CHAPTER 10: Wrong Surprise
1087 Words
I collapsed backward onto my bed with enough force to make the mattress squeak beneath me, my gaze drifting toward the warm fairy lights Sophie had strung across our wall months ago. They glowed softly against the darkness gathering outside our dorm window, tiny golden stars that seemed far more certain about life than I was.
“You didn’t open the door?” Sophie finally asked, looking up from her phone. One eyebrow arched so high it practically disappeared beneath her bangs.
I folded my arms behind my head and sighed dramatically.
“No.”
“No?” she repeated.
“I’m experimenting.”
She blinked. “With what?”
“The magical push-and-pull theory.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. "You're delusional.”
“The experts say men like mystery.”
“What experts?”
“The imaginary relationship gurus living in my head.”
Sophie tossed a pillow at my face. It hit me square in the forehead. I caught it with a groan.
“You’re impossible.”
I smiled weakly without looking at her.
“I’m learning from you.”
She laughed despite herself, the sound filling the room with the familiar comfort only Sophie seemed capable of creating.
“You wish.”
I reached for my phone resting beside me.
Twenty-three unread messages. Five missed calls. Every single one from Jax. Just seeing his name made my chest tighten in that ridiculous, wonderful way it always did.
***
The next few days blurred together. Classes, homework, and the constant buzz about the upcoming hockey tournament filled my schedule. But Jax's birthday kept creeping closer, like a countdown I couldn't ignore.
I didn't meet him too often because I wanted to save the best for his actual day. Jax kept calling and texting, wanting to see me, but I kept refusing.
Wednesday afternoon found me hiding behind the top row of the hockey arena bleachers, bundled in my hoodie with a coffee clutched between both hands. Jax never looked up. He had no idea I was there.
Practice usually transformed him. Confident. Aggressive. Commanding. The captain everyone admired. But today…
something felt off.
His passes were sloppy. He missed shots he normally buried without thinking. Coach blew his whistle so sharply it echoed across the rink.
“Harlan!”
Jax skated to a stop.
"What is going on with you today?”
“I’m fine.”
“You call that fine?”
“No, Coach.”
“Then wake up!”
Jax rubbed a gloved hand over his face before skating away without another word. I watched him from above. He looked… Tired. No. Lonely.
My fingers tightened around the warm paper cup. "I’m sorry,” I whispered to myself. He couldn’t hear me. Maybe that was for the best. Because if he had looked up… If our eyes had met… I would’ve run downstairs without thinking.
***
By Friday night, everything was ready.
I stood in front of our tiny mirror wearing nothing but my bra and underwear, with Sophie directing everything like a pro.
"Okay, we're going with the soft rose dress we bought last weekend," Sophie said. "It's perfect. Romantic but not too try-hard."
I nodded and slipped into the dress. The satin fabric felt cool and luxurious against my skin. It had thin straps, a flattering fitted bodice, and a flowy midi skirt that swished beautifully when I moved. The dress made me feel pretty in a way I wasn't used to.
Sophie whistled. "Okay, yes! Hair down in soft waves, and we're doing that glowy makeup look. We're doing this right."
For the next hour, we blasted music and turned it into a fun girls' night. Sophie curled my hair into loose, bouncy waves while we sang along to Taylor Swift. She did my makeup: dewy skin, soft rosy cheeks, and a pretty lip that matched the dress.
"You look stunning!" Sophie said, stepping back with a proud grin. "Like, seriously. If Jax doesn't appreciate this, I'm fighting him."
I stared at myself in the mirror. "You think I look pretty now?"
"You're killing it, babe!"
But deep down, I still didn't feel that special. The worry was still eating at me.
Sophie seemed to sense it. She hugged me from behind.
"You have the biggest heart, you know that? This is the absolute last time I'm helping with a Jax glow-up. After tonight, if he hurts you again, we're done. Deal?"
"Deal," I whispered, smiling through the nerves. I hugged her tightly before heading out. "Thank you, Soph. For everything."
"Good luck."
***
After hockey practice ended, I carefully carried the small chocolate birthday cake I'd picked up from the bakery.
The rich, warm scent of chocolate and sweet vanilla frosting floated up from the box, making my stomach flutter with nervous hope.
I had written "Happy Birthday Captain" in messy blue icing and placed one single candle right in the center. The box felt warm in my hands as I walked down the quiet hallway toward the locker room, my rose dress swishing softly around my legs.
I stopped in front of the slightly ajar door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open with a shy smile, holding the cake out like an offering.
"Surprise, Jax! Happy birth—"
The words died in my throat.
The sweet chocolate smell suddenly felt sickeningly heavy as I saw Jax standing in the middle of the locker room, still in his practice jersey. Brianna had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, kissing him deeply and passionately. His hands rested on her waist. The kiss looked real: hungry, familiar, and way too intense.
The cake box slipped from my numb fingers. It hit the floor with a heavy, wet thud. The lid burst open. Glossy chocolate frosting splattered across the tiles. The single candle rolled slowly away, leaving a sad trail of blue icing like a broken promise.
Jax jerked back sharply. His eyes widened in horror when he saw me standing there in my rose dress.
"Lila—"
I couldn't breathe.
The beautiful dress suddenly felt ridiculous. The soft waves in my hair, the careful makeup, the stupid cake... everything I had done to make his day special now felt like a cruel joke.
Brianna turned slowly. Her lips still glossy, she gave me that same sharp, satisfied smile.
"Oh... hey, church girl," she said sweetly. "Didn't see you there."
My vision blurred with tears. I turned and ran before either of them could say another word.
- Writer
