Chapter 118
The dance floor was already set up when we arrived—bright lights, speakers booming, and five Dance Dance Revolution arcade machines lined up side by side. A woman stood nearby with a clipboard, marking down each winner and updating a scoreboard on the wall. A crowd had started to gather, forming a semi-circle around the setup.
Carly was the first to jump up onto the stage. "I call first round! Who's brave enough to face me?"
Freddie raised his hand. "Let me show you what I got."
"You sure?" Carly smirked. "Because I don't plan on going easy."
I stayed back with Laura, watching as the two of them picked their songs and prepared to start.
At that moment, Charlie showed up and gave me a quick hug. "Happy birthday, kid," he said with a grin.
"Thank you, Uncle Charlie," I replied. "You don't need to stay. It's a teens' party—there aren't any single moms here."
"I'll stay until the cake," he said. Then he leaned in and added with a smirk, "But there are some beautiful waitresses, attendants, and even a beauty security guard."
I laughed. "Just don't make too much trouble."
---
As time passed, the party kept getting better. At one point, there was even a tug-of-war game happening in the pool—three people on each side, pulling with all their strength until one team inevitably splashed into the water.
"Want to compete?" asked Carly, nudging me.
"Nah, I'd call Terrance and Carter—my bodyguard (the Mountain), that would be unfair"
"You are no fun," Laura said, rolling her eyes playfully.
I hear someone screaming "Haley, over here", I just ignored as the nosy were everywhere
---
When 6 p.m. finally arrived, it was time for the cake and birthday song.
I looked at the towering, multi-tiered cake that had just been rolled out and blinked. "Am I getting married?" I joked, staring at what looked more like a wedding cake than a birthday one.
Charlie leaned in and murmured, "Well, it seems a little small to have someone inside..."
I scoffed and laughed.
"That was Sam's idea," said Cher, stepping closer to me.
"You let Sam choose the cake?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We didn't have a better idea. And we thought it would be funny."
And then, everyone began singing happy birthday, voices rising together until the song ended in cheerful applause. A few voices from the crowd immediately called out for a speech.
Regina appeared with a microphone in hand. "Here, birthday boy," she said, handing it to me with a grin.
I took the mic and walked up to the small platform where the DJ was set up. Turning to face the crowd, I spoke into the mic. "I want to thank everyone for being here! It means a lot to me."
"A special thanks to Cher and Regina, who made this whole party happen!" I added, lifting my hand toward them. "Can we give them a big round of applause?"
Applause and cheers were heard
"I'm not going to drag this out. Let's keep the party going! And right now, I'm kicking off the singing competition!" I said with a grin, then nodded to the DJ.
As the beat started, I grabbed the mic with a hand and began to sing, my voice echoing across the venue as everyone turned to watch.
Cake By The Ocean (DNCE)
♪Nah, nah, nah
Oh, no
See you walking 'round like it's a funeral
Not so serious, girl, why those feet cold?
We just getting started, don't you tiptoe
Tiptoe, ah♪
♪Waste time with a masterpiece
Don't waste time with a masterpiece
You should be rolling with me
You should be rolling with me, ah♪
♪You're a real-life fantasy
You're a real-life fantasy
But you're moving so carefully
Let's start living dangerously♪
♪Talk to me, baby
I'm going blind from this sweet, sweet craving, whoa, oh
Let's lose our minds and go fucking crazy
I-I-I-I-I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean♪
♪Walk for me, baby
I'll be Diddy, you'll be Naomi, whoa, oh
Let's lose our minds and go fucking crazy
I-I-I-I-I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean♪
Carly leaned toward the girls and asked, "Did he create that song just now?" clearly catching the reference to the cake and the beach just a few meters away.
"No idea," said Laura, equally surprised
Cher gave Carly a weird look and whispered to Regina, "That's what she picked up on? Cake and ocean?"
♪Goddamn
See you licking frosting from your own hands
Want another taste, I'm begging: Yes, ma'am
I'm tired of all this candy on the dry land
Dry land, oh♪
I finished the song under a wave of applause.
I walked back to my friends and looked at Carly. "Come on, Carly."
"Okay, just because it's your birthday," she replied with a smile.
"Did you remember all the song I gave you?" I asked.
"Yes," said Carly, nodding confidently.
Then Carly stepped up to the small platform and took the microphone in hand. As the next track began to play, she started to sing:
Leave It All To Me
♪I know, you see
Somehow the world will change for me
And be so wonderful♪
♪Live life, breathe air
I know somehow we're gonna get there
And feel so wonderful♪
---
By 10 p.m., the last guests had said their goodbyes and left, bringing the birthday party to a close.
The seven of us—me, Cher, Regina, Carly, Laura, Freddie, and Sam—were sprawled across the living room couches, exhausted but happy.
"What a party. Thank you, everyone," I said, my voice a little hoarse but full of gratitude.
Judith appeared in the doorway, looking around at us. "Anyone want dinner or something to eat?" she asked.
A chorus of tired murmurs and groans rose up in response.
"I want," said Sam cheerfully.
We all turned to glare at her.
"What? I'm hungry," Sam said simply, completely unfazed
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