A/N:

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Birthday Part II

~edited~

We stepped inside. The song "Royals" by Lorde was filling the room, blasting through the speakers. Immediately Danny grabbed Nathan. "Let's go greet your guests, bro," he said to him. Nathan turned to me and pecked my lips. "I'll see you later, baby. I like you," he told me.

"I like you too." He smiled at me one more time before he let Danny drag him away. "So, what's happening between you and Danny?" I asked Bella, nudging her side.

She blushed. "N-nothing is happening. We're just friends. Unfortunately," she said, and i didn't miss how her face fell.

"Do you...like him?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows.

"I-I don't know, okay? But what does it matter if I do? It's not like he likes me back."

We walked away from the door a little bit further. "All I'm going to say is that you never know. Look at me. I didn't know Nathan liked me back," I said, shrugging.

She rolled her eyes. "That's just because you were being oblivious. There were signs."

I smirked. "Maybe you're just oblivious too."

"Maybe. Anyway, what's going on between you and Nate?" She inquired. A waiter passed by carrying a tray filled with cookies. I took two whereas Bella took one.

"What do you mean? I did tell you. We went to the date I told you about yesterday and I had a great time with him. I even had my first kiss," I replied, acting like what happened was the most normal thing in the world.

"Really?!" Bella shrieked, catching the attention of people near us. They scowled at us and we both whispered a curt apology.

"Tone it down, Bella," I reprimanded her, chuckling. "And yes, it was amazing. I never knew it felt like that to kiss someone you dearly love," The word came out before I could stop it.

I froze and bit my cookie. Bella raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of love. What's with the 'I like you' and 'I like you too'?" She asked, adding air quotes.

I sighed. "I have a theory," I told her. Just then another waiter passed by with marshmallows. I took four and Bella took two.

"What's with you, taking half of what I take?" I asked with a chuckle. She chuckled with me. "I don't–wait, wait. Don't change the subject."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I was saying I have a theory," I started off.

"And what is that theory?" Bella prodded, arching an eyebrow.

I sighed and looked for Nathan.

I found him greeting a couple with Danny. He held a stoic look and firmly nodded while Danny was grinning like an idiot.

"I have a theory that maybe we do love each other. But we're too afraid." I stopped there and just looked at my sweetheart. Tears brimmed my eyes.

I could be so emotional sometimes.

Bella held my free hand and gave it a squeeze. "Afraid of what?" She asked. I gulped before answering. "Afraid to say it to each other. Because we might not make it. So for the sake of not hurting each other when the time comes for us to split up we stick to 'I like you'. It's the best way," I responded.

I looked back at Bella. She was nodding. "That seems like the most logical explanation. But why do you think you'll have to split up? At some point?"

"Well, you know whites and blacks rarely ever get married, even date. It's sort of forbidden, Bella. And I love him. I don't want to lose him. Not now, not ever."

Bella hugged me and I hugged her back. I was careful not to cry this time. "Look, Van. You could be one of the very few blacks to marry a white person. You two could show us all that blacks can still actually have a relationship with whites. Consider it, Van. It might turn out well after all," she reassured me.

"We'll see, Bella. We'll just see," I said and pulled away from the hug. "I love you," she said, cupping my cheeks. I laughed and held her wrists.

"I love you too, Bella," I said back and let go of her wrist. She removed her hands and another waiter passed by. I immediately recognized her red hair.

She's the girl who was standing by the reception at Avalor yesterday. "Hello. Care for some juice, miladys?" We laughed together.

"Yes please," I said and took one of the glasses. "Wait! Weren't you at Avalor yesterday? With that hot boyfriend of yours?" She asked excitedly.

"Yep, I was," I answered, smiling.

"Well, you look beautiful. I love your dress and hair," she complimented me. It was like she was in awe.

"Thank you. Now go back to work before you get fired," I said, shooing her. She smiled and waved at us before leaving.

"Some whites are actually nice," Bella thought out loud. I nodded as I took a sip of my apple juice. "Yeah, they are. I think not many of them are rude to us or don't like us," I said.

"I think so, too." The sound of a spoon hitting a glass interrupted our conversation. We looked at the source and it was way upfront.

We ended up walking a little bit closer. As we passed by white people, we noticed how they looked at us. Some had confused looks, some glaring and some just blankly staring.

I couldn't care less.

Whispers started to flow throughout the room about us. I didn't bother listening to them. We reached the front but stood behind a few people to make sure Nate's parents don't see us.

