The doorbell rang just as you were straightening the streamers one last time. Your heart skipped—half from nerves, half from excitement.

When you opened the door, Kevin stood there with his guitar case slung awkwardly over his shoulder and a small gift bag crumpled in his hand. His grin widened the moment he saw you, his bracelet catching the porch light as he lifted his free hand in a wave.

“Happy birthday, babe,” he said, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to your cheek before stepping inside. “Your house looks amazing. Like… actually party-worthy.”

Hunter was right behind him, carrying a plastic grocery bag full of chips and soda bottles like he was Santa Claus. “I brought the essentials,” he announced, almost tripping over the threshold. “You can thank me later when everyone realizes chips are more important than cake.”

Emily rolled her eyes as she followed. She had a neatly wrapped box in her arms, topped with a bow that looked like it belonged in a magazine. “Ignore him. I actually brought a gift that isn’t from a gas station.”

The three of them crowded into your living room, voices filling the space in a way that pushed away the quiet of earlier. Kevin immediately dropped the gift bag on the table and looped his arms around your shoulders from behind, pressing his chin gently against the top of your head. “This is gonna be fun,” he whispered, soft enough that only you could hear.

Hunter was already scoping out the stereo, muttering about what music you had to play, while Emily set her gift carefully on the table and gave you a smile.

The room buzzed with the kind of energy only your closest friends could bring. And for a moment, with Kevin’s arms warm around you and their laughter bouncing off the walls, you knew this night was going to be special.