Chapter Two : The Birthday Intervention

I looked at the message again, my gut twister. Classroom 12. Now

Of course, it wasn’t wise to go there alone, you could even call me stupid. I did not even know the sender of the message, but I had my pepper spray in my pocket, and I had taken some defense class when I was a kid. It was also basically daytime, what could go wrong?

I took a deep breath, pulled my self together and walked down the hall, my shoe contrasting to the tiled. Each step I took, each breath I swallowed. I could not believe I let myself do this—following a mysterious text to an empty classroom.

I reached Classroom 12, the door slightly wide open. My hand hovered over the handle as I entered slowly, peeking inside.

Nothing. Just the typical arranged desk, the board. I exhaled, trying to calm my nerves…and then—

“Surprise!!!”

I was startled , spinning around, pepper spray raised instinctively.

“Happy Birthday!!!”

I froze. Birthday? My brain burred. Birthday? Today. I had totally forgotten it was my birthday. Between class stress, money stress, and…well, life stress, it had completely slipped my mind. And honestly… birthdays hadn’t felt like birthdays in years. Not since… my parents.

A wave of memories hit me—my parents passing just a day after my birthday. Every year, the day after reminded me of them more than it celebrated me. And yet… here they were.

“Guess who?” A voice called out.

I blinked , then gradually realized who stood before me—Nevian. My bestfriend and long time crush.

He had a brunette hair that fell perfectly onto his face, his hazel eyes that seemed to see right through me. He stood tall are 6’3ft carrying grandeur of his mother in his features, soft cheekbones, a strong jawline, and that gentle familiar smile that always made me feel…safe.

He smiler like a complete idiot, arms filled with balloons and a tiny cake balanced precariously on one hand.

“You…you planned this?” i stuttered, bringing down my spray slightly.

“Of course I did,” he said in a mocking way. “How could I forget my bestfriend’s birthday and also let her forget her own birthday? Even if she has totally ignored it for years.”

I blinked , suddenly swamped by awkwardness, a weird kind of calm, plus this odd emotion I couldn't pin down. “Uh… honestly? It slipped my mind.”

He stepped closer, setting the cake down on the desk. “I know. That’s why I am here. You might have forgotten but I didn’t.”

I felt the stress, the fear melting away. In that moment it was just Nevian, just us and a birthday I hadn’t thought that mattered.

“Happy birthday!!” Another rang through, cutting through the silence.

I turned around to see Stephanie walking towards me, smiling. “Lenon! I couldn’t let this day go by with giving you a proper celebration.” She pulled her arms around me with a hug, and I let my self relax into it.

“We are celebrating your 21st in a grand style,” she continued, stepping back and give me a conspiratorial wink. “No excuses.”

Nevian leaned causally against the desk, his hazel eyes beaming, that familiar half smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah. And we’re kicking it off tonight.”

“Tonight?”

He nodded. “Your birthday. You. Me. Stephanie. A little fun.”

Stephanie clapped her hands excitedly. “And not just any fun— we’re going to club! A real one! Drinks, dancing, music….”

I froze. “A club?”

Nevian smirks slightly, a playful sparkshowing in his hazel eyes. “Keathan’s”

I froze completely. “Hell no. Is it… is it not a sex club?”

Nevian titled his head, completely unbothered. “And….?”

“I— Nevian! I am not going there!”

I waved my arms, shouting like that’d change his mind.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide the small smile.

“Relax Lenon. It’s just a club. You’re twenty-one now. It’s the perfect night to actually… experience it.”

I gawked at her. “Perfect night? Experience it? Stephanie, I’m not some rookie stumbling into—“

Nevian cuts me off, his grin widening. “She’s right. Your twenty-one. Keathan’s club? It’s literally made for nights like this. The music, the crowd… it’s not just a party. It’s an experience.”

I crossed my arms, trying to muster some charade of resistance. “And here I am, celebrating my birthday by…going into a club I have zero idea about? With you two?”

“Exactly. You’ll survive, probably,” Nevian shrugged, casually teasing with a half smile on his face.

Stephanie prodded at me lightly. “Come on, Lenon. Live a little. Birthday only comes once a year, and tonight and… it's your night.”

I groaned, feeling both dread and a tiny spark of curiosity. Twenty-one, first “adult” birthday in years, and now — Keathan’s club. Of course. Because nothing in my life was ever simple.

“Fine,” I spoke finally, tossing my hands up. “But if I survive this, you owe me big-time.

Nevian eyes sparkled. “Deal!!”

Later that night, I stood in front of my full-sized mirror, taking in a deep breath. I just wanted to look okay cause honestly I didn't feel like fussing.

I settled with a pair of dark skinny jeans, a simple black crop top, and sneakers. My hair was highed up in a pony tail, and I completely skipped makeup. I just applied a bit of gloss on my lip. Minimal effort, maximum comfort.

Just as I was about taking my small bag, a knock on the door came. I peeped through the blinds and saw Nevian’s sleek black car outside. My stomach did a small flip—excited, nervous, I didn't know.

I took my bag and headed downstairs to go meet him. The moment I stepped into the view, his facial expression changed into something else.

“What is that?” he asked, tilting his head, voice dripping with playful disgust.

I froze, also tilting my own head. “What?”

“This outfit,” he gestured. “Jeans and crop? No makeup? Hair in a ponytail? To a club?”

I rolled my eyes. “It's comfortable. I am not going to impress anyone there.”

Nevian raised an incredulous eyebrow, crossing his arms over his wide chest. “Uh…no. There is no way I'm hell you are going to a club looking like that.” he voice in disbelief.

“Excuse me? This is fine, comfortable, cute, appropriate—”

He shook his head, cutting me off. “Lenon, I don't care about comfort. You twenty-one. This is your birthday. You can not stroll into Keathan’s club like you just rolled out of class.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he wasn't done. His eyes scanned me like a critic fashion show. “Do you have…like…a fancy dinner gown or something?”

I frowned. “A gown?” Nevian, it is a club, not a gala. And I don't—”

“Wait,” he interrupted again, snapping his fingers as a mischievous smirk spread across his face. “In fact never mind. Forget the gown. Enter the car. I am taking you to a boutique. Right now.”

I froze, bag in my hand. Boutique? Nevian….seriously?”

He opened the passenger door with that infuriating half smile that made my chest tighten. “More entering the car and less talking. Now get in Lenon!”

I hesitated, giving him a side eye, but there was no point in arguing. He was stubborn and had already made his mind.

I slid into the car, muttering, “This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.”

After half an hour drive, he pulled into a small, chic shopping strip. I followed him out of the car, looking at the boutique’s sleek black and gold exterior. The crafty glow of the lights gave it an air of quiet sophistication, and a soft strain to the classical music that was drifting from the inside, hinting that the place I was about to enter was rich, curated, and….untouchable.

The moment I entered, the scent of rich leather, polished wood, and a hint of floral perfume. It smelled luxurious. It smelled like wealth, elegance, and a life I had once being used to.

Nevian leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyed sparkling. “Go on, he said, nudging me gently. “Pick something.”

I hesitated, my fingers twisting nervously in front of me. Dresses like these weren't exactly what I was used to or comfortable with. My mind raced: what if I looked ridiculous? what if it was too much? What if…

Nevian caught my hesitation and smirked, clearly amused. “Lenon seriously? Never mind, I got this.”