It seemed unreal to have him here, in my house, in my living room. I could sense him looking at me from behind, his deep stare raising goose bumps all over my body. Was my back on fire? My breath turned shaky.
"You had a festive dinner," he said, surely noticing the birthday banner and the balloons.
I turned and looked at him. "Kind of," I said embarrassed, my cheeks flushing into the brightest pink.
"I wonder why you didn't tell anyone."
"I don't know. I just didn't want to."
He sighed. "Actually, that's why I came." he stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets.
"You figured it out, huh?"
"My father told me."
Julian had been helping mine all week with some project. My dad asking for cake recipes and birthday banners must've been pretty obvious.
"And to be honest, I came to save you from going to that party, too. I know you don't want to go, and frankly, I don't want you to go either. It makes me feel...I just don't like it." He lowered his eyes.