18th Birthday
Rosie woke up on her eighteenth birthday. It was official. She was an adult. And that meant she had adult responsibilities now. She shook that thought out of her head and got out of bed. Sascha stretched and got out of bed and followed Rosie downstairs, and Rosie opened the back door so Sascha could go outside.
“Good morning, Sweetpea. Happy Birthday,” Hunter said.
“Morning, Papa. Thank you,” she said with a smile.
Rosie went and grabbed some coffee from the pot that had already been started and added some of her salted caramel creamer that was in the fridge before she sat at the table.
Dave came into the kitchen and kissed Rosie on the head. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Dad,” Rosie said with a smile.
“You feel older?” Hayley asked as she came into the kitchen.
“Yeah. I kind of do,” Rosie said.
“The realization that you’re officially an adult hitting right away?” Hunter asked
“Yup,” Rosie said.
“Really? It didn’t hit for me until I got my first speeding ticket and my mother made me pay for it myself,” Dave said.
Rosie laughed. “Well, I don’t know if I’d tell you if I get one. I’d just pay it myself at this point.”
“You are still on our insurance,” Dave reminded her. “The cost would go up. We would find out eventually.”
“Yeah, I guess I didn’t think about that,” Rosie said.
“Just don’t ever speed, and you won't have a problem,” Hunter said with a smirk.
“Like you have never gotten a speeding ticket,” Rosie said to Papa.
“Nope. Never have,” Hunter said. “Few parking tickets but never one for speeding.”
“Okay. I stand corrected,” Rosie said.
“And I only got the one. Having to pay it was the wake-up call I needed,” Dave said.
Hunter chuckled. “So your mother was right to make you pay it.”
“She was,” Dave said with a nod.
“When did you first feel like an actual adult?” Rosie asked Hunter.
“The day I turned eighteen and left the cult,” Hunter said.
“Oh. Yeah. That would do it,” Rosie said.
“That does make sense,” Dave said. “But what has changed overnight for you Rosie that makes you feel that?”
“I don’t know,” Rosie said.
“Okay. Well, you are legally an adult, yes, but you enjoy your last summer before you go out into the world as an adult, okay? You still can be a kid for the rest of the summer,” Dave said.
“Noted,” Rosie said with a smile.
Dave made breakfast as everyone came down and sat at the table, and they ate breakfast as a family before they started getting ready for Rosie’s birthday party.
It wasn’t anything crazy, just her friends and the family coming over for a BBQ and pool party in the backyard.
Once Rosie was dressed in a swimsuit and cover-up, she put on sunscreen and went outside. She sat in the chair that was decorated specially for her.
People started to show up and came into the backyard, joining Rosie and saying happy birthday.
At one point, when everyone Rosie was expecting was there. Rosie noticed Callie filming her on her phone.
“What are you doing?” Rosie asked
“What I was told,” Callie said with a smirk.
Rosie looked up at her dad to ask him what she meant when she saw Lexi standing there.
Rosie squeed in excitement, getting up and going and hugging her. “What are you doing here?” she asked excitedly.
Lexi chuckled and hugged her. “Thought it was about time we celebrated a birthday together.”
“Was this your idea?” Rosie asked.
“No,” Lexi said.
“It was mine,” Dave said with a smile.
“Thank you, Daddy!” Rosie said
“Of course,” Dave said.
Rosie quickly introduced Lexi to everyone before they both sat down next to each other.
“Damn. You have some very attractive friends,” Lexi said.
Rosie looked over at her. “Who?”
“Well, they all are, but two in particular,” Lexi said.
“Which ones?” Rosie gently demanded Lexi tell her
“Well, the one who is looking over here with a sour look on her face right now, and the guy she is sitting next to,” Lexi said.
Rosie went to look over at her friends before it registered, and her head snapped back to Lexi. “Her?”
“Yeah,” Lexi said.
“When did you realize?” Rosie asked.
