Awaiting Disclosure

Chapter 8

Tina's POV

Snowflakes! They've always been my dream since childhood, drifting from the sky, soft and delicate. But nope, real winter's still in hiding. Instead, I'm left standing in this frosty air, waiting for Trisha and Veronica, who, as usual, are late. Why do I keep falling for the "we'll be there in five minutes" text? Seriously, it's like they have a secret pact to test my patience.

I rubbed my hands together, pulling my pom-pom hat down over my ears. My whole body was shivering, and my nose was going numb. Not exactly the magical winter I imagined as a kid.

"Cold, right?" Joe's voice startled me from behind.

I turned, only to find him all wrapped up in a scarf and gloves, his breath visible in the crisp air. "Just a bit," I managed through chattering teeth. I could already feel my dignity escaping with each shiver.

"Let's grab some coffee," he suggested.

Oh, right, he was holding a cup. How convenient. "Aren't you already drinking one?"

He looked down at his cup and blinked, like he forgot it existed. "Oh... um, I need another one," he stammered.

Liar. But hey, I wasn't going to say no to warmth in a cup. "Okay," I agreed, more for survival than his awkwardness.

As we headed to the cafeteria, I gave one last glance around for Trisha and Veronica. Still no sign of them. Getting Inside, the warmth hit me like a blessing, and I couldn't help but notice everyone seemed to have hot drinks. Joe caught me smiling and blurted, "You look beautiful when you smile."

Really? Here? Now? I felt my face flush, and I mentally rolled my eyes at myself. Great. Blushing over a small compliment like a teenager.

"Just wait here, I'll get the coffee," he said, darting off.

I watched him weave through the crowd to the counter, returning quickly with two steaming cups. "Thanks," I muttered, taking a cautious sip, only to burn my tongue immediately. Of course. Classic me.

"So," I said, after a moment of painful silence, "are you excited about tomorrow's party?"

"Yeah, sort of. You're coming, right?" he asked, and I nodded, despite being internally freaked out about what to wear.

As we walked to the lecture hall, my phone buzzed. Veronica had texted: Running late, will see you in the lecture hall. I sighed and shoved my phone back in my pocket.

"Let's walk to the lecture hall", he suggested

Before I could say much else, Joe asked, "What's your birthday plan?"

What? How did he find out. Right! Small world.

"Oh, um, Trisha and Veronica are planning something. They said It's a surprise."

Honestly, I had no idea what they were up to, which worried me slightly. Their surprises were either spectacular or chaotic. No in-between.

We were nearly at the hall when I spotted Trisha walking towards us. She looked different. Off, almost. Her usual energy was missing, replaced by something more muted.

"Hey," she greeted us, but her tone was low, barely there.

"Are you okay?" I asked, glancing between her and Joe.

"Yeah, just feeling a little under the weather," she replied, her eyes flicking briefly to Joe. That's weird. Trisha's never this quiet.

Joe gave a quick goodbye, and I turned back to her. "What's going on? You look like you want to say something but can't."

She sighed, fiddling with her phone. "Okay, fine. There's this guy I've been seeing... Edam. He's a final year student, and well, I didn't say anything because I wasn't sure where things were going, but now he's asked me on an actual date."

My jaw dropped. "You've been seeing someone? Trish, why didn't you tell me sooner? And wait. Joe knows?"

She shrugged. "He saw us together at Love & Latte. I figured he'd already put two and two together."

Of course. The universe would make Joe figure it out before I did. "I'm so happy for you! But why wait on telling us?"

She looked sheepish. "I didn't want to steal your thunder with all the Joe stuff."

Thunder? Please. If only there was some thunder with Joe. "Girl, if you've got a date offer, go for it! Trust me, you're doing better than I am in that department."

Trisha pulled out her phone, smirking. "Well, here's something for you. I got Joe's number."

I nearly tripped over my own feet. "How?"

"Well just put it in a way that I have connections. And I figured you'd want it."

