Foreword: Today is a big day for Jayla - her 13th birthday party! The day ahead promises to be an exciting one spent with her friends and family. Let the fun begin!

*morning, at the Starlight residence*

DING-DONG!

Jayla: That's gotta be Linyear! *runs down the main floor stairs and opens the front door* Linny!!
Linyear: Jay!! *grinning, carrying a couple big bags - one full of birthday decorations, the other her overnight bag* HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!!!
Jayla: *giggles* Thank yooooou!! I'm SOOOOO excited for today!! We're gonna have so much FUN!! *grinning too as she bounces with excitement - she signals Linyear to come in* C'mon, let's put your overnight stuff downstairs!
Linyear: Okay! *comes in, using her foot to close the door behind her*
Jayla & Linyear: *go downstairs into the rec room, put Linyear's overnight bag in a corner, then hurry back up the stairs*
Linyear: We only got two and a half hours to decorate this place from top to bottom!! *holds up her big bag of decorations* And this is a BIG HOUSE!!
Jayla: Definitely! We got this, though - you and me!
Jayla & Linyear: *begin to rummage through the bag, pulling out various decorations*
Siaera: *comes down the stairs from the top floor, sees Jayla and Linyear* Hey, Linyear!
Linyear: *looks up* Oh, hi Siaera!
Siaera: *goes over to them* Big day, eh Jayla? How's it feel to be starting your teenage years??
Jayla: A bit strange, but I'm excited! *optimistically*
Siaera: Yeah. Soon you'll be a crazy teenager - just like your sister. *devilish grin*
Jayla: Jeeze. *says with a straight face* I HOPE I'm not a teenager like YOU!
Linyear: *bursts into giggles*
Jayla: … *her mouth twitches* … Pfffft - *bursts into giggles too*
Siaera: Hey! *indignantly* What's the harm in THAT?? C'mon, I need SOMEONE else in this house to talk about boys with!!
Jayla: *abruptly stops giggling* No, no thank you. *bluntly*
Lowgin: Jayla's got the right of it. *as he's going over to them too* Don't be corrupting her, Siaera.
Siaera: *rolls her eyes* Oh shush - no one was talking to YOU! *turns back to Jayla* Don't you want one more excuse to annoy Lowgin??
Lowgin: *gives Siaera a dirty look*
Jayla: Uh… *looking at her older brother for a moment* … I can think of other ways to do that, I think!
Lowgin: Gee, thanks, that makes me feel SO much better. *sarcastically*
Jayla: No problem! *gives him a teasing grin*
Lowgin: *starts eyeing all the birthday decorations on the floor* … So… speaking of boys…
Jayla: *her grin disappears* What, Lowgin? *already feeling annoyed*
Lowgin: *serious demeanor* Did you invite any boys to this birthday party of yours?
Siaera: *leans in, also very curious to know*
Jayla: *rolls her eyes* Ducki. That's it.
Lowgin: Hmmm… riiiiight… *narrows his eyes* I've heard you talk about this guy a few times before… so… what is this “Ducki” character like?
Linyear: *trying not to giggle out loud*
Jayla: *looking repulsed* EW!! Are you asking what I think you're asking?!
Lowgin: Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Just answer the question.
Jayla: What EXACTLY do you need to know about him??
Lowgin: Like, is he a decent guy with a good head on his shoulders?
Linyear: *bursts out laughing* AHAHAHA - hmph! *hastily slaps a sleeved hand over her mouth*
Jayla: *deadpan expression* No, he ACTUALLY doesn't have a good head on his shoulders.
Lowgin: What?? Then why do you -
Jayla: But he means well.
Lowgin: *tightens his lips for a brief moment* ... You know, Jayla, some guys are only nice to girls because they want -
Jayla: Ew, ew, ew - *her face screwed up in disgust* Shut up. Listen - Ducki is a… VERY unique duck Animali! And I PROMISE you, you DON'T have to worry about him in THAT way!! He's the LAST boy in the WORLD you gotta worry about!! *exasperated* Good LORD!!
Lowgin: *raises his eyebrow* “Unique” in WHAT way, exactly?
Jayla: He's the definition OF “unique”! I can't explain it any better than that! Ducki is… DUCKI! Seriously, you'll see.
Linyear: I can vouch for that. *raises her sleeved hand* For example, he's 12 but the duck acts like he's 5.
Jayla: Exactly.
Lowgin: Oh, *not impressed* so you’re saying he’s immature?
Siaera: Stop grilling her already! *scoldingly to Lowgin* Jay’s NEVER gonna wanna bring home another boyfriend at this rate!
Lowgin: And where's the problem in that? I fail to see one.
Jayla & Siaera: *both roll their eyes at their brother*
Linyear: *stands up, lifting a pink streamer roll above her head* Alright, time to stop blabbing! Time to start decorating! I'll hang up the streamers, Jay can start blowing up balloons, and if you two wanna make yourselves useful, *to Lowgin and Siaera* help Jay blow up and hang the balloons! We don't want our birthday girl to blow up TOO many and get herself light-headed!
Lowgin & Siaera: *look at each other, then to Jayla*
Jayla: Yes, that would be VERY much appreciated! *smiling - proceeds to pick up a balloon and starts blowing it up*
Lowgin: … *smirks* Alright. Hand me some, Jay. *holds his hand out*
Jayla: *grabs a fist full of balloons next to her and hands them to Lowgin - then takes her inflated balloon out of her mouth and begins to tie it*
Siaera: A few, anyway! *plops herself down on the floor, grabs a balloon and starts blowing it up*
Linyear: *tapes one end of the streamer roll to the living room wall*
Jayla: *begins blowing up another balloon*
Linyear: Alrighty… here I goooooooo!! *begins to dash around the living room, stringing along the streamer roll* WEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Jayla: *bursts out laughing - the balloon she's blowing deflating and making a “pffffffft” sound - sending her into even more laughter*
Linyear: *the streamer now covering the perimeter of the living room - she runs from there to the kitchen* WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE -
Lowgin & Siaera: *both giving Linyear VERY odd looks*
Jayla: Ahahahaha!! That's ONE way to get the job done!! *as Linyear disappears into the kitchen... she makes an effort to regain her composure and resumes blowing up balloons*

