Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 14: Since when?

Dozens pink balloons dangling at the corners of the main area, one bright red banner plastered on the wall above the counter by the kitchen with cartoon like bold letters across it saying, “Happy Birthday to Nics,” and there were light red paper strings hanging from the ceiling as they loosely wrapped around the lights. The Italian and Mexican based restaurant was in the perfect shape especially for the youngest Watson family member, the twins; Nicole and Natalie. Today was their 9th birthday party.

Even though the place looks so fancy, it was still a small party consisting only family members and close friends. The head of the family, Mister Darrell Watson was rolling out the extension cords from the mini stage to the back. He was making sure everything was in a no-electrocution zone since there will be tons of hyper children running around.

His wife, Patricia, was checking the foods in the kitchen since she is the head chef. With her chef hat and white cleaned apron, she carried out her task and tastes each of the foods for the party. Once she was done, she took off her hat and apron and told her employees to take off their work attire and enjoy the celebration.

Meanwhile, outside by the entrance, Kelly Watson was greeting the guests. Few hug and kiss here and there, the last 10 minutes the restaurant was half filled by the cousins from both sides.

“Hey baby!”

Kelly turned her head and smirked, “Hi Brandon. I see you’re finally here. That’s nice.”

“You know how the twins mean to me right? They are one pair of adorableness.” Brandon Smith continued. He came in and was about to embrace Kelly but someone held him back.

“Slow down there, this is a family oriented party not like the party like its 1970s,” David Henrie stated. “Let’s keep this G rated as long as possible.” He let go of his friend and quickly patted his back before turning to the Watson girl. He smiled, greeted and then said, “You looked beautiful today, Kelly.”

She giggled. “You’re not bad yourself.” Reaching up and straightening his collar, she added, “Scratch that, you’re so handsome. I’m digging it.”

Brandon scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“Anyway, come on in guys, we still haven’t started yet so go grab some drinks and some seats.” Kelly said, gesturing the boys, consisted of Brandon, David, Sterling Knight, Jake T Austin and Doug Brochu, in.

As they were walking, Brandon moved next to David nudge his arm and whispered, “How come you get all the hot Italian girls, man?”

“She’s a Latina too you know,” David replied, smirking.

“How come you get all the hot Italian slash Latina girls, man?” Brandon rephrased.

His friend chuckled and said, “Dude, we’re just friends. Deal with it.”

“I am not going to deal with it until I really have her, man.” Brandon assured.

“Whatever man.” David said. “Just chill and enjoy the party.”

20 minutes has passed and the restaurant was filled with nearly all the Watson’s relatives and friends except for a few people still hasn’t turn up. Parking their car at a parking lot one block away from the restaurant, Selena rushed out of the backseat with the twins’ present and sprint along the pavement.

“Mom! Dad! Hurry up!” she called her parents over her parents. Her white thunderous applause dress was bouncing and sending bright vibe with her pair of black heels. It was her luck that there were no paparazzi present on this special day. If they were there, she will be on every celeb sites with headlines saying, ‘Selena running from a party!” Pretty literal, don’t you think?

At the door, she drew out, “tell me we’re not late.”

Surprised, Kelly slowly replied, “No. You’re just in time. Sellie.”

“Oh Thank God.” Selena breathed out. Her parents were now behind her. Unlike her, they were perfectly in a normal breathing rate. “Where can I put the present?”

“Just leave it here,” Kelly said, taking the gift off her hands. “Get some water please, you look dehydrated.”

“I’ll do that later. Where’s-“

“Kelly!” a voice interrupted her. Right there, cornering the small crowds in a charcoal vested suit with the top buttons unbuttoned, Bradley moved in and stood next to his sister and asked, “Why are David and Brandon drinking bottles of water and declaring that whoever wins will ‘have’ you? Is there something you need to tell me?”

“Well, shouldn’t it be you that should tell me something I don’t know?” she ‘fought’ back. “Perhaps a little noun that very dear and rare to you, oh I don’t know, like a GIRL-FRIEND!”

“Frankie and I broke up years ago; I would definitely appreciate it if you don’t bring her up again.” He stated.

“I’m not talking about that clingy gold-digger ex of yours.” She replied. “I meant, your current girlfriend, the Lovato girl from Sonny with a chance.”

“What?” Selena shouted in shock. This sure make everyone stopped. All the guests were turning their heads to Selena, who had this I-cannot-believe-you’re-dating-my-best friend-and-didn’t-tell-me look. She grabbed Bradley’s arm and pulled him to the corner.

“Since when did you and Demi become an official item?” she whispered.

“You looked great today,” he answered.

“Bradley! C’mon, since when?”

“Seriously, you looked guh-rate!”

She glared. “Bradley!”

“Look, it’s not official yet. Nothing much happened though; we just talked and had lunch together. We walked on the beach. We mostly talked. We had drinks here and there. We uh… we uh… might’ve went off a different route for one time and uh, we just flow with it which turned out fine than I expected. Quite sudden too.” He tried to explain. “And you looked great.”

“Thanks,” she suddenly smiled. “Can you believe this was one of my old dress back when we were in Texas and—don’t change the subject Brad! Geez!”

“That’s just all I can say by now. Nothing else happened.” He assured. She sighed and crossed her arms. “Can I at least get a hug from you? My arms are crying.”

She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “My arms did so too.”

Bradley smiled and quickly pulled her in, holding her tightly. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned on him, taking in the lovely warmth of their friendship. However, when she was expecting the embrace to be longer, he was slowly pulling away and murmured, “Woah.”

Selena turned and found her best friend by the door wearing a red sundress and her hair light tied up with a huge present in her hands and a little girl by her side. Bradley quickly went to the door and greeted her. He had this huge smile on his face and so does the girl.

“No way!” Selena let out. A devilish grinned immediately formed.

Author's note:

Stay tuned for more!!!!