get out of the water because we’re so cold. We walk back through the tunnel of lights and when I turn the lights off I grab Jordan’s hand again, this time he doesn’t react. We emerge into daylight shivering and in need of some dry clothes.

“I’ve got an idea.” He drives us back toward town and we stop outside his favourite clothes store. “Come on.” I shake my head.

“I am not stealing clothes.”

“Gemma live a little! The CCTV will be paused, it'll be like we were never here.” He looks at me with puppy-dog eyes.

“Are you sure?” I’m hesitant but also freezing, and it would be fun, dangerous, which is something I haven’t experienced in a long time.

“Yes, I'm sure, come on!” I follow him inside and we stroll around the shop, looking through the rails. I find a top that reminds me of one I used to have. Me and Jordan used to come here all the time when we were in high school. I looked like a bit of a tramp most of the time, but it was fun to pick out outfits with him.

Jordan comes bounding over to me and shakes his head at the t-shirt I’m holding.

“No, you are not getting that, you can do so much better.” He looks around and picks up a jumper that I know will be too long. “Here. And yes, it’s supposed to be oversized.” Then he picks out a shirt and some jeans for himself. “Treat yourself to some makeup too, you may as well go all out.” I go over to the makeup counter and browse through the muted tones. It’s much more understated than I’m used to but I pick some up anyway. We both get changed and I feel a bit vulnerable in this short dress but I put some of the makeup on and it becomes a sort of mask which helps. I take a quick glance at myself before going back out to Jordan. I look different to how I remember, the Gemma in the mirror this morning was glamorous, sexy, but this Gemma, she’s relaxed and happy. This is the Gemma I used to see everyday, it’s as if she’s been asleep for a really long time and has just woken up. I have to turn away before I start crying. I open the curtain and step out to meet Jordan. He’s just wearing a white t-shirt and skinny jeans, but the sight of him sets that spark off again. He nods, smirking.

“That’s better, that’s the Gemma I know.” I blush under the weight of his approval. He picks up our wet clothes and takes me back to the car. “Okay, what now?” I glance at the clock, which is telling me its 6 o’clock.

“I think it’s time for some food. How about an all you can eat at Maccies?” I wiggle my eyebrows.

 “That’s my girl.” He laughs. As we spend the next 20 hours taking it in turns to show each other our favourite places, or doing things we could never do if everyone were unfrozen, I realise that I have been missing out on his company for 3 years. I could’ve been spending my time laughing and enjoying the company of my best friend, but instead I was changing myself to fit into this little box of what my other friends wanted me to be.

“I’m sorry.” I admit to him as we sit on the grass watching the sunrise.

“For what?” He looks at me and I shiver, but I’m pretty sure it’s not because I’m cold. He covers me with a blanket anyway.

“For ignoring you for the past 3 years. You were right, I’ve been faking it all this time and today has made me notice that.”

“Well I’m sorry too. I should’ve made you aware of what you were doing ages ago. But I think,” He looks as if he’s going to finish his sentence but he just shakes his head and looks at his hands. “Doesn’t matter.”

“What?” He takes a deep breath.

“I think I was scared that I would be wrong, that you were actually happy with them. Because I didn’t want to admit that you could replace me.” He shrugs and picks the grass in front of him.

“Well I can’t.” I nudge him with my shoulder and rest my head on his. I realise how tired I am when I start to doze off. I haven’t slept for two days.

“Are you falling asleep Gemmy?” He mocks. I groan.

“Don’t call me that.” I murmur. He chuckles, and then yawns.

“We should probably go, but I can’t be bothered, so I might just sleep here.” He falls back, stealing the blanket and hugging it around him.

“Hey, I’m cold now! You need to share.” I lay back too, shuffling closer to him so that I can steal the blanket back. I manage to get a small part but I’m still freezing, so I have to edge closer until I can feel his breath on my cheek. I thought I was going to fall straight to sleep but I can’t stop thinking about close he is, about the way his smell is making my head do weird things, and about the spark that is bouncing off every bit of skin that is touching his. I thought he’d fallen asleep, but he turns onto his side so that his face is inches from mine.

“Are you okay Gem, you seem a little tense?” He seems genuinely concerned but I’m struggling to breathe so it’s hard to answer so instead I just nod. “Is that a ‘yes I’m okay’ or ‘yes I’m a little tense?” Somehow he shuffles even closer and I have to put my hand on his chest to stop him from coming any closer, in case my lungs run out of air altogether.

“I’m fine.” I gasp. I can feel his heartbeat where my hand is still on his chest and it seems to be just as fast as mine.

“Gem.” He murmurs and I know he’s going to kiss me.

“Jordan, don’t” He looks confused. “Aiden.” He scowls but swallows and shuffles back a little. I remove my hand from his chest.

“But he’s not the one.” He sounds disappointed and for a second I think maybe he’s been waiting for this.

“I know, but yesterday he was and tomorrow I have to look at him and tell him that it’s you, and somehow I know that this will not make it easier.”

“Okay.” He nods, but then turns over.

I do sleep, but only a little and when I wake up Jordan isn’t there. I sit up, panicked, but notice him by his car. I get up, bundling the blanket in my arms and make my way over to him.

