Skylar

V. Best Birthday

Skylar's POV:

I twirl around in my blue dress, placing on the flat because I'm not good on heels. Today is Sebastian's birthday, and we agree to hang out the whole day. Well, more like I blackmail him last month, about how I will post a photo of him with makeup.

Yes, I was the one who put makeup on him while he was asleep and took the photo.

No complaint from Aria, she said I did an excellent job on the fake eyelashes. For some reason, I really look up to her. She is mean, but I like her, for some illogical reason. I don't understand why, but I want to hit her and hug her at the same time. A lot of people tell me it normal to feel that way towards Aria.

So, I got the day all plan out, with everything Sebastian love. We will see a baseball game with his favorite team, and I scored terrific seats, then have this picnic with all his favorite food. Then, tonight we will go fishing together. Sebastian likes fishing, he catches and releases.

My flat hit the floor as I skip downstairs, stopping when I saw Sebastian standing there. He's wearing casual clothing, with dark blue jeans and a white shirt, covered by a black jacket. My eyes twirled down towards the shell bracelet on his wrist.

That's Sebastian's lucky bracelet.

He always wears it during his birthday, holiday, or an important meeting.

Color me surprised when I realize it wasn't Grandma Grace who gave it to him, but someone else. I ask Sebastian who, but he said he doesn't remember.

I hop downstairs, and he turns his attention towards me. "I'm ready for the worst day of my life."

I playfully punch his arm. "It wasn't that bad last year."

He rolls his eyes. "Last year, my leg ended up on fire."

"Hiring someone who twirls fire for a living might not be my best idea."

He lowers his head down to my face. "Hiring someone who started a career in fire twirling two months before my birthday may reach the top three of the worst idea you ever had right next to swimming with the sharks-"

"I didn't know they will try to eat you."

"And dancing with the tigers."

"I saw them doing it online, so I thought we could do it too."

"That was dancing with the stars," he said, giving me an apparent eye roll.

I merely shrug my shoulders. "Scars make the man," I said, teasingly poking at the place where the tiger bit him as he gave me a daring glare.

I grab the basket full of Sebastian's favorite food, where I made sure not to burn it this time. We hop into the car, and I continue smiling at him. "Two things. One, you're creeping me out. Two, where are we heading?"

I glance at my watch, seeing it's almost noon. "Go here," I said, showing him the address.

With one quick glance, he snorts. "Not much of a surprise," he mumbles, driving us towards the arena.

When I heard thunderstorms, I poke my head out the window, seeing ominous grey clouds rolling in. "No," I mumble, pulling out my phone to check the weather. "It's supposed to be sunny today."

We reach the baseball stadium, and it's pouring. "We apologize but today game will be canceled, all money will be refunded," the speaker repeated over and over.

I held the two front row tickets in my hand, the ones where I worked three summers to save up, wasted. I take a sniff mentally telling myself to be strong.

Sebastian park the car and turn on the radio, letting the low music flow "So-" he glances at me, ruffling my hair. "It's fine, Sky."

"B-But we were supposed to watch the baseball game where our seats are r-right behind your favorite p-player," I stutter out, staring at the tickets in my hands, knowing picnic and fishing is out of the question.

He puckers his lips and starts driving towards an abandon looking part of the city. "Come on," he said, opening the car door, but then shut it.

Sebastian shrugged off his jacket and threw it on my shoulders. "Wouldn't want you to catch a cold again," he mumbles, rushing out.

Instantly, I chase after him. We reach an ancient sketchy looking place, and I cling to him, not wanting to kidnap today.

I don't think I'm ever in the mood to be kidnapped.

We reach inside, and it wasn't that bad. It's a bar, with few customers, silent but comforting — the bar curves into the room, dark in the barely lit room. Through the windows, the diamonds of lead panes trickle the sallow light of street-lamps. There's a large screen TV matted to the wall and cozy couches.

Sebastian confidently walks towards one of the couch, tilting his head towards the few customers and bartender concluding that he may be a regular. He takes a seat, and a guy came up to him, giving one of those bro hugs I saw on TV. "Hey, Seb," he grins, eyeing at me. "Nice, but she looks kind of underage," he whispers into his ear, but it was so quiet, I can hear everything.

Sebastian smacks his head. "Sick. She is like a daughter to me," he hisses, causing million of arrows to penetrate my heart, but I keep the smile on my lips.

"Hi, I'm Skylar," I offer my hand, and he takes it, laying a light kiss on my finger.

"Hello, beautiful. The name is Max," he winks, causing me to giggle lightly.

Sebastian smacks his hands away from mine. "She is off limited, now go bring me my drink," he waves him off.