*a little later - Linyear had ran down the stairs with the streamer roll to decorate the rec room where they will be having their sleepover*
Linyear & Kasandra: *come running up the stairs to the main floor, each holding their own strand of streamer* WEEEEEEEEEE!!
Jayla: *sees her younger sister with Linyear* Whoa! Kas!
Linyear: I enlisted Kas to help by giving her part of the streamer roll!
Kasandra: It looked like Linyear was having fun so I wanted in!! *giggles, running, until the streamer tightens, indicating the end of it - it zips out of her hands* Aww! All gone! Linyear, do you have any more -
Linyear: Aaaaaand… *her streamer roll finishes* DONE!
Kasandra: Darn! *pouts*
Linyear: *proceeds to tape up the end of the streamer to the wall, then goes to tape up Kasandra's end*
Lowgin: Yo, I'll go hang some balloons on the mailbox outside. *some balloons and tape in his hands* So people know there's a party going on!
Jayla: Thanks, Lowgin!
Lowgin: *nods, heads down the stairs and goes outside*
Jayla: *gathers some balloons* Now to hang these up aaaaaall over the house! *pauses* Except for upstairs. Probably don't need any there. Also, Siaera, if you're hanging balloons up too, make sure none of them pop! Elli will start crying if ya do.
Siaera: Right… don't want a repeat of Lowgin's party last week. *rolls her eyes, grabs a couple balloons and goes to hang them up*
Linyear & Kasandra: *grab balloons and hang them up around the house too*

*later - after the house is decorated*
Jayla: Whew! All done! *looking around* And just in time before everyone shows up!
Linyear: Yeah! Looks like a real party in here now!
Jayla & Linyear: WHOOP-WHOOP! *jump in excitement - then giggle together*
Jayla: Heeheehee - oh!! *abruptly stops giggling* I almost forgot!! We gotta take our annual best friend pic, Lin!!
Linyear: *eyes light up as she remembers too* That's right! We can't lose the best friend birthday pic streak now - this will be 13 years in a row! Got your camera?
Jayla: One sec! *hustles upstairs to her bedroom to get her digital camera*

*a few minutes later*
Jayla: *comes back down with her camera in her hand* Got it! *turns* Hey, Siaera! Mind taking mine and Lin’s pic?? It's our annual best friend birthday pic!
Siaera: *chuckles* Sure! *goes over and takes the camera*
Jayla: *goes over to Linyear*
Siaera: Alright, you two get into position!
Jayla & Linyear: *giggle excitedly, lean in close with their arms around each other*
Siaera: Saaaaay… “BFF -” *pauses* Actually no, that might be awkward to smile into. Saaaaay… “BEST FRIENDS!!”
Jayla & Linyear: BEST FRIENDS!! *grin at the camera*
Siaera: *takes the picture, then looks at it on the camera's tiny screen* Aww, you two are so cute! *shows them*
Jayla & Linyear: *look at it*

Jayla: Awww, I love it!! *very happy* That's gotta be our best one yet, Lin!
Linyear: Totally!! Email it or send it over MSN to me ASAP and I'll print it out for my wall!!
Jayla: Will do! And of course, MINE'S going on my bulletin board!!
Linyear: Yeah-yeah-yeah!!
Jayla & Linyear: *talk and laugh for a while, until…*

DING-DONG!

Jayla: Someone's heeeeeere!! *hurries down the stairs and opens the door* Xerann!!
Xerann: Jay!! *carrying an overnight bag and a birthday bag* HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIRL!!
Jayla: *giggles* Thank yooooou! Come on in!
Xerann: *follows Jayla inside, puts her overnight bag downstairs, then comes up to the main floor*
Linyear: Hey, Xerann! What's up?
Xerann: The ceiling, dude! *points up, then laughs*
Linyear: If only we were outside… then we could say, “the Sky”... *sighs dreamily*
Jayla: *giggles* Oh dear.
Xerann: Girl, you got it BAD. *says with a smirk*
Linyear: I’m sooooo happy… he thanked me for saving him from those annoying girls yesterday… so he knows I exist… *begins to daydream in her own little world*
Jayla: Oh, Lin. *smiles, shaking her head*
Xerann: *turns to Jayla* By the way, Christima IS coming, but she said she's gonna meet us at the pool, since she don't live far from there.
Jayla: Oh, okay! That's fine. It's too bad her and Shelei can't stay for the sleepover.
Xerann: Yeah… *shrugs* I guess.
Jayla: *tilts her head to the side* You guess?
Xerann: Er - it IS too bad, yeah. By the way, *hastily switching the subject* Piggo found out about the party.
Jayla: *eyes widen* Uh-oh! How'd that happen??
Xerann: Chris accidentally let it slip. She says sorry, by the way.
Jayla: Oops! *chuckles awkwardly* How did he take the news he wasn't invited…?
Xerann: He pouted for a good long while, then we reminded him that Ducki and Deanna were gonna be there. He don't care for Ducki, and Deanna don't care for him, he knows.
Jayla: Neither does Lin… *glances at her*
Linyear: *STILL daydreaming - a bit of drool leaking from the corner of her mouth*
Jayla: … So I figured it was for the best he didn't come.
Xerann: Yeah. *nods* Gotcha.
Jayla: *sighs* … It would be nice if all our friends got along, huh…?
Xerann: Only in a perfect world… *smiles sadly*

DING-DONG!

