"Happy birthday Jen."

I woke up slowly to meet the eyes of my little family of four peering down at me with a grin on their faces. My younger brother's–Jimmy–was the widest and he had a conical birthday cap on his head. He was standing between my mom and my older sister, Jade who looked like she was forced to be here.

I gave each of them a sour look, wondering why they all decided to spoil my beauty sleep.

"What is going on here?" I asked.

"It's your birthday Jenny," my mother chimed happily, smiling down at me, hazel eyes glazed with affection.

"And you're seventeen today," Jade added, adjusting her thin-rimmed pink glasses over her long nose bridge, making her brown eyes look deeper.

My eyes immediately widened in recognition. It was my freaking birthday and I was seventeen. I was suddenly ecstatic as everything I had planned out for my birthday came rushing down on me. I had set an alarm clock to wake me up.Why didn't the stupid clock wake me up?

Yeah, I know it probably rang but still–

I turned to look at my family. They were still standing, waiting, for what exactly?...oh...it was the stupid birthday tradition thing I planned to escape from but I failed... again.

Last year I made sure I locked my room door to prevent them from coming in but my dad broke the lock just so that they could wake me up with a happy birthday. There was even a time where Jimmy had led them all through my room windows.

Yeah, my family is really weird and it just gets weirder.

"It seems like you're looking better now Jen," my mother said. "Now we can sing your birthday song."

I facepalmed myself. Not that stupid song again. It would have been better if it were the regular happy birthday to you that everyone knew but it wasn't. It was some song that they 'wrote' just for me and I know it was supposed to make me feel special but, trust me, you wouldn't feel so special hearing the same song for the seventeenth time in your life.

"Today is your birth - " my mother started.

I threw my blanket away from my body.

"Excuse me, please," I said politely before jumping down from my bed and exiting my room. Say that I'm rude or anything but if anyone was in my shoes they would have probably done worse.

I entered the bathroom and went straight to the mirror to check myself out. I looked like hell. Definitely not exaggerating. My dark brown hair was scattered with some loose curls sticking out. I had eye bags and dark circles surrounded my large hazel eyes.

I walked out of the bathroom door and met Jimmy standing there. "Your phone was ringing." He held it out to me.

I looked at him suspiciously before collecting it, not trusting the mischievous glint in his eyes. The phone started ringing again immediately I collected it. It was Josh, my boyfriend and leader of the school's male basketball team. He's also a popular jock in school and we started dating at the beginning of senior year which was just a month ago.

He probably called to wish me a happy birthday. I took a deep breath before taking the call to reduce my excitement and expectation.

"Hi Jenny," his deep voice greeted me through the phone as I answered the call.

"Hey," I greeted back, patiently waiting for him to wish me.

"So are you still coming to the party?" He asked.

"What party?" I didn't remember planning a party for the weekend.

"Oh come on, Jen. You promised to accompany me to a party at my friend's."

Oh shit. I finally remembered. The friend should be Cole but he still hasn't wished me a happy birthday or has he forgotten?

"I think you're forgetting something," I said carefully, trying to trigger his memory.

"Like what?" He asked gruffly.

Shit, it didn't work. "Like a birthday?" I tried again, giving him a hint.

"It's not a birthday party, Jen," he replied. He definitely didn't have an idea of what I was trying to say but I was sure I had mentioned it to him recently.

"Are you coming or not?" He asked as if someone was rushing him to cut the call.

I was contemplating whether to go or not. My parents were surely planning a family birthday party and it might upset them if I left the house. Josh doesn't even know that it was my birthday but if I go to the party I might get the chance to tell him and we may even get to spend some quality time together.

My phone was immediately snatched from my hands before I could give Josh an answer. I was startled.

Jimmy was holding the phone in his hand, waving it as he cut the call, hazel eyes filled with mischief. I knew it had to be him, no one else could do that.

"Why did you do that?" I asked with all the authority I could muster.

"You are obviously contemplating something and if you don't know the answer to a question in a phone conversation, the best thing to do is hang up," he replied matter-of-factly. "So I'm simply doing you a favor."

He was too smart for his own good and was always looking for ways to get on my nerves. I sighed heavily in an attempt to calm down. "I didn't ask you for a favor, so just give it back." I held out my hand to him.

"Not so easy," he said mischievously, leaving my room and heading towards the short passageway that led to the stairs.

"Hey," I protested, following him downstairs. My brother was the most frustrating person I've ever met in my sixteen, now seventeen years of life. Even if he was useful in some aspects like providing useful information or helping in making some certain decisions as he was the smartest out of the three of us, he was still a pain in the ass.

When I got to the living room - after Jimmy - my parents were busy decorating the room with my mom as the main events planner. I wondered why they were going through the stress of decoration since it was just a simple family party where we eat, drink, play some jazz music and dance some crazy moves you wouldn't see anywhere but in our house. It was usually fun but I was getting tired of it.

