Amber chuckled softly, looking over at Jace as he hung the banner up. The group honestly was pretty amusing, if a little immature.
"Need any help over there?" she called over to him, finishing tying one balloon and finding another to blow up.
Jace grinned at her. “Nah, you continue what you’re doing,” he told her. “Casper, get your ridiculously tall self over here!”
The taller man rolled his eyes, giving his balloon to Drew, who had just finished tying his. He walked over to Jace and took the other end of the banner, reaching up to pin it on the wall.
Amber smiled back at Jace and continued blowing up balloons. When she had done a few, she glanced around the room and checked the time on her phone. “What time are they supposed to get here?”
“We’re supposed to call William when we’re done,” Holden answered. “What time is it? Jordan and Casper should be going to get the food soon.”
The two nodded, one setting the inflator away while the other walked over to the group.
“Man, I’m so dizzy from blowing these balloons!” Jude whined, closing his eyes. “Hey, Jace, wanna switch?”
Jace looked at his friend with an eyebrow raised. “Dude, I’m done here,” he said, pointing to the banner. “Why don’t you try using the inflator?”
“Oh, good idea,” Jude walked over to the inflator and began working. Casper and Jordan excused themselves, leaving to get the food they’d ordered.
Amber blew into one more balloon, tied it, then walked over to Jace, smiling up at him.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she said softly, taking his hands and wrapping them around her. “I’m already having fun.”
Jace touched her forehead with his, smiling softly. His arms clasped behind her, holding her in place.
“I’m glad you are,” he murmured softly. “The team’s annoying, but… they can be fun. Jude’s ridiculous, isn’t he?”
“I heard that, you mongrel!”
Jace responded with a snort. “Shut it, you mutt.”
Amber chuckled softly, reaching up to press their lips together softly. “I think they’re all equally ridiculous,” she joked with a grin.
Jace kissed her back softly, cupping her cheeks in his hands. “Well, you’re right about that,” he joked back.
“You’re pretty ridiculous yourself, Jace Foster,” Amber teased, pulling away to kiss his nose.
"Quit making out, you too, and get to work!" Parker called out, rolling his eyes in mock disgust. Jace scowled.
"You're just jealous you don't have a girlfriend, Parker," Jace shot back before shaking his head. "These guys…"
Amber laughed lightly and pulled away a bit more. "He's right, though. We should help set up."
A while later, they finally finished setting up Caroline's home for her surprise party. Someone had called or texted William to let him know, so the pair was currently on their way back. The rest of the team and Amber were hiding in various places — around corners, in closets, under tables — as they waited for them to arrive so they could pop out and yell, "Surprise!"
"So, what's on your agenda, Will?" Caroline questioned, falling into step with William. They'd been quiet for a while, walking around slowly. "You haven't exactly told me why you wanted to spend time with me."
William gave her a look, eyebrows raised. "I just wanted to make this day memorable for you," he replied softly. "Spend this day with you so you can think back and remember."
Caroline stared back at him before her lips twisted into a smile. She turned to look ahead, letting William take her wherever he had planned. He took her to the park, knowing how much she liked rides and games in general. She hadn't suspected anything, so things were working out very great.
Usually, they didn't throw her a party, but it was mostly because Caroline made plans with her family. William used to make her spend her free time with him during that day, keeping her to himself until she needed to go. It was a rather good excuse.
Caroline looked really pleased after they were done with the park. They'd been there for an hour, and William had bought her ice cream. Though she tried to refuse, she still found herself with one in her hands. Now they were walking again, sometimes silently, sometimes mentioning their childhood.
Then William's phone rang, signaling a message. He read it, pretending to be worried, eyebrows furrowed.
"I need to go…" he murmured. "Something broke in my dorm, and I need to check it out. I'll drop you off at home since your dorm is right before mine."
Caroline didn't refuse. Soon enough, they were in front of her door. She turned around to bid him goodbye, but he stayed rooted to his spot. She gave a raised eyebrow.
"I'll leave once you're inside," he said to her softly. "I'd like to know nothing happened while you're trying to open the door." Caroline chuckled, shaking her head before she obliged, unlocking the door and opening it.
Just as she did so, something exploded on her sides, lights switched on and she nearly jumped out of her skin when the noise was coupled with a, "Surprise!"
Caroline stared in shock. Her teammates, Amber–everyone, holding party poppers, a huge smile on their faces.
"Happy birthday, Caroline," a soft, warm voice said from behind her and Caroline turned around, eyes wide with shock and surprise to look into William's. His eyes that were usually cold and cut off were warm when they locked with hers. What did she do to deserve someone like William? Though he had no reason to… he still treated her with such special care…
(sighs)
Amber grinned as she pulled out of her place. The manager looked so surprised about it, which meant William had done a good job keeping the secret.
Then the other woman turned around to look at William after he muttered a few soft words, and Amber found herself getting curious. They'd grown up together, they were like siblings, and she could see it in way he liked at her that he cared for her… But was that really a familial care? Or was there something more to hiding in his softened eyes?
The team, much to Caroline's embarrassment, began to sing the happy birthday song. William chuckled at her behavior, gently pushing her inside so he could close the door.
Once Caroline noticed the decorations and the food, her eyes softened.
"You guys… you didn't have to do that…" she found herself whispering. The boys exchanged high fives, successfully having melted the stern look from her eyes. "Thank you."
"It's a thank you from us to you," Jordan smiled at her. "You've done so much for us. This is the least we could do for you."
