Chapter Seven: The Birthday Party

Penelope's birthday party was the talk of the entire neighborhood. Several of Anne's friends, also cheerleaders for the Philadelphia Eagles, were also present. They stood at the doorways, both flirting and playing with some of the guys present. 

A lit red-and-black cake from St. Thomas Middle School, where Peneloppe was a cheerleader, was soon brought out to the birthday girl as the audience gleefully observed the sweet coming. The girl cheered at the sight of the fresh icing. 

Anne stood at the main table, while watching Penelope blow out each of the candles. Suddenly, everyone clapped, and then Aunt Bess cut into the cake. The Internet on the TV was then turned on, as Carley Rae Jepsons's ''I really Liked You'' was played to all the family members and guests who began dancing in the bottom rooms. 

Anne was amazed by the red laser lights that lit up every dark room. The next song, Katy Perry's "Firework," aroused the guests even more as she watched her sister being elevated over the outside pool by her friends. Smiling, she was impressed with her sister's choices for this birthday party, unlike any that she had ever seen. 

Penelope showed off her black dress to her girlfriends as they splashed each other in the pool. Soon, their makeup was running down their faces, and the girl didn't seem to notice until her favorite guy showed. 

''Leo,'' Penelope said, startled by his presence and embarrassed by her stained face. ''I didn't expect to see you here tonight. I thought you had a soccer game tonight?'' 

''It got canceled because of the storm. Besides, I wouldn't want to miss this.'' 

Penelopee blushed with excitement as her friends drew her up from the pool before she nearly fell into Ledo's arms. Her boyfriend swung his hair to the right as she laughed gleefully, saying, ''Oooh, you are so cool, Leo.'' 

''I want to give you my full attention, girl,'' Leo said, with his hands dropping into the pockets of his jeans. ''I like the music you selected tonight for your birthday party.'' 

''Will you excuse me? I want to get my makeup back on before I return.'' 

''Sure.'' 

Leo turned while watching his girlfriend head indoors to change her clothes. The back door was opened by one of the girls, as Taylor Swift's "Love Story" played loudly enough for the outsiders to hear. 

He turned to his iPhone and noticed all the likes and comments that Peneloppe had so far received about her party. She tagged his name twice, with photos of them at their Middle School together, especially during the recent games. 

Inside, Penelope had finished drying and was now putting on a second of the same dress before doing makeup and eye shadow at her mirror. Her friends helped her, as the music from downstairs vibrated across the walls of every bedroom in the house. 

''Where did the birthday girl go?'' one of the ladies asked. 

''Oh, she's up in her room, just getting ready,'' Caroline returned. ''Leo, I love your new wave!'' 

She rubbed his elbow as if pals with the boy who dated her younger daughter. 

Leo turned to Mrs. Miller and smiled. He swung his hair to the right side of his head for a second time while walking around slowly, catching the eyes who were watching him. ''Thanks,'' he replied. 

''I can't tell you how much Peloppe was hoping that you would show at this party.''

''Yah, she told me several times over text.'' 

''How is your band?'' 

''We've been performing all week for our next concert.'' 

''My, Leo, you are so talented with your drums.'' 

''Leo, do you want to watch me swim?'' one of the girls asked, realizing that Penelope was absent. 

''Sure,'' Leo simply answered, while maneuvering over to the pool where several girls flirted with him at once and shared their pictures of the given party. 

Anne watched Leo from across the swimming pool, though her mom seemed oblivious to all that was happening. She approached the boy just as one of the girls was whispering something in his ear, and Leo laughed respectfully, too. 

''Hey, Leo,'' Anne began. 

The boy turned to face her. ''Hey,'' he simply returned. 

''What are you doing?'' 

Leo laughed uncomfortably. ''Look, Penelope is back outside,'' he said, turning to his girlfriend and avoiding Anne's questions. 

Penelope seemed immune to all that was happening. The same girls who had just been taking pictures with Leo minutes before were now approaching her, telling her how much she had been missed over the prior moments. 

Anne felt unsettled by these dialogues. She watched her younger sister praise the leader of the boy band as Leo stood out as a teen star among the females at this party. He was conscious of his every moment, and had lately received more followers on his social media platforms with girls who coveted his attention, including some of the females present---girls, Penelope believed, were her best friends. 

The boy received a comment of praise from every girl his age present. Even some of the women his mother's age approached him and spoke of how much they would have crushed on him had they had been his age--- assuming that they didn't share such feelings for him now. 

''Love, you, Leo,'' one of the moms said as she touched his wave and fantasized about being a teenage girl in his arms. 

''Hey, thanks,'' the boy said, while noticing his many female admirers of all ages. 

Caroline headed toward her eldest daughter and whispered in Anne's ear, ''Your sister looks so magnificent tonight. Both of you blossomed beautifully at sixteen. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that it's been nine years since you turned that age. You are such a big girl now.'' 

Anne grinned blushfully while embracing her mother. She knew that her family cared for her, though she felt her mom was blind to occurrences this evening and unwise to forcefully pair her with Robert. 

Caroline wiped a tear. ''I better return inside, to make certain that everything is clean,'' she said. ''I'm always glad to see you home, Anne.''

''Thanks, mom.''

Just as Mrs. Miller departed, more of the girls surrounded Anne's sister, seemingly for Penelope's attention. Soon, Leo was playing a ukulele to his girlfriend and the other young women, who sat around him, eager for his attention. 

Anne quietly watched as the party continued. Leo flattered Penelope when given the chance, yet also the other girls when she wasn't present. None of the Millers, except for Anne, seemed to notice. She had the eyes of an eagle, however, and felt cautious of the young man who had her sister's heart.

(mention cattiness Anne felt at Penelpee's age and now when around other cherrlewders).