Chapter 2

2

Suddenly, he slammed my face into the frosting. I inhaled a mouthful of cream and nearly choked.

The place erupted in laughter.

I pulled my head up, wiping off the icing, coughing and spluttering. Flashbulbs were going off everywhere. I instinctively ducked my head.

"Hahaha... She actually thought there was a ring! Like Jake would hide it in a cake!"

"Hey, Suzie, what's with the ostrich act? Look up, let us get a look at you."

"What's wrong, Suzie? You don't act like a spoiled princess."

I finally managed to breathe, and then the smell hit me: peanuts.

Peanut butter!

Everyone knew I had a serious peanut allergy.

My face was already burning and itching.

I reached for my purse, desperate for my meds, but Jake grabbed the bottle, grinning, and pulled out a napkin, “Alright everyone, let's get the frosting off this masterpiece!”

He swiped at my face, smearing the cream more, and I started to fight him off. "Jake, why are you doing this to me?"

A sweet voice spoke up behind him. "Okay, Jake, that's enough. I'm having a great time. Sorry, Suzie, it’s my fault, I just got back in town and I was talking about my job stress and Jake wanted to cheer me up. Go wash up, okay?”

I recognized the voice. It was Tiffany, Jake's high school sweetheart.

So this wasn't a birthday surprise; it was all a set-up to humiliate me and make Tiffany laugh?

Jake kept wiping at my face, revealing my swollen, blotchy skin.

“She’s got a melon head now!”

“Wow, Suzie can transform!”