“I don’t know. I think I kind of always knew,” Lexi said.
Rosie nodded and let out a breath.
“Yeah. I know. I didn’t make your life very easy when you came out to me,” Lexi said. “But I was confused.”
“No. I get it. Took me time to come to terms with it myself. Do your parents know?” Rosie asked.
“Yeah,” Lexi said.
“They didn’t take it well?” Rosie asked
“Nope. They kicked me out,” Lexi said.
“Damn,” Rosie said.
“Of everything they have opened their mind up to. That is not one of the things,” Lexi said.
“I’m sorry,” Rosie said.
“Not your fault. But um. I’m moving out of California,” Lexi said.
“Oh. Wow. Where to?” Rosie asked.
“DC,” Lexi said.
“Oh. Wow. The irony of it all,” Rosie said.
“What do you mean?” Lexi asked.
Rosie lowered her voice even more. “I will explain the whole thing later. But Paige moved to the area a couple of years ago. I didn’t know til I ran into her last week, but yeah.”
Lexi looked surprised.
“Yeah, that was my exact thought,” Rosie said.
“Is she the same?” Lexi asked.
“Hard to know exactly how much she’s changed. But I got what I think is a sincere apology,” Rosie said.
“Wow,” Lexi said.
“But yeah, my parents don’t know, so let's. . .” Rosie said.
“Subject change,” Rosie said.
“So anyways, which friends of mine?” she said, looking over at her friends again.
“I think you introduced her as Cass and him as Tyson,” Lexi said.
“Oh, wow,” Rosie said with a chuckle. She looked over and noticed Cass and Tyson looking over at the two of them for a moment and having what looked like a pretty intense quiet conversation.”
“She involved with someone?” Lexi asked.
“I believe she still is. I don’t talk much about her girlfriend with her. She doesn’t bring her up or around much,” Rosie said.
“Okay,” Lexi said.
“But to be fair, Cass and she live in New York most of the year. Cass is in school in New York. And she and her girlfriend live together there,” Rosie said.
Lexi nodded.
“What about him?” Lexi asked
“Not as far as I know,” Rosie said.
Noel came and sat on Rosie’s other side.
Rosie smiled at him.
“Enjoying your birthday so far?” Noel asked with a smile.
“Yes,” Rosie said. “Did you know about Lexi coming?”
“A little birdy might have mentioned. I picked her up at the airport,” Noel said.
“Oh!” Rosie said.
“Yeah. Your parents asked me to since Hayley is still on driving restriction,” Noel said.
“Yeah, well, she did that to herself,” Rosie said.
“What did she do?” Lexi asked.
“Almost drove drunk,” Rosie said.
“Oh damn,” Lexi said.
“Yeah. It has not been taken lightly. That happened in March, and she is still not allowed to drive,” Rosie said.
Lexi nodded.
Rosie was still occasionally watching Cass and Tyson. She looked over at Noel. “Do you know what Cass and Ty are talking about over there?”
“I do,” Noel said. “And I will not be repeating it right now. I will go tell them to knock it off,” he said, getting up and going over. “Okay. You two need to stop this conversation. Rosie has noticed something is up, and this is her birthday, so shut up,” Noel said.
“I can’t believe you are okay with that bitch being here,” Cass mumbled.
“And I can't believe you are talking like that when Rosie forgave Sierra for you,” Tyson said.
“So not the same thing,” Cass said.
“You’re right, it’s not. Lexi and Rosie were children when everything went down. Sierra is an adult and still causing shit,” Tyson said.
“Oh, whatever, Tyson,” Cass said a little louder, getting up and walking away.
Rosie looked at Noel and Tyson, confused.
Tyson mouthed an apology.
Noel shook his head.
Rosie excused herself and went and found Cass at the side of the house, smoking.
“Really? You smoke now?” Rosie asked
“Yes. And I don’t fucking care if you like it,” Cass said.
