July, 2042

„It looks perfect. Thank you Phin.“ 

„My pleasure.“ 

„You say that all the time.“ 

„Because I mean it.“ 

Lisa was standing next to Phin at the patio. They just finished decorating the house and the garden for her eighteenth birthday party. 

She looked at him for a moment and smiled calmly. 

„Honesty, Phin. I don’t know how I deserve you.“ 

„Liz, come on… you make me feel awkward when you say those things.“ 

„But I mean it. If I didn’t have you, I don’t wanna know what would have happen to me. Two years ago I was a mess. I was unable dealing with my life anymore. I am convinced I would have never succeeded to come out of my terrible depression, if you wasn’t with me. I owe you more I could ever return. You’re my guardian angel, Phin.“

He turned in her direction and pulled her into a deep hug. 

„You don’t have to thank me, Lizzy. That’s what friends are for.“ 

Violet entered the patio in the next moment.

„It looks beautiful. You did a great job,“ she praised them.

Both released each other and smiled at her. 

„I need to go home and have a quick shower. See you later, girls,“ Phin replied. 

Lisa and Violet watched him disappear. 

„He’s awesome, Lizzy. Don’t you think?“ 

Lisa gave her friend a stern look.

„We’ve had this conversation more than just once.“ 

„I was just a simple question.“ 

„Yes. The answer is yes. Phin is awesome. Everything about him is awesome. I would never deny that fact.“

„Then why on earth you just don’t give him a chance? He’s lying at your feet. All you need to do is saying yes to this wonderful guy, who would die for you, if necessary.“

Lisa frowned. 

„Now you’re getting overboard.“ 

„I’m not. He would do anything for you and everybody knows.“ 

Lisa got frustrated about their conversation. It wasn’t the first time Violet was trying to convince her, that Phin deserved a chance. But Lisa was terribly scared making that step.“ 

„You know exactly why things are as they are, V,“ she said annoyed. 

Violet deeply sighed. 

„I know you hope Silas will show up tonight. You worked up into this idea long time ago. But it’s not healthy what you’re doing to yourself, Lizzy. What, if he doesn’t show up? How you gonna deal with the disappointment?“ 

„I don’t know!“ Lisa shouted. „I have no fucking idea, what will happen than, V! But it’s not like I can switch my feelings off! I just can’t! Don’t you understand?!“ 

Lisa rushed inside the house and hurried upstairs into her bedroom. She let herself fall at her bed and begun crying. She didn’t cry because of Silas for a very long time now. During therapy she learned how to bring her emotions under control and how to make new priorities in life. But even with all the professional help she received within the last two years, Silas was still on her mind. She worked up badly into the idea, that he might come back for her at her eighteenth birthday. 

Violet entered her room few minutes later and sat down next to Lisa. They looked at each other for a moment, before Violet started talking. 

„I’m not saying Silas won’t show up today. Maybe he will. We don’t know that. But, if he doesn’t show up, please do yourself a favor and get him out of your mind. For good.“ 

Hours later the Chasez’s house was crowded with young people. A DJ was playing some club music. A catering team supplied everybody with delicious finger food and alcohol free cocktails. 

„I feel old,“ Eve said, sipping a virgin Pina Colada. 

„We shouldn’t be here,“ Josh replied, standing next to her with a virgin Mai Tai in his hand. 

„Ya, it feels wrong. But we can’t leave these kids on their own.“

„I bet someone already punched the bowl.“

They exchanged glances. 

„We should give it a try,“ Eve suggested. 

Both went into the kitchen and tasted the bowl.

„Damn, it’s still virgin,“ Josh noticed. 

„What’s wrong with those young people nowadays?“ Eve joked.

„We could punch it,“ he said half seriously. 

„No… but… I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t upgrade our own drinks.“ 

„I love the way you think, baby.“ 

Lisa was outside with Violet, Jake, Alexander and Phin. 

„Come on, birthday girl… let’s have a real drink,“ Alexander said and put out a hip flask out of his pocket. 

„What’s inside?“ She wanted to know. 

„Our good old friend Vodka.“ 

Alexander filled the alcohol in everyone’s cup. Then they toasted and took a sip. 

„Better?“ Alexander asked shady.

„Better,“ the rest of them repeated.