“HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSE" Steven, Andrea, Dylan and Claire jumped out from behind the tree covered with lights and yelled. Leah smiled at them as she took in the view in front of her. It was a picnic setting with a tent under the tree covered with lights and a big screen TV in front of it. Beside the tent was surplus drinks and popcorn.
“Oh my God, how did you guys know?" She questioned. Aiden shrugged.
“I have my ways"
“Liam told you, didn't he?"
“Yep," Rose smiled at him. She walked towards Andrea and Claire.
“Happy birthday Rose" Andrea murmured as she hugged her. Claire joined in on the hug.
“Happy birthday Rose. You're eighteen now right?" Rose nodded at Claire.
“That's enough, let's get this birthday started" Steven yelled and that's exactly what happened. They all danced, played games and had fun. Rose was so happy, it felt like a dream. She was glad that she met good people in her life.
“Did you enjoy it? I tried to make it as simple as possible" Aiden informed her as they sat in the tent. The rest had already gone, leaving only them. She nodded.
“I'm very happy, thank you" She told him.
“Well, it's not over yet. There's a reason for this tent, TV and popcorn" Rose's eyes brightened.
“We are going to watch a movie?" She asked giddily. Aiden nodded with a smile.
“You can pick any movie you like"
“Let's watch a romance movie this time, Scary movie has been spoilt for me" She told him. He chuckled.
“Alright then" He was about to stand up and walk towards the TV but she held his hand.
“Can we just stay like this for a while? Let's talk, ``she murmured. He nodded at her and sat back down. Silence passed between them but it was a comfortable silence.
“Why are you doing all these for me?" Rose asked softly. She turned to look at him.
“You still don't know?"
“I want to hear it from you" He turned to face her.
“I like you, I mean I like you not as a friend but something different" He said in one breath.
“Aiden..."
“You don't have to say anything back but this is how I feel about you Rose" He said intently. Rose's eyes got watery.
“I like you too," She whispered. He's face brightened happily but then he frowned.
“I'm sensing a but" He murmured. She took his face in her palms.
“I like you Aiden, this vacation has been the happiest time of my life but Aiden, I'm broken" Her voice broke. He shook his head at her.
“You are not"
“Yes I am Aiden" She dropped her hand from his face “I have a lot of things wrong with me, too much burdens on my shoulder, I'll drag you down" She burst into tears.
“Let me help lift the burdens off your shoulders. Let go of your past" He wiped away her tears with his thumbs. She shook her head vigorously.
“I can't Aiden" He held her face.
“Yes you can, you are stronger than you know baby and you can do it" She tried removing his hand from her face but he held her firmly.
“Don't push me away now, we have come so far and gotten so close, please don't push me away"
“Aiden..."
“We don't have to end here, please Rose" He looked at her with pleading eyes. Before she could reply to him, her phone rang. She wiped away her remaining tears and picked up the phone. Aiden sighed and leaned away from her.
“Hello?" Crying sounds came from the receiving end. Rose's eyes widened.
“Liam?"
“I told you I'll get too used to it" He cried even more.
“Shhh don't cry. I'm coming back tomorrow, hmm?" She cooed him.
“I tried to endure being without you but I couldn't and it makes me sad because I didn't want to disturb you today" He continued crying.
“Shhh.. don't cry anymore. Pass the phone to aunt Emily" She said softly.
“Hello Rose" Emily's voice came through.
“Hello Aunt"
“Oh my Goodness, I'm sorry we had to disturb you today but Liam has not been sleeping so I convinced him to call you today so that he can feel at ease. He told me he could endure till tomorrow but him not sleeping isn't good for his health" Emily explained.
“It's okay, thank you for convincing him"
“It's no big deal, I'll pass the phone back to him"
“Rose?" Liam voiced out.
“Go to your room and lay down, I'll call you on video call" Rose told him softly.
“Hm" She could hear him moving about so she knew he was listening to her. She turned to Aiden who was staring at her with concern.
“I'm sorry, I have to put him to bed first" Aiden smiled at her.
“It's alright, Take care of your brother first" She nodded at him before turning her attention to the phone. Aiden rested his back on the soft blanket on the ground and closed his eyes. He could hear her talking to Liam and telling him a bedtime story, he didn't even when he fell asleep.
“Good night Liam, before you wake up tomorrow, I'll be right by your side" Rose whispered before she hung up. She turned to Aiden and was surprised to see him sleeping. She moved closer to him and stared at his face for a long time.
“I don't understand why you like me," She murmured.
“Love is unexpected," Aiden suddenly said, startling Rose. She jumped back.
“I thought you were asleep?" She said incredulously.
“I'm a very light sleeper" He sat up.
“Shall we watch the movie?" He suggested. She hesitantly nodded at him.
“Okay"....