“What the hell is up with you?” Rosie asked.
“Don’t worry about it,” Cass said.
“Yeah. Since when do you not tell me what’s going on?” Rosie asked.
“Because Noel told me to shut up because it’s your birthday,” Cass said.
“Yeah. It’s my birthday, and two of my friends are fighting. And I’d like to know why,” Rosie said, crossing her arms.
“Well, you’re not going to find out from me,” Cass said.
Rosie shook her head. “Fine,” she said before she walked away and went and sat back down.
“You okay?” Noel asked who had sat back down in the seat next to her. Lexi had gone and jumped into the pool when Hayley had convinced her to.
Rosie looked at Noel. “What’s going on between the two of them?”
Noel let out a breath. “I will tell you later. Promise.”
“Okay,” Rosie said. “Did you know Cass had picked up smoking?”
“Yeah,” Noel said, shaking his head. “But don’t worry about that right now. Enjoy your birthday.”
Rosie smiled and nodded.
“Come on, looks like they are starting shoulder wars,” Noel said.
Rosie and Noel both got up and went into the water. Noel picked up Rosie and put her on his shoulders.
Simon already had Abby on his shoulders, and the two started to try and push the other off.
Hayley, Lexi, Pierce, and Tyson were standing on the side of the pool, watching.
Hayley looked at Lexi. “You ever play?”
“Nope,” Lexi said. “Only ever seen it in movies.”
“Do you want to?” Tyson asked. “I have no one to team up with. If you want, of course.”
“Oh. Um, sure,” Lexi said.
“Lexi and I will be fighting whoever wins,” Tyson told the four in the pool.
Rosie managed to push Abby off Simon’s shoulders.
“Yes!” she said laughing.
Abby stood up laughing as she and Simon got out. Tyson and Lexi got in. Lexi climbed on his shoulders when he told her she could.
“It’s her first time playing,” Hayley told Rosie.
“Is that your way of saying be nice?” Rosie asked with a laugh.
“Yes,” Dave called out warningly to Rosie
“Pairing up a first-timer with someone with a bad shoulder is that really wise?” Noel asked.
“My shoulder is fine,” Tyson said, chuckling a little. “Now come on, let’s do this.”
“So Lexi, first time? Three rules: stay away from the face, no digging nails into anywhere, and no hair pulling,” Rosie said.
“Noted,” Lexi said
The two started to wrestle.
“So Rosie and Lexi must be getting pretty close again if she came out here for her birthday,” Emily said to Dave.
“Well, yes. But Lexi also called Hunter about helping her find an apartment. She knows he’s in real estate and wanted to know if he knew of anywhere affordable in the DC area,” Dave said.
“She is moving to DC?” Emily asked.
“She is. I don’t know how much Rosie knows yet, but Lexi’s parents kicked her out. She has come to terms much like Rosie had to in who she is. Unfortunately, her parents don’t accept who she is,” Dave said. “She has been acting the last couple of years, and she got a role for something being filmed in DC, so she is moving for it,” Dave said.
Emily shook her head. “I can’t understand how parents can't support who their kids are.”
“Neither can I,” Dave said. “Rosie didn’t get the chance to come out to me on her own terms. Actually, Lexi’s mother told me. And when I went to talk to Rosie about it, she realized I knew she looked terrified. Until, of course, I told her it didn’t make any difference to me.”
Emily shook her head.
“But yeah. When Lexi said she was going to come here to look at apartments, I made the suggestion she comes around Rosie’s birthday so she could do both and Lexi was excited at the idea,” Dave said.
Emily smiled and nodded.
They heard a splash and looked up to see Lexi standing herself up in the water.
“Alright, Pierce. It’s time for us to knock Rosie off her high horse,” Hayley said.
Lexi and Tyson got out of the water as Pierce and Hayley got in.
“Has anyone ever beat those two?” Nate asked.
“I don’t think so.” Taylor said with a chuckle.
