To this day, I don't think I'll ever like parties that much.

Riley saw the opportunity to finally give me the birthday celebration she wanted since I wasn't here to celebrate it, but I was grateful she didn't invite anyone outside of our friend group because I didn't want Gemma and Anna to feel uncomfortable.

I knew something was up the minute she blindfolded me and led me to her apartment. As soon as she took the blindfold off, I was met with birthday decorations from her birthday party a few days ago.

"Oh no." I groaned.

"Oh yeah." She said, wrapping her arms around my biceps and hugging me from behind while Zayn and Nick got up from the couch and walked over to us.

"Riley, my birthday was three months ago."

"Yeah, but when we went to the mall, you said after the Olympics I could throw you a party since you weren't here." She reminded me, and I cursed at myself for saying that. "Come on. Just a couple hours? It'll be close friends only."

I sighed and turned around when she dropped her arms from around me. Seeing the hopefulness in her eyes made me feel bad because I know how much she wanted to celebrate my birthday.

"Okay, fine. Thank you." I gave in, jumping back when she nearly tackled me to the ground.

"Yes!" She squealed. "I'll let everyone know they can come over now."

"Who's everyone?" I asked worriedly, hoping there weren't too many people.

"Anne, Gemma, Louis, Harry, and Adam. I told you it's just close friends."

That brings us to an hour later. I honestly was not expecting gifts since I'm assuming this party was last minute, but I was surprised when I got something from everyone. Riley bought me my favorite Tom Ford perfume - which I nearly kissed her when she gave it to me - and then gift cards for various places from everyone else. Zayn even got me a gift card for Tim Hortons since I was obsessed with the place.

We were all sitting on the couch in the living room while Nick tried to connect his laptop to the tv to show embarrassing videos of me like he does every year. I was thankful that he was struggling because I did not feel the need to be embarrassed today.

I hadn't even realized that Harry was missing until Zayn spoke up.

"Hey, where's Harry?" He asked. The slight mention of his name had my heart racing. Nobody knows about what happened between Harry and I on Riley's birthday besides Gemma. I'm surprised they haven't noticed that neither of us have been around much until today.

Today is actually the first time I've been out of my apartment for something other than practice, and luckily nobody really questioned it. Nick sensed something was up, but he didn't ask me anything either.

"I'm not sure." Anne frowned. "I actually haven't seen him since this morning."

I don't know why I wasn't all that nervous to see Harry if he were to show up. It's not like I didn't want him here either. He's still a big part of my life and it would feel wrong to not have him with the rest of us.

For the sake of tonight, I already knew neither of us were going to say anything about what happened. It's not something we would bring up unless we are alone, and we won't be alone at all tonight. The only thing I was nervous about was the damn video Nick had prepared.

"So, when do I get to meet Harry?" Adam caught me off guard as he stood next to me, his eyes also on Nick.

I rip my eyes away from my best friend confusing himself with a bunch of wires behind the tv and look at the man next to me. "I didn't realize you wanted to."

"Of course I do! He's got you all smitten and I want to see what the fuss is about." He grinned, but I only frowned.

I did notice Anna leave a few minutes ago to grab her phone from Zayn's apartment, so maybe I'll have a talk with Harry once she leaves.

"Fine, I'll be right back. Can you help Nick with the wires please? I don't need him getting electrocuted." I asked him in a pleasing tone.

Adam glances at Nick with a chuckle, shaking his head. "Of course."

I smiled and thanked him before walking towards the door. I don't know what compelled me to want to go across the hall and talk to Harry, but my feet took me there and soon enough, Anne was opening the door for me.

"Hey. Is Harry here?" I asked her as I stepped in.

"Yeah, he's in his room. I don't know why he won't come out. He's been moody all day." She shrugs, completely unaware of why her son was like this. I do not want to jump to conclusions and assume anything, but I can't help but feel guilty because I might be the reason he's like this.

"Is it okay if I talk to him alone?" I asked her nervously, not sure why I needed permission.

"You don't have to ask, darling. Go ahead and try but it might be difficult to get something out of him. Good luck." She kissed the side of my head and walked out of the apartment.

I know I said I wouldn't be alone with Harry at all tonight, but things aren't looking that way at the moment.

I raise my fist and knock on his bedroom door, biting my lip anxiously.

"Come in, mum!" I muffled shout came from the other side of the door. He's in for a disappointing surprise.

I wrap my hand around the door handle and push the door open. "It's not your mom." I informed in attempt to be funny, but he did not look amused. Instead, he sat up on his bed and shifted, looking on edge.

"Oh." He cleared his throat and set his phone down.

I close the door behind me and lean against it. "I noticed you were gone and I wanted to see what was wrong." I said gently, already knowing the answer but asking anyway.

He looked at me if I just asked the dumbest question ever, and I don't blame him.

"Scratch that. Um...why don't you come back? We can talk about what happened later, if you want." I gave it a shot, still incredibly nervous being in a room alone with him.

