Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Chapter 0048 David put his hands up, ready to catch me, and I allowed myself to fall forward into his arms.

He caught me and held me firmly against his chest, laughing slightly.

“You see, you are drunk,” he said. “I told you.”

I “You must be right,” I replied, avoiding his eyes so that he wouldn’t see my own amusement. “I guess I should. head to bed.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll help you up the stairs.”

I didn’t argue as he put his arm around my waist and led me up the staircase.

We passed the door to Amanda’s room on the way to ours. I wondered if she was inside already, waiting for him. The door was closed, so there was no way for me to tell.

David walked me into our room, and I went directly to the bed and threw myself down on my stomach.

“Come on, I’ll help you get cleaned up,” he said, but I didn’t respond. I closed my eyes and let my breathing become heavy.

“Ella,” he called out. “Are you asleep?”

I didn’t respond, but I could sense him coming closer and looking at my face.

“Passed out already,” he muttered. “Good”

I listened as he moved around the room for a few moments, then the door opened and closed. I waited a few moments longer to make sure that I was really alone, then I stood up.

As I suspected, David was nowhere to be found. My heart began to race as I realized that it was finally time to enact my plan. I checked the time–it was five minutes to midnight.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself, then went toward the head of the stairs where Elizabeth and the others were supposed to meet me.

Elizabeth and over a dozen of the other guests were waiting for me just as we had planned. They were holding all of the items I had asked Alexander to have brought to the house for me: balloons, a large bouquet of flowers, a cake decorated in Amanda’s favorite colors, and several small gift bags filled with items that I knew she would love “It looks like everything’s ready,” I said, smiling with excitement.

“Is David coming?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’m not sure where he is,” I said. “He came to the room with me, but he left when I dozed off. I can text him to join us, but I’m too excited to wait on him.”

I pulled my phone off and sent David a short text asking where he went. I was sure that he would ignore the message if he really was with Amanda.

“I don’t feel the need to wait either. Amanda’s going to be so surprised,” Elizabeth said.

“I really hope so,” I replied. I looked at the time. “I’m not sure if I can wait until the stroke of midnight,” I said.

“It’ll be more of a surprise if it’s a little early, right?” one of the girls chimed in, “Let’s just go now.”

I thought for a moment–enough time should have passed for David to make his way into her room.

+25 BONUS I nodded in agreement. “Okay, everyone, quiet until we open the door.”

Iled the group silently down the hall to Amanda’s door.

I gripped the handle and tested it carefully, it was unlocked. Then I turned to the group and held up three fingers, lowering them slowly one by one When all of my fingers were lowered, I threw the door open, and all of us screamed in unison.

“Surprise! Happy birthday!”

Before the words had even fully left our mouths, I could hear people around me gasping and crying out in shock at the sight before us.

It was exactly as I had hoped. David and Amanda were on the bed; he was on top of her, and her legs were wrapped around him They were both staring at the doorway in horror, and from their expressions, there was no mistaking what was happening We had caught them in the act.

Chapter 0040