“The first pool party here, Cass and I were the ones who beat everyone,” Pierce said from the pool. “We had to have beaten them.”
“We did not compete that time. Rosie had the broken ribs, and I wasn’t going to compete without her,” Noel said.
“That’s right,” Tyson said.
“You broke your ribs?” Hayley asked.
“Um. Yeah. I never told you about that, I guess,” Rosie said.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve heard that story either,” Lexi said.
“I don’t really talk about it,” Rosie said before looking at Hayley. “Ready to lose?”
“Ha,” Hayley said.
The two started to fight.
“Hey! No nails,” Rosie said at one point.
“I didn’t use them,” Hayley said as the two continued to fight.
“Yeah, you did,” Rosie said.
“No, I didn’t,” Hayley said. “And don’t pull my hair!”
Pierce and Noel both backed away from each other to stop the two of them.
“I wasn’t even touching your hair!” Rosie said
“If you two can’t play nicely, we can stop,” Noel said.
“I wasn’t even touching her head! She was the one digging her nails into my shoulder,” Rosie said.
“Yeah, you were, and no, I wasn’t!” Hayley said.
“Girls,” Hunter said warningly.
“She just can't stand that she can't beat me,” Rosie said.
“I can if you don’t cheat!” Hayley said.
Noel and Pierce both took their girlfriends off their shoulders.
“Oh, come on!” Rosie said.
“We don’t want to play when you two can’t play nice,” Pierce said.
“I’m not the one who did anything wrong,” Rosie said. “Look at my shoulder. There are nail marks.”
Noel looked at her shoulder. “There is,” he said.
Pierce looked, too. “Hayley,” Pierce said.
“She was pulling my hair!” Hayley said.
“No, I wasn’t. My hands were on your shoulders. Your hair is in a bun on the top of your head. I wasn’t even touching it!” Rosie said
“Okay. I think this game is over,” Noel said.
The four got out and wrapped themselves in towels.
Dave and Hunter went over to Rosie.
“I wasn’t touching her hair,” Rosie said, annoyed.
“Okay. We're not saying you were. Also not saying you weren’t. Only you and Hayley know the truth. We just want to see your shoulder,” Dave said.
“Oh,” Rosie said.
“She got you pretty good,” Hunter said
“Yup,” Rosie said. “But it barely broke the skin. I’m fine.”
“You’re sure?” Dave asked.
“Yes,” Rosie said.
Hunter pulled Hayley into the house and the office once she was dried off enough.
“You dug your nails into her shoulder so much that you broke the skin,” Hunter said.
Hayley looked down.
“You know better. And you need to learn that you’re not always going to come out number one in things. You need to learn to lose gracefully,” Hunter said.
“Sorry, Papa,” Hayley said.
“Look at me,” Hunter said.
Hayley looked up.
“Was she really pulling your hair? The truth,” Hunter said sternly.
Hayley shook her head.
“Why would you say that, then?” Hunter asked. He was not happy.
“I just didn’t want to lose,” she said, looking down again.
Hunter lifted her chin and made her look him in the eyes. “You are not a little girl. It’s time to stop acting like one.”
“Yes, Papa,” Hayley said.
Hunter let her chin go and spun her around and landed half a dozen swats to her butt.
Hayley whimpered.
“You will go out there and apologize to Rosie and admit she did not pull your hair,” Hunter said.
“Yes, Papa,” Hayley said.
Hunter hugged her. “I love you, peanut, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to excuse bad behavior.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Papa,” Hayley said, hugging him.
Once she was calm, they both went back outside.
Hunter went to Dave. “Rosie didn’t pull her hair.”
Dave sighed and shook his head.
“I handled it,” Hunter said.
“I know,” Dave said, smiling at his husband.
Hayley went over to Rosie. “I’m sorry for digging my nails in and for saying you pulled my hair when you didn’t.”
Rosie let out a breath. “Okay.”
