The rest of the day went slow like an old lady walking in a cane. Neither of the guys talked to you, even Sehun only managed to use one liners or would sometimes answer a straight yes or no. If not for Seri, you would’ve gone insane from the complete silence inside the house. She talked to you, helped you with anything without being asked, she unusually became helpful and proactive. “Unnie, be thankful that it’s your birthday and I kept a promise to be nicer to you. Kekeke!” she chuckled,

“I know sis. Thanks!” you whispered.

Nothing changed even when dinner came. It was a silent meal and you can’t help but steal glances at their faces.

DO kept looking down at his plate, Kai murmured with Sehun who sat beside you, Suho ate with his eyes glued on the table, while Luhan and Lay chatted on the other side.

You heaved a deep sigh and slowly chewed. ‘When will they ever stop?’ Then you tried once again. You hooked both hands on Chanyeol’s arm and pleaded with puppy eyes. “Yeol! I’m sorry… Please forgive us! Pretty please?” you even gathered the strength to match it with aegyo which you never ever did.

Hearing that was more than enough to leave them bursting in laughs but still tried to hide it. Chanyeol pressed his lips and looked away with eyes shut. ‘Babo Chanyeol! Why did you even sit here? Aish!’

“Yeol!!!” you sulked. “I said I’m sorry!”

Chen pretended to finish eating and stood as he can no longer hold it in. After leaving his plate on the sink, he strode out of the door followed by Baekhyun. “Pwahahaha!!! Kekekeke!” they held their tummies. “Sehee’s so cute and all, but I just can’t help it!” Baekhyun laughed. “I know right?! Hahahaha~” Chen retorted.

Chanyeol cleared his throat and continued eating. “Stop it, Sehee! It won’t work!” he pulled a poker face. “Just keep eating!” he added and you did as told.

Seri then kicked Lay’s foot. “You’re enjoying this, do you?” she mouthed and he happily nodded. She then stood with her plate and went to the sink. As she passed Kris, she whispered. “This better be the party of the century or y’all gonna be in deep !” she gritted her teeth. “So deep that you can’t crawl back up!”

Kris just replied with a smirk.

After dinner, Seri helped you in cleaning up the kitchen and dining room. It took a while to finish it since the boys left you two all alone to do it.

Without you knowing, the boys sneaked out of the house. They all took their spots for the best birthday bash ever.

“Finally, it’s done!” Seri dropped the towel when you both finished cleaning up.

“Yeah…” you blew out an air.

“Yah! You’re supposed to be happy! It’s your birthday! Cheer up!” she pinched your cheeks to make you smile.

You shoved her hands and started walking to your room. “How can I smile if all 12 boys are not talking to me? This is the worst day of my life!” you sighed.

Then she suddenly grabbed your wrist. “C’mon! The night is young and it’s still your birthday. Let’s go celebrate!”

“What about the guys?” you staggered behind her.

“They can take care of themselves. Besides, they’re not talking to you anyway so them! Tch!” she smirked.

Then you head to the door. Just as it closed, you noticed the entire street have gone dark. It’s as if the city suddenly had a power shortage where only few lights in random houses were lit. Good thing the full moon is up with stars twinkling brightly.

“What the hell? Are the neighbors asleep already? There’s not a single person on the street!” you looked around as Seri tugged you towards the fence.

“Beats me! Don’t you like it? We have the entire neighborhood all for ourselves.” she grinned. The reason behind it is that, Tao had already stopped everything.

“Yah! The last time we had the “entire neighborhood all for ourselves”, we almost got . So we better head back!” you turned.

“NO! I forbid!” she pulled you back. “Just chill will ya!”

Due to her stubborn persistence, you gave in and let her warm fingers laced on yours. Then a gust of cold wind passed by making your hair flow to your face as if it kissed and embraced you. “Sehun?” you looked around.

“What are you talking about? Oppa is not even here!” your sister said. “Let’s go!”

Right after you set one foot on the road, a light post on each side of the street lit up. “Baekhyun?”

“Unnie! You must be dreaming…” she chuckled.

As you continued with another foot, snowflakes started to fall. “It’s not winter so I know for a fact that this is Xiumin’s doing!”

“So what? Just enjoy it unnie!” Seri mused and raised her free hand to catch some flakes. “This is so cool!” you both continued walking.

With every step you make, another light post comes to life. It guided your path through the dark street, and since it was empty, you and Seri walked in the middle. The icy flakes touching your skin sent shivers down your spine making you giggle in happiness. That feeling you get on Christmas morning was so familiar that you couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, unnie!” Seri whispered.

“Thank you!” you said.

Then all of a sudden, Kai appeared in front of you. “Happy birthday, Sehee!” he pinched your nose.

“You knew?” he nodded and gently held Seri’s wrist.

“If you wouldn’t mind, I’ll just take her somewhere! Bye! Enjoy!” then they teleported to God knows where.

Somehow, you felt safe and secure being left in the middle of the road taking few steps forward. You knew at some point that someone, more like a group of guys walked with you along the way.

Another light post came on, then Kris slowly descended beside you. “Happy Birthday! This is for you!” he handed you a stuffed toy. “I found this lonely alpaca and he needs a mom. I couldn’t think of anyone else to take care of him, but you!” you chuckled at the white fluffy toy with a blue scarf, geek glasses and a hat. “I named it, Ace!” he the ears.