An intimidating looking man and woman was standing with Danny, Felicia and Nate at the front. Danny was the one getting all our attention.

He smiled brightly. My sweetheart still had that blank look on his face. He didn't look too happy and seemed to be searching the crowd.

Probably for me. I didn't even hear what Danny was saying as I waved my hand a little, for Nate to find me. Finally, our eyes locked and he let out a sigh of relief.

I chuckled quietly. I gave him an encouraging smile and he smirked, nodding. People started turning their heads to me and I bowed my head.

Heat rose to my cheeks. They must have been wondering who managed to break that stoic look of his. When I felt they stopped looking at me, I looked up again.

"We are gathered here to celebrate my dear cousin's birthday, Nathan," he started and ruffled Nathan's hair. Blue Eyes glared at him but I could see the ghost of a smile on his face.

"He is turning twenty-two. So, I give his parents, my aunt and uncle, the opportunity to speak now," he said.

I gulped. Those are his parents. They scream sophisticated, snobby and rich. Even a little bit of dangerous. Was it just me or did they make you have a bad feeling?

"Hello, everybody," his mother greeted. A course of 'hello's and 'hi's filled the hall. "I am Heather Grove and this here is my husband, Jason Grove. As my nephew has said, it is my son's birthday."

"We are very proud of the man he has become." Nathan rolled his eyes. "And we are happy to celebrate his twenty-second birthday. And we were glad to organize it. As you know, in our family, money is no object."

I frowned.

"Happy birthday, son," his dad wished him. Nathan just nodded. Tension filled the air. "Anyway," Danny dragged the word.

"Cuz, you got anything to say?" He asked Nathan. He shook his head. Danny frowned but didn't comment. "Feli?" Danny asked Felicia.

She nodded vigourously. "I like to say I love my brother. With my heart. He the greatest person I know in life. Happy B'day, big bro," she wished him.

"Aww," everybody cooed. Felicia was the cutest, I found her bravery to speak in public so admirable. Nathan looked proud of her and picked her up, spinning her around.

Her giggles could be heard throughout the hall. Nathan then put her down. "Okay, I think it is time for us to eat. Let us seat in the tables provided. The waiters will bring the food," Jason informed us.

Bella grabbed my hand and led me to a random table. I sat down next to her and we waited for the others to come. Danny and Nathan came first, followed by our gay couple.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" I asked Nathan as he sat down next to me. He laid his head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arm around him.

"I hate being the center of attention," he plainly said. All of us at the table laughed at his misery. Everyone in the hall had sat down, now.

"Well, it looks beautiful," Bella commented on the decorations. "Yeah...I agree. I feel like I'm in outer space," I told them.

They all laughed loudly at what I said. Everyone in the hall turned to glare at us. Heather stood up from her seat and stalked towards us.

The others were still laughing. As she came closer, she was shocked to see her son at this table. I saw the look. She was even more shocked to see him, laying his head on my shoulder.

Oh no.

She stood next to Nathan. "What is happening here?! And why are these ramscals here?! I did not invite them. Nathan, why are you with these animals?!"

"Oh. Hey, mom. I didn't see you there," Nathan slurred. We all burst out laughing. We just couldn't help it. Heather was now red of anger.

You could see the smoke coming out of her ears. She looked ludicrous. "You are coming with me!" She exclaimed and reached out to grab Nathan's arm.

He flinched away. "Nope, I'm not coming with you. Oh! I forgot to introduce you. These are my friends over here."

Her eyes shifted to all of us and back to Nate. "You're friends with these ugly monkeys?! You know better than to do that, Nathan. I told you countless times that they are not to be trusted!" Heather scolded him.

A chair scraped the floor. It was Joe. He stood up from his seat and glared at Heather. "I will not let you insult us like this, you little snob. What did we ever do to you? Did you even mean to be so rude?"

"Well, look here, you good-for-nothing white. We are not monkeys and we are most certainly not ugly. We're very much more beautiful than you whites could ever be. I. Am. Leaving."

With one last glare at Heather, he left. Just like that. "If he's leaving, then I'm leaving too. Sorry, guys," Reese said and ran after Johan.

Wow.

All we could do was gape. Heather was shocked. However, she quickly masked it and glared at Bella and I. "And why are you still here?"

I smiled sweetly at her. Fake. "I'm still here because this is my boyfriend's birthday," I told her. "What?! Boyfriend?!" Her glare intensified.

"Yes, mother. Vanessa here is my girlfriend," he said and pecked my lips. "You know what? We'll talk about this later!" She yelled and turned around, stomping back to where she came from.