Jayla: *brightens up again* More dudes! Ducki, Deanna, or both?? *hurries down the stairs and opens the door* Hello, guys!! *waves*
Deanna: Hey, Jay! *holding her overnight bag, the snacks she promised, and a present wrapped in pink wrapping paper*
Ducki: BLAHOOOOOO! WHOOPIBIRTDAY!
Deanna: That's one way Ducki wishes people a “Happy Birthday”.
Jayla: *laughs* Thanks! Come ooooon in! *leads them up the stairs*
Ducki & Deanna: *follow her*
Xerann: Yo, dudes! *waves to the ducks*
Deanna: Hey!
Ducki: How DOOOOO?
Linyear: *shakes herself out of her daydream finally* Oh, Ducki and Deanna! Hi, Ducki and Deanna!
Deanna: Hey, Lin!
Ducki: Jayla, you are gonna LOVE your present! *holding a gift up, wrapped in blue wrapping paper* I t'ought of ta PERFECT gift for yooooou!
Deanna: He's right, for once. You actually ARE gonna love it.
Jayla: Really?? Now I'm SUPER curious! By the way, you can put your birthday presents in the dining room on the table! *points* Oh, and Deanna - *reaches out for her overnight bag* I can throw this downstairs for you! *pauses* Only, not ACTUALLY throw!
Deanna: *laughs, hands her the bag* That's right - DO NOT break my toothbrush OR wrinkle my good pajamas!! *teasingly*
Jayla: *giggles - she scurries downstairs to the rec room*
Linyear & Ducki & Deanna & Xerann: *all take their presents for Jayla and set them on the table*
Ducki: *sniffs the air* Ooooh! I smell COOKIES! Gimme, gimme!! *runs off towards the kitchen*
Deanna: Ducki, wait -
Mrs. Starlight: *walks into the dining room*
Ducki: *bumps into her - falls onto the floor* Ouchimama!!
Deanna: *facepalms*
Mrs. Starlight: Whoa! *looking down at him* You okay?
Ducki: *scrambles up* Sowwy! I t'ought I smelled cookies and wanted to see if tere were any!
Mrs. Starlight: *laughs* I just finished baking some! They gotta cool down though, so they won't be ready until you guys get back from swimming.
Ducki: Oh quackers!
Mrs. Starlight: You must be Ducki?
Ducki: How did you know??
Mrs. Starlight: Jay's told me all about you! And you're Deanna? *nods to Deanna*
Deanna: Yeah! That's me!
Mrs. Starlight: I'm Jayla's mom! *smiles kindly* Nice to meet you both!
Deanna: Nice to meet you too!
Ducki: Hi, Jayla's mommy!! *waves excitedly*
Linyear: Hey, Aunt Melina!
Xerann: Yo, Mrs. S!
Mrs. Starlight: Hey, Linyear, Xerann! *waves at them*
Deanna: Oh, I brought a snack to share, by the way. *to Mrs. Starlight as she holds up her spinach dip and chips* Can I just put it in the kitchen, or…?
Mrs. Starlight: Oh, thank you! I'll take it off your hands! *Snaps her fingers - the bag of snacks disappears from Deanna's grasp*
Deanna: *jerks back* What - where did they -
Mrs. Starlight: Dip's in the fridge! Chips are on the counter! *points - Deanna's bag of chips are in fact sitting on the kitchen counter now*
Deanna: *blinks in surprise* … Oh! Thank you…?
Mrs. Starlight: No problem! Well, *checks the clock on the wall* maybe I'll go get Jako now - Jayla's dad, by the way - so we can drive you guys to the pool! *turns* Are we waiting on one more, Jay? *calls out to her - she just got back up to the main floor*
Jayla: *comes into the dining room* Christima is meeting us there, I guess!
Mrs. Starlight: Okay! You kids grab your pool stuff and we will head right there!
Jayla & Linyear & Ducki & Deanna & Xerann: WHOOP-WHOOP! *cheer, all very excited*

*Dr. and Mrs. Starlight take two car loads of kids (Jayla, her friends, and her family) to the Perennial Pool in downtown Tidevale. There they meet Christima, who Jayla introduces her family to. They all change into their swimwear and eagerly hop into the pool.

Jayla and her birthday crew all have the best time swimming together. Many laughs and almost as many splashes. They take turns swinging from the rope and landing into the water. They also make use of pool toys (floaties, noodles, rafts, etc.) and spend some time jumping off the diving boards - big AND small. Jayla absolutely loves swimming - so her birthday party is off to a great start.

When the swim wraps up after a couple hours, they all change back into their usual clothes (or in Ducki and Deanna's case, back in the nude), and they are all driven back to the Starlight residence.*

*at the Starlight residence - 10 minutes after everyone gets back*

DING-DONG!

Jayla: That's gotta be Shelei! *again dashes down the stairs to answer the front door* Hey, Shelei! *happily*
Shelei: Yo, Jay! *carrying a small wrapped present*
Jayla: Glad ya made it! Come in, we are about ready to eat some food! *leads Shelei up the stairs*
Everyone: *all hanging out and mingling on the main floor*
Ducki: *sees Shelei* GASP!! It's SheShe!!
Linyear: Hey, Shelei!! *waves*
Christima: Hey, hey!
Shelei: Yo!
Deanna: *glances at Shelei, is about to groan - but doesn't.... instead she looks away quickly and pretends she doesn't see Shelei*
Shelei: So, whaddaya think? *removes her cap - her hair is ALL pink*
Jayla: *gasps* Pink!! I've never seen you dye your hair pink before!! It looks sooooo COOLIO!!
Linyear: I agree!
Shelei: It's part of your birthday present, since pink is your fav color. Surprise!
Jayla: Wow!! Thanks, Shelei!! *grinning and giddy* That's a really creative present for sure!
Deanna: *looks over at Shelei, eyeing her hair with distaste* ~Good Lord… I WISH she didn’t do that to her hair… so freaky and weird… at least pink IS a good color…~
Jayla: *happens to look over at Deanna and sees her expression… half-expecting her to insult Shelei… but…?*
Mrs. Starlight: Alright, everyone! Come on in for some food! *waves everyone into the kitchen/dining room area*
Everyone: *eagerly head towards kitchen/dining room*
Mrs. Starlight: *Snaps her fingers - a pile of plates, cups, and a spread of food appears along the kitchen counter (pizza, Kraft Dinner, chips, cheezies, fruit and veggies, cookies, Deanna's spinach dip, and some bottles of pop)*
Everyone: Ooooh...!! *amazed and surprised at Mrs. Starlight's Snapping Power - begin helping themselves to the food*
Shelei: Jay, is your mom Molly Weasley?? *as she's grabbing a plate*
Jayla: Heeheehee! *laughs gleefully*