"Definitely," Drew agreed. "Plus, you avoided us all the time whenever it was your birthday. You only let William hang around you, which was rather unfair. So yeah, of course, we weren't going to let your twenty-second birthday slide that easily."
Caroline shook her head, running her fingers through her hair to get rid of the party poppers.
"Thank you," she said again before her eyes settled on Amber. "And you, too, for joining, even though we haven't known each other for long. It means a lot to me."
Amber smiled softy back at the young manager, giving her a small nod. "From what I've heard about you, you definitely deserve this. They think highly of you."
"Thank you," she replied softly.
"C'mon, time to get the cake," Casper grinned, and it looked quite weird on his usually fierce face. "We got your favorite."
Soon, everyone was standing around the table, Caroline with a knife in her hands. She cut the cake and was rewarded with rough voices singing her happy birthday. She was smiling, a cheerful look in her eyes. William's eyes never strayed from her. She certainly looked beautiful when she was happy. He loved it.
"Okay, can we give her our presents now?" Jace asked excitedly. "I have a feeling she'll love my gift."
"Can we now?" Jude jumped in, looking more at Drew and Holden than anyone else. When they nodded, the boys cheered.
Caroline received a whole series from Jace, the one she offhandedly mentioned she wanted to read once. Jude gifted her a dinosaur onesie, one which she laughed at. Parker had shoes for her, Casper and Jordan had a lamp in the shape of a book for her, along with a finger-pointing bookmark, while Holden got her a pretty mug with her name on it. Drew gave her a bronze arrowhead keychain, knowing about her love for ancient history.
Caroline was, to say the least, extremely happy.
Amber watched as the guys have their gifts to their manager, smiling at the sight. Everyone looked so happy… She hoped she would have friends like that someday.
"I got you something, too, actually," she said, holding out a thinner box wrapped in gold paper. "I wasn't sure what to get you, since we just met the other day, but I thought this mighty be useful."
Caroline took the box in appreciation.
"Thank you, Amber," she said softly. "It means a lot. I don't really know what to think…"
Amber gave her a small smile and stepped back to let her open it. Inside was a set of stationary, everything in a rose gold. A clipboard was in the center of the box, surrounded by thumbtacks, paper clips, notepads, and other such items.
Caroline opened the gift with wonder in her eyes, her gray orbs shining. She looked up at Amber. This girl, she thought, was truly wonderful. No wonder Jace had taken a liking to her…
"Thank you," she said again, this time softer and quieter. Then everyone got settled to eat and drink, chatting loudly amongst themselves. When William saw a chance, he pulled her away from the group, pulling her into her guest room. Caroline raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on his behavior.
"I… have something for you, too," he murmured, reaching in the pocket of his hoodie to take out a black box. It was held closed by a golden ribbon, a soft and shiny fabric. Caroline hesitantly reached out to open the box, her eyes taking in the necklace that appeared before her. It had a golden chain with a small, silver crystal. Caroline felt her breath leave her lungs. William had gotten that for her? She couldn't believe it. She stared at him with her mouth open, unable to say anything. William merely smiled at her.
"William, I–"
"May I?" he gestured to her necklace, silently asking her if he could put it on her. Caroline hesitated, but handed it to him and turned around nonetheless, moving her hair to the side. Slowly, she felt William getting nearer until his chest nearly touched her back. The cold necklace touched her bare neck, sending shivers down her spine.
When William finished clasping it with incredible care, she moved to turn to face him when his arms wrapped around her middle, pulling her towards him, chin rested on her head. William's eyes were closed, his breathing evened. Caroline's breath hitched.
"William–"
"I know," he cut her off again, his voice rough. "And I understand. There's nothing I'm expecting from you, but let me stay like this. For a while, let me hold you."
She didn't relax in his hold, but she didn't push him away, either. She wished she could give him what he wanted, but it wasn't like she could create feelings out of nowhere. She just wished he'd stop looking at her and instead find another girl who shared his feelings.
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478859372876721627/
The necklace~)
(Jskdkskksdjdnddn)
Amber slipped away from the group to use the bathroom. On her way, she passed the cracked-open door of a room, where Caroline was holding her hair up for William. The man was gently clasping a necklace around her neck, and he pulled her into his chest when he'd finished.
This… does not look like siblings… she mused to herself, gaping for a moment before managing to shut her mouth and begin to turn and walk away.
“Will… William?” Caroline murmured out his name when he didn’t let go. “We should… head back before anyone notices we’re gone.”
William clicked his tongue, but didn’t loosen his hold on her. He didn’t want to. He wanted to continue holding her like this. God knows how much he longed to have her this close. No matter how many times he showed her his gentler side, he knew she was still afraid. Afraid of his anger. Afraid he’d hurt her. And he didn’t blame her—it was easier to turn your back against something that could potentially turn toxic. He just wished she trusted him a bit more—opened her heart for him.
Finally, he let go, missing her warmth just as quickly as he stepped back. Her cheeks were tinted pink, but he didn’t get his hopes up. She had remained tense and rigid in his arms. That was enough to keep him on his feet.
“Let’s go,” he murmured, opening the door to step out. Caroline followed after him, thankful that no one had noticed they were gone.
Amber returned from the batheroom nor long after William and Caroline had broken apart. She'd mulled over her thoughts, which were turning and tumbling around her brain. Sitting beside Jace, she smiled up at him a little before kissing his cheek.