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“The first few seasons.”

She laughed. “Yes, the first seasons. It turns out my cousin knows a guy, who knows a guy, who works on set. And I managed to get you a poster signed by some of the cast!”

“Are you serious?” Zoey was normally the one who did most of the squealing in our friendship, but right now, I was giving her a run for her money. “That’s awesome.”

“I know.” She was beaming in delight as she took in my reaction.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it. I can’t wait to see it.”

“I’ll drop it on Aiden’s front doorstep later today,” she replied. “And I know it’s your birthday, but I think the birthday fairy got confused and sent one of your gifts to me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, you know that couple who moved in across the road from me a few months ago?” she asked.

“Vaguely?” I remembered the moving vans on her street but couldn’t actually remember the people who moved in. It seemed easier just to agree.

“Well, it turns out they have a super-hot son who goes to college, and he’s moved home because of the pandemic.”

“So, you finally got some lockdown eye candy?”

“Yes! And he’s tall. Like,sotall.”

“You should wipe the drool from your mouth. I can see it from here.”

“Ha, ha, Lissa. Seriously, he is totally drool-worthy though. I hope he likes to mow their front lawn and do workouts outside.”

I laughed. “Well, I’m glad you’ve got something to get you through these hard times.”

“Me too. I can’t let you have all the fun, can I?” She winked at me, and I smiled. “Anyway, I’m sure you’ve got to get back to your own birthday snack of a boyfriend.”

“Please don’t call him a snack.”

“What? He’s tasty.” She grinned wickedly. “I’ll talk to you later. Enjoy your birthday!”

“Thanks, Zo.”

I stared at the phone as I placed it back on the side table. Snack of a boyfriend? I needed to get a new best friend.

After a quick shower, I headed downstairs to meet Aiden. As I walked into the kitchen, I was met with the joyful screams of three very enthusiastic Moores.

“Happy birthday, Clary!” Aiden, Jade, and Elliot shouted as they unleashed party poppers on me, coating me in a layer of confetti.

I smiled brightly and ran a hand through my hair to dislodge some of the flecks of colored paper caught in it. The kitchen had been decorated in a similar fashion to my bedroom with the addition of two huge balloons in the shape of the number eighteen.

They’d all gone to so much effort for me, and I was seriously touched they were trying so hard to give me a happy day. “Thank you, guys. You didn’t need to go to all this trouble.”

“Of course, we did,” Jade said, walking over and gathering me in a warm hug. “It’s not every day you turn eighteen.”

I clasped Jade back tightly. The hug might not have been from my actual mom, but Jade felt like family these days, and I’d never appreciated her more than in this moment.

When Jade released me, Elliot was right behind her. “Happy birthday, MJ,” he said before giving me a hug of his own.

“You really should stop calling her that,” Aiden grumbled. “She is my girlfriend, after all.”