*after everyone gets a plate full of food*
Xerann: All that swimming made me HUNGRY! *chows down on pizza*
Deanna: *sees Jayla’s plate of food - one small pizza slice, a bit of Deanna's dip to try, and a mountain of Kraft Dinner* Whoa, Jay! Want some pizza and dip with your Kraft Dinner??
Jayla: *chuckles* Nah, I’m good! I’m too addicted to KD! *eats a huge forkful* … Mmmm… *savoring the flavor… then swallows* I would have been just as happy with KD alone, but my parents thought pizza would be a good party food for people who might not want KD… crazy people. *whispers the last part, then giggles*
Shelei: *just poured herself some pop in a cup, turns and pretends to stumble in place, acting "drunk"… begins to hum, then sings* ... the taste of bad eggs… cheers to ye, hearties! *with the aura of a pirate - takes a loooong drink*
Jayla & Linyear & Christima: *laugh*
Xerann: *giving Shelei an odd look*
Deanna: *is too… but remains silent*
Ducki: I had bad eggs once. My farts stunk REAL bad for five days!
Deanna: *scowls* DON’T remind me.
Kasandra & Misti (Linyear’s younger sister): *giggle at Ducki*
Lowgin: *eyeing Ducki with displeasure*
Shelei: *eventually finishes her cup, looks inside it, squinting her eyes* … Why is me drink gone?! *pretends to stumble again, acting even more "drunk"*
Jayla: Heheheheeee!! *VERY amused*

*after everyone has had enough pizza, Kraft Dinner, etc.*
Jayla: *sitting at the head of the dining table, her ice cream cake in front of her with thirteen candles lit on it*
Everyone: *sings* Happy Birthday to yooooou… happy birthday to yooooou! Happy Birthday dear Jaylaaaa! Happy Birthday to yooooou!
Dr. Starlight: *sings* And many mooooore!
Jayla: *all smiles - she leans in, hesitates… then blows out her candles*
Everyone: *laugh, cheer and clap*
Siaera: Welcome to the teenage years, sissy dearest! *hugs her around the shoulders*
Jayla: Thanks!! *giggles as she grabs onto Siaera’s arm, hugging her back*
Xerann: First of us to get there! Let us know what it’s like!
Ducki: OLD!!
Jayla: Hey! *laughing at Ducki* Not THAT old!!
Shelei: Aye, I be not far behind, savvy? *still roleplaying as a drunk pirate, swaying somewhat, her hand up the way Captain Jack Sparrow's often is*
Jayla: Right! Shelei’s birthday is three days after mine!
Linyear: Mine is next month!
Mrs. Starlight: Alright, Jay! *hands her a knife*
Ducki: AHHHHHH!! DON’T MURDER MEEEEEE!! *hides behind his wings*
Everyone: *laugh HARD - except for Deanna and Lowgin*
Mrs. Starlight: Don’t worry! Only the cake is getting maimed today!
Jayla: *laughs (somewhat awkwardly) as she takes the knife* Alrighty then, cake incoming! *about to slice the first piece of cake*
Linyear & Siaera: *lean in VERY close to watch (Siaera still hugging Jayla’s shoulders)*
Jayla: *puts the knife in, then stops… she shifts her eyes back and forth* You guys…? Why are you watching so closely…?
Siaera: You know the rules! If you get icing on your knife, you gotta tell us who you have a crush on!!
Linyear: *giggles*
Deanna: *her eyes light up* Oooooooh! That’s riiiiiight!
Xerann: Heh, heh! *an evil grin on her face*
Lowgin: *rolls his eyes*
Jayla: *groans* Oh my God - I was HOPING you’d forget about that!!
Siaera: Not me! Now get cutting!
Jayla: *sighs… lifts the knife - it indeed has icing on it*
Siaera: Uh-oh, Jay!! Now you gotta tell uuuus!! *gently shaking her shoulders*
Jayla: *wrenches herself out of Siaera's grasp* I don’t gotta tell you anything!!
Siaera: Yes, you dooooo! Right, Lin?
Linyear: Heheheeheeeee…!! *giggling like crazy*
Jayla: Hey! Lin! *indignantly* You’re supposed to have my back on this! Plus, you KNOW I don’t like anyone right now!!
Linyear: *smiling slyly as she giggles* Are you suuuuure?
Xerann: Yeah! Summer wasn’t THAT long ago, ya know!
Jayla: *her heart lurches inside her chest - she spins around in her seat to face Xerann* Xerann, don’t you say anything!! *her eyes wide with urgency*
Xerann: Oh, I won’t! *a grin still on her face*
Siaera: *her eyes suddenly light up, even more excited* That’s RIGHT! Not everyone knows about your little summer camp boyfr -
Jayla: *slaps her hand over Siaera’s mouth* NO!! I didn’t HAVE a boyfriend at camp!!!
Linyear: But you DID like someone! Cr -
Jayla: *slaps her other hand over Linyear’s mouth* LINYEAR!! That was THEN, this is NOW, and NOW I don’t like ANYONE. AN-Y-ONE! *adamantly*
Deanna: Oooooooh! *to Xerann* I’m gonna need more details on THIS during the sleepover later!!
Xerann: I’m sure that can be arranged… *can’t stop grinning*
Lowgin: *scowling and annoyed the entire time*
Shelei: I wager she’s got a soft spot for ol’ Captain Jack Sparrow himself, mateys! *still acting like a drunk pirate* And who can blame her? Charm, wit, and pirate mystique aplenty! *her hands acting along with her dialogue*
Jayla: *pulls her hands away from Linyear and Siaera - she looks at Shelei, thankful for the "save"* Right! Exactly! I’m a fan of Captain Jack Sparrow, him and him alone! That’s my FINAL answer!
Ducki: *claps rapidly* GOOD ANSWER! WEEEEEEEE!
Everyone: *chuckling, deciding to question it no more*
Jayla: *continues cutting and handing out cake to everyone as they chat about other various topics amongst each other, a smile on her face again*