Pierce took Hayley’s hand, pulled her to sit on his lap, and whispered something to her.
Hayley sighed.
“Warning, my dad will glare at you if he sees her sitting in your lap,” Rosie told Pierce.
Pierce chuckled and let Hayley get up and move to the seat next to him. “Learned that from experience?”
“Yup,” Rosie said.
“First and only time he has ever glared at me,” Noel said.
Rosie chuckled.
“Yeah, that glare is scary,” Hayley said.
“Who has gotten it more between the two of you?” Pierce asked.
“That is not a fair question,” Rosie said
“So you,” Noel said with a smirk.
“Well, yeah. She has only been around for like two years,” Rosie said. “And how long was it before he actually started to tell you off instead of Papa?” asked Rosie.
“He glared at me the day we met. At dinner after the arcade,” Hayley said.
“He did?” Rosie asked surprised
“It was at both of us, I think,” Hayley said.
“Oh yeah,” Rosie said with a chuckle.
“It definitely took longer for Papa to tell me off for anything,” Rosie said.
“Yeah. Well Dad is more of a hard ass,” Hayley said.
Rosie laughed. “You’re not wrong.” Rosie looked around. “Where is Lexi?”
“I saw her go into the house,” Hayley said. “I think Cass went after she did. They are probably talking.”
Tyson and Noel both got up when they heard that and went looking.
“Um. Is that a problem?” Rosie asked.
Hayley looked at Pierce.
“Okay. What the hell am I not being told?” Rosie asked.
“Rosie, it’s not the time for this conversation,” Pierce said.
Rosie got up and went to find Lexi, finding Cass first. “Have you seen Lexi?”
“She left,” Cass said.
“Why would she just leave without saying bye?” Rosie asked.
“Cause I told her to. She is not going to hurt you again,” Cass said.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Rosie asked loudly.
Noel and Tyson heard the loud voice and went towards it.
“Cass made her leave. And I’m guessing you two know what the fuck is going on?” Rosie asked.
“I’ll go see if I can find her,” Tyson said.
“Cass. You need to leave,” Noel said.
“This is my best friend's birthday. I’m not leaving,” Cass said.
“Former. Best friend,” Rosie said. “And you are leaving.”
“After everything she did to you. I was protecting you,” Cass said.
“After everything Sierra did, you begged me to forgive her. For you. And I did,” Rosie said. “I put my feelings aside about a person who told everything about my history and burnt down the house next door, putting my home at risk. I did that so you could be happy. Because that’s what friends do,” Rosie said.
“It’s not the same thing,” Cass said.
“No. What Sierra did is worse!” Rosie said. “Lexi and I were literal children when she did what she just thought was right because of what she was taught. Sierra knew releasing the information about me was cruel. She planned the whole thing even before she was kicked from the friend group.”
“She wasn’t mentally well,” Cass said.
“And Lexi never did anything trying to hurt me. Paige did. But Lexi never did. And Lexi has apologized to my face and made a conscious effort to repair the friendship. Outside of the conversation I had with her on the phone where I forgave Sierra, I have not seen or spoken to her,” Rosie said in tears.
“How about every time I had to comfort your crying because of what Lexi did!” Cass yelled.
“I was crying because I missed my best friend!” Rosie yelled back
“It’s time for you to leave, Cassandra,” Dave said.
Their argument had gained the attention of the entire party.
Cass grabbed her stuff and left. Tyson came back, having found Lexi, who had been crying. Rosie gently took Lexi’s arm and brought her into the house and up to her room.
“I’m so sorry for whatever she said to you,” Rosie said.
“She just told the truth. I hurt you, and she doesn’t want me to hurt you again,” Lexi said in tears.
“Lexi. You have apologized, and I know you didn’t do anything trying to hurt me,” Rosie said.
“But you cried because of me,” Lexi said.
“I cried because I missed you,” Rosie said. “You never stopped being my friend. You know how I know that?”
