Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

Cake

Elliot glared at me and crossed his arms over his chest, ''I have yet to see a person as whiny as you. Be grateful, it won't make you sick.''

''Stop lecturing me on my birthday, the only reason I told him to cancel was because he's sick.''

''And whose fault is that?'' He asked, implying it was mine. Like it was my fault that I had been born on this day,

''The cake?'' I offered and that was enough to piss him off and send him marching out of my room. That gave me a little satisfaction and I giggled while I got out of the bed. The first thing I did after brushing my teeth and washing my face was checking my phone. There were numerous messages on Facebook from our class mates, half of them I didn't know. The rest were from the people I knew, and that included Melissa as well.

''Are you planning on wearing pajamas today?'' I turned at Rhodes voice. He came carrying a box of last year's Christmas decorations, which made me wonder just what were they all downing downstairs.

''Nope, but we can plan that theme.'' I replied, while brushing my hair. He dropped the box on the floor and sighed,

''I didn't know arranging a gathering would require this much hard work. I swear your Dad has killed all my leg muscles.'' He slumped down on my chair and sighed.

''Tell me what you got for me?'' I asked him, excited at the thought. Rhodes always got the best presents for me, although every time his birthday came around, I could never really please him. It made me a terrible friend.

''Socks''

I deadpanned, ''Serious? Because you can take them back home already.''

He started to laugh and I threw my hair brush at him, he caught it effortlessly, ''I'm kidding. I'll reserve the socks for Christmas, for now I got you those shiny phone covers you wanted.''

I gasped, recalling the set we had seen at the store three weeks ago, ''Really? You did? The one with cat ears?''

''Yes, your highness, the cat ears one. Now get ready and come downstairs, everyone is almost here.''

Rhodes left soon after and I was left alone in my room. I decided to wear the pink checkered dress with straps and a black full sleeved shirt underneath, it was something Mom had gotten me last time I had went to see her. Whilst I never liked the stuff she picked for me, the dress was the most normal item of clothing she ever bought for me. I could already imagine her giving me a disapproving look in my head, which made me more satisfied.

Dad had put a lot of work on streamers and balloons, which was pity because Drew and Clay were going to tear down everything the moment the party would start.

''Hey Violet.'' Linda greeted me when I came downstairs,

''Did Dad made you do all this?''

She shrugged, ''Rhodes and Elliot helped. Rhodes helped, Elliot complained the whole time.''

''I told Dad-''

''Don't start again, your Dad is happy today. And to be honest, I only took two hours.'' Linda smiled at me and then suddenly seemed to remember something, ''Oh and don't worry about the cake. Oliver brought one, he's in the kitchen if you wanna see it!'' I didn't like the wink she gave me, I also didn't like the fact that Oliver had bought my birthday cake. When Dad invited him yesterday, I was ready to believe he wasn't going to come. But he was here, and he had brought a freaking ''cake''. Was this 'sucking up to my Dad' strategy or 'let's annoy Violet because I don't like her' strategy?

I went to the kitchen and found him putting a huge cake on the counter, when he saw me he smirked and placed his hands in the pockets of his jacket. It wasn't even cold.

''And the birthday girl is here.''

''Why are you here?''

He shrugged, ''You guys invited me, remember?''

''You didn't have to bring the cake.'' I told him, and didn't try to hide my annoyance. Oliver must have noticed it too, his smirk disappeared and he came around the counter and towards me,

''What's your problem Violet Quinn?''

I scoffed, ''My problem is that I owe you. But don't worry, I'll pay you for gas money and your cake. And by the way, nobody here likes strawberry.'' I added the last part after I peeked at the cake. It was a lie obviously, I wanted to infuriate him.

Oliver remained passive though and didn't answer, he just stared blankly at me, to the point that it started to make me nervous. I decided it was my turn to leave, but before I could he held my elbow and made me stop.

''What-''

''What's your problem Violet?'' He asked me again.

I looked at him incredulously, ''I told you-''

He closed the distance between us, until I could only see him; his eyes, his lips, his face. He was suddenly so close that even if I wanted to push him away, I wouldn't.

''Violet,'' He said my name for the third time. ''Do you like me?''