She sent it to me, and I saved it immediately. It's a little thing, but I already knew the perfect use: a secret birthday message at midnight.

"Why didn't you just tell him you like him?" she teased, but her smile softened.

I laughed. "Maybe or maybe not."

The bell rang, signaling the start of the lecture, and we rushed inside, Trisha still beaming. I couldn't help but grin too. A little chaos, a little romance, and maybe even a surprise or two. Perfect.

Tamara's POV

Dress, check. Shoes, check. Jewelry, check.

"Perfect. Well done, Tamara." I whispered, giving myself a little smile in the mirror. "You've handled everything like a pro."

I ran my fingers over the list that had guided me for weeks, from food to decorations, the venue, the guest list. Every single detail for Joe's 21st birthday. It had taken hours of planning, but Mrs. Carlton and Jia had agreed to almost everything. Joe hadn't complained either. If anything, he had seemed... impressed, supportive even. That had to mean something, right?

Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will finally confess my feelings to Joe. My heart fluttered at the thought, a nervous rush of heat washing over me. How would I say it? "Joe, I like you. No, I love you... I've always loved you." I imagined him smiling, pulling me close, his lips brushing mine as he whispered he loved me too. Just the thought made me blush, my cheeks turning pink as I caught my reflection again.

I glanced up at the photo on my wall, the one of us as kids. We looked so carefree back then, laughing without a care in the world. I walked over and traced the edges of his face. "Tomorrow, Joe. Tomorrow, you'll know everything. You'll know how much you mean to me, how I've loved you since I first understood what love was."

But... what if he doesn't feel the same? I shook my head, pushing the thought away. No, he's been so kind lately. So attentive. All those times we'd been alone, talking, planning surely that meant something.

I checked the clock. Almost midnight. Should I go over and wish him happy birthday? I peeked out the window and saw the light still on in his room. My heart skipped a beat. He's still awake?

I grabbed my coat, ready to slip out the door, but then his light turned off. My excitement deflated a little, and I let out a soft sigh, hanging my coat back. "Happy birthday, Joe," I murmured into the quiet.

I could've called him, or even sent a message, but no. I wanted to wish him in person. I wanted to see his eyes light up when I said the words, to feel the energy between us. I just had to wait until tomorrow morning.

The only thing left to finalize for his birthday was his speech. I'd written something special for him, but every time I read it, I couldn't help but feel like it was missing something. Something meaningful, something that captured the essence of who Joe was to me.

What if I freeze up in front of everyone? No, I had to be brave. Tomorrow was too important. It wasn't just a speech. It was my chance to show him that I understood him. That I cared. More than anyone else ever could.

Still, a sliver of doubt crept in. What if Tamara's version of Joe didn't match reality?

Joe's POV

Finally, today at midnight, I'll turn twenty-one. And you know what that means? Freedom. Or at least, that's what I've been telling myself. Tamara, Jia, and Mom? They'll finally stop treating me like a child. At least, that's the dream. The reality? They've hijacked my entire birthday. Shopping, decorations, outfits, guest lists. I'm pretty sure this isn't even about me anymore. It's like they're hosting the Met Gala and I'm the unwitting VIP. Jia even confessed that she's just excited to wear a dress that's been collecting dust in her closet. Of course, I get roped into being their excuse. Their scapegoat.

And then they drop the final bombshell. They want me to stay home. On my birthday.

No way. I need to get to uni tomorrow. For reasons. Important reasons. No one knows why except me.

"We need you to stay back tomorrow, Joe, and help us," Mom yelled from the kitchen, where she was elbow-deep in pastry dough. Of course, she insists on baking everything from scratch. "I also have to check in at the café."

"Yeah, and I'm sure nothing will collapse without you," I mumbled under my breath, lowering the TV volume. "But I can't miss my lectures, Mom. Exams are around the corner."

"You can borrow notes from your friends," Jia piped up, not missing a beat while dusting flour all over the place. She's way too enthusiastic about this.