“How?” Lexi said.
“You still wear the earrings. Have you ever taken them off?” Rosie asked.
Lexi shook her head.
“You were doing what you thought was right. You didn’t know any better,” Rosie said. “If the roles were reversed, I would have done the same thing,” Rosie said.
Lexi nodded.
Rosie hugged her.
Lexi hugged her back.
There was a soft knock on the bedroom door.
“Who is it?” Rosie asked.
“Papa,” Hunter said.
“You can come in,” Rosie said.
Hunter went in. “Just want to make sure everything is okay?”
“No. It’s not,” Rosie said, shaking her head.
“Can I help?” Hunter asked.
“Unless you can go back in time and make Cass not be a bitch nope,” Rosie said.
Hunter let out a breath.
“That’s what she was,” Rosie said.
“I know something happened,” Hunter said.
“She made Lexi feel bad because of the past and told her to leave,” Rosie said.
Hunter nodded a little. “Okay, yeah, she was nasty, but you don’t need to use that language.”
“If there is any time that calls for it, now is that time,” Rosie said.
“Lexi, you are welcome here. You don’t need to leave. I know about what happened between you and Rose. I’m guessing as much as Cass does. You are welcome here,” Hunter said.
“Okay. Thank you,” Lexi said, wiping at her eyes.
“You know more than Cass does. She doesn’t know the personal stuff about Lexi,” Rosie said.
“Well, that’s because you don’t share that stuff with people. But I’m guessing Cass knows everything that went down between the two of you,” Hunter said.
“Yeah, she knows all that,” Rosie said.
“And she thinks I’m an awful person because of it,” Lexi said.
“I know it doesn’t seem like it, but whatever that was is not about you or, at the very least, not just about you. There has been something going on with her for months,” Rosie said.
“I might be able to shed some light on that,” Tyson said.
“Not the time, Ty,” Rosie said.
“Ah. You are pissed at me,” Ty said.
“She was talking shit about Lexi earlier right? And not only did you not tell me, but you didn’t look out for Lexi. You all knew, right? And you all just left Lexi to get attacked,” Rosie said.
“No, Rosie. That's not on them,” Lexi said quickly. “I came inside to use the bathroom. Cass cornered me when I came out of the bathroom.”
Rosie let out a breath.
“I know I didn’t see Cass go inside after her. We didn’t think Cass would say anything at the party. And we had every intention of telling you after. We just wanted to protect your peace at your birthday party. This day was supposed to be about you,” Tyson said.
“Don’t be angry with them. Except for Cass. Everyone else has made me feel so welcome,” Lexi said.
“Okay,” Rosie said. “I’m still annoyed because, Ty, you have known what is up with Cass for months and didn’t tell anyone. Right?”
“Yeah. Because I was trying to respect Cass’s right to privacy. I didn’t see it blowing up like this,” Ty said.
“Alright. Well, we will talk about it more later,” Rosie said.
“Okay,” Ty said, going back downstairs.
“Papa. I’ve got it covered. You should go back down to the party,” Rosie said.
“Okay,” Hunter said, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Rosie looked at Lexi. “You feeling a little better at least?”
“Yeah. It just sucks. When she first cornered me, I got excited, thinking maybe she liked me too or something,” Lexi said.
“I’m sorry, Lexi,” Rosie said. “But you think Ty is cool too, right?”
“Yeah. He’s been really nice,” Lexi said.
Rosie smiled and nodded. “And I’m pretty sure he is single. And I don’t know about Ty. But Cass doesn’t kiss that well.”
Lexi looked at her in shock. “You two dated?!”
“No!” Rosie said quickly. “While Noel and I were broken up and I was so fucking confused about my feelings. Right after I was in California when I visited you. We kissed. It was ew,” Rosie said.
“Oh,” Lexi said.