*after everyone has had cake*
Jayla: *now about to open her presents, everyone sitting/standing around her*
Linyear: Open mine first!! *eagerly hands Jayla her present in a birthday bag*
Jayla: Okaaaay! *takes it, opens and reads the card attached to it, then takes the tissue out of the bag* … Ahhhh! A new purse! *holds it up - it is of course pink* I actually needed a new one!
Linyear: Yup! Now you have working zippers and NO holes! And look - *points to the zipper* I found this cute dolphin keychain for it!
Jayla: *sees, examines it between her fingers* Ooooh! That is so CUTE! *reaches into the birthday bag for one more item - pulls out some nice dressy shoes with a short heel* So are these! *admired them* You know my size too, of course!
Linyear: Yeah, ‘cause it’s mine! Now we will have to go to some school dances so you can wear them. *grins - having an ulterior motive involving boys*
Jayla: Or to church! *innocently*
Linyear: *can’t help but giggle* Well, yeah, that too.
Jayla: Thanks, Lin! *leans over and gives her a hug, then turns back to the pile of presents*
Kasandra: *the designated present deliverer going forward - hands Jayla a present wrapped in pink wrapping paper*
Jayla: *opens the card - a gift card is in it* Oh, a Tidevale Mall gift card! Coolio!! *reads the inside* … From Deanna!
Deanna: *smiles* It has $30 on it, by the way!
Jayla: Thanks! *continues on to open her present - it is a hard, pink case with flowers on it* What’s this?
Deanna: Open it up and see, girl!
Jayla: *unwraps the plastic wrap and opens the case - it’s full of what looks to be a decent brand of makeup - lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, etc.* Whoa! That’s A LOT of makeup!
Shelei: *grimaces - but remains silent*
Deanna: I remember you saying you didn’t have much for makeup - and trust me, you’re beautiful without it - BUT, this is some of my fav stuff right here. Especially the lip gloss! It’s so smooth and sparkly!
Jayla: Ooh! I DO like sparkly things! That’s awesome, Deanna - I’ll try some of it out! Thank you again!
Deanna: You’re welcome!
Kasandra: *hands Jayla a smaller, flat gift*
Jayla: *inspects it* I have an idea what this is, but we will see! *opens the card, reads* … From Christima! *opens the gift - it is a CD, “Jayla’s Birthday Hits” written on it in Sharpie ink* Wow! Is this a mixed CD you burnt for me??
Christima: Sure is! I asked Xer’ what some of your favorite songs and singers were, so I put some of ‘em on there, plus some other ones from your favorite singers that you may or may not have heard before - probably not unless you owned their whole album! The song list is on the back.
Jayla: *flips it around to read the list* … Awesome! Lots of Shania on here! This is such a cool idea for a gift - thanks, Christima!
Christima: No prob, Bob! *grins* Enjoy!
Kasandra: *hands Jayla another smaller gift*
Jayla: *opens the card, reads* … Shelei!
Shelei: *salutes*
Jayla: *opens up the present - it is a pink, sparkly pen with a feather above it* Whoooooa! Pretty pen! *in awe*
Shelei: Drawin’, writin’, whatever ya wanna use it for! That and the hair is your birthday gift combined.
Jayla: I love it! Thanks, Shelei!
Deanna: *frowning* ~Dying her hair - something that she does every single day of her life anyway - and a measly pen?? That’s all she’s giving to Jayla for her 13th birthday??~ *about to open her mouth to say something*
Jayla: *is tickling Kasandra with the feather on the pen*
Kasandra: *laughing and trying to shield herself*
Everyone Else: *laughing too*
Deanna: … *decides once again not to say anything*
Kasandra: Stop or you won’t get any more presents from me!! *giggling*
Jayla: Eeep! *stops tickling Kasandra, then laughs* Gimme more presents! … Please and thank you.
Kasandra: *hands her a birthday bag*
Jayla: *opens the card and reads* … From Xerann! *takes the tissue out of the bag, pulls out another case, but with a label that says "Art Essentials" - an art kit* Coolio! Art supplies!! Could always use more of those! *opens up the case - it’s lined with pencils, a couple of erasers, colored pencils, a sharpener, pastels, etc.*
Xerann: Yeah, dude! And there’s a pocket inside the cover there to store a sketchbook too!
Jayla: What a neat idea! Thanks a bunch, Xerann!
Xerann: *grins* Glad ya like it!
Kasandra: *hands Jayla a gift wrapped in blue wrapping paper*
Ducki: BLAHOOOOO! *flails excitedly* Tis one’s mine!
Jayla: Oh yeah, I remember you showing me it earlier! *opens the card and reads*
Elli: *sitting by Mrs. Starlight* Mommy, can I open a present too?
Mrs. Starlight: Aww hun, remember what we said last weekend when we had a birthday party for Lowgin? Today, these are birthday gifts for Jayla.
Elli: *sniffles, tears forming in her eyes* B-but…
Mrs. Starlight: Birthdays come once a year for every person, and you had yours already this year! *gently* Next year you will have another birthday!
Elli: *takes a shuddering breath in - about to cry*
Siaera: Oh God, not again. *rolls her eyes*
Jayla: *notices as she looks up from her card* Hey, Elli - if you wanna OPEN one of mine, you can. And you can look at it first. But just remember it’s MY birthday gift. Okay?
Elli: U-um… *shakily as she tries to calm herself down* O-okay…
Mrs. Starlight: What a nice big sister! What do you say, Elli?
Elli: Th-thank you…
Jayla: *waves Elli over*
Elli: *gets up and darts over to Jayla*
Jayla: Open it up for me, Elli! *hands her the gift*
Elli: *tears the wrapping paper off - it’s a TY Beanie Baby dolphin plush in a clear case, white in color - but also inside the case is a pack of pastel markers* Ooooh, look! *holds it up*
Jayla: *sees it - she gasps* Is that what I think it is?! *leans in and hastily snatches it from Elli* OH MY GOD, it IS!!! A Color-Me Beanie Baby!! I didn’t know there was a DOLPHIN one!! DUCKI!! *grinning VERY happily at him*
Mrs. Starlight: Jayla, hun. *gently, nods her head at Elli*
Elli: *sniffling and on the verge of tears again after Jayla took away the dolphin so fast*
Jayla: *realizes* Oh, oops!! Sorry, Elli! Here, you can play with it for a little while, just keep it in the case for now! *hands it back*
Elli: *takes it* Thank you! *now smiling again, admires it*
Siaera: Good luck getting it back now, Jay.
Mrs. Starlight: Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out for her. *winks*