“I was thinking we could grab some brunch before going back to yours this afternoon.” He suggests without looking at me. I climb in the car and he climbs in after me, slamming the door. I decide to confront him.

“Look, Jordan, you don’t get to make me feel guilty here, I made a decision not to cheat and you should respect that, not get all moody on me as if I did something wrong.” He stares out the window while he listens, but then nods.

“Sorry.” He still doesn’t look at me but I accept the apology.

We lighten up a bit at brunch and he makes me the most delicious pancakes.

“How have I never realised that you are an amazing cook? I feel like I’ve been missing out.”

“You really have, you haven’t lived until you try my famous ramen noodles concoction.” He stuffs his mouth with pancakes and I laugh as he tries to chew it all. “So.” He says as soon as he’s got all his food down. “On a scale of Brussel sprouts to the triple chocolate Oreo ice cream cookie sandwich from Betsy’s, how did you enjoy your birthday?” I almost spit food out when I laugh.

“How do you even come up with things like that?”

“Hey, I asked a question!” He waggles a finger at me.

“Sorry, uh, I think it would have to be a strong triple chocolate Oreo ice cream cookie sandwich from Betsy’s.”

“Well then, here’s to Betsy, that amazing cavern of lights, and,” His stone softens, “to soulmates.”  We raise our coffee mugs and I cover my blush by taking a large swig.

We walk around town for a little while, just to use up the last couple of hours we have left. I’m beginning to get nervous about having to talk to Aiden and my friends. I don’t want to ditch them, but I know I want to be different after today and the me I want to be might not fit in with them, which maybe isn't a bad thing. Aiden will probably never forgive me though, and I can understand that. We made plans but now I’m not going through with them, and if I’m honest, after today I’m not sure I even want to. I take a glance at Jordan strolling next to me and smile. He’s pretty incredible, I can’t believe I missed him. I take his hand and accept his kiss on my cheek.

When we walk back into my house I decide not to put my ballgown back on, but Jordan puts his suit on.

“It’ll make it easier for you to break to him.” I thank him, although I know it’s still not going to be easy. We take our places that we were stood in yesterday, before my whole world was twisted on it’s head. I glance at the clock, counting the seconds. 3, 2, 1.

“Happy birthday dear Gemma, happy birthday to you!” My mum’s grin flinches for a second as she registers my change of clothes, but they all cheer as I blow out the candles, and then come and congratulate me. I know it’s mostly for the fact that I’ve just found out who I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. I wait until almost the whole room has moved onto eating the cake before looking towards Aiden. The pain in his eyes stabs at my heart. I motion for him to follow me upstairs, I can’t talk to him in here. He follows me up to my room and I close the door behind us.

“It’s not me, is it?” He looks defeated and I want to embrace him, to tell him it’s all going to be okay, but I can’t.

“No. I’m sorry.” I look at my feet.

“Don’t be, it’s not your fault.” I try and find something to say but I can’t so the awkwardness spreads on for longer than I can bear. “So do you know who it is?” I wince at the question, it’s the one thing I’d hoped he wouldn’t ask. I nod. “Well, who is it?”

“Jordan.” I croak. His face flashes with something, jealousy maybe, but he just straightens up and nods.

“Okay then. Gemma,” He sticks his hand out and I take it. “it was nice knowing you. We probably won’t talk again, so have a nice life.” He takes back his hand and walks out of the room, leaving me stunned. I go back downstairs, ready for this party to be over. I’m immediately swarmed by my friends.

“Ohmgee Gemmy, it totally happened didn’t it?” I smile a little at Tina’s excitement.

“Yeah it did. It was pretty enlightening actually.” The girls give each other looks.

“You and Aiden did it didn’t you?” Eugene raises an eyebrow at me.

“Oh my gosh, where?”

“Was it really romantic?” The girls bombard me with questions and I have to laugh.

“No we did not ‘do it’, in fact it wasn’t him.” Somehow they timed their gasps perfectly.

“Gemmy, are you okay?” Tina rubs my shoulder.

“Who is it then? Is he hot?” Eugene asks, she does seem a little sympathetic. I glance over to where Jordan is talking to my mum. She’s always loved him and I know she’s going to be pretty pleased about this.

“You could say he’s pretty hot,” I blush a little at this, and glance up, just to check he hadn’t heard me.

“Well, who is it Gemmy?” Even Tina is desperate to know now.

“It’s uh, it’s Jordan.” I scan their faces but they all seem confused.

“But I thought you hate him?” So did I, so I can understand their confusion.

“I did too, but we used to be best friends, until I changed. And today  I discovered how much, and how much I missed being best friends with him.” I try and stifle my grin but they all notice it.

“Aw, Gemmy’s in love!” Tina squeals, and I’m pretty sure Jordan hears that time because he looks over to us, eyebrow raised. The girls all hug me and through the gaps between their arms I watch Jordan walk towards us. They release me just before I think I’m about to pass out but I don’t get time to catch my breath because Jordan takes me in his arms.

“Can I kiss you now?” I’m about to say yes but he doesn’t give me chance to, instead he presses lips to mine. The sparks I felt before turn to fire and the world around us seems to freeze in time.