Song of the chapter: Don't - Ed Sheeran

"Happy birthday!"

Min screeched in my ear. Her, Tyler and Rae were jumping on my bed, belting out the birthday song while Rosette stood on the sidelines, holding a miniature cupcake with a single candle. The irony of the situation was that I was now probably single like that candle.

I sat up in bed, smiling sleepily up at them. "Thanks, you guys" I replied. I blew out the candle, making a wish that Mitchell would call or text me back.

He didn't.

"Hurry up, babe. We're going to chill by the beach and have dinner later on." Min informed me of their proposed itinerary.

I was ready soon after, spending my time in the shower reflecting on my mere 21 years in the world. My train of thought was shattered by my phone ringing on the bedside table.

The caller ID was unknown and I couldn't help but wonder who would be calling me at this time of day. The number had an American country code - Chicago area code to be exact.

"Hey there, stranger," an Irish voice echoed in my ear.

Eoin.

"A little birdie told me today was someone's birthday," he said, sounding very awake at 4 am. "Happy birthday, Zoe."

"It's four am where you are," I cried.

"Normally, I'd get a 'Thank you' but I see you're not a normal person," he insulted jokingly. "I've been thinking about you quite a lot this week and Rae told me it was your birthday today."

Lord help Rae Campbell-Davies when I lay my hands on her, I thought.

"You two are thick as thieves, I see," I responded likewise.

"I really like her friend and the only way this friend can notice me is if I befriend this friend's friends," he said. "With me so far?"

"Yeah, go on," I laughed, walking out onto the balcony.

"So far this friend's friend's been helping me out, giving me useful tips and some necessary information. That's how I'm able to call this particular friend on her birthday and make her laugh."

I could hear the smile in his voice and I could picture it, his naughty, sexy, smirk of a smile. I really hope this wasn't considered cheating, either.

"She must be a special girl to get early morning calls from six hours away," I assumed, squinting my eyes for emphasis.

Rae was below me, lying casually on the deck chairs in a bikini top and sarong, waiting for everyone to get their stuff together. She waved at me, her eyes inquiring about my caller.

Eoin, I mouthed. You're welcome, she mouthed back, her go-to phrase whenever I talked to someone she was or had been trying to set me up with.

"She is otherwise I would be asleep right now. It's early Saturday morning where I am, you know," he replied with a mock yawn.

"Rae's patting herself on the back right now. You really shouldn't flatter her like this. No need to boost her already inflated ego."

"I heard that!" she yelled up at me, flipping the bird. Eoin laughed on the other end of the line, his raspy voice booming out an amusing sound.

"Thank you so much though," I said genuinely. "I'd save you some cake but you're more than a thousand miles away and I hate sharing."

"I could get some if I leave now." I laughed at his eagerness and bid him goodbye.

"I'll take you up on that one day." Probably sooner than we both thought.

...

"That guy says happy birthday, Zoe," Rae informed me, returning from the bar a few feet away from where we were chilling on the beach.

"He was selling brownies of some sort but decided to give them to me on the house."

She was carrying a paper plate stacked high with beautiful looking chocolate goodness.

"Ooh, I'll have some. He looks trustworthy enough," said Min, waving at an adorable looking guy with floppy golden locks. She bit into one and moaned. "OMG, this is actually quite good!"

"Of course you'd say that Min," I retorted, hesitantly sampling one myself; I totally agreed with my greedy friend though - they were really good. I went over to him and thanked him, asking for a recipe.

"Family secret," he replied. I tried coaxing it out of him but he was adamant, insisting that he'd have to kill me afterwards. Jokingly, of course.

We attacked the entire plate, savouring the deliciousness of every bite.

What the unidentified blonde fellow neglected to mention was that this chocolatey substance he used was actually an organic root with medicinal and hallucinogenic properties. Never trust beautiful looking, gorgeous tasting food from adorable strangers.

Tyler, the only one sane enough not to eat the entire thing, made sure we were away from innocent civilians who'd instinctively record our little incident and post it on some social media. None of us would appreciate that publicity and I most certainly did not want Mitchell's wife to be famous for being high on a public beach in Ibiza.

If he still wanted me, that is. Hope is a necessary evil.

Rosette later explained how this root, when mixed with alcohol, had psychedelic effects. "You're glad Tyler was around. Wouldn't want my beautiful girls being humiliated like that all around the world."

We thanked her for her motherly concern and helpful antidote of some traditional, extremely vile herbal tea.

"Although it would make for a good laugh," she added with a cheeky smile. I really adored this woman.

"Please adopt me?" Min pleaded with her, in need of parental replacements. Her fractured relationship with her family was hanging in the balance, begging for the final straw to be destroyed forever. Rosette refused of course, assuring Min that her parents would come around...never.

After begging Rosette to join us for dinner and her politely refusing every time, we set out for a fancy restaurant Min had made a special reservation at, just for me.

Dinner was amazing, everyone dressed up like the elegant young ladies we strived to be someday. We struck up conversations with a friendly bunch of people seated around our table, laughing and having an all around fantastic time.

Stephen, the guy from the plane, appeared at one point during dessert, offering to take us all out for drinks. He'd been true to his word, coming to Ibiza just to get Min to go out with him.

She was annoyed of course, declining his invitation and compliments. It was a very interesting cat-and-mouse game which Min won, with Stephen resigning to his table. I felt sorry for the guy - Min was just a tough nut to crack.

Aidan, Cameron and Lyle all either called, messaged or dedicated a message to me on a social media site, wishing me a happy birthday and apologising for missing it. They were like family to me - that made my night even more special.

The only thing raining on my parade was Mitchell flatly ignoring me when everyone else reached out to me - either no-one seemed to notice or they did but just didn't bother to ask. Happy fucking birthday to me.

...

A/N: I dedicate this chapter to my awesome friend @iamstilesstilinski. Thanks for allowing me to use your account for my book and all your unnecessary input sometimes. Min is wholly based on her :)