Jade was icing my birthday cake which she baked herself. It was something she was very good at - baking and cooking. I was a little jealous of her for that as I couldn't do any of them. In fact, there was nothing I was good at except probably to whine and complain around in the house. I guess that can also become a talent one day.

"I brought her here," Jimmy said with a triumphant look on his face.

"Good job, my boy," my dad left the purple ribbon he was handling to pat him on the head, a gesture I knew so well that Jimmy hated.

"I'm fourteen, dad, I'm no longer a boy but a man."

"You're still our little boy, Jimmy," my mother joined in the conversation. She could never stay away from a topic like that.

I rolled my eyes at their bickering. So this was all it was all about. Jimmy could have simply told me that mum and dad wanted me downstairs and I would have come down after the call. Trust Jimmy to always find a 'better' way of handling things.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door and Jimmy went to check who it was. "Hey it's my one and only bro," he said in an excited tone, opening the door wide for the person to enter.

It was Jake, my best friend, like I had earlier guessed. I know it is weird that a guy was my best friend but we were both okay with it and everyone was also. Okay not everyone as some people in my school find pleasure in gossiping about our relationship but our friendship was a healthy one and we had been best friends since middle school. We both cared for and supported each other but there were no strong feelings attached as I was already dating Josh, even if Jake was still single. I had always pestered him about getting a girlfriend which wouldn't be very hard as he had good looks but he always waved it off saying that he wasn't ready or he hadn't found someone he really liked.

"Happy birthday Jenny." He had a wide grin on his round face and his warm brown eyes gleamed with happiness. He opened his arms, inviting me for a hug.

I accepted it without any hesitation. "Thank you," I said as he released me from his embrace but he still had both hands on my shoulders. He was looking at me quizzically as if he was trying to solve the last piece of a puzzle.

"You're finally seventeen but you're still short," he finally said.

I chuckled. "Did you expect me to grow taller overnight?" I looked at him with my head slightly tipped upwards. I wasn't exactly short, I was of average height. He was just taller than me and well built too. The black T shirt he was wearing made it pretty obvious as it gripped his pelvic muscles. He was also clad in blue jeans and black sneakers.

"Maybe not but it seems like you grew shorter," he replied.

I scoffed, "I can't possibly grow shorter."

"Well, congratulations on defying scientific laws because you did," he retorted.

I rolled my eyes. I suddenly remembered Josh, the call, and how I left him hanging without a suitable reply. "I really need to borrow Jake for a while guys," I said, smiling sweetly at my family.

"I know you need some privacy," Jimmy nodded with a look of understanding on his face. "I wanted to suggest it earlier but it seems..." He shrugged, "Never mind, go ahead.

"Shut up," I scowled at him.

My family, especially Jimmy and my mom seemed to think that Jake and I were a thing.

no matter how much I tried to tell them otherwise. To my mom, Jake was the ideal guy for me and she took him like he son while Jimmy saw Jake as an older brother he never had.

I held Jake by his wrist and led him upstairs to the passageway and looked around to make sure Jimmy didn't follow us, snooping around to eavesdrop on what I was about to say. I inhaled deeply, meeting Jake's questioning gaze.

"I need a favor from you," I finally said.

"A favor for you is always something big," he replied, obviously trying to evade it.

"Oh come on... please," I begged, giving my best shot at a puppy dog's eyes. I hoped it came out well considering the fact that what I had earlier seen in the mirror couldn't pass as cute.

"I don't even know what it is yet, what if it is something I can't do?" His brown eyes were secretly begging me to let it go but I wasn't one to give up.

"It is definitely something you can do...pretty please."

He looked torn between accepting and declining but I knew he would accept. "With a cherry on top?" I added, widening my already large eyeballs.

He chuckled with a roll of his eyes. "Fine," he sighed. "What is it?"

"I need you to drive me to a party and then help me to cover up by telling my parents that we're going out or something since they always seem to believe your word over mine." I explained, watching his face for any reaction but there was none. It was as if he saw it coming.

"Firstly, whose party are you going to?" He asked calmly.

"Cole's," I replied.

He raised a thick eyebrow questioningly, "Cole?"

"Yeah, Josh's friend," I confirmed.

He nodded slowly, probably analyzing the pros and cons of going. "And you're simply going to walk out on your birthday party?"

I scoffed. It wasn't as if it was some party, it was just a family... whatever.

"Yeah."

"You can't just walk out on your party Jenny, they've really put some effort into it."

Great point.

The cake Jade was icing was even decorated in pink and purple and also the theme of the house decoration because they were my favorite colors but that was simply not the point. I didn't want to be here.

"Too bad... Josh is already expecting me."

"Jenny," he called with his voice slightly raised, lips set in a thin, firm line.

"What," I replied, my tone matching his, "You have no idea how it feels to have the same freaking party every year. It sucks and I'm sick and tired of it."

I felt a little guilty that I poured it out on Jake but more relieved that I let it out. Maybe it wasn't actually as bad as I projected it to be but I really hated it.

