Today is my birthday. 

I didn't really want to make a big deal about it but Desiree insisted we do something. She also kept her word about taking me to a club for my birthday. 

Which is where we are now. 

She invited all of our friends to come too. 

We've had so much fun so far. I tried tequila and quickly learned I did not like tequila. 

Everyone else drank except me and River who stuck to water. He was the only one besides me who was underage but he could get away with drinking if he wanted to.

The light pink dress I am wearing rode up slightly as I took a seat on a stool. 

Ash, Dez and I had been dancing for a good thirty minutes straight. I needed water and Ash said she was clocking out. Turns out her social ability had a time limit. 

I was glad that she came here tonight though to celebrate with me. I know she would rather be in her apartment reading with her cat. 

River sits beside me as I gulp down half my glass. 

He has been awfully quiet tonight but that's to be expected from him. We were friends but that didn't mean quiet River disappeared, even if I wanted it to. 

Truthfully I just wanted to hear him talk. It could be about anything as long as he just kept talking to me. I think apart of me selfishly wanted to be the one he talked to. 

I knew by now that he didn't really talk to anyone. Even as I watched him with his bandmates he was always either listening to them or if he did speak kept it as short as can be. 

"Thank you for coming out here tonight." I say to him and he looks over at me. 

A smile tugs on his lips as he says, "Happy birthday Ava." I don't know why when he says my name my insides light up like firecrackers. 

It's like a mini celebration that he's choosing to talk to me. 

Everyone else saunters over to where we are sitting. 

"Why isn't the birthday girl dancing?" Luca asks throwing an arm over my shoulder. 

Out of everyone Luca was still a big mystery to me. He doesn't come to the weekly game night. I found out it's because Ash can only tolerate his presence for so long. 

I think because of that the two of us don't really know each other well. All I know about him is he has an on again off again boyfriend that even Desiree dislikes. I haven't met the mystery man yet but if Dez doesn't like him then something must be off. 

"I'm tired and my feet hurt." I say showing him my foot wearing a six inch heel. 

He laughs resting his head on mine, "Aww poor baby."

Ash rolls her eyes and I stifle a laugh. She looks about ten seconds from kicking him. 

"Ava?" An extremely familiar voice calls from behind me and I tense. 

What is he doing here?

Luca lets go of me as I hop off the seat and turn around. 

"Austin?" I say looking directly at him. He's wearing cargo pants and a white button up. The sleeves of the shirt buttoned at his wrists. 

A smile breaks out on my face as I run up to him wrapping my arms around him. He wraps his own around my waist. 

"What are you doing here?" I ask as he sets me down. 

That's when I remember that I am already taller than him and with heels I am really taller than him. 

"I came to surprise you." He says looking between me and my friends. 

"How did you know I would be here." I say gesturing around the club. 

He waggles his phone in between our faces, "You texted the group chat about it, remember?"

Oh yeah I did do that. 

He looks back over to the group again and I realized I haven't introduced them yet. 

"Oh Austin these are my friends." I say looking back at them for a second. Everyone seems to just be watching except Ash. 

She is staring at him like he's public enemy number one. Her arms are crossed in front of her and she looks to be studying him. 

"And guys this is Austin." I hesitate before adding, "My boyfriend."

They all greet him except well Ash and River. 

River I get, he doesn't really talk to anyone but Ashlynn keeps looking at him like he killed her dog. Or more accurately cat. 

"So you flew all the way out here for her birthday that's so cute." Dez says from beside me. 

Austin laughs nervously, "Yeah I couldn't miss my girls birthday for the world." He says wrapping an arm around my waist and holding me close to him. 

Ash still stands there studying him before she popping her tongue off the roof of her mouth. 

"Well I gotta get home a feed Jellyfish." She says suddenly walking towards the exit. 

She stops beside me whispering, "Happy birthday." In my ear before patting my butt and leaving. 

"So when did you get in?" I ask Austin curiously. 

He looks at his watch, "About two hours ago. I can only stay the weekend though. I have to be at my job on Monday." He says and I nod in understanding. 

I only had the weekend with him. Why wasn't I sad about that? 

"Well you two should make the most of it. Get out of here." Desiree says giving me a knowing smirk. 

"On Monday I want all the deets." She says winking at me. I just laugh shaking my head as Austin leads me out of the club. 

Then I halt, "Why did you stop?" He asks and I look back at my friends, "I need to go say goodbye."

I walk back over and hug Desiree, "Thank you for taking me out tonight." I tell her and she hugs me back. 

Then I hug everyone else. River is last since he was still sitting on the stool. 

Coming up to him I wrap my arms around him, his slowly come to wrap around me. 

"You coming here tonight meant a lot to me." I say honestly. I like his company even if he doesn't talk to me. I know he listens when I talk and actually wants me to be there. 

He squeezes me a little tighter, "Of course I would be here." He says against my ear. 

We pull away and I wave at everyone before heading back off with Austin.

"So I got a hotel for the night are you cool sharing a bed?" He asks as we step into an uber. 

I roll my eyes, "Are you comfortable sharing a bed?" I ask. 

Austin wants to wait for marriage and I agreed to wait with him. I was never one of those who felt like I had to wait for marriage but if that's what he wanted I was ok with it. 

I hate those people who try to talk someone out of their beliefs by saying that sex was just sex. If it was a big deal to him then that was that. 

"Yes it's just sleeping." He says as the car pulls into the street. 

When we arrive at the hotel we head straight up to the room. 

"You should probably change out of that dress." He says looking down at the dress with a slight look of distain. 

Delilah had made it for me as a birthday gift, so obviously I had to wear it to the club on my birthday. 

She was in Alabama this week but sent me a happy birthday text this morning.

 "Why isn't it cute? A friend of mine made it." I say doing a little spin. 

He shrugs, "It's a little short, not really you sugar." Oh. 

"Ok, well, I'll change." I say and he hands me a shirt and sweats he brought. 

I head into the bathroom and change. I neatly fold the dress before placing it on the dresser. 

Austin is already in bed under the covers in his own shirt and pants. 

I slip in beside him. 

"Thanks for coming here this weekend." I say as he turns out the light. 

He lays down on his back and I do as well. A good distance between us. 

He hums letting me know he heard me.