It was a perfect late summer afternoon, and the whole family was buzzing with energy — because today was your older sister Grace Mulgrew’s 19th birthday. The house was decorated with gold and white balloons, a giant “19” number display in the backyard, and the smell of fresh cake filled the air. You, James (15), were helping your dad carry out trays of snacks while your mom lit candles around the pool deck. Grace had gone all out for her celebration — no surprise there, she is Grace after all.

“Okay, wait!” Grace called out, stepping outside in a white sundress with her hair curled just right for pictures. “Nobody touch the cake yet, I haven’t filmed it!”

You groaned but laughed. “Of course not. Gotta get the aesthetic shot for ‘Grace’s Room,’ right?”

“Exactly!” she said, winking while holding her phone up. “Hey guys, welcome back to Grace’s Room! It’s my 19th birthday today, and I’m spending it with my amazing family — say hi, everyone!”

You popped your head into the frame, waving lazily. “Someone get this girl off YouTube for five seconds.”

“Never,” she said, sticking her tongue out at you.

The backyard filled up quickly with her friends, all dressed up in summer outfits, snapping selfies, laughing by the pool, and dancing to music. Grace had even hired a photographer for the party, so everyone was constantly striking poses while balancing cake plates and mocktails.

When it came time for gifts, you handed her yours — a framed photo of you two as little kids at the beach, plus a new phone case she’d been hinting about for weeks. She got a little quiet and smiled big. “Aww James… you actually got me something good this year.”

“I’m 15 now,” you said proudly. “I’m maturing.”

After cake, everyone gathered around the firepit as the sun went down. Grace gave a little toast with her fizzy drink. “Thanks everyone for being here today. 19 is kind of weird — like, I’m not a teen for much longer. But I’m so grateful for the people I get to grow up with… even my annoying little brother.”

“RUDE,” you called out as everyone laughed.

She grinned. “But seriously, I love you guys. Thanks for making me feel special.”