Chapter Fifty

"Happy Birthday Paige!"

I took a short glance at Ria, she winked at me, then Kim, she smiled. The food, a four-course meal, was exposed on the dining table.

They all had smiles, Kim, Henry, the other three guys, expecting me to say something. I was just too shocked to say a word.

I inspected the dishes, each of them, Classic Caesar Salad, Chef-made dressing, imported aged parmesan, garlic croutons, Alligator Stuffed Mushroom, shrimp served with toasted french bread and jalapeno-cheddar grits, White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce. Wow! I remembered immediately that I'd told Ria once how much I'd like to eat all of those.

Such a darling!

"This is..."I gasped.

"I don't know what to say. I didn't expect this... Thank you so much guys. You really made my day."

"Time to pop champagne then!"Henry said. The others cheered, after the pop sound. Kim embraced me, Ria slapped me on my back. We sat at the table to eat. I wasn't gonna stare at him. I told myself.

And I didn't.

"You guys did this?"I was forced to ask. It was just too sumptuous to be made in my kitchen in that short time. No, I woke up a bit late, but when did they even arrive?!

"We have two chefs in our midst, Paige. They have an A-plus in cooking. This is so good."she licked her lips.

"Kim and who?"I knew Kim was a good cook.

"Henry,"Kim answered. I almost choked. He passed me a cup of water with a "Damien's smile". "Actually, he did most of the cooking. I learned a lot today."

"I learned too. You did good, Kim,"Henry said.

Ria laughed. "Look, ain't they a perfect duo? As..."She pouted, realizing how quickly the atmosphere thickened into awkward silence. "Oh now I'm talking too much. Thanks Henry, you see Kim would have blown up the kitchen if you weren't here."

I just focused on my food. He was staring at me. I didn't care. 

"Shouldn't you just introduce the others?"Kim hissed.

"Oh my bad!"Ria said. "Paige, it skipped my mind. I invited some of my friends from the school band. I told you about them once, right?"

"Hm."I nodded.

"He's Ralph."She gestured to a guy in a black head warmer. 

"I'm Ralph."He shook my hand and kissed it. I took a quick glance at Henry. Sorry, reflex action!

"I'm Bruno."Another stunning guy with a stud in his ear shook my hand and another, a little chubby, James.

"You know Henry."

"You didn't have to announce that Ria!"Kim scolded her.

That was enough to keep us all quiet till the end of the meal.

*

"Why did you invite Henry?!"I later called Ria out of the living room to have a talk. The guys were busied with video games, even Kim.

"Chill babe, you shouldn't yell so much on your birthday."She teased. Fortunately, we were in the bathroom and I had the chance to wash off so much uncomfortable make-up from my face.

"Tell me why you invited him?"

"Why shouldn't I?"Ria said. "You never dated him, did you? He was your roommate's crush. And you didn't tell me how you met him. Or if you have before then."

"You should have told me at least."Feeling defeated, I groaned.

She retrieved a paper from her back pocket and pushed it into my hands.

"It dropped from your journal some time ago. I had the golden opportunity of having it."She smiled.

It had only two sentences written on it.

"Damien, my love, I found someone who looks so much like you. But he's Henry, not you, right?"

I burned, in anger or rage or shame or... anything.

"Don't stare at me like that."She laughed. "Really, you never told me about Damien. Who is he? No, I should be asking that, he's obviously a lover. Where is he now?"

"Gone."I cried. I couldn't help it.

"Sorry, if I brought memories. I just felt like it'd be nice if you saw Henry another time. Some questions would do. "She wiped off my tears. "Questions like, do you have a brother that looks exactly like you? Are you a clone of someone else? What was your first life like? "She laughed at herself before realizing it wasn't a joke. "Or you'll have another check on him. It he really looks like your Damien or you're also having a crush..."

I sniffed hard, hushing her.

"I'm sorry. Gush, I just can stop being like this, hun." She smiled. "You loved him huh?"

I nodded.

"Wait!"She gasped. "Is he the guy that got shot right in front of you?"

"I told you that?"

"Yes. You said, a guy who taught you how to play the guitar."

"That's him. And he's not Henry. I didn't have to see him okay?"

"He made those dished. The once you dreamed of buying at the blue launch."

"I could get myself one if I needed to eat it today."

"Hehe!"She laughed. "I'm sure they won't taste as good as his. You know, I didn't have to beg him to come. Which is a bit wierd. That guys does a lotta things and I wasn't sure he'd have the time. He agreed immediately when he heard your name. You should be nicer. It's not Henry's fault that he has your..."

"Enough!"I shrieked. "You're too blunt!"

"You should talk to him. Go for a walk maybe. It's a rare opportunity. You know?"

"I'm not like the other girls. I don't give a damn about him."

She hissed.

"Is that why you washed that..."She screamed as of she just realized that I had washed my face. "Do you know how ..."

"I can't have that on my face. I'll feel like a clown."

"But we still have the guys around, do you want to look like you just..."

"Just what huh?!" I yelled.

She smiled.

" Just nothing. Pretty girl, don't get pissed, at least, not yet"

She walked to the door. "One more thing. I gave him your number. You really should forget Damian and live on. You're nineteen Paige!"

"What?!"I chased her.

This is not happening!