Carson's pov

Ella arrived around an hour ago and we celebrated a bit in my room but that's barely the beginning.

Currently, we're outside on the balcony eating lunch but we're not the only ones at the table.

Cayden's friend is here and naturally Cayden's girlfriend as well.

It's odd that there are not more friends of Cayden's because I know he has plenty of others but I think it's him who didn't want to or his friends who didn't want to come to celebrate at our house.

Regardless, Justin and Sofia aren't fond of Ella and me but they are mostly ignoring us even if we're sitting at the same table but Cayden not so much.

"Hey guys, after we're done eating I was thinking that we could go in the pool and have fun there." Cayden offers smiling and his friend and girlfriend agree.

"Yeah, that would be cool, and then we could also put some music on. Do you have speakers?" His girlfriend Sofia asks interested in the idea.

"Yes, we do," I answer and she turns and looks at me annoyed.

"Nobody asked you." She says annoyed at me but Ella doesn't like that.

"Hey, leave him alone, he was just being nice," Ella says having my back and the girl Sofia rolls her eyes.

"And I didn't ask him to be nice to him. Now butt off of this conversation losers." She says annoyed and Ella looks at her pissed off but I brush my leg against Ella and look at Ella warning her to not do anything.

And luckily she understands.

"Ugh, so annoying. Anyway, doesn't matter. So are you going to get those speakers or not?" She demands to Cayden and he looks at her unimpressed.

"I'll go get it after we're done eating, ok babe?" He says a bit annoyed and her girlfriend rolls her eyes.

The little group of friends continue to talk to each other and Ella and I talk to each other.

But our attention is quickly brought back as Cayden asks us a question.

"Hey, after we're all done eating you're welcome to come in the pool," Cayden says smiling charmingly mainly looking at Ella.

"Thanks for the invite, we were thinking of going too but we weren't sure we'd be accepted." She smiles a bit annoyed and Cayden smiles happy his proposition got accepted.

How strange.

"Well, you're all welcome. The pool has lots of space." He smiles charmingly at Ella and she smiles too.

"Nice to know." She smiles and Cayden smiles at her too as if in their own little world.

So we don't exist anymore.

Clearly, I'm not the only one who thinks so because Cayden's girlfriend grabs his arm and whispers something in his ear angrily and he stops smiling at Ella.

I decide to take that chance to ask Ella about it.

"What was that between you two?" I whisper to her confused.

"It was just a talk." She says nonchalantly yet smiling amusedly and I look at her skeptically but let it go.

"OK, so I think we're done eating now. Care to go get that speaker?" Cayden's girlfriend demands bringing back attention to her.

Cayden is about to answer but he gets interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

The ring of the bell surprises us all.

But why is the doorbell ringing? Do we have more guests coming?

"Oh, there's someone at the door! Maybe it's for me or maybe it's a secret person for Carson." Cayden says teasingly and locks eyes with me and I look at him confused.

"Me?"

"Yes, you dumbass. Now come on. Let's go check who it is." He says smirking yet impatient.

"OK?" I say confused as I get up.

"Hey, what's the rush?" Cayden's girlfriend asks confused.

"We can't keep that person waiting so..." Cayden says smiling.

He pushes me inside and follows me.

Then he heads straight for the door weirdly excited and opens the door.

Upon noticing who it is I freeze shocked beyond words.

Emerick?

"Oh...uh. I think I've got the wrong address." He says rapidly awkwardly as if he's about to turn away and leave.

"Omg Emerick is that you?" Cayden says surprised and I still have no words.

"Um...yes? Sorry, I really chose the wrong address." He says anxiously but Cayden doesn't seem to take the hint.

"Nonsense, you've got the right address. Wow, I can't believe this. You still remember it's our birthday today? How thoughtful of you! What a pleasant surprise! Come on in!" Cayden says as he pushes Emerick in.

Emerick looks at me awkwardly and I look at him unsure if this is real or not, especially considering how my brother loves to make jokes

"Emerick...why are you...here?" I ask with a hesitant voice and he flinches seeming uncomfortable too.

Emerick's pov

Omg, I can't believe I'm here right now standing in front of Carson in his home...

Carson...He seems so shocked to see me and hesitant.

What do I say to that? I can't possibly admit it or else I'll make a fool of myself.

"Hey, you two why are you down like that? It's time to go party!" Cayden says energetically and he puts both of his hands on us which makes us both flinch.

He really is the opposite of this dark atmosphere between Carson and me.

What kind of game is Cayden playing? Whatever it is, I don't find it funny.

"Right, um Emerick...will you be staying or..." He asks hesitantly and I look at Cayden unsure what to say and he looks at me as if warning me about what I'm about to say.

"It seems like yes," I say and Carson's eyes widen clearly not expecting that.

"Really?" He says all hopeful and that hits right to my heart.

Ugh, I hate it when Carson is like that...It makes me feel all sorts of weird feelings.

The moment between just us 3 gets suddenly interrupted by others coming into the living room.

"What is going on here?" I believe Cayden's girlfriend asks annoyed before landing her gaze on me.

"We have a surprise guest! He used to be Carson's best friend!" Cayden's girlfriend says smiling and Carson and I both look at each other clearly uncomfortable by that.

What is Cayden's deal? Does he want to embarrass us?

"Oh, yeah you, I remember you. You talked to Cayden the other day." She says looking at me with her hard gaze.

"Yep, it's me," I say stating the obvious.

But she's not the only one interested in my presence, Ella, Carson's friend is too.

"Emerick? Is that you? I didn't know you were coming?" She asks surprised and confused.

"And I didn't know I was coming either," I say sarcastically.

"Yeah, yeah sure, I don't believe you," Cayden says smiling at me but his eyes tell me otherwise.

Ugh, am I supposed to act all friendly now?

"Oh, yeah Emerick. You're that guy from the bus." That guy Justin says and I ignore him.

"Hey, what are we all doing here? Let's get ready for the pool party!" Cayden says too excited and I look at him skeptically.

"Yes, finally you recognize that." Cayden's girlfriend says annoyed but smiles nonetheless.

Cayden looks at her unimpressed but his gaze quickly turns to me with an amused expression.

I restrain myself from glaring at him.

How awkward and embarrassing especially lying about my presence.

I guess I'll be forced to play my part for as long as I'm not told to leave, great just great.

Carson's pov

I look at Emerick who's no longer too close to me and I am unsure what to do.

I still can't believe he's here, after everything that's happened, I thought he hated me for sure.

But I'm still so confused. Did he really want to come here? He's not talking to me...but he's here.

But why? He was ignoring me two days ago and now he's in my house on my birthday...

Ella comes closer to me and whispers in my ear.

"Did you invite him? I don't remember you saying he would come." Ella whispers in my ear as she asks confused.

"I don't know I'm as surprised as you," I say still so confused and Ella smiles.

"Wait, do you think he came to your birthday as an apology?" Ella says intrigued by that idea.

"You think he would?" I say surprised.

"Maybe. Also, how come he remembers your birthday?" She asks me curious.

"We used to be best friends but..."

"If he remembers your birthday...it must mean one thing...He likes you but he's too shy to tell you." She whispers in my ear and I look back at Emerick who's surrounded by Cayden talking all big about something.

Emerick is here for me...he might like me...

For some reason that brings a smile to my face.