Wearing the same clothes day in and day out can be tiring. Nothing like a new outfit to mix things up! And what better occasion for a change than Rowan's teenage birthday party? The milestone was a big one - Rowan was growing up, and it was time to celebrate in style.
Rowan had insisted he didn't want anything big - just something simple with a few friends. But Aria and Oliver had other plans. Given the Evergreens' fame in town, Aria wanted to make sure Rowan's birthday was something truly special. She and Oliver worked in secret to plan a grand surprise party at the elegant theater ballroom downtown, a place reserved for only the most prestigious events in Appaloosa Plains.
"He's going to hate us for this - for like five minutes," Oliver smirked as they finalized the guest list. "Then he's going to love it."
Aria chuckled. "Exactly. He deserves a celebration worthy of all the amazing things he's done."
On the day of the party, the Evergreen's one-level home was buzzing with excitement. Balloons decorated the living room, a table full of snacks and drinks was set up, and a playlist of Rowan's favorite songs played in the background. The scent of fresh pizza filled the air, and the backyard was set up for games and a small fire pit for later in the evening.
Rowan stood in front of his mirror, examining his reflection. He had grown taller over the past year, his frame lean but athletic from all the time he spent outdoors. His dark brown hair had a natural tousled look, just slightly messy in a way that made it effortlessly cool. His sharp green eyes stood out even more against his lightly tanned skin, giving him an intense but approachable aura.
He had picked out a new outfit - one that made him feel confident. A fitted black hoodie layered over a crisp white t-shirt, paired with well-fitted dark jeans that complemented his long legs. He wore a stylish silver pendant necklace, a simple but striking detail that added just a touch of edge. On his feet, a fresh pair of black high-top sneakers completed the look. It wasn't flashy, but it was effortlessly cool, making him look both laid-back and undeniably attractive.
As Jake drove them through town, Oliver played it cool. "Man, I'm starving. Hope the food's good wherever we're going."
Rowan shrugged. "As long as there's pizza, I'm happy."
When they pulled up in front of the grand theater, Rowan frowned. "Why are we here? I thought we were just getting dinner."
Aria smiled mischievously. "Come inside and find out."
Rowan hesitated but followed them inside. The moment he stepped into the ballroom, the lights flashed on, and a chorus of voices shouted -
"SURPRISE!"
Rowan stood frozen as he took in the sight before him. The grand ballroom was decorated with elegant lighting, sparkling banners, and a massive birthday cake sitting at the center of a beautifully set dining table. Friends from school, neighbors, and even a few familiar faces from town were there, cheering for him.
"You guys planned this?" Rowan turned to Oliver, his expression somewhere between shock and amusement.
Oliver grinned. "You seriously thought we were just getting pizza? Come on, man. You're practically a celebrity. We had to go big."
Rowan shook his head, laughing. "I should've known."
With music playing and an extravagant buffet set up, Rowan finally started to relax and enjoy himself. He greeted guests, received heartfelt birthday wishes, and even got pulled onto the dance floor by Oliver and a few classmates.
"I'm not much of a dancer," Rowan protested as Oliver dragged him into the center of the ballroom.
"Then it's a good thing I am," Oliver joked, spinning dramatically before Rowan rolled his eyes and finally joined in.
As the evening went on, it was time for the most important part of the night - the cake. The massive, beautifully decorated cake had several lit candles flickering on top, casting a warm glow over Rowan's face as everyone gathered around.
"Alright, birthday boy," Jake grinned, clapping a hand on Rowan's shoulder. "Make a wish."
Rowan stared at the candles for a moment, taking in everything around him - the laughter, the warmth, the love of everyone who had come to celebrate with him. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and made his wish before blowing out the candles in one strong breath. The room erupted into cheers and applause.
Before anyone could react, Rowan turned to Oliver and pulled him into a big hug. "Dude, thank you," he murmured, sincerity in his voice. "This was amazing."
Oliver laughed, hugging him back. "Told you it'd be worth it."
Rowan then turned to his family, wrapping his arms around Aria and Jake. "I love you guys. Thanks for everything."
Aria kissed the top of his head, holding him close. "We love you too, Rowan. Always."
As the night wrapped up, Rowan looked around the ballroom, taking it all in. He had never expected such a big celebration, but standing there, surrounded by the people who cared about him most, he realized how lucky he truly was.
With friends, family, and a fresh start ahead, Rowan was ready to take on whatever the future had in store.