“Which I assume you’re the daddy?” he nodded. “Which makes me your wife?” he smiled. “Oh-kay… T-Thanks! I’ll take care of Ace!” you hugged it.

“Just keep walking…” he said. As you were about to ask him further, Kris soared up in the sky then a bouquet of red roses floated towards you. ‘Luhan…’ you grabbed it. The card that came it with read. “Happy Birthday to the most beautiful, forever sweetest, eternally compassionate person I could ever ask for!” your lips formed into a smile. ‘Crazy LuLu…’

After clutching onto the flowers, seeing Luhan walking towards you with the warmest smile on his face weakened your knees. He was stunningly attractive. He radiated through the darkness. You never knew how much important his existence is to you, when you heart started pounding and you couldn’t think of anyone else but him.

You both stopped just a foot away from each other. “I hope it’s not too much for you to wear this…” he raised his hand while pinching a diamond encrusted heart pendant. “This is all I got, Sehee… My heart! I want you to have it. Take care of it.”

“Lu-Luhan… It’s beautiful!” your eyes glistened. “Thank you!” you said.

He walked behind you and slipped it in your necklace together with the crescent moon. While hugging Ace and the flowers with one hand, you clutched your new pendant. Luhan shifted back to his spot and firmly held your shoulders. “I don’t know when it started, but now, I can’t be without you. You have become my life, my air, my heartbeat… I will only breathe for you, Hwang Sehee!”

With just one step, he closed the gap and pressed his lips on your forehead. With all the snow falling on top of your heads, you still grew warm from his touch. With all the light shining down, his kiss made everything brighter.

“Just keep walking…” he said. As you snap out of trance, Luhan was nowhere in sight. ‘Oh my God! Since when did these boys became so romantic?’

When you thought everything was over, jets of water came shooting out from each side of streets. It was like fountains suddenly emerged from the sides creating a dome out of water above your head. “Uwaaaa~” your mouth shaped like an ‘O’ enjoying the spectacular view.

If distraction was his main goal, it worked perfectly. “Happy Birthday…” Suho whispered when you failed to noticed him walking beside you.

“Oh! T-Thanks!” you beamed and without thinking twice, you suddenly hugged him. “Thank you! I’m so happy! This is the best moment of my life!” you started to cry.

“Hey… Hey… You’re ruining my moment. That’s unfair!” he pouted while running his fingers through your hair.

“Miahnae… I just can’t help it!” you sniffled. “I really thought you were all mad at us especially me!” you sobbed.

“Of course not, Sehee! It will take more than what you did to hate you or Seri!” he pressed his cheek on your temple. “In fact, nothing will ever make us hate you. We love you that much!” he slowly pulled away and held your face. “Stop crying… Please? It’s your birthday! You’re supposed to be happy!”

“I am happy! These are tears of joy!” you cried.

“Aigooo~ Come here…” he hugged you again. “I’m sorry if you have to go through a bad day just to be this happy. We just wanted to surprise you. I hope you can forgive us!”

“Babo! It will take more than that to make me hate you.” you sniffled.

After you calmed down, Suho pulled away again and wiped your remaining tears. “It’s a risk having you, Sehee…” your eyes were glued to each other as he your cheeks with his thumb. “…coz it’s like stealing an angel from heaven! If I’d be punished for that, I will accept it!” he whispered. “I can't give you back, Sehee. I can’t!” he shook his head. “I just wanna have you… right here.” he poked a finger on his chest.

“You can have me, Suho! I’m always here whenever you need me. You don’t even have to ask!” you cupped his cheek with your free hand.

He let out a chuckle. ‘Babo! I want you all for myself! I want you more than a friend! But then again, it’s not for me to decide…’ “Thank you! That’s all I need to know and it’s more than enough.” then his soft lips softly crashed on your cheek.

“Come! They’re waiting for us already!” he took your wrist and skipped towards the bakeshop. “I left my gift at home. I’ll give it to you later.” he added.

“Okay…” you said.

As you both stood by the door, everything came back to normal. The snow disappeared, the rest of the street lights came on, the neighborhood even started to move as well.

Suho opened the door and you both walked in. Yet another surprise greeted you. The entire shop was donned with ballons from the floor to the ceiling. The tables and chairs were set aside. Confetti and petals were scattered everywhere. Dim lights kept the ambiance cozy and relaxing. Three huge cakes stood in the middle.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” they sang.

When they started to sing, you lowered Ace and the bouquet on a table to approach the lighted cakes. “Noona! Happy Birthday!” Sehun hugged you.

“Unnie! Make a wish!” Seri said.

You closed your eyes with hands clasped by your chest. ‘Good health for all the people that I love and may we stay together… Forever!’ you then blew out all 19 candles.

They all clapped and howled for you.

“KRISSSS!” you called.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Come here for a sec!” you signaled for him to come over, he jogged beside you. “I heard it was all your plan to pretend in getting mad at me?”

“Yeah… Sorry about that! We had to do it! Sorry…” he grinned.

“SORRY MY !” you cupped a handful of cake and suddenly smothered it all over his face. “Payback’s a ! Huh?!” while he remained stunned, you scooped another handful and ran to Luhan. “…and you as well!!! Take that!”

“YAH!!! HWANG SEHEE!!! HOW COULD YOU?” he gawked.

“CAKE FIGHT!!!” Seri yelled and smothered a handful on Tao’s face.

“I’ll make you pay for that Seri!” he vowed.

“You wish! I’m a better ninja than you! Bleh!” she snickered.