Page 9 of I Blame the Rival

“Quiet down everybody! It’s time for the birthday girl to open her presents.” Stella claps her hands and Cody stifles a laugh.

Nico raises his hand, “Are we doing the big one or little one first?”

Wesley groans, “Dude. We went over this.”

“When did we go over this?”

“Yesterday. You were in the shower, remember?”

“Why would you tell me important details when I’m in the shower? You know that’s not when my brain is in active mode.”

I catch Trip smothering a giggle across from me. Cody is biting his lip and Stella looks like she’s about two seconds away from pummelling the both of them.

“So, when you say the big one first do you mean the actual big one or the other one? Fuck, now I’m confused.”

Wesley shakes his head remorsefully, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”

“Because of me?”

Taking matters into my own hands, I ignore the bickering friends and walk over to the makeshift cupcake display. Nico insisted everything had to match, from the tablecloths to the frosting on the cupcakes, so it took us over two hours to hunt down the appropriate party favours and a plastic tray big enough to hold a dozen cupcakes.

The end result was worth it, though. The High School Musical theme Wesley wanted works perfectly with the small study room, with East High streamers dangling from the light fixtures and cute pictures of Troy and Gabriella taped to the wall.

I grab the white envelope from the table and walk over to where Trip is standing. She doesn’t give me a chance to say anything before she pulls me in for a hug.

I smile into her oversized t-shirt, “Happy Birthday, Trip.”

“Thanks Lacey.” She pulls back and looks at me with a smile, “Are you enjoying your first semester at Taber?”

I hesitate, the truth catching in my throat. I thought moving away from the people who hurt me would help me move on, but so far all I’ve felt is alone. Besides Nico, the only friend I’ve made this year is Skylar and we only talk once a week.

Forcing my lips into a smile, I give her a nod, “It’s been good. I’m lucky to be here.”

Grey eyes scan my face, but before she can respond, Stella lets out an impatient huff, “Can we please get back to the presentopening? Wes and Nico, if you two don’t stop fighting I’m going to get Cody to kick your ass.”

Cody grins, “Newly appointed ass-kicker, at your service.”

Trip holds up the envelope I handed her and glances around the room, “Just to be clear, it’s okay if I open this one first?”

A chorus of “YES” goes around only for Nico to scrunch his nose.

“So, the little one goes first?”

Stella’s eyes start to bulge and Nico throws up his hands, “Just kidding! Rip her up, Trip.”

Trip shoots a glance at my brother who gives her an enthusiastic thumbs up. She rolls her eyes and opens the envelope, pulling out two concert tickets.

“What is… OH MY GOD!”

Stella laughs, her body vibrating with excitement, “Do you know what it is?”

Trip nods, tears glistening in her eyes, “When We Were Youngis the biggest annual rock festival. It’s held in Las Vegas every year.”

Nico grins, “You know what that means.”

Wesley pumps his fist in the air, “We’re going to Vegas, baby!”

I laugh, watching the mismatched group celebrate together. There’s something beautiful about a group of people who end up together by choice instead of circumstance.

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