~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Vi ~


    Imani is heading down the hallway, with an intention to check on Masika.


    Everyone gathered in the dining hall and are waiting for Masika to arrive, so that they can start dinner. After dinner, there will be dancing and a bonfire, and an overall fun evening because today is Masika''s birthday!


    Masika should know that they are waiting for her so that they can start. Is it possible that she forgot? Imani texted Masika, but she didn''t respond, so... here is Imani, to check if something happened.


    After a quick knock, Imani opened the door and froze at the sight of Masika and Zack making out on the sofa.


    "Mhm…" Imani cleared her throat, to get their attention and she grinned at the sight of flustered Masika and slightly embarrassed Zack. "If it''s any other day, I would just step out silently and pretend I didn''t see anything, but… everyone is waiting for the birthday girl so that we can start dinner. Or should I tell them that you are noting?"


    "I will be there in a minute. Both of us will…" Masika responded.


    Imani bobbed her head happily. "OK. I will see you… in a minute…"


    The door closed behind Imani and Masika was embarrassed to look at Zack. Less than six hours ago they confessed to each other, and they are already making out like someone who is in a rtionship for a long time. But… it feels good, and she is stealing nces at him for more than two years, probably longer. And now finally they get to hug and kiss and it''s easy to forget about the time.


    Zack touched Masika''s chin and made her look his way. "Do you need to get ready?", he asked.


    Masika remembered that she is wearing the same jeans and t-shirt since that morning. She attended a ss, and then Zack surprised her with a romantic lunch which ended with them confessing their feelings. As a couple, the two of them went for a walk and he took her to a bakery which makes one of her favorite desserts, and then they came to the Cliffside Vi and she didn''t change her clothes. But, what should she wear? Normally, she would stick to a t-shirt and jeans, unless it''s a super-fancy asion, but this is her birthday and she has a boyfriend and she should dress up.


    Masika giggled, Zack is her boyfriend.


    "Are you OK?" Zack asked. He has no idea what is on Masika''s mind, but after several different expressions, she burst into giggles.


    Masika smiled. "I''m great. Give me a minute…"


    Zack watched Masika dash into the closet and he took a slow deep breath. She is adorable.


    Zack''s eyebrows shoot up and he nodded in approval when Masika got out of the closet in a short-sleeved dress which reaches her knees and res from her waist down.


    "This should be good for dancing. What do you think?" Masika asked.


    "You are beautiful."


    Zack''s response made Masika blush. It''s not the first time that he tells her that she looks good, but now they are dating so it''s different because she knows that he didn''t say that as a friend, but as a boyfriend.


    Masika entered into the dining room and Zack was one step behind her. All the kids were there. Sarah, Aiden, Jeff, JoAnna, and Hong were in attendance as well.


    Sophia and Felix usually attend birthday celebrations, but Sophia is about to have a baby at any moment, so they decided to stay home. If Sophia''s water breaks during the happy birthday song, it will spoil Masika''s celebration.


    Hong and his disciples are still with Sarah and Aiden. Last two summers, everyone went for a one-week long stay in the forest where Hong''s cabin is. It was like a vacation where they practiced their survival skills in nature. Of course, the two oversized cats (aka Kitty and Vega) were left behind, to avoid having more cubs. As joined the camping trip, as well as Hero, Be, and Luna.


    In thest two years, Hong is spending most of his time at the Beach House, and hees to the Cliffside Vi asionally. Hong enjoys the silence the Beach House provides. As prefers staying on that property, he and the old man are getting along well. The kids take turns visiting the Beach House, and they stay for a few days, taking advantage of Hong to check on their progress and to give them further instructions.


    They also use the Beach House as their favorite spot for arts. There are always canvases and half-finished sculptures on the beach or the garden, and on several other spots through the property. When it gets windy or the raines, the staff scrambles to collect them all so that they are not ruined.


    Hong started painting, and they discovered that is his talent. Some of his artwork got sold forrge sums, and he asked Sarah and Aiden to secretly send that money to his daughter, Tashi. Hong still didn''t gather enough courage to approach his daughter and his grandkids, but he receives regr updates on them from Sarah and Aiden, so he knows that they are doing well, and that is enough. For now.


    Back to the present…


    Based on the smiles and looks directed at Masika, Masika concluded that every person present knows that she and Zack are an item. She wondered if Imani ran her mouth, or maybe they concluded because the two of them arete.


    Sarah gave a little speech about Masika, wishing her a happy birthday and reminding everyone that after a meal there is a celebration outside.


    Masika was happy that dinner consisted of her favorite dishes. That is a perk every kid at the Cliffside Vi gets for birthday: a festive dinner with a cake, presents, and a party which sometimes stretches after midnight.


    The food was tasty, the cake looked magnificent. Masika happily blew the candles after making a wish, and she didn''t want to tell Zack what she wished for.


    Zack would not pry into her wishes, but she gave him a sly look just before she blew the candles, so he had a strong hunch that it was something rted to him.


    After the cake, they went outside. The bonfire was raging, the music was sting, snacks and drinks were spread on the table and avable for everyone, and Masika got to sit next to Zack and hold onto his hand. And it was wonderful.


    At the table where Jeff, Aiden, JoAnna, and Sarah are sitting…


    "It seems that Zack made his move…" JoAnnamented while making eye-signals toward the freshest couple.


    Sarah nodded in agreement. "It took him a long time. I almost thought that he gave up on pursuing Masika."


    "They will move fast." JoAnna said confidently.


    Sarah didn''t like this insinuation. "Why do you say so?"


    "Both Masika and Zack have feelings for each other for a long time. Think of it like a can of soda, the pressure is building up… and now the can is open." JoAnna waved her arms, trying to portray soda spraying out of the can.


    Sarah rolled her eyes andughed. "Only you canpare two people in love with a can of soda. But I got your point. You are saying that their feelings are being suppressed for a long time, and now they will explode and get married right away."


    JoAnna stifled augh. "Nope. I was not talking about marriage."


    Sarah gave JoAnna a side-nce. Is she insinuating that they will make love right away? "Nonsense. They are waiting for so long. What if they decide to go slow and savor every moment?"


    JoAnna wiggled her eyebrows. "Zack is a grown man, and Masika is eighteen… I will not say more than that."


    Sarah made a face. It''s not that she disagrees, but she will need to talk about protection. Masika attended the sses where they spoke about contraception, but a refresher can''t hurt. On the other side, JoAnna is right here.


    Sarah grinned. "Why don''t you talk to her about protection?"


    JoAnna looked at Sarah like she said something outrageous. "On her birthday? I see how this will go: happy birthday, use a condom, and here is a pill... Or should I start with a pill and then wish her a happy birthday?"


    Sarah had to admit that it does not sound good. "Uhm… you are right. Tomorrow might be better."


    Masika was gazing dreamily at Zack, unaware that the two Hill sisters are discussing her contraception.


    "Do you want to dance?" Zack asked.


    "I want to kiss you." Masika admitted her thoughts.


    Zack nced around them and used all his mental power to refuse her. "There are too many people, and your party only started. How about we dance, andter, we can find some privacy? I will make sure to kiss you until you had enough before I return to the base."


    Masika smiled. "OK."


    ---


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