Intertwined

Chapter 23: I'm Only Wearing This Apron Because Public Nudity Is Illegal

"I'm still mad at you,
because being around you
drives me nuts
and not being around you
drives me nuts."

-Damon Salvatore

J U L I E T

"We're still doing this?" Scar asks.

"Yes, we're still doing this!" Parker snaps.

"Jeez, someone's in a mood." Heath remarks.

"Mason, blow harder." Max commands.

"I'm trying!" Mason yells.

"If all of you don't shut up, I have absolutely no problem slapping all of you!" I announce.

They all shut up.

We were all in Hunter's living room, a week after the fair, decorating it for tomorrow. At midnight we were Axel a surprise birthday party. He was finally turning 18 tomorrow! And it was a Saturday so Hunter didn't mind that we were up till such an odd hour.

The M&Ms were on balloon duty, Scar and Heath were getting the banner up, Parker and I were flooding the place with streamers. Hunter took a day off and was on cake duty.

I had been waiting for this day since too long and I had worked out a gift for Axel I hoped he would really like.

"Where is our soon-to-be legal adult anyways?" Scar asks.

"I sent him out to get a bunch of random groceries." I admit.

"Wow and he can't even get a glass of water for me. And I'm his best friend!" Park complains.

"Get over it." Heath says flatly.

"Shouldn't he be back by now?" Max asks and Mason agrees.

I call Axel to find out where he is and he picks up on the fourth ring.

"Hey, where are you?" I ask.

"Hey, I got the groceries, I'm just out with Tina for a while, I'll be back in an hour or so." He says and my heart sinks.

Tina. The pretty, smart and rich Tina. His biology partner Tina.

Yay me.

I felt a flame encompass my insides. "Okay. Have fun." I hang up before he has the chance to continue.

"What's up?" Scar puts an arm around over my shoulder.

I plaster a fake smile on my face. "He's with Tina."

Mason and Heath let out a low whistle, earning a glare from Max.

"Ouch." Parker remarks.

"You good?" Scar asks.

I nod. "Yeah, I'm gonna go help Hunter with the cake."

I get out of there and help Hunter with the aforementioned. I imagine Mia would have loved to see Hunter still like this. Flour on his cheek, messy graying hair, and an apron that said 'I'm Only Wearing This Apron Because Public Nudity Is Illegal'. An almost billionaire, baking a cake for his son's 18th birthday.