He ran a hand over his face. "Okay, here's the deal...I'll drive you there and cover up for you but you'll tell them to shift the family party till night time so as not to hurt their feelings."

I rolled my eyes. The problem with Jake was that he was just too good. They were my parents, not his. Don't get me wrong, I also cared about their feelings, I just felt they wouldn't feel so bad if I missed one out of seventeen and more birthday parties.

"Fine," I agreed.

We both walked back downstairs to join everyone.

"Welcome back lovebirds," Jimmy greeted as he sighted us and I resisted the urge to snap at him.

I bumped Jake on the shoulder and gestured with my eyes for him to tell them.

He cleared his throat, probably to gain attention but it didn't work out.

"Um... Mrs. Perkins?" He called out.

"Yeah?" My mom turned to face him expectantly. She was standing on a red stool, designing my name with purple ribbon on the milk coloured wall.

"Would it be possible to postpone the birthday party till night time?" He asked politely.

"Is there a problem?" She asked with a worried look on her lovely young face.

"No, it's just that I want to take Jenny out as it's her birthday."

It was partially the truth. He was taking me out...just not the way he meant it to be. My mother would definitely fall for it.

I watched as her face contorted into one of happiness, "Really?, Are you guys already official?" She squealed in delight.

Yeah she squealed.

Jake was about to reply but I spoke up, knowing he would probably deny it.

"Yeah, we are."

I immediately thought of the repercussions of my words as Jake gave me a surprised look, so I added, "I mean we aren't, it's just a birthday date."

The look my mom gave me afterwards told me that she didn't buy it. "You can't definitely go dressed in that."

I looked down at myself. I was still in my pajamas, free flowery patterned top and trousers and I was sure my face wasn't looking its best.

"No worries mom, I'll take care of her." Jimmy came towards me and held out his arms but I waved it off.

I smiled at all of them, "I've got this." Then I went upstairs to my room and plopped down on my bed, relieved to be finally away from all the family drama. I gazed with relief at the light pink walls with different beautiful flowers painted in purple. My mum designed the flowers herself all over my room as she was very artistic.

But my relief was short-lived as Jade entered my room.

"Why are you here?" I asked carefully. Since it was Jade and not Jimmy, I really didn't have to worry.

"I came to help you out," she replied.

I hoped it was just that. "With what exactly?"

"Would you like a simple or fancy outfit?" She asked, ignoring my question.

"Simple," I replied, not wanting to give her or my parents the wrong idea.

"Fine then, go and have your bath. You stink," she said and scrunched up her nose, making her pink glasses jerk up.

I frowned. "I smell nice all the time."

"Go on now," she shooed me with a wave of her hand, ignoring what I said.

I stood up from the bed and went to shower in the bathroom.

When I came back into the room, I saw a white sleeveless chiffon top, blue denim jacket with crazy jeans on my bed and a pair of white converse shoes on the floor.

"Nice," I muttered.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Now quickly get changed into these," she said, gesturing towards the bed. "You don't want to keep Jakey waiting."

I started putting on the clothes Jade dropped for me when she suddenly asked, "So are the both of you really dating?"

I knew there was some other reason she joined me upstairs and I was actually expecting the question, so I wasn't caught off guard.

"No, it's just like an outing between two friends on the occasion of a birthday," I explained, telling her half of the truth.

She gave me a doubtful look. "If you say so."

When I finished dressing, I went to the dressing table to do my hair and other stuff.

Jade offered to help me with my hair and after thorough brushing and loosening of dark brown curls, she packed it into a high ponytail.

I applied light make-up on my face–not really make up though, just mascara, brown powder and lip gloss–and was finally ready to leave for the party.

Jade looked at me, carefully checking me out.

"Yup, you're looking great," she smiled.

"Thanks," I said, smiling back at her. She joined me at the doorway and we both went back downstairs.

"Wow, you did a great job on her, Jade," my mom complimented with a big smile on her face as she was the first to notice me before the others looked in my direction.

Jake's eyes rested on mine for a fleeting moment before he looked away.

"Thanks mom," Jade said, going back to ice the cake while I walked towards Jake but before I could reach him, Jimmy came and dragged me by the wrist to a corner in the living room. I was momentarily shocked.

"So, what's the real plan?" He suddenly asked.

Real plan? What the hell was he talking about? "I don't understand."

"Of course you do. I know that this is all faux and that there's something behind it."

Oh so he figured it all out. Even if Jade and the rest fell for it, Jimmy didn't. The way his brain worked was something I just couldn't phantom but I decided to play dumb. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I know that you and Jake aren't really going on a date, you're just using it as a cover up for something and that is what I want to know," he explained.

"Okay," I decided to tell him as it was pointless not to. He would end up figuring it out one way or the other. "I'm going to a party."

He nodded slowly with a sly smile on his face, "I figured."

"Don't tell anyone," I cautioned with a stern look on my face.

I left my brother and went back to Jake who received me with a warm smile.

Waving goodbye to my family, I exited the house with Jake.

__________