Peony

“But my mum said it had to be a princess and pirates party because boys wouldn’t come if I only had a princess party.”

I stare in wide-eyed amazement at my three best friends, who are all dressed up in various well known princess dresses.

Axel is dressed in yellow, complete with a rose which he hands to me with a curtsy. I smell it and smile. No one has ever bought me flowers before and it feels like something out of a film.

Zie is in a beautiful blue ball gown and glass slippers. He lifts the skirts of his dress to show off the shoes and then moans about how much they’re pinching his feet.

“I hope you don’t ever start wearing heels,” he grumbles. “Actually, you should! Then I’ll beat you in all the races!”

“I think I could beat you, even in heels, while running backwards,” I brag, laughing.

“Oh, game on, Odi!”

Kaiden is dressed in a sheer blue belly top and harem pants. I giggle. They even have wigs and makeup on.

My whole face lights up at the sight before me and I don’t even care if the boys and girls from my class are staring and whispering. They don’t have three older boys turning up at their parties and smiling at them like they’re the sun.

“You wanted a princess party, and we’re your friends, so here we are,” Axel tells me, spreading his arms wide as he speaks. An easy smile lights his face and I laugh as I launch myself at each of the boys to hug and thank them.

“This is the best birthday ever.”

“Anything for you, Peony,” Axel tells me, gently kissing the top of my head. “You’re one of us.”