sixteen → jade west

jade's sweet sixteen

The grand hall of one of Los Angeles' most prestigious hotels was beautifully adorned, with golden balloons and banners proclaiming 'Happy Sweet Sixteen, Jade'. A live band played in the corner, their music barely reaching the buzz of the crowd filled with Los Angeles' elite. A decadently tall cake stood on the main table, adorned with sixteen flaming candles.

Yet in the midst of all the grandeur and celebration, the birthday girl stood, utterly disconnected from her own party. Jade West was clad in a designer dress, an expensive necklace that glittered around her neck, her hair adorned with colorful extensions. But her usually sharp and fiery eyes held a certain sadness.

Clifford and Ellen West, Jade's parents, were busy mingling with the other high society guests. Little Jack, Jade's six-year-old brother, sat bored in his seat, longing to run around and play but kept firmly in place by his parents' strict rules.

Jade had received all kinds of expensive gifts, a brand new 2009 Hyundai Genesis, the latest Apple gadgets, a Chanel perfume she actually loved. But what she yearned for more than anything was not materialistic. It was love and genuine affection, the warmth of a family, the freedom to invite her actual friends over to celebrate her birthday. But all these were things that her parents' money couldn't buy.

As Jade blew out the candles on her extravagant birthday cake, she made a silent wish, a wish for happiness that extended beyond the confines of material wealth. A happiness that was heartfelt and not dictated by societal standards.

But for now, she swallowed her sadness, managing a smile for the photographers. After all, the party was not about celebrating her birthday but about maintaining the West family's image. It was a farce, a charade she was forced to participate in, a hollow spectacle that brought her no joy.

In the midst of the glitz and glamour, Jade found herself longing for the simple pleasures of life, a warm hug, a genuine smile, a room full of laughter, and a house filled with love.

She could only hope that someday, she would be able to celebrate her birthday on her own terms, with the people she genuinely cared about, in an environment where she was loved and accepted just as she was. Until then, she had her dreams and her silent wishes, the only refuge that offered her the comfort she so desperately sought.

Jade's sixteenth birthday was in full swing, the grandeur of the hotel hall a stark contrast to the hollow feeling in her heart. The glitz and glamour of the occasion did nothing to dull the absence of something she yearned for deeply - a real connection, genuine love, an honest smile.

As the evening wore on, she found herself growing more restless. Excusing herself, Jade made her way to the balcony overlooking the city skyline. This was her solace in all the chaos - her own little corner of serenity. The brisk night air was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere of the party, soothing her tense nerves.

Lost in her thoughts, Jade hardly noticed the shadow that appeared in the doorway of the balcony. It was only when she heard a soft cough that she turned around, her eyes meeting a familiar pair of brown ones. "Beck?" she gasped, her heart fluttering.

Standing tall, Beck Oliver, her boyfriend of almost two years, looked every bit as handsome as she remembered, adorned in a sharp black and white suit. He wore a warm smile on his face, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.

"Surprise," Beck simply said, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. He held out a wrapped package. With careful fingers, Jade unwrapped the package to reveal a black leather jacket - Beck's.

A soft gasp left her lips, her eyes widening in surprise. She had seen Beck with this jacket on a few rare occasions, but she never thought he would gift it to her. Beck helped her into the jacket, his fingers brushing against her arms, causing goosebumps to spread on her skin.

"Do you know why I gave you my jacket?" Beck asked, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned closer. Jade shook her head, looking up at him in curiosity.

Beck didn't answer verbally. Instead, he gently took her hand, leading her to the center of the balcony. The soft melody from the band inside reached their ears, but it felt like a world away from them. There, under the glow of the stars and the ambient city lights, Beck held Jade close and they began to dance.

Jade rested her head against Beck's shoulder, a content sigh escaping her lips. This was her perfect birthday gift - a moment of genuine connection, away from the prying eyes and societal standards. A gift of love from the person who understood her the most.

She looked up at Beck, their eyes locking and communicating a thousand unsaid words. And in that moment, Jade realized that maybe her silent wish was being granted, not in the way she had expected but in a way that was even more special. Because at that moment, even if it was just for a while, she had everything she had wished for. And for the first time that day, Jade's smile was genuinely happy and filled with love.