Harry avoided my gaze and spoke, the pain evident in his voice. "Why, so you can make me leave again?"

I have to admit that stung a whole lot, but I pushed it aside and accepted it. "I deserve that."

Harry looked like he regretted what he said, but he shouldn't have to. I did actually deserve it.

"Look, Harry, you can be upset or mad or whatever you are feeling right now, and I know we need to talk about what happened..." I start, still looking directly at him as I speak to show him how serious I am. "But can we forget about everything just for tonight? I really miss my friend." I sighed, still not exactly liking calling him a friend.

Harry finally lifted his head back up and his eyes softened their look.

"We all want you there." I say, smiling lightly as I thought of anything else that would get Harry to lose the frown. "And I don't know if you heard, but Nick will be showing a very embarrassing video of me."

Harry finally cracks a smile and I feel accomplished. "Tempting."

"So you'll come?"

He let out a deep breath before standing up, putting his phone in his back pocket. "Like I was going to miss you turning twenty-two." He chuckled. I was more relieved now that we were talking again, even if it was temporary. We still have to talk, but I am okay with that.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I turned twenty-two three months ago." I corrected, but he shushed me and dragged his finger down my face.

We went across the hall to Riley's and Anna did not hide how surprised she was to see Harry actually out of his room and smiling. I even saw her flash me two thumbs up, to which I gave her one back.

I rolled my eyes when I saw Nick and Adam both still trying to work the tv, so I walked up behind them. "Okay, it's not that hard."

I grab the chord, plugging one end into the tv and the other end into the computer, turning the tv on right after and handing Nick the remote.

"Seriously?" He scoffed in awe.

"You were using the wrong wire, smarty." I pat the top of his head and grab Adam's attention, nodding towards Harry.

He smirks and began walking towards Harry, me following behind him.

"Hello. I don't believe we've met officially. I'm Adam." He introduces himself, holding his hand out for Harry.

It didn't take Harry long to realize who it was, considering Nick told me he saw Adam at the mall.

"Nice to officially meet you too, Adam. I'm Harry."

"You too, Harry." Adam grinned, letting go of his hand. "I have to say you are very good looking. No wonder Maddie talks about you all-"

"Okay. That's enough out of you." I cut him off in panic, putting my hand over his mouth and tugging him away from Harry.

Adam holds in his laughter as I drag him towards the living room, pushing him to sit on the couch and pointing my finger at him. "You are not allowed to talk to Harry if you are going to say things that include how I feel about him." I scolded.

He put his hands up in defence. "Got it."

With a sigh, I throw myself down on the couch, watching Nick as he started pulling up the video on his laptop.

"Who wants to see a video of Maddie straight out of knee surgery?" Nick shouted in excitement, rubbing his hands together.

My eyes widened and I sat up. "You didn't."

Nick smirked at me, pressing play. "Oh, but I did."

Everyone else has come to the living room and found a place to sit as the video started playing. I was laying in a hospital bed trying to eat a popsicle, but I looked like I wasn't even aware I was awake.

"How do you feel, Mads?" Nick in the video asked, trying to contain his laughter.

"I can't see." My voice was groggy in the video. I looked and sounded like shit.

Brandon in the video handed me my glasses and I took them tiredly, not even opening them before I placed them on my face. Brandon and Nick laughed both in the video and right now beside me as we watched it, making me roll my eyes with a smile.

"I still can't see." I whimpered, trying to bring the popsicle up and out of the wrapper. When it fell back in, I lifted my head up and widened my eyes, the glasses falling. "Where did it go?"

While still laughing, Brandon had grabbed my glasses and put them on my face for me before grabbing my popsicle and squeezing it so it came back out of the wrapper. He held it in front of my face for me, practically cackling with Nick at this point since the camera was shaking due to Nick finding this hilarious.

"What happened to my legs?" I mumbled. "Erica is gonna kill me. I can't skate without my legs."

I couldn't even help but laugh at how high I seemed in the video, and everyone else was laughing too.

"Why are you laughing? That's rude." I asked them, struggling to keep hold of the popsicle.

"You're legs are under the blanket." Nick says, lifting the bottom of the blanket up so I could see my toes.

"Oh! Tell Erica never mind. I found my legs." My face lit up and I dropped the popsicle. "No." I groaned, witnessing the popsicle slide onto the floor. Brandon picked it up and threw it in the garbage bin.

That's when the video ended.

"I can't. This video never fails to make me laugh." Nick cackled, holding his stomach.

"I can't believe you recorded me, you asshole." I say humorously, grabbing the couch pillow next to me and tossing it at him.

"You were laughing too." He pointed it, grabbing the pillow and throwing it back at me.

I can't deny that it was pretty funny. "Whatever."

The last so-called "event" of the night was cake, and I sat there awkwardly while everyone sang happy birthday to me - which is one thing I hate most about birthdays.

As stupid as it was, I blew out the candles with only one wish on my mind, and I looked right at Harry in front of me with a smile.

• • •