Don't Give up on Me

"Surprise!" I heard people yell before the lights flashed on.

"Oh, my God!" I said in surprise, then felt a tug on my hand. I looked down and saw Desiree smiling up at me, her face filled with delight. "Dee!" she screeched, reaching up for me.

"Hey, Dezzy," I greeted her as I lifted her into my arms. "Can someone please explain to me what's going on?"

"Zack somehow managed to plan a surprise party for you," Brian said, then gets pinched by Charlotte.

My eyes widen as I turn to him. "Did you really do all of this for me?"

"Well, yeah," he says sheepishly, running a hand through his black hair. I smiled the largest smile I could muster.

"I helped Mommy pick the flowers," Desiree pointed to the bouquet, looking proud of herself.

A chuckle echoed around the room. "They're beautiful, just like you. Thanks, Desiree," I smiled at her, then kissed her forehead. "Where is Mommy, by the way?"

"Over here," my mother calls from the staircase. "I was putting your gifts in your bedroom so there'd be more room down here."

I passed Desiree to my older brother and hugged my mother tightly. "I missed you so much," I whispered to her, trying to keep my emotions at bay in front of everyone.

"I know, mi hija, I missed you, too," she said just as quietly. "But, be happy, Andi, this is your night."

I nodded as I pulled away, whipping at my eyes before I went back and greeted everyone. I heard their involvement in tonight; the girls were to distract me while they got the bulk of everything set up; Ryan and Zack picked my mother up and helped her settle into her hotel, plus convinced my Dad to even have this party; the guys were in charge of setting up with Serena's direction. I couldn't thank them all enough for this.

And Zacky? If it weren't inappropriate, I'd of kissed him as soon as I found out, among other things. I couldn't believe he did all of this for me. It meant that 1), he cared, 2), he listened to me, and 3) he cared. This overwhelming warmness filled my body, and I couldn't stop smiling, all because of him.

It was here and now that I realized I was in love with him. I couldn't explain the feeling coursing through me now when I looked at him, but I instinctively just knew it was love.  And inferring from what he put together for me tonight, I didn't have to guess that he probably did, too. That alone was the best gift of all, no matter what.

"Alright, let's get this cake done already," my father announced. "Monica, can you get the candles for me?"

My mother complies easily, arranging the two numbers in the center of the frosted homemade cake, with the help of Desiree. There was no hostility between them whatsoever. It had been a long time coming, in my opinion.

Everyone starts to sing, and I tried to think of a wish to make once I needed to blow out the candles. But, for the first time, I couldn't come up with one. I had everything I wanted.

"Here, Dezzy, you make a wish for me," I said finally, and watched her try with gusto to blow the flames out. They were put out, finally, and we all clapped for her.

"You weren't kidding when you said she looked exactly like you," Zacky said as he watched her soak up the attention from my mother. "Or when you said you looked like your mother. It's almost scary."

I smeared chocolate icing onto his face. "That's for doubting me."

He wipes it off with a grin. "I never doubted you, Andi."

"Smart boy," I smiled, taking a bite of the vanilla cake and sighing. I'd missed my Dad's baking. He was never home to do so anymore. And when he was, it was so tense and short-lived.

Speaking of my Dad, he came over and gave me a large hug. "Happy birthday, sweetie," he says, a smile on his face. He seemed genuine, a stark difference from his usual demeanor.

"Thanks, Dad. I-"

I didn't  finish that sentence due to hearing Desiree shriek loudly, followed by Cara's musical laugh mixing with Jimmy's. She had icing on her face, no doubt caused by Jimmy. She giggled happily before grabbing a handful and attempts to do the same to them both.

"She's just like you, kid, you know that?" my Dad grinned, recapturing my attention. "You better look out, or else she'll be your age before you know it."

"That's a terrifying thought," I replied honestly. If she was anything like me truly, well, my mother best needed to prepare for another round of chaos.

"You look after my daughter, Zachary. She's the only one I've got," my father says seriously to Zacky.

Zacky puts his arm around me and pulls me into his side. "You've got my word."

For the first time since they initially met, my father smiled warmly at him before walking away. "Holy sh-"

"Dee, Dee!" my sister interrupts, redirecting my attention once again. She mumbled something with excitement, though it required me to move closer to her. I gave Zack an apologetic look before putting my food down and going over to her to listen to what she had to say.

I didn't see him for quite a bit after that. I was pulled in several different directions; My mother, my father, Laura, Paige, Ryan, my friends minus my boyfriend, my father's parents. Everyone except for him.

I needed some air, just to get away from the party and busyness of the house for a bit. Thankfully, I found him finishing a cigarette at the end of the deck.

"Hey," I greeted him softly. He smiled after exhaling the last of the wispy smoke, putting the finished cigarette into the bucket Ryan used for the same purpose. "Where were we, earlier?"