Ducki: It was ta only dolphin one left when I got to ta mall to buy one for you! I first saw ta Color-Me Beanie Babies over ta weekend, and I knew you would like one! Because you are artsy-fartsy!
Deanna: Ducki! *hisses*
Jayla: *laughs* He’s not wrong!! And actually, I LOVE IT!!! Heheheeee!! *leaps up and runs towards Ducki* THANKS, DUCKI!!! *hugs him* WEEEEEEEEEE!!
Ducki: WEEEEEEEEEEEE!! HUGGIIIIIIES!!
Everyone (except for Lowgin - even Deanna is somewhat amused): *laughs*
Jayla: *squeezes him TIGHT, still squealing with excitement*
Ducki: *his eyes start bugging out - squeaks like a rubber duck* … Ch-choking… d-dying… n-need… AIR…
Linyear: *through her giggles* Careful, Jay! You're gonna squish him to death!
Jayla: *realizes* Oh! Sorry! *lets go of Ducki*
Ducki: *keels over*
Everyone: *lean in to see if he's okay*
Jayla: … Ducki…? *pokes his head* Uh-oh… I didn't ACTUALLY kill you, did I…? *pokes his stomach*
Ducki: *eyes pop back open* PILLSBURY!
Everyone: *collective sigh of relief*
Jayla: *giggles* Oh, thank goodness!
Dr. Starlight: *goes around the corner and grabs a rather large present, bringing it into the dining room* One last surprise gift from the whole family!
Jayla: Holy crap! That's a BIG one! *excitedly goes over, opens and reads the card* From Mom, Dad, Lowgin, Siaera, Kas, and Elli. *all signed by each family member individually, then turns to the big present* What could this be…? *unwraps it, gasps - it is a brand new electric guitar (pink, of course!)* OH MY GOD!!! I know I just said that with the last gift but really - OH MY GOD!!! *squeals once more, bouncing up and down in happiness*
Shelei & Linyear & Ducki & Deanna & Xerann & Christima: Ooooooooh!!
Shelei: Hell yeah!
Christima: That's an AWESOME gift!
Xerann: Yo! Now I REALLY have to make sure I ask for a bass for Christmas so we can jam out, Jay!
Jayla: Definitely!! *grinning* I'll be practicing till then!
Lowgin: In the meantime, you and I can jam out and I can show you some new stuff.
Jayla: Okay! That’ll be nice - music class can only teach us so much!
Lowgin: *nods* That's right.
Linyear: Can you show me some bass stuff too, Lowgin??
Lowgin: Uhh… *hesitating* … I s’pose I can, yeah.
Linyear: Yay! Gonna be rockstars together, Jay!
Jayla & Linyear: Weeeeeeeee!! *laugh*
Shelei: WEEEEEEEE!! *laughs hyperly with them*
Ducki: WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! AHUHUHAHAHAAAAA - *laughs in a… VERY odd and borderline maniacal manner*
Deanna: *amused by Jayla and Linyear, but at the same time shaking her head over Shelei and Ducki*
Everyone: *break off into their own conversations for the next few minutes*
Xerann & Christima: *talk*
Jayla: *looking over her presents again with Linyear - Shelei joins them after a moment*
Deanna: *caught up in a conversation with Siaera about the makeup kit she gave Jayla*
Jayla: *at one point glances over at Deanna* ~... Have Shelei or Deanna said a single word to each other yet today…? I don't think they have, now that I think about it… it's like they don't even notice each other… but SURELY they must… it's so strange… but, I think I prefer this over them fighting!~ *smiles*
Lowgin: *had been standing by Ducki during the present opening session… decides to finally break the ice* So… you’re Ducki, yeah?
Ducki: Tats MEEEEE! *waves his wings* And you are Jayla’s big brutta??
Lowgin: Brother, yes. Lowgin.
Ducki: Howdy doody!
Lowgin: *looking at him strangely* … Hello to you too. I hear you’re a good friend of Jayla.
Ducki: YAH! Jayla IS my good fwiend! In fact, besides DeDe, Jayla is one of my BESTEST fwiends!
Lowgin: *raises his eyebrow* Best friends, eh?
Ducki: YAH, YAH! Jayla, SheShe, and Linny too!
Lowgin: … You mean Shelei and Linyear too?
Ducki: YAH, YAH, YAH!
Lowgin: I see… so Ducki, what is it about Jayla that you like so much?
Ducki: Lemme tink…
Jayla: *sees Lowgin talking to Ducki, wrinkles her nose in annoyance… then turns back to her other friends*
Ducki: ... I like tat Jayla is so nice to me! I tink she is ta nicest person I know! And she’s a nice friend.
Lowgin: Nice and a nice friend? Sounds a bit redundant.
Ducki: Who ta chubby piggies?!?
Lowgin: No one - I mean, uh… could you explain what you mean about her being a "nice friend"?
Ducki: Because I might have lots of friends, but tey aren’t always ta nicest to me. Jayla is always nice to me. She is never mean or rude to me - EVER!
Lowgin: *thinks… then smirks* Jayla’s always been very friendly and kind indeed. Even to those who may not deserve it - unless they are messing with her friends. She often... believes the best in people. It’s an admirable quality in her, I must say. But it has also screwed her over before. *now scowling*
Ducki: Well, I tink Jayla is great just ta way she is! If DeDe and SheShe are arguing, she tries her best to say "stop fighting!" and tries to cheer tem up! Or else tey’d keep on fighting! It's a bit annoying sometimes, when tey fight.
Lowgin: *chuckles* I imagine. But yeah. That sounds like Jay.
Ducki: Oh! And anutter ting I like about Jayla is tat she is very helpful! She helps me with my work in school sometimes, and just ta utter day I called her to ask what pages we had to work on for our math homework and she reminded me!
Lowgin: *furrows his brow* You’ve been calling Jay - *stops himself* … I see. That’s nice of her too.
Ducki: Jayla’s just a great person to be around! Lots of fun, and hard to be sad when she’s around! I’m really happy she liked my present so much, even t’ough her hug made it hard to breathe and I almost fainted. Worth it to make one of my best friends so happy, because she makes ME happy! Weeeeeeeee! *jumps up and down, flapping his wings excitedly*
Lowgin: … *after a moment, his expression softens* You know… you may be… an odd duck. But you’re a good duck. And a good judge of character. And a good friend for Jayla. *chuckles again* Now I’M sounding like the redundant one…
Ducki: *his eyes light up* OOOOH!! Tank oo for saying tat I’m a good duck!!! You are nice TOO!! WEEEEEEEEE!! *suddenly hugs Lowgin VERY tightly*
Lowgin: *his eyes WIDE - he makes an odd squeaking sound* … Ch-choking… d-dying… n-need… AIR…
Jayla: *looks over their way, double takes… nudges Linyear beside her*
Linyear: *looks at Jayla, then looks where Jayla’s looking*
Jayla & Linyear: *laugh HARD*
Jayla: Hahahaha…!! That’s what your nosiness gets, Lowgin!! *VERY satisfied* In your FACE!!!

