Chapter 53: 53. My Birthday Party (Liona)
After dragging Erik away from her room, lest she be lectured again by her mom, Liona escorted him downstairs to the main party of the house that was in their huge living room. All the furniture had been pushed back to make room for everyone dancing to the music. Her Auntie Kat was here DJing for her party which she totally loved that she was doing this for her 18th birthday. She was a famous DJ and her schedule was always booked across the globe and never stayed in one place very long.
It didn't take very long for her to spot Chloe and Alli. They were chatting up a couple of boys from her class. She grinned at the sight of the two seemingly hitting it off with them. But she was going to be the party pooper for just a minute and interrupt them.
"Alli, Chloe, Erik's here. Can you do me a favor and look after him when I have to play hostess? I don't want him getting the third degree from my classmates." She asked.
"There you are! I was wondering when you'd come down! Your brothers said that you were busy with a guest, so we didn't go upstairs to see you when we got here." Alli exclaimed.
"Well, I didn't mind the wait. After all, I got to meet…" Chloe trailed off and giggled when she realized she didn't know the name of the boy she had been talking to a minute ago. She turned to ask the boy's name, but he had already moved on to another girl and was chatting her up.
"Sorry Chloe, but I don't think you'll have much luck with Owen. He's a bit of a playboy with everyone. Hooking up with him will be like asking to get hurt. I don't think anyone will be able to tame him, he's into both girls and boys so he's not picky about who he dates." Liona explained.
"Drat! Just when I thought I had found a boy I didn't know in our school, that wasn't a total walking disaster!" Chloe groaned.
"Anyway, it's nice to see you again, Erik! You look very nice. Not as nice as our birthday princess, but of course no one can outshine her highness!" Allison teased.
"Oh, come off it, Alli!" Liona laughed.
"What? You are her royal highness today! Just see the way your Dad is glowering at any boys that try to suck up to him!" Chloe pointed out a scene unfolding not far off.
"Ugh! Not again! I swear they all think I'm joking when I say that they won't get anywhere by going that route! If anything, that just gives them a big fat red X over their names for trying to get around my initial NO. My dad knows this, thankfully, but the village idiots don't get the clue." Liona explained for Erik's benefit what was going on.
"Wait, so when you reject a guy, they try to talk to your dad about you? That's really pathetic!" Erik exclaimed.
Liona smiled at Erik's reaction. He was really quick on the uptake, and he also had good morals. More things she was discovering that she really liked about him.
"Yo! Yo! Where's my birthday girl, at?!" Liona heard over the speakers.
"Sorry Erik, but I have to make a quick appearance as the hostess. I'll try to be quick, but basically there's going to be party games and there are prizes for the winners. You are more than welcome to participate, but if you don't feel like it, just hang back and watch the idiots try and find the grand prize." Liona laughed before she headed for her Aunt's DJ table.
"Hi Auntie! Thanks for coming and DJing on my birthday!" She gave her aunt Kat a hug.
"I wouldn't miss it! Besides, I get to see Chloe too! But I don't see Chadwick? Where's he hiding?" Her aunt asked.
"Oh, Chadwick said he wasn't able to make it today since he's on vacation with his college girlfriend. He'll be back in time for the family party later." Liona explained.
"That brat! The little time I have to come and visit and he's off galivanting across the world! That good for nothing, nephew of mine!" Liona laughed at her aunt's exclamation. Chadwick was very studious, and they both knew it, so him taking a vacation was rare.
"I'm sure Chloe will give her brother an earful later, for now, are you gonna let me announce this year's game and prize? I've got a new friend I don't want to leave in the pool of sharks, if you know what I mean, Auntie!" Her aunt laughed and grinned.
After being handed the mic, Liona made the announcement, "First of all, I want to thank you all for coming to my party! Next, I will announce the succession of games and their prizes! Those that win the grand prize will have to see my dad for redemption, so keep that in mind!" Liona laughed before introducing the games, "The first game is Butterbeer Pong! Form your teams of two to three and compete to empty your cups! Grand Prize for this game is a coupon for free drinks at McDermott's Café, the provider of the butterbeer!"
Liona waited for the enthusiastic cheers to die down before she continued. "The second and final game is a treasure hunt! That's right! You heard correctly! A real-life treasure hunt! Scattered around the property on the ground floor, and outside, you will all compete freestyle to find chocolate gold coins. One lucky person will find a real gold coin in their chocolate and may redeem that for a cash prize or keep the coin as a memento!" This time there were even more enthusiastic cheers.
"Those participating in the butterbeer pong tournament, please head to the dining room! Those that wish to participate in the treasure hunt will have to wait until the butterbeer pong tourney is over. Remember! You can only win the prizes from one game, so choose carefully!" As she explained the rest of the rules, everyone had already started to pair up for their teams in the popular butterbeer pong game. When she was done, she left her Aunt Kat to continue being the DJ and sought out her friends again.
"I'm so torn, Alli! I want to play in the butterbeer tourney, but I also want a crack at the treasure hunt!" Liona heard Chloe whine as she approached them.
"Then do both! You know I will honor your prize for whichever you win, you just have to give up on winning both. It's not as if you can only play one game." She explained when joined them.
"You're right! Thanks Liona!" Chloe said.
"Erik, did you want to play with us in the butterbeer pong game?" Alli asked.
"No thanks. I'd rather watch that one. I'm more interested in the treasure hunt." Erik explained.
"Suit yourself!" Chloe giggled and dragged Allison to the dining room to draw their lots for their place in the tourney.
Liona smiled at Erik as he seemed to be having a little bit of fun so far. "Have you been approached by anyone yet? I hope they haven't made you feel uncomfortable."
"Oh, no one has even gotten close! Your friend Chloe is a little like a guard dog! She just glares and practically barks at anyone getting close to me!" Erik laughed, which tickled Liona's senses.
"Yeah, she gets like that to people she likes. She used to be known as 'Mad Dog Chloe', when we were in middle school. Although she doesn't do that routine anymore, a few kids still remember it from then and will avoid her." Liona explained.
"Wow, you've been friends with her since you were in middle school?" Erik asked her.
"I've been friends with her my whole life! We practically grew up together. We're only four months apart in age after all. Our moms went to school together and are best friends themselves. Her mom is also a doctor like my mom is so we both got to commiserate over having busy moms when we were growing up. Like me, her dad had more of a hand in raising her, so she tends to take after him more and act like that when people get too close to those she considers a friend."
"She considers me a friend?" Erik seemed astounded.
"If she didn't, she wouldn't try to protect you and instead would have thrown you to the sharks!" Liona laughed at the image that brought.
Erik laughed too when he understood her meaning. He really was a special friend, and she was glad that he was feeling at ease enough today even though this was supposedly a rich kid's party.
Liona guided Erik to the dining room to watch and cheer for her friends as they played in the butterbeer pong tournament. It didn't take long for Chloe and Alli to whoop butt. Thanks to having a college age older brother, games like this were a piece of cake when she had been taught to play by him. Although Chloe and Alli didn't end up winning, they still seemed to be having a blast, which was nice to see.
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