Bella scoffed. "Drama queen." We laughed a little. "Yep. It's a pity we live with her. I should really find my own place," Danny said.

"That reminds me. I need to find an apartment near school. Could you guys help me? I need to move out of home by Friday. That means after my final exam, we go searching," I said.

Danny nodded. "We'll help. Don't worry."

Bella looked confused. "I thought you were living at home. What happened?"

"Long story short, her jerk father kicked her out," Danny answered for me. "Oh," was her response. "Do you have enough money?" She asked.

"Yeah. And it's a lot," I responded. The food came and we started eating. "I'm sorry," Nathan suddenly apologized. "For what?" I asked him.

"For my mom. She insulted you," he whispered. Bella smiled and said,"Don't worry. We didn't take her words to heart. We know not to take insults seriously."

Nathan nodded. I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked at me and gave me a weak smile. I smiled back.

We ate in silence after that. Soon, everybody was done eating. "It's time for the cake. Everyone stand up!" Danny shouted, making me flinch.

We stood up and followed behind him. I was walking next to Nate; Bella next to me. The cake was huge. It was plain white.

I prayed it was chocolate. "Nathan, come cut your cake," Jason said. Nathan walked forward to the cake. He took the knife and looked at me.

"I want to cut it with my princess." I was shocked. I didn't realize I was frozen until Bella pushed me forward. I mananged to not stumble as I walked to my sweetheart.

People gasped at the sight of us together and started whispering. Nathan took my hand and placed the knife in my hand. He then wrapped his around mine.

He lifted it and we started cutting the cake. I took the first piece and took a bite. Luckily, it was chocolate. The piece I bit dangled in the air. It was too big.

Nate leaned in and took it. Our lips brushed together. A series of 'aww's flooded the hall. I blushed. "Quiet!" Jason shouted.

Everyone shut up, on that instant. "What kind of abomination is this?!" Heather shouted at Nathan and I. I kept calm.

Getting worked up wasn't going to help this situation.

"What are you talking about, ma'am?" I asked her, politely. "Have you ever seen a white man dating a black woman?!" She directed the question to the audience.

They all shook their heads. "You know why? Because it is forbidden! And you know that Nathan; yet you disobey the rules?!"

Nathan rolled his eyes. "I don't care about the rules. I am allowed to date whoever I want. Vanessa here, is beatiful, is smart; is kind. She is all I ever wanted, mom. Can't you be happy for me?"

"No. Not until you date a woman of your own race," she seethed. "Well, dream on, mom. 'Cause that is never going to happen."

He was defending me.

Her glare turned to me. "You. I want to have a word with you!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me with her.

"Princess!" Nathan called out for me. "I'll be fine! Trust me!" I yelled back. Heather continued dragging me out of the hall and up the stairs.

I had a bad feeling about this.

We stood on top of the stairs. She started pointing at me. "What the hell do you want from my son?!" I stayed calm.

"Love," I answered. Her eye twitched. "Well, I am sure you can find that love on someone else. Not my son. Plus, I don't trust you at all. I don't like you. You could be a gold digger for all I know."

I scoffed. "It's okay if you don't like me, ma'am. Not everyone has good taste. And I am not a gold digger. I love your son and I don't think I can be able to stay away from him. I am sorry if you're not comfortable with that. I have to go back to the party," I said as politely as I could and passed by her.

As I passed, she slapped me hard in the face. I gasped and held my now throbbing cheek. "You will stay away from my son. Or else," she seethed.

"I'm not scared of you, madam. If you want, I'll act like that slap never happened. You're welcome, and goodbye," I said and took the first step down the stairs.

A few people were watching our exchange. As I took the second step, I felt hands push my body down the stairs. I didn't get a chance to balance myself before I fell.

People were screaming and gasping as my body rolled and kept landing on the stairs painfully. Each time, I felt a slight crack.

My whole body was on fire as the stairs seemed never ending. The pain got more and more excruciating. Only one thought was in my head.

I was going to die.

Finally, after a long flight of stairs, I reached the last step and my head hit the tiled floor with a loud crack. I was afraid my skull cracked.

I was surprised I was still somewhat conscious. My vision became blurry and my eye lids started to drop.

I couldn't move. Every part of my body was burning. Every part of my body was in extreme pain. All caused by Heather.

Footsteps echoed and I looked at the source of them. "Princess! Oh my God, baby!" Nathan's panicking screams were the last thing I heard.

I managed to smile. I love you.

And then, I let darkness consume me...

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