average human’s Reviews > Hectic Elements: Fairview Academy Book 1 > Status Update

I could only imagine what five single guys would get up to on a night out – I’d seen what they could get up to firsthand when I’d been working at Angel’s Fare.
So I’d rather not know – it was better for my sanity.
“Smart choice.” Yelana mutters.
Rapid gives her the stink eye, to which she salutes him with both her middle fingers.
Smiling, listening to them bicker, I take my phone out of my pocket and bring up my sister’s contact.
It’d been more than a month since we’d last talked.
The longest I’d ever gone without talking to her.
And tomorrow was her birthday.
Gripping the phone, I debated sending her an early happy birthday message, even though I hadn’t yet received one from her.
“Okay, it’s time!” Imelda announces, bouncing up from her seat. “Boys, places.”
“What? What else did you do?” I demand, setting my phone down as she comes to my side.
“You’ll see.” She giggles and moves behind me, her hands coming down over my eyes.
“Uh, I’m still eating?!” I protest, waving the chicken tender in my hand.
Someone snatches it from my fingers.
“That better be on my plate when I can see again.” I threaten.
No one messes with my food. No one.
“Hush.”
“Rapid, you’re supposed to be over there.”
“I’m going, hold your – ow!” Rapid yelps.
“Fuck, idiot.” Tomashi snarls.
“Enough, boys, come on.” Imelda snarls, the sound carrying a draconic rumble and a little dollop of Dominance.
“Okay, okay.” Rapid huffs.
“Everyone ready?” Kenya checks.
“Oui. Hit the lights, tiny one.” Fade orders.
“Lights? Why are you turning the lights off?” I mutter.
“Shush.” Imelda growls.
I roll my lips tight, my head tilting slightly as I listen to everyone move around.
“Okay. One, two, three!”
Music notes drift into the kitchen. Notes specific to the best instrument on the planet.
An electric guitar.
Dropping her hands, Imelda dashes away to join everyone on the opposite side of the counter, standing before me.
Elijah was front and centre, Fade to his left, and Rapid to his right.
With everyone piled on either side of them. Even Tomashi.
Fade was smiling softly, Rapid wearing his signature wicked grin, and Elijah watched me with soft eyes.
Elijah and Fade held a large cake covered in thick dark chocolate before them, the words ‘Happy Birthday, Sinta’ scrawled on it with gold icing.
And Rapid was holding his dark blue Fender Stratocaster – his favourite guitar.
Emotion clogged my throat. I slapped a hand over my mouth to stop the sob, tears gathering in my eyes.
Fingers moving skilfully, Rapid plays a few opening notes, and Yelana leans forward.
Blowing gently, she produces a small stream of fire and carefully lights the four gold candles on the cake.
“Happy birthday to you,” Rapid begins, his voice deep and husky. “Happy birthday to you.”
Smiling, everyone joins him, and I stop breathing so I won’t cry.
“Happy birthday, dear Sinta. Happy birthday to you.”
I was so happy I felt like I was going to burst.
“Hip-hip, hurray! Hip-hip, hurray! Hip-hip…….” I lean forward, suck in a breath, and blow out the candles. “Hurray!”
Laughing as they clapped, discreetly wiping away my tears, I accept the hug Imelda and Kenya squish me into.
“Did you make a wish?” Kenya demands with a grin.
“I don’t need to. I think I’m doing pretty well as is.” I laugh wetly.
“Aww.” Imelda sniffs, her lower lip wobbling. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Don’t you dare, this shit is already way too much.” Yelana gripes. “If you start bawling, I’m leaving. I mean it! I can’t take it.”
Everyone laughs at her, but it breaks up the soggy emotion clouding the air.
“Here.” Tomashi grunts, carefully setting a plate with a huge piece of cake before me.
He even sets a fork next to it, all gentle-like, before standing back and fidgeting.
I stare at him for a moment, my gaze hopping over to Rapid.
He’s smiling like a complete idiot, his eyes soft.
Lips twitching, I pick up the fork and stab a piece of the offered cake, understanding this is a very big moment.
“Thank you, Tomashi.”
He nods and moves away to fiddle with some of the empty platters, avoiding everyone’s gaze.
Examining the cake, I find it’s three tiered, with chocolate icing, and cream with jam filling.
Eating the bite, moaning at how good it is, I glance up and catch Fade’s eye.
He winks, taking a bite of his own piece.
The way he licks the fork is downright pornographic.
“Happy Birthday, Mon Magnifique.” He murmurs.
“Thank you.”
Sidling up to my side, Elijah sits on the stool next to me, setting his cake down before him.
“Happy Birthday, baby.” He says. “Is it a good one?”
“The best.” I beam.
Leaning forward to press a kiss to my lips, he smiles against them. “I’m glad.”
Imelda squeals, catching our attention, and tries to run from Yelana, who smears icing on the Princess’s face.
Gathering more on her fingers, grinning evilly, Yelana looks for her next victim.
Natalie just so happens to be the closest to her.
Blanching, shaking her head frantically, she backs away with her hands up.
“Better run.” Yelana croons.
Nat sprints away with surprising speed, escaping the icing attack. But that just means Yelana has to choose someone else.
Slowly spinning, smearing the icing on both of her hands, she grins at us like a demented clown.
“Run.” Elijah orders.
I bolt for the stairs. And I take my cake with me.