*A couple quick party games are played, and then Jayla suggests they all go downstairs into the movie room and watch "Pirates of the Caribbean" before Shelei has to leave. Jayla and her friends all go downstairs, each with a small bowl of popcorn, and watch the movie together. Jayla and Shelei sit next to each other and gleefully quote Captain Jack Sparrow's best lines to each other. Deanna side-eyes Shelei from time to time, looking annoyed - but again, stays silent*

*after the movie - it is starting to get dark outside*
Shelei: Well, I gotta take off - s'already gettin’ rather late.
Jayla: Aww, okay! I'm glad you could stay for a while anyway. And thanks for the gifts!
Shelei: Peace out, dudes! *flips a peace sign, turns to leave*
Ducki: BYE-BYE, SHESHE!! *waves vigorously*
Deanna: *clears her throat* Ahem? Aren't you forgetting something, Shelei? *the first time she's spoken to her all day*
Shelei: Oh. Right. *turns around*
Jayla: Hmm? *looking at them both curiously*
Deanna: *goes over and stands (sort of) near Shelei* Because of Jayla's birthday, Shelei and I made an agreement.
Jayla & Linyear: *raise their eyebrows in shock*
Linyear: Wow, that's a first!
Shelei: *smirks* Yeah. We agreed not to argue durin’ Jayla's party. Even if it meant pretendin' the other didn't exist.
Deanna: *glances at Shelei* It worked, didn't it? *looks back at Jayla* I know you hate it when we fight, so we wanted to make sure you had a great birthday without worrying about Shelei and I.
Shelei: Consider it an extra birthday present from us.
Jayla: *very touched* … Awwww...! Really? *pauses* Is THAT why you guys were acting so odd in the bathroom the other day??
Shelei: Er, yeah.
Deanna: We were in the middle of discussing it when you walked in.
Jayla: … Thank you, you guys!! *smiling happily* I know it won't last past today, but having you two not fight WAS really nice, AND noticed! Really happy you guys tried to make my birthday the best it could be. You both are great friends to me. *sincerely and kindly*
Shelei & Deanna: *glance at each other, but then quickly look away and look back at Jayla, nod and smile at her without another word about the subject*

*Shelei then leaves, Christima along with her (who apologizes for not staying for the sleepover - she has to get up early in the morning for plans with her family). Ducki's parents arrive as well to pick him up so the girls can commence their sleepover.

Along with Jayla the birthday girl, there is Linyear, Deanna, and Xerann who are sleeping over in the rec room downstairs. They blast the mixed CD that Christima made for Jayla, singing and dancing to it. They have lots of laughs, especially when they decide to roleplay as different things - Jayla as a "nerd", Linyear as a "cool dude", Deanna as a "princess", and Xerann as a "judge who sings and dances". Jayla teams up with Xerann to “chase down” Linyear and Deanna, all running around the rec room and being hyper together, dubbing it the “Attack of the Nerds” (Xerann converting into a "NERDY judge who sings and dances").

When their hyperness finally wears them down, they sit on the floor and chat together, giggle as they exchange funny stories… until...*

