LEXI POV
The morning sunlight poured through my window, gently coaxing me awake, while the soft chime of my phone alarm drifted into my ears. I let out a small yawn, stretching lazily before reaching over to my bedside table for my phone. With sleep still clouding my eyes, I squinted at the screen, trying to make out the numbers.
My gaze finally focused, my eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh my gosh, it's 8 o'clock, February 11th!" My heart skipped a beat. "I'm almost late for my birthday party. I need to hurry!"
In an instant, I was wide awake, adrenaline kicking in. I tossed back the covers and sprang out of bed, quickly gathering my wolf-cut hair into a loose ponytail as I rushed toward the bathroom. Time for a quick shower, no dawdling allowed!
Inside, I brushed my teeth and took a refreshing shower, savoring the feel of the water but moving fast. After rinsing out the shampoo, I wrapped myself in a towel and squeezed out any excess water from my hair before hurrying out. Birthday prep was on!
I made my way to my walk-in closet, scanning my clothes until I found just the right look a comfy, oversized navy blue t-shirt and a pair of edgy black baggy jeans. I completed the outfit with my favorite pair of white Demonia shaker-52 boots for that perfect, bold statement.
After getting dressed, I untied my towel-wrapped hair, applied a little hair supplement for that added shine, and carefully combed through it, finishing up with my blow dryer to get everything just right. I looked in the mirror, running my fingers through my hair, letting it fall naturally around my shoulders.
I took one last look at myself, a big smile spreading across my face. Today was my day. Looking at my reflection, I whispered, "Happy Birthday, Lexi."
I hurried out of my room, practically flying down the staircase in my excitement. But in my rush, I misjudged a step, and just as I felt myself slipping, I braced for impact. Instead, a strong hand gripped me firmly around the waist, steadying me.
Surprised, I turned to see who had saved me from a less-than-graceful tumble. Standing there was a guy with striking, almost unreal, features. He was tall and lean, with a physique that suggested he worked out often. His well-defined abs showed faintly through his shirt, and his face oh, his face! Chiseled, angular, with high cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass. His crystal-blue eyes, deep-set and intense, held me captive in his gaze, a mix of curiosity and amusement twinkling in their depths. His nose was slender with a hint of an upturned curve, and his lips were full, tinged with a soft rosy pink, curving into an easy, captivating smile. Midnight-black hair, perfectly tousled, framed his face, and I could tell he was the kind of guy who could make a crowd turn with just his presence.
He pulled me a little closer, snapping me out of my trance, I blinked, realizing I had been openly admiring him. A smirk tugged at his lips as he let go, causing a flush to rise to my cheeks.
I quickly straightened up, mumbling, "Thank you for catching me! I was so close to breaking something...like my bones or maybe even a tooth!" I cringed internally, realizing how ridiculous I sounded. But he just chuckled, that smirk still lingering, as though he found my babbling amusing.
"You're funny," he said, his voice smooth and playful, sending a flutter of butterflies to my stomach.
I gave an awkward smile, trying to recover my cool. "Me? Well, uh, people do say that sometimes."
He chuckled again, his laughter like music, making me feel as if I'd just told the world's best joke. "What's your name, Miss Funny?" he asked, his eyes dancing with intrigue.
"Lexi," I replied, managing a calm smile this time, though my heart was racing. "I don't think I've seen you before."
"Nice to meet you, Lexi. I'm Noah." He extended his hand toward me, and I shook it, trying not to swoon at how soft and warm his touch felt.
For a second, I lingered, his hand so comforting in mine that I hardly realized I was holding on a bit too tight. Noah raised an eyebrow, amusement sparking in his eyes. "Enjoying yourself there?" he teased, bringing me back to reality.
"Oh! Sorry about that," I stammered, pulling my hand back, cheeks burning.
He chuckled again, and the sound made my pulse race all over again. Desperate to keep the conversation going, I blurted, "So, what brings you here today?"
"I was invited to this party," he replied, his voice calm and soft, yet something about it sent a thrill down my spine.
I must have been staring a little too long because he snapped his fingers gently in front of my face, chuckling. "Hey, Lexi, you still with me?"
I laughed, shaking off the daydream. "Yeah, sorry! I'm listening."
"Happy birthday, birthday girl," he said with a smile that melted me like ice cream in the summer sun.
My eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, how did you know it's my birthday?"
He shrugged with a grin. "Who else would the party be for?"
Before I could respond, he reached to his left and held out three beautifully wrapped gift bags I hadn't even noticed he was holding. "These are for you," he said, his smile softening.
My eyes traveled from the gift bags back to his face, ready to thank him, but before I could get a single word out, he had vanished down the hallway. I stood there, holding the bags, feeling as if I had just woken from some kind of magical dream.
"Well, that was...odd," I murmured, still smiling to myself. Just then, I heard my mom calling me from downstairs, and I quickly gathered myself, heading down to join the party.
****
"Lexi, where did you run off to?" my mom called with a warm smile as she spotted me. She took the gift bags from my hands, carefully placing them with the others before guiding me to the small stage at the center of the room. Everyone was seated, their eyes on us, waiting for the celebration to begin.
Standing behind her, I let my mom speak first. She smiled proudly at the guests, her eyes sparkling. "Everyone, today we're celebrating my darling daughter's 17th birthday!" Her words were met with applause and cheerful cheers, filling the room with warmth and excitement.
Mom turned to me, giving a small nod, encouraging me to say something. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, gripping the microphone with slightly trembling hands but feeling grateful.
"Good day, everyone! Thank you all for making the time to come celebrate with me today," I began, my voice filled with sincerity. "I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you. I especially want to thank my friends for being here and, of course, my mom for making this day so amazing." I looked over at my friends, who smiled and waved back, and then returned the microphone to its stand.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, I stepped forward and hugged my mom tightly. "Thank you, Mom," I whispered softly.
She stroked my hair and whispered back, "Oh, sweetheart, you don't have to thank me. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
The hug lingered, warm and comforting, until a familiar voice filled the air, singing "Happy Birthday" with a joy that made my heart leap. Turning around, I saw my Aunt Ariana, holding a beautiful birthday cake topped with shimmering candles. Tears welled up as she walked toward me I hadn't seen her in so long, and here she was, making my day even more special.
She placed the cake down, I hugged her tightly, letting a few happy tears escape. "Auntie, I missed you so much," I said, my voice catching.
She chuckled, wiping a tear from my cheek. "I'm here now, dear! I wouldn't miss this for the world. But let's not ruin those beautiful smiles with too many tears."
She gave me one more squeeze, then guided me to the cake, where everyone gathered around. I placed my hands on the knife, and Mom rested her hand over mine. Then Aunt Ariana joined, followed by my friends. Surrounded by everyone I loved, I cut into the cake, lifting a small slice and taking a happy bite before offering pieces to my mom and aunt.
My aunt and mom began to distribute the cake, friends and family handed me gifts, each one accompanied by smiles and warm wishes. Soon, my friends pulled me aside for photos. We laughed, making funny faces, striking silly poses, and taking selfies until our sides ached from laughing.
The rest of the day was filled with dancing, games, and stories. We updated each other on everything happening in our lives, laughing and chatting away. We even managed to gather everyone family, friends, and relatives for a huge group photo.
The evening wound down, I felt exhausted but incredibly happy. Being surrounded by all the people I loved made this the perfect birthday, one I would remember forever.