Max shakes his head. "How can you deal with this grumpy guy," he grumbles to me.

I exaggeratedly roll my eyes. "I drink like five cup of alcohol a night to tune him out."

Sebastian pulls on my ear, tugging me down. "Five cups? You never even have one cup or a sip before in your life," he turns towards Max. "Bring her juice."

Sebastian releases my ear, Max, and I glance at each. "Boooooo! Grumpy man!" we said at the same time.

"So, one usual and one orange juice," he leans down towards me "I'll put a few drops-"

"No!" Sebastian shouts before he can even reply.

We cup our hands. "Booo!"

I wave Max goodbye as he went to grab our drink. "Stay away from him, he is a manwhore," Sebastian whispers.

"A nice manwhore," I add, smiling at him where he pinches my cheek.

"You're too trustworthy with everyone."

"Because everyone hasn't given me a reason not to trust them," I reply, eyes scanning my surroundings. "This place is nice."

He shrugs, making himself comfortable. "This is my favorite bar," he tucks his leg over his other one, looking at peace.

Max came back with our drinks. "Better not put any drops of alcohol in her cup, or I'm calling you in for serving a minor," Sebastian said, grabbing his cup.

He shakes his head and glanced at me. "Grumpypants," we said at the same time.

I grab my juice and lean back, making myself comfortable like Sebastian, eyes staring at the TV screen. "Sorry, this wasn't how your birthday was supposed to turn out," I mumble.

He places the cup down, puckering his lips. "Didn't you have a basket?" He asks.

I stop sipping my juice, eyes widening, and I nod. "Yes!" I place the cup down, grab the keys in his hand, and dashes outside.

The rain is still pouring. Should I go back inside and grab Sebastian's jacket or go for the run?

Go for it, Skylar! Go for the run!

I dash towards the car, feeling the water hitting every inch of my body. I fling the passenger door open, grab the basket, and ran back inside, feeling my body trembling.

Sebastian's eyes widen as he rushes towards me with his jacket, wrapping it around me. He turns his head, glancing outside to see it pouring down, and back at me who was smiling at him. "I got the basket." My teeth were chattering as I held it up.

He slaps his forehead and takes me towards the fire. Max leans against the counter, winking at me. "Ah, young love," he mumbles, and I shake my head.

We sat down, as I attempt to warm up, sneezing once in a while. "Okay, c-close your e-eyes," I said.

"Sky, I don't think this is the ti-"

"Close your eyes!" I shout, and he instantly shuts it.

I gesture Max to come over and help me set out the food which he did. The customers were eyeing us, some curiously take a few steps towards us, wanting to know what's going on.

One by one, I unwrap all of Sebastian's favorite food that varies from Chicken Piccata to a thick double chocolate cake with pudding in the middle. I don't know how to cook many dishes, but I learned how to cook all his favorites, even though I did end up in the hospital a few times for burning my fingers.

His nose starts twinkling, a smile on his lips, smelling all his favorites.

Max grinned at me while I put on ten candles, not knowing how old Sebastian is since he never told me. I would ask, and he would reply with: "I'm an old man."

I lit up all ten candles, and strangers were around us. Slowly, I started clapping my hands, singing:

"Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Sebastian

Happy Birthday to You.

From good friends and true,

From old friends and new,

May good luck go with you,

And happiness too."

He slowly opened his eyes. "Blow out the candle! So, I can eat the good looking cake!" Someone shout and everyone erupts into a loud laughter

"Make a wish first!" Someone else screams.

Sebastian closes his eyes, making a wish, and I wish I can read his mind to know what he hopes for. Inhaling a deep breath, he blew out all the candles.

"What did you wish for?" Max asks.

"Probably to get lucky with his woman tonight." Someone nudges my shoulder, causing my eyes to widen, and I shake my head.

"N-No, I'm not his woman," I quickly deny looking at Sebastian for help, but he's talking to other people.

Soon, we start cutting the cake and passing out the food. I'm glad no one vomited or gagged, but who knows, food poisoning does not appear this early. We stay in the bar, and I get to meet many of Sebastian's friends, who told me stories about his youth. He would drag me away before I can laugh, but we all exchanged numbers so they can tell me later.

When the rain lightens up, Sebastian decides it's time to go home. I sat in the car, couldn't help but continue smiling, remembering how everyone was complimenting on my cooking.

Glancing at Sebastian, he smiles at me, messing up my hair. s "Thank Sky, this-" he pauses, humming a little.

"This?" I said teasingly, urging him to continue.

"May be one of the best birthdays I ever had," he said.