Linyear: You guys wanna play "Truth or Dare"??
Deanna: *perks up* Oooh! Yeah!!
Jayla: Uh, Lin? You know I don't like that game.
Linyear: I know, but I mean, it IS a sleepover! Even if we just do a REALLY quick round of it??
Jayla: … *sighs* Okay. ONE round of it. By that I mean everyone only goes ONE time.
Xerann: Fine with me. *shrugs her shoulders* Jay's the birthday girl too after all, so we should respect her wishes.
Linyear: Of course! Hmmm… Deanna! You wanna start by asking Jay?
Jayla: What?? I'M answering first?! *indignantly*
Linyear: Birthday girl! Then yours can be over and done with, and you can enjoy the rest of the round!
Jayla: *hesitates* … Makes sense. Okay then. *looks at Deanna* ~I've only known Deanna for a short time… surely she won't ask anything TOO crazy!~
Deanna: Okay, Jay! Truth or Dare?
Jayla: Truth. *bluntly* I always pick Truth.
Deanna: *grins* Who was the guy that Linyear and your sister were talking about earlier when you were cutting the cake?? The "summer camp boyfriend"??
Jayla: *eyes widen - heart lurches* What?!
Linyear & Xerann: OOOOOH!! *giggle like crazy*
Linyear: GREAT question, De!!
Xerann: WE know the story behind THAT!
Deanna: *grins* Time to spill the beans, Jay!
Jayla: Oh Lord… ugggh… *feels herself flushing… then sighs* … Fine, okay. So… me, Lin, and Xerann all go to camp for a week every summer. So does… a boy named Cregg Yozemite. *says his name rather quietly* He's from Prince Edward Island, so he's not exactly nearby. He's been going to this camp as long as we have though, so we became really good friends over the years…
Xerann: Yup… "really good friends". *uses her fingers as quotations marks*
Jayla: Oh shush. *snaps at Xerann, then continues the story* Anyway… last summer, I… got the feeling he had a crush on me.
Linyear: Aaaaaand?
Jayla: I'm getting there! *snaps at Linyear* … and… I realized I… KINDA liked him too. *feeling VERY embarrassed about saying it out loud*
Deanna: Oooooooh!! So did anything happen between you two??
Jayla: Ummm… *hesitating for what seems like a while*
Xerann: Give her a moment. *nods to Deanna, smirking*
Jayla: … We clued into each other's feelings eventually. But… nothing REALLY happened between us… um, w-well… to be truthful, as the name of this game goes… he DID, uh… kiss me on the cheek before leaving camp that last day… *VERY red*
Deanna: OOOOOOOH!!
Xerann: Oh my God - when that happened, I was about ready to FLIP!! *excitedly*
Linyear: Right?? I wish he did more! *swoons*
Jayla: Ugh! *looks at Linyear with disgust* No thanks!!
Linyear: *giggles like crazy*
Deanna: So, like… you guys still talk, do you?? Like on MSN??
Jayla: Ummm… *continuing to feel uncomfortable* … we DID talk a lot on MSN after coming home from camp… all of our camp friends did…
Linyear: Not only did they talk, but they got MARRIED!
Xerann: *bursts out laughing*
Deanna: OOOOOOOOOOOH!!!
Jayla: Ahhhhh…!! *somehow redder than she was before* Not like, for REAL! Obviously! Our other camp friend Josh did it as a joke in a group chat one day… that's it!
Deanna: Still sounds pretty official to me!! *winks at her*
Jayla: No, it… really wasn't… *sadly as she thinks back on it all* … As time went on, we talked to each other less and less… and now… we don't talk anymore. At all. He hasn't sent me any messages, and… I'm scared to message him first.
Deanna: Really? *surprised* What are you scared of?
Jayla: *hesitating* … I'm afraid to… get too attached. After all, he lives on the Island… and I'm in Nova Scotia. It would have never worked between us anyway. We'd never get to see each other… maybe only at camp.
Linyear & Xerann: *exchange glances with each other, feeling bad for Jayla*
Deanna: Well… *thinks about it too* … long-distance relationships are tough, so I hear. And aren't for everyone. If they're not for you, I understand.
Jayla: … Yeah. *smiles sadly* They aren't. Besides… if he really still liked me… I think he would still try to talk to me. *shrugs* It didn't stop him before…
Deanna: I see… well… fuck him, then! *waves her wing dismissively* Take a baseball bat and drive it RIGHT up his asshole!! *aggressively, thrusting her wing up to mimic the action* If he don't make an effort to reach out, then he don't deserve YOUR effort! OR feelings!
Linyear & Xerann: *trying desperately to suppress their laughter*
Jayla: *making an odd face, her lips quivering - almost like she too is trying not to laugh*
Deanna: *eyes widen* Assuming you don't STILL like him, of course! *hastily*
Jayla: *smirks* Nah, I don't. I've moved on, just like he did… and like every other boy who stopped talking to me has… *bitterly, her mind lingering on those from her past that are no longer a part of her life…*
Deanna: Good. And whoever those other boys are? Idiots.
Jayla: *snaps out of her thoughts as she registers Deanna's words - giggles quietly*
Deanna: … You said earlier you don't have a crush on ANYONE now… is that true?
Jayla: You've already asked WAY more than enough "Truth" questions, Deanna.
Deanna: Oops! *hastily covers her beak* You're right! Sorry! I'll shut up now!
Jayla: … But I'll answer it anyway.
Linyear & Deanna & Xerann: *raise their eyebrows in shock (and Deanna lowers her wings)... they lean in towards Jayla, all ears*
Jayla: … *begins to speak, avoiding eye contact with any of them* … I DON'T have a crush on anyone anymore. I really, really don't. Not on anyone in our class. Not on anyone outside of school. Nobody. And if I'm being honest… I want it to stay that way. *quietly* I don’t… I don’t want to… fall in love… with anyone.
Linyear & Deanna & Xerann: *exchange rather sad glances with each other*
Jayla: It's just… for the best this way… if I don't… *trails off - her past and her memories threatening to take over her mind*
Linyear: … Yeah. *frowns* I guess deep down, I DID know that…
Deanna: If it makes you feel any better Jay, I don't have any crushes either. I can't say I've ever had a "real" crush, if I'm being honest. But that doesn't mean I'm opposed to the idea. I think… I think it's okay to let yourself fall in love, Jay. Love is supposed to be a good thing. And I'm sure I'm not the only one here who agrees that, well, we wouldn't want you to miss out on something so good, because you're trying to avoid it, or are too scared, or something…
Linyear: *nods adamantly* Exactly, Deanna. I've been trying to tell her that love IS a good thing!
Jayla: *shifts uncomfortably* I dunno… I feel like I've been… hurt more, in the past… BECAUSE I loved… rather than didn't… *bites her lip, once again trying to push back unspoken and unpleasant memories*
Linyear & Deanna: *look at Jayla sympathetically, unsure what else to say*
Xerann: … You know I ain't one to pry much, and I'm not about to start now. But maybe… you just haven't met the right guy yet, Jay.
Jayla: *finally looks one of them in the eye - Xerann - thinking on her words…* … Yeah… maybe so.
Xerann: *smiles encouragingly at her*
Linyear: Okay, well - I guess we can move on now! Jay's been in the spotlight long enough! Now SHE can choose who to ask next!
Jayla: *relieved* Thank goodness! Okay. *looks at Linyear* I choose YOU, Lin! Truth or Dare?
Linyear: Oh! *surprised* Hmm… I'd pick Truth, but you already know everything about me!
Jayla: True, but… *grins evilly* THEY don't know everything! *jerks her head towards Deanna and Xerann* Lemme think of one of your REALLY big secrets to spill in front of everyone - as revenge for insisting we play this game!!
Linyear: *her eyes wide, actually feeling nervous now* Uh-oh!!
Deanna & Xerann: *giggle*
Jayla: Mwahahahahaha…! *cackling as she thinks of a question*

END?

Aftermath: Jayla and her friends get settled in to sleep just after 3 am in their sleeping bags. The next morning (or rather, closer to noon), they wake up and have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Linyear, Deanna, and Xerann stay for the day and later that evening they all go out trick-or-treating (Ducki joining them as well) - it IS Halloween, after all! Despite this, however, Deanna gives a lot of her candy away to the others in the group, due to desire to eat healthy. Once they are done, they all part ways and head back home.

Jayla is VERY sleepy after all is said and done, but she can't help but reflect on her birthday party weekend and what a special time it turned out to be. Sure - there are people from her past that she misses quite dearly. But Jayla is thankful for all the new friends she has made at TJHS so far, and how much they all seem to care about her too.

Friends who Jayla is certain will join her on this new journey - into the teenage years of her life.

END!