Okay, so I couldn't wait 3 more hours... and I had to post this one shot for your birthday! Duuude, you're 21!!! AHH! Coolness. Oh, also, vital info for your everyday life: this is in 3 years... yes, that means Erin's younger and we don't have to deal with OMJ! Joe's way too young for her! Anyway, here's that one-shot I told you you'd be getting Erin, ENJOY:
21st
The phone on Erin’s dresser buzzed once, signaling a text message. Carefully, she slid the hanger of the red dress she had been examining in the mirror from over her head and laid its silky form down on her bed. The phone’s screen lit up as she pressed the menu button, the text message had been sent from a restricted phone number, but she knew exactly who it had come from. Scrolling through several menu screens, she finally landed on the one that displayed the brief text she had just been sent.
hey cnt tlk… interview. not out til 10. dnt think i can make it. im sry, i love you. joe.
She read through the message several times, letting herself sink into her soft mattress. Having been with Joe Jonas for the past 3 years, she accepted this sort of thing, it came with dating a Jonas Brother. But of all the times he couldn’t make it, of all the times he had promised to and had backed out, she had hoped that her 21st birthday would be something he’d do everything not to miss. Scrolling through the text one last time, she pressed reply.
i understand. luv u 2. plz try. <3 erin
Several phone calls from excited friends and a long trip to the hair and nail salon later, Erin ran into her room, checking that the car ride hadn’t messed up her expensive hairdo. It hadn’t. Her long brown locks had been transformed into soft curls that were clipped into perfect layers under a shiny silver and ruby tiara. Smiling at herself, she picked the dress up from her bed, this time pulling it on for real. Its red silk hugged her at all the right curves, and she wished at this moment that Joe would’ve tried just a little harder to make it to her party.
“You ready?” her mom stuck her head into the room.
Erin nodded, finalizing her look with some silver eye shadow and the perfect shade of sparkly red lip gloss.
“Then we gotta go, party’s in half an hour. The club called and said people are already arriving.”
Weaving through impossible Monday afternoon gridlock, Erin finally pulled up to the small club that would hold all of her friends and family for the night. Bouncers were already checking people in, everybody wore black and white, just as she had asked in her invitation. Greeting a few people with friendly hugs, the security let her in ahead of the line. The club was far more elaborately decorated then when she had seen it in preparation. Colorful lights were thrown around the room while a DJ up on stage immersed himself in the beat that was flowing through the speakers. A few people had already found their way to the table that held food and drink, and around the enormous dance floor were a bunch of tables covered in black tablecloths with white chairs, plates, cups and silverware.
“Happy Birthday!” came a loud call behind her, and Erin spun to find Kory, a bouquet of roses in his hand, standing behind her.
“Thanks!” she smiled excitedly, taking the bouquet and giving him a tight hug.
“Any celebrities coming out tonight?” he asked.
Her face fell and she looked down at the floor, shaking her head.
“Joe couldn’t make it? Then I’ll be your date for tonight!”
Erin laughed, hugging Kory again and following him to the dance floor. No one had begun moving, so she figured this was the best way to get the party started.
Only an hour later and Erin found herself pushing the curls out of her face as she sipped her first legal alcoholic beverage. She scanned the room, captivated by the sight of everyone she loved brightly smiling and having a good time, everyone she loved, that is, except for Joe.
The Rihanna song that had just been reverberating around the room was carefully mixed into a slow beat and the DJ spoke, “can we get the birthday girl up here, please? Spotlights, search the room for a girl in red.”
It only took a few seconds before the long white light was causing Erin to squint, “I’m coming, I’m coming!” she laughed, “But please stop making me blind.”
The DJ only grinned and waited for her to step onto the stage. Grabbing his mike, he wrapped her arm around her, shielding his own eyes from the light with his other hand. “Some dude in this room,” he began, “really likes you, it seems.”
Erin shook her head to herself, what had Kory decided to do this time? She searched the room for him, and found that his face showed no sign of emotion at whatever was going on.
“Except, he clearly doesn’t understand that you’re 21 today…”
Now she was getting confused, she threw a curious look at Kory who only shrugged.
“…because he wants me to play you a Jonas Brothers song.”
“What?!” Erin screamed, jumping back.
“Do you know a guy by the name of Joseph?” the DJ asked, chuckling only slightly at Erin’s stunned reply.
She nodded slowly.
“He wants to dance with you to… ‘When You Look Me In The Eyes’…. Do me a favor would you? Tell him I don’t play that at 21st birthday parties…”
“Where is he?!” Erin asked, searching the room wildly for a sign of long black hair, or other wise a pair of Ray-Bans.
“Right here,” a low voice behind her replied, covering her eyes with his hands.
Twisting on the spot, Erin’s eyes met Joe’s and for a split second the only thing both could do was stare. Another split-second, and Joe had put his mouth gently, but passionately on Erin’s and the two kissed, her fingers running madly through his hair and his hands pulling her waist as close to him as physically possible. The two were so in the moment that it took them a while before either one realized that they were still under a spotlight, that the audience was cheering and wolf-whistling, and that the DJ was attempting to get a “Get A Room!” chant going.
Erin pulled back, praying the heat she felt wouldn’t show in her cheeks, but it was no use.
“It was so hard lying to you…” he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck, “… I couldn’t call because I knew my voice would let on that I was coming.”
“You’re unbelievable Joe Jonas!” she yelled, fake-punching him in the chest.
Stepping off the stage, Erin was finally able to get a good view of Joe. He wore a full-on white tux, with a bright red bow tie.
“I said black and white only…” she pouted, holding back a grin.
“I’m sure the date’s allowed to match you a little bit.”
“I guess…” she trailed off as the first chords of “When You Look Me In The Eyes” began to play.
Taking her hand in his, Joe led her to the dance floor. She laid her head on his shoulder as both of his hands found their way around her waist once more.
Whispering, Erin said, “Thank you.” She looked up into the only eyes that could ever make a shiver run down her spine.
“You’re welcome. Happy 21st.” he replied, sealing the wish with another, much longer, but just as passionate, birthday kiss.
HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY, ERIN! Woooo! *blows one of those spiffy party horn thingies*