“Long story short, Cass had feelings for me for a while. I never did for her. But while I was all messed up, I thought maybe for a minute I did, and that’s when we kissed. Cass got over me right after that kiss,” Rosie said.
“You sure?” Lexi asked.
“Yeah. She told me she did. And as far as I know, she is involved with someone,” Rosie said. “Someone who I should never have forgiven for her,” Rosie said, shaking her head.
“Yeah, I kind of heard the tail end of that conversation,” Lexi said.
“I can explain it all later,” Rosie said.
Lexi nodded and looked around Rosie’s room. “So this is your room.”
“Yeah,” Rosie said with a smile.
Lexi walked around looking at the stuff on her walls. She stopped at the cork board where she had a bunch of memories.
“Where was this picture from?” Lexi asked. Seeing a picture she had never seen of the three of them.
Rosie chuckled. “The night we broke into the amusement park.”
“Oh my gosh. I totally forgot we took pictures!” Lexi said.
“Yeah,” Rosie said.
“I can't believe you convinced us to do that,” Lexi said.
“Yeah. Me neither. But I’m glad I did,” Rosie said. “Cause I don’t know how much longer I would have survived there.”
“You think the abuse would have gotten that bad?” Lexi asked.
“I think I would have killed myself,” Rosie said.
“Oh,” Lexi said.
“Yeah,” Rosie said. “But yeah, he came pretty close to killing me after I told your and Paige’s parents what was going on.”
Lexi nodded a little. “This might be too personal. But do you have any scars?”
“Yeah. A few. The worst one is on my shoulder,” Rosie said, showing her the six-inch scar on her shoulder. It looked a little red because of the scratches from Hayley.
“Ouch,” Lexi said.
“Yeah, it hurt,” Rosie said. “But moving on.”
“Right. I’m okay. We can go back down,” Lexi said.
“You’re sure?” Rosie asked.
“Yeah,” Lexi said.
The two went back down, and the party continued. Shortly after, Dave and Spencer started to set up a projector.
“What are you doing?” Rosie asked.
“You’ll see,” Dave said.
After it was set up, Callie connected her laptop to it.
“Cal. What is going on?” Rosie asked.
“It’s a surprise,” Callie said with a smirk.
Rosie let out a breath.
Once it was set up.
“So. I decided to ask your friends and Dad and such for pictures of you,” Callie said. “Even got some from Lexi.”
Rosie looked at Lexi, who was grinning.
“I put together a slide show of pictures from as many ages in your life as I could,” Callie said.
Rosie smiled and shook her head. “I’m the one who puts together the slideshows.”
“Oh, we know,” Callie said with a chuckle. “This is why I wanted to do it for you. Although it's not as well edited as one of yours cause you know what you are doing with that.”
Callie pressed play, and the slideshow started. It started with pictures of her as a baby that Rosie knew her dad had and slowly played through with some music playing in the background.
“Callie, this is really good,” Rosie said.
Callie shrugged.
“No. It is,” Callie said.
“She’s right. You interested in photography like she is?” Taylor asked.
“I don’t know. I liked editing things together and finding the music and stuff,” Callie said.
“That’s cool,” Taylor said with a smile.
When the slideshow finished, the cake was brought out, and Happy Birthday was sung.
As the cake was being passed around, Rosie looked around the backyard at all her friends and family. She let out a breath. She didn’t regret telling Cass to leave and her dad making sure she did, but she missed her presence.
Callie sat in the open seat next to Rosie.
Rosie smiled at her.
“So. I figured out how I recognized the woman you were talking to at my dance class,” Callie said softly.
Rosie took a breath and let it out slowly.
“I don’t get it. If she is your friend, why would you lie to Papa and Dad about it?” Callie asked.
“It’s complicated, Cals,” Rosie said. “She used to be my friend. Lexi, she and I were best friends in California. But things happened. Something I can explain some other time. Okay?”
“Okay. But I still don’t get why you would lie to them about it,” Callie said.
