EVANESCENCE

CHAPTER 7| Can't it Be

I watched all my students leave the moment I dismissed with a smile on my face that I couldn't seem to wear off. They weren't just students to me, they were family. The students who were scheduled for today were younger so I was required to be sunnier than ever to keep them alive and energetic even when I had to sing like Aurora. I didn't mind in fact, I am fulfilled to receive feedback from their parents that after their tutorials their children are less sulky.

I cleared all the things cluttered on my desk mostly music sheets that are already flying around. I'm pretty sure I looked all fussed up again but I'm sure I look happy and that's what matters the most although I feel like there's something I have been missing or something I have forgotten which really leaves me puzzled. I grabbed my phone, to check it up as it lights up. Well, guess what.

May 16, 2018.

18 unread messages.

Missed Calls from my two brothers, Andy and Alex.

From the moment I saw the date, a series of flashbacks and memories flashed in my head. Was I forgetting my own birthday?

I almost spent half of my day with my mind consumed with a couple of things and occupied with kids and my daily work without even treating myself something. Well, today is just my birthday. Who would even care anyway? Would Luke even care about our birthday? No, he wouldn't. I could just drop by to the mall or somewhere else and get myself something.

"Hello? Anybody out here?" I heard somebody call my name. As I turn my back, I was quite shocked to see Calum and Ashton standing in front of me though it was just four days since the last time I saw them.

"Happy Birthday!" They all cheered in unison as the two pulled me in for a smothering bear hug. I was out of breath but it felt so warm.

"Roses for the birthday girl," Calum softly said as he gave me the bouquet of red fragrant roses. My cheeks somewhat burned as he started to plant kisses on my face that made me giggle. "Oh my God, stop!!"

"Woah. Woah Wait, Does that show best friends greet each other now?" Ashton reacted in disgust sort of interrupting us but he was laughing.

"Oh, God I'm sorry." I giggled elbowing Calum as he whined. "Damn, this place is fine. We should like, chill here someday and jam. Would that be okay Miss Anderson?" Calum said as he sat on the piano stool of the baby grand and started to press random keys. I rolled my eyes.

"Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars," He sang with his eyes closed mimicking Sinatra.

"What are your plans for today?" Ashton asked as he sat on the wooden armchair.

"I absolutely got nothing. I just have thought a while ago to have dinner alone somewhere and get myself something for instance. Wanna come?" I said as I placed the bouquet on my lap.

"That would be boring. You sure you don't have anything else?" Calum complained randomly playing a tune as I just shrugged.

"You're twenty one already, and life is fleeting. You should do something amazing," he added.

"Well, I don't really know what to do. I didn't get to plan these past days because I almost forgot that today is my day." I said as they sent me weird glares.

"You're forgetting your own birthday? You better get dressed come on, we got your clothes." Ashton snappily commands me giving me the huge black shopping bag.

"Huh?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Just go with, hurry up" Calum ordered as I just followed and marched down the corridor heading to the washroom.

I got inside the cubicle and instinctively locked myself in. I took out a pair of shoes, together with a body con dress but I left the swimsuit inside. Did they seriously buy this for me? I wore them and placed my work clothes inside the paper bag and applied some makeup.

Once I was already done fixing myself, I grabbed the shopping bag and got out on the cubicle instinctively made my way back to the classroom. Calum looked at me in awe as I expelled a deep breath, still wearing the smile. "Now Stacy, I know this is stupid but just please let me do this. " Calum said as he walked towards me with Ashton's bandanna on his hand.

"Get our hostage tonight, kid." Ashton chuckled as Calum growled and wrapped the blindfold. I was laughing way too hard. "What are we going to do with her, master?"

"We're going to beat her up," Ashton said as the two of them escorted me. "Where the f**k are you guys taking me,"

I was going with the flow completely confused but I know this is a surprise. No use of playing like a dumb f**k but I don't know where they're taking me. I was fussing for a few seconds until I got tired and just stopped. The car was put into a halt as I just followed them. As soon as I felt that we were inside a building, I felt Calum drape his jacket on me.

"Okay, what the f**k. Are we inside the elevator because I think I'm gonna die?" I said as the two chuckled silently. "Stacy, we're not the only people here," Ashton whispered stifling a laugh. The elevator dinged as they escorted me once again. We took a few more steps as I felt the open air, the breeze touching my skin.

Soft music was playing in the background.

"C'mon Mikey! I'm getting dizzier! Is there a stripper in front of me? I smell something amazing." I recognized Luke's voice as my heart pummelled once again. I was feeling his presence somewhere near me leaving me without words.

"Shut up Luke, no stripper around." I heard Michael chuckle.

"I know this perfume, God, f**k. It smells good." He claimed as Calum took my blindfold off, then there he was in his plain white button-up shirt leaving a few buttons open. My stomach suddenly churned. I'm so sure the world is still spinning right now, but I felt it stop. I suddenly remembered the night we had before our birthday, the way he told me he missed me, the way he kissed me- I want to hear it again. I want to hear it all over again. H

His eyes instinctively widened in surprise and delight as I don't know whether to smile or not. But for sure, I was longing again and he knew it. Can this moment be ours again?

"Oh, it's you..." He was absolutely surprised as I feel my face burning and my heart beating. He was too close to me, with our eyes fixated with one another like we're madly in love with each other. There could be some part of him that's still in love with me- I want to believe but it's too absurd.

Ashton brings up the cake together with the candles. I smiled and took a moment to look at the surroundings. There was a pool with balloons and a buffet table with foods. Then I looked back at Luke, without even noticing Calum, Ashton, and Michael. He wanted to say something and I want to say something too.

"Hey! Don't start without me!" A familiar voice called and interrupts us. Luke was automatically diverted seeing his girlfriend. His new girlfriend. He ran to her and hugged her smothering and pressed his lips onto her. Perhaps, I'm just this heap of confusion.

Tears had already filled my eyes as I swallowed the lump on my throat. I don't understand things anymore.

"C' mon lovebirds! Enough with that! The cake is waiting!" Ashton calls out chuckling. Luke came back with Christen on his arms and there, the look in his eyes was gone.

"Make a wish and blow your candles!" Calum gushed.

"C' mon, make a wish now!" Michael says as the four of them started singing in unison. I was quiet myself but I was smiling pricelessly.

I looked at Luke, whose eyes were now empty towards me. We both closed our eyes. I wonder what he wished for. However, I blew out the candles without wishing for anything. I can no longer have him and he’s all I ever wished for.