"Just agree with them. They're not going to let it go," Dad chimed in without looking up from his laptop, probably working on some 'urgent' thing that totally isn't just browsing for his next tech gadget. "Trust me. Pick your battles."

Pick my battles? This was supposed to be my day. I sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll stay." Victory was not an option. Defeat tasted like flour and pastry crumbs.

I wanted to be at uni tomorrow, though. I needed to be at uni. Tina would be there. I couldn't miss that. I imagined her sweet smile, her soft "Happy Birthday." And then I realized. I didn't even know if she was coming. Great.

After sulking on the couch for a while, I finally switched off the TV and trudged upstairs. It was eleven o'clock. Happy almost-birthday to me. I grabbed my phone and fired off a quick message to Asher and Noah, my new uni buddies, letting them know I wouldn't be around.

I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling, plotting how I could make a great escape tomorrow. Somehow.

Then, as if the universe sensed my desperation, my phone buzzed. I sat up like I'd been electrocuted. The message? From Tina.

I opened it eagerly, half-expecting it to say something like, "Hey, wanna ditch class?" But no. She wrote, "I wish you all the happiness on this special day. Happy birthday!"

Wait. She knew my number? But... Trisha. Of course, Trisha gave it to her. Good looking out, Trish.

I grinned like an idiot and texted back, "Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you in the afternoon." Smooth, right? I could be chill. Then, my phone exploded with birthday messages from random people, but I ignored them. Tina's message was all I cared about.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, visions of tomorrow Tina and I dancing in my head.

"Good morning, birthday boy," Jia whispered in my ear way too cheerfully. I opened my eyes, greeted by Mom, Dad, and Jia-holding a cake at an ungodly hour. Because who doesn't want cake shoved in their face first thing in the morning?

"Get up and cut the cake, you lazy lump," Jia commanded. Everyone burst into a somewhat off key performance of "Happy Birthday," but hey, it was the thought that counted. Barely.

I blew out the candle and then Dad handed me a small gift box. Their faces were all lit up like they were the ones getting a gift. Wait, was this a prank?

I opened the box cautiously. A key. Not just any key. A car key. I blinked. Then I blinked again.

"You're just standing there like a statue. It's parked outside, you dumbo," Jia laughed, clearly reveling in my confusion.

I blinked a third time, then practically sprinted outside. And there it was a pearl-gray SUV parked in the driveway with a giant, obnoxious bow slapped on the hood. I did not see that coming.

Tears stung my eyes which was clearly just because of the wind. Yep. Definitely wind.

"Go on, have a look!" Mom waved, excited as if she'd just won the lottery. I opened the door, inhaling the intoxicating smell of brand new leather seats. The kind of smell that makes you feel invincible. The kind of smell that makes you realize you'll never go back to driving Mom's old junker again.

I slid into the driver's seat, letting my hands wander over the steering wheel. This. Was. It. I'd made it.

I hopped out and hugged Dad. "Thanks. This is...wow. I wasn't expecting it."

"You deserve it, kiddo," Dad said, his voice thick with pride.

"Can we stop with the sap and get to work?" Mom chimed in, always the practical one. Mood killer.

As we headed back inside, Jia grabbed my arm and whispered, "Sooo, since you've got the new ride, can I have your car?"

I burst out laughing. "Sure. When you get a license, maybe."

"Fine. But I'm holding you to that," she said with a grin. "Love you, bro."

I grinned back. Yeah, maybe they weren't so bad after all.

Now, all I had to do was survive the day and make it to the afternoon. "I've been holding back for what feels like forever, waiting for the right moment to tell Tina how I feel.

But why? Why does it have to be like that? No matter how hard I try to push these feelings away, they keep finding a way back. I tell myself I can control it, that I shouldn't fall in love again but here I am, falling. It's ridiculous. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I promised I wouldn't, yet her smile... it undoes every bit of sense I have left. Why does my heart always betray me when she's around?

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"Standing at the edge of joy, the shadows of the past tug at the heart reminding that every step towards happiness carries the weight of what has survived."