"You tell me," he replies, shoving his hands in his hoodie's pockets.

I hugged him tightly and laid my head on his chest. "I can't believe you did all of this... or getting along with my dad... this doesn't seem real."

"Do you really doubt me that much, babe?" he asks.

"Not for a second," I responded instantly. "I just... I'm not used to things just happening for me. Or people willing to do these kinds of things for me."

"Get used to it, then," he says, making me smile. "I don't plan on leaving anytime soon, so..."

"Oh yeah, why is that?" I dared to ask.

He was silent for hardly a heartbeats' length. "Because I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you, Andi."

My cheeks reddened. "Zack-"

"No, no, I'm definitely sure I am. I always told myself I wouldn't get hung up on a girl in high school, but God damn it, you changed my mind. I love you, Andi," he cut me off, his eyes steadily holding mine. "Fuck, you've turned me into a complete and total sap and the worst part is that I don't even mind."

"Man up," I told him before kissing him finally. It was brief, but still exhilarating and electrifying.

"I love you, too," I murmured quietly into his chest. "Honestly, if someone had told me a year ago that I would have found you I wouldn't have believed them for a second. But, I'm so glad I did, because you help me get better everyday."

"Looks like I'm not the only sap here."

"Shut up," I grinned, smacking his chest playfully. He grins, too, and I felt the happiest I'd ever been.

The back door opens then, and everyone seems to spill out of the house. Desiree immediately runs over to me, and I scooped her up happily and hugged her tightly.

"Dee, you like the party?" she asks. I nodded. "Good." I chuckled, leaning into Zacky as I held my little sister.

The rest of the night was fun. I showed Desiree how to make a s'more and watched her nibble on it happily. My friends poked fun at Zack and I for a bit, but I didn't mind. My mother, father, and Laura all got along smoothly, no conflict whatsoever. Ryan found a soccer ball in his room and we played a few games before re-gathering around the fire, the good majority of the adults inside. Desiree slept comfortably in half of my lap and half of Cara's.

"She's too cute," Cara smiles at my sister, blanketed with Zack's hoodie. "She really likes Jimmy, too. They're already best friends."

"She's not the only one, Cara."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh really?" I asked, looking at her clueless face. She faltered ever so slightly. "I knew it."

"Knew what?" she asked, trying to play it cool. She knew damn well that she couldn't fool me, though. "Okay, so maybe I like him just a tiny bit..."

I felt like screaming in happiness for Jimmy's sake. "So, go for it. You know he's totally crazy about you."

She looks almost longingly at him at the other end of the deck. "It can't happen. I'm going to be in university soon, and an hour and a half drive away at that. He doesn't need me to drag down his senior year."

"Cara, someone could shoot him in the foot and break his arm and he'd still try to find a way to see you, and be with you. Just take your guard down. He's not Micheal."

"I know," she sighs. "I know. I just don't want to waste his time with my bullshit, you know?"

"How did you think I felt before I got with Zack? Now look at us. Let yourself be happy, Cara, I promise you, it feels pretty freaking great," I told her quietly, smiling. "Do I need to quote All Time Low to make you do this?"

She laughs. " 'Take a breath and let the rest come easy.' That's like your life motto."

"And look at where it got me! I have great friends, a great boyfriend, and an amazing life. I'm living proof that it gets better if you just breathe and let things pan out."

She smiles. "You're right."

"I know I am," I grinned as she rolled her eyes. "You don't have to do this now. You have the entire summer, after all."

"It's not going to take long. I give it a week," Charlotte says, sitting beside me. "Five days, tops."

Cara makes a face before slowly easing Desiree's legs off of her lap and standing. "I've got to get home, I work the morning shift at my mom's daycare tomorrow and I do NOT want to be tired around a group of five year olds. Happy birthday, Dee. Open my gift first whenever you get around to it, because mine is the best."

I laughed. "Bye, Cara. See you later."

I shifted my sister into a more comfortable position on my lap before laying my head on Charlotte's shoulder. She rests her head on mine and yawns. "Its nearly midnight, yet I'm already tired. I think I'm sick."

"Pre-jet lag?" I suggest. She laughs.

"Most likely. I haven't been back to London in nearly two years. It's going to be weird. But, I'm really excited. I miss my family and I can't wait to settle my sister into her new flat. This holiday is going to be great."

"Bring me back something great, yeah?"

"Only because you brought me that cool keychain from your trip to Texas, sure."

Even more time passes. My friends left one by one back to their houses, and soon it was only Violet, Jimmy, Ryan, Zack and I outside. My mother left with my little sister to go back to their hotel, though she promised she'd come back tomorrow. My dad indirectly gave them all permission to stay the night, so we were all gathered outside, feeding the already dying fire before we moved inside. I realized that it didn't take much to make this birthday amazing. Just family, friends, and a good time was enough for me.