Fact no.18: April takes her birthday very serious

NOAH

We leave the Ferris wheel after that extra round, going to the worker to thank him for what he did for us. He smiles and wishes us a good time. It's like he somehow knows we will.

After we go one more time on the roller coaster and bumper cars, this time me sitting next to her, we take the bus back to the city centre and head to La Rambla, a very popular street. We stop at a restaurant to eat something, a few dishes of Tapas, and we then keep wondering down the street, sometimes stopping so that April can look at the shops.

It's way past midnight when she wants to buy herself an ice cream, yet I am quicker to pay it for her and she ends up showing me the middle finger while thanking me with her eyes. I had to chuckle at that.

We're back to walking as I ask her: "Do you already have plans for your birthday?"

Her birthday is the 29th of July. A bit confusing, since her name is April, but yeah. April has always loved her birthday and since she's turning twenty this year, I bet there is something grand she has in mind.

"Of course", she lets out, her face already glowing with mischief.

"What?", I continue, since her birthday is at the end of next week and I'll very much like to know what I have to brace myself for.

"I'm not telling you, it's a surprise", she replies, licking her chocolate ice cream again.

She's been licking me with that tongue hours earlier.

"Could I at least have a hint?", I tease her. She rolls her eyes giving up.

"Fine. Let's just say, we'll have company."

"Oh no-"

"Oh yes."

"You invited them?"

"All of them."

"They won't come", I say, still having hope.

"But they will. I already have all the RSVPs. The girls and the Fab Five are coming. And Leo, but who counts him?"

"You have something with that guy", I say, chuckling. I know for a fact April hates Dia's boyfriend, Leo, and would use any chance to throw him in the ocean. Given the fact we're living at a house with the sea next to it, that does make her job easier. A lot easier.

"I do. Especially as Jacob is there, breathing and existing, and would make a perfect match for Dia", she counters. I think of Jacob and have to agree. He is like the Sunshine itself. Always smiling and laughing. It would match Dia's mysterious vibe.

"Okay, I see your point", I let. She smirks.

"Thank you", she mumbles, licking the ice cream. She notices how I am looking at her and asks: "Do you want some?"

"What?"

"Ice cream. Want some?"

"Wouldn't you mind?"

"No, not really. They gave me two cups anyway when I only asked for one."

"But I'll lick it."

"You did the same to me earlier and didn't seem to mind", she counters.

With that, I smirk and go taste her ice cream. I start nodding wanting to tease her and begin: "It's good."

"Yeah? You like it?"

"I do. It tastes nice."

"What do you mean it tastes nice? It's the best ice cream I've ever had."

I brush my lips on her ear and whisper: "You taste better."

She blushes, full-time blushes, and I have to smirk even brighter. April almost shoves the ice cream in my face as she says: "Stick to the ice cream, Noah."

I roll my eyes and lick it again, only to lick her cheek afterwards. She gets dirty with chocolate ice cream.

"You prick!", she lets out, her tone slightly annoyed but mostly amused.

"Oh, I thought we were past that", I counter.

"We are so not past that", she says, trying to wipe her cheek out with her hand. I help her out. Only not with my hand.

"Oh, thanks", she says smirking. "Can I at least have my ice back?"

I give her her ice cream and steal a kiss from her on the way. She smiles.

"About that", she begins and any sign of amusement disappears from her tone. I start panicking. "Would it be okay for you if we wouldn't do that when the others come? It's not like I don't want us to do it, but I don't want my friends to know just yet. They still don't know what happened between us and it would mean a lot of talk-talk-talk when all I want to do is party-party-party."

I nod, accepting her choice. If this is what she thinks would be best for her, then I'll go with it.

"Thank you", she whispers and I kiss her again.

"Anything for you, precious."

She chuckles at the nickname.

"You know, that is the reason why the girls have shipped us this entire time."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by all of this. Her friends have shipped us? "Precious?'

"Yeah. Ever since we met at that bar a few years ago. When I came with Nini and Soph and Caden was also there. He was still with Tessa at the time though."

I remember that night. April was so pissed at me for calling her precious in front of her friends. She followed me on the dance floor and started yelling at me. She then disappeared. And as I tried to search for her, Nini warned me not to break April's heart.

"I didn't know they would think that. I am sorry if I made things complicated for you."

"Not really. I also made their lives complicated by shipping them with guys."

"I really am sorry though", I say.

"It really isn't a problem", April continues. "It was really kind of fun. Nini made us a wedding board."

"She did what?!", I let out, actually shocked.

"She made a wedding board for us. On Pinterest."

"I swear, I don't know how Caden does it", I whisper. I get a hit in my ribcage for that.

"Watch what you say about her", she hisses. In one second, the anger is covered again by a smile, like forgotten. But I saw it. The girl is really protective when it comes to her best friends. "Oh, don't worry, Nini has a wedding board for them too."

"I bet. Caden must love it, since he definitely plans on marrying her one day", I say.

April smiles. "As he should. Nini is an amazing girl. And besides, having Caden as brother-in-law shouldn't be so bad."

"How come?"

"He's sweet and knows how to sing. He will serve us good at karaoke."

"I'll be sure to let him know. He'll be thrilled to hear he must sing again", I reply sarcastically. April chuckles.

"It wasn't so bad", she adds.

"No, but let's just say it's good he had a calling for hockey and didn't become a music major or so."

She hits me again in the ribcage. I smirk and add: "Just stating some facts."

"Anyway, maybe we'll get to hear you too soon. For my birthday."

"No way. There is no way I'll be singing."

"The girls and I always do karaoke when we party. It will for sure come this time too."

"Then I'll gladly watch and cheer for you. But there is no way I'll be singing."

She only smirks and says: "You never know."

Without warning her, I come from behind and start tickling her. She starts gasping and laughing out loud.

"Noah, stop, I'll drop the ice cream."

As a nice guy, I take the ice cream from her hands, only to carry April on my shoulder seconds later. She yelps and I have to think back at that day at the sea. When we played in the water. A smile forms on my lips.

"Noah, put me down", she says between laughter.

I do as she asked me and she gives me a thankful smile. However, I tickle her once more before letting go.

"Prick", she whispers.

"I heard that", I add.

"Good", she counters.

I smile at her.

She smiles back.

I feel butterflies.

"You'll have an amazing birthday, precious", I tell her, if only to stop the urge to bend down and kiss her.

"I know", she answers, smirk on now. "Just wait to see what I have in store."