“And I will explain why later. Promise,” Rosie said.
Callie nodded.
“Please let me explain it to you before you decide if you tell them okay?” Rosie asked.
“Okay,” Callie said.
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Noel asked
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Rosie said with a smirk.
“Mhm. That’s what I asked,” Noel said.
“Sister secrets,” Rosie said, still smirking.
“Ooh. Does that mean I get to know?” Hayley asked.
“Nope,” Rosie said.
Hayley scowled.
“Get over it,” Rosie said.
Hayley sighed and walked away.
“Hey, what is that about?” Noel asked, surprised by his normally crazy, kind girlfriend
“She dug her nails into my shoulder and accused me of pulling her hair because she didn’t want to lose ending the game I was having fun playing,” Rosie said.
“Yeah. But she apologized and admitted you didn’t touch her hair,” Noel said.
“Because she was told to,” Rosie said.
“Rose,” Noel said, shaking his head.
“I’m allowed to be upset with her,” Rosie said, getting up and walking away from him.
“I know it’s not my business. But it’s not the first time Hayley has been kind of a jerk because she was losing at something,” Callie told Noel. “She always says she is sorry.”
Noel nodded.
Pierce noticed Rosie went inside, looking upset, and went and followed her inside. “Hey. You okay?”
“I had to kick one of my best friends out of my birthday because she was being a bitch, my other friend got hurt because of what she did. Hayley dug her nails into my shoulder, and it still stings, and my boyfriend thinks I should just forgive her because she said sorry,” Rosie said in tears. “So no, I’m not okay.”
“I agree with you not just forgiving her because she said sorry. I know how she is when she is losing and doesn’t want to,” Pierce said. “What Cass did is inexcusable. Lexi, while yeah, I’m sure she was upset, seems to be okay now. She and Tyson seem to be hitting it off,” Pierce said.
“Yeah. She thinks he’s hot,” Rosie said with a slight chuckle.
“I think he feels the same way about her,” Pierce said with a smile.
Rosie let out a breath.
“Do you want me to keep Hayley away from you right now?” Pierce asked.
“No. It’s okay,” she said softly.
“Hey. You are allowed to be upset and want space from her. You don’t always have to just forgive and forget,” Pierce said.
“She’s my sister. I’m over it,” Rosie said.
“She is your sister, yes. But that doesn’t mean you need to accept it when she is a jerk to you,” Pierce said. “Don’t pretend to be okay with it just because you think Noel is upset with you because of it.”
“He is upset with me because of it,” Rosie said, her eyes filling with tears.
“So that is what you are most upset about then?” Pierce said.
“Well, yeah,” Rosie said.
“Want me to say something to him?” Pierce asked.
“No,” Rosie said, wiping her eyes.
The door opened.
Pierce looked up and saw Noel. “Well. I will let you two talk,” he said before he went outside.
Rosie stood there but didn’t look at Noel.
Noel went over. “Hey, can you look at me, please?” he asked softly.
Rosie looked him in the eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have just stayed out of it. And you are right, you are allowed to be upset with her.”
Rosie nodded a little.
Noel reached up and wiped away a few tears from her cheeks.
Rosie smiled a little.
He wrapped her in a tight hug. Rosie hugged him back.
“I am really sorry,” he repeated.
“It’s forgiven,” Rosie said.
They pulled apart a minute later and went back outside.
Eventually, the party started to die down, and people started to leave. Rosie looked at Lexi when everyone else had left. “Where are you staying?”
Lexi smiled.
“She is staying here,” Dave said.
Rosie grinned. “Yay! Sleepover!”
The two girls went upstairs to Rosie’s room.
Dave and Hunter looked at each other.
“I hope she doesn’t remember this day for all the negative stuff that happened,” Dave said, shaking his head.
“Yeah, me neither,” Hunter said.
The two went and started to clean up, getting all the kids - minus Rosie and Lexi to help.