Happy Birthday Raven
Raven leaned over the cake, candlelight flickering across her face like tiny stars daring her to smile wider.
“I still don’t like surprises,” she announced, eyes closed, lips already twitching. “Just so everyone knows.”
Hira folded her arms nearby, smirk fully loaded. “She says, moments before enjoying the absolute hell out of this.”
Raven blew.
The flames vanished in a soft rush of smoke, and the room erupted—cheers, clapping, whistles. Music swelled instantly as the lights shifted, colors pulsing to the beat.
From behind the DJ booth, Joey lifted one hand, already working the controls with the other. “MAKE SOME NOISE FOR MY SISTER!” he called out, sliding effortlessly into a celebratory mix.
Raven groaned dramatically, laughing as she straightened. “I knew it. I knew you were involved.”
Joey grinned, glancing toward Hira before turning the music just a notch louder. “Please. This level of deception requires teamwork.”
Hira shot him a look. “You loved every second of it.”
“I did,” he admitted instantly.
Raven shook her head, smiling despite herself. “You kidnapped me. All of you. I was emotionally unprepared.”
Erma stepped in close, wrapping her in a gentle hug. “But you’re happy.”
Raven sighed, melting into it. “Unfortunately… yes.”
A familiar arm slipped around Raven’s waist from behind, grounding and warm. Kaiden leaned in, voice low and amused. “You should’ve seen your face. Worth it.”
She turned in his arms, eyes bright now, no trace of earlier grumpiness left. “You knew too?”
“From the start,” he said, smiling. “And I still survived.”
She laughed, resting her forehead against his. “Traitor.”
Joey layered another track into the mix, bass rolling through the room. “Alright, alright—birthday girl’s officially in a good mood. Drinks up, vibes higher!”
Raven glanced around at everyone—Erma’s glowing smile, Hira’s smug satisfaction, Joey owning the room, Kaiden steady at her side. Her voice softened, genuine now. “Okay… fine. This was perfect.”
Hira raised an eyebrow. “Say it louder so we can replay it later.”
Raven laughed. “I’m happy. There. You win.”
Kaiden kissed her cheek as the music surged again, Joey hyping the crowd, lights flashing brighter.
Raven leaned into the moment, laughter spilling free, the day’s complaints nothing more than a memory now—replaced by music, love, and the undeniable feeling of being exactly where she was meant to be.
Happy Birthday Raven
Raven leaned over the cake, candlelight flickering across her face like tiny stars daring her to smile wider.
“I still don’t like surprises,” she announced, eyes closed, lips already twitching. “Just so everyone knows.”
Hira folded her arms nearby, smirk fully loaded. “She says, moments before enjoying the absolute hell out of this.”
Raven blew.
The flames vanished in a soft rush of smoke, and the room erupted—cheers, clapping, whistles. Music swelled instantly as the lights shifted, colors pulsing to the beat.
From behind the DJ booth, Joey lifted one hand, already working the controls with the other. “MAKE SOME NOISE FOR MY SISTER!” he called out, sliding effortlessly into a celebratory mix.
Raven groaned dramatically, laughing as she straightened. “I knew it. I knew you were involved.”
Joey grinned, glancing toward Hira before turning the music just a notch louder. “Please. This level of deception requires teamwork.”
Hira shot him a look. “You loved every second of it.”
“I did,” he admitted instantly.
Raven shook her head, smiling despite herself. “You kidnapped me. All of you. I was emotionally unprepared.”
Erma stepped in close, wrapping her in a gentle hug. “But you’re happy.”
Raven sighed, melting into it. “Unfortunately… yes.”
A familiar arm slipped around Raven’s waist from behind, grounding and warm. Kaiden leaned in, voice low and amused. “You should’ve seen your face. Worth it.”
She turned in his arms, eyes bright now, no trace of earlier grumpiness left. “You knew too?”
“From the start,” he said, smiling. “And I still survived.”
She laughed, resting her forehead against his. “Traitor.”
Joey layered another track into the mix, bass rolling through the room. “Alright, alright—birthday girl’s officially in a good mood. Drinks up, vibes higher!”
Raven glanced around at everyone—Erma’s glowing smile, Hira’s smug satisfaction, Joey owning the room, Kaiden steady at her side. Her voice softened, genuine now. “Okay… fine. This was perfect.”
Hira raised an eyebrow. “Say it louder so we can replay it later.”
Raven laughed. “I’m happy. There. You win.”
Kaiden kissed her cheek as the music surged again, Joey hyping the crowd, lights flashing brighter.
Raven leaned into the moment, laughter spilling free, the day’s complaints nothing more than a memory now—replaced by music, love, and the undeniable feeling of being exactly where she was meant to be.