From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 201: Birthday Boy

The next two weeks passed in a general blur with Ari doing his best to become the most diligent student ever.

He only went from school to the restaurant to the church, and occasionally to Jamie’s studio, making sure that he was never alone or doing anything wrong.

And when Jamie had to go back to the Pop Star Academy dorm, he limited his movement and refused to go anywhere that wasn’t the school or the restaurant, especially because he always spotted a police car lurking about.

Since he had received a notification from the production team that he would be allowed to return to the show the day after he turned 18, Ari was simply waiting for his birthday to arrive.

And as that day finally came, Ari got ready as if it were a normal day, eating breakfast with Grace and preparing to leave, since he had already informed everyone that he needed the morning and afternoon off.

No one knew that it was his birthday, and he had no plans to make a big deal out of it.

"Make sure to be back by 6 pm because I have to go hang out with my friends! 6 pm and not a moment later got it?!" Grace yelled, her face scrunched up.

"Yeah, yeah, I’ll be back at 6. Stop nagging or you’ll get more wrinkles than your granddad," Ari replied before quickly walking out the door before Grace started shouting like she usually did when Ari teased her.

Getting into the taxi he had already called for himself, he sat quietly in the back as it first took him to a flower shop to pick up his order, then a pastry shop that sold French pastries, before taking him to the cemetery where his parents were buried.

Thankfully, it was a nice day, and as he walked to the correct spot, he was a bit happy to see that it was quite empty, which meant he had it all to himself.

"Bonjour maman, salut papa. Ça faisait longtemps (It’s been a long time). J’ai un an de plus maintenant (I’m a year older now)..."

With slow movements, Ari slowly cleaned the grave stones, plucking the weeds that were around them and laying the new flowers neatly on each grave stone before sitting in between the two of them.

Then, opening the variety pack of pastries, he began nibbling each one while speaking the language that was both his parents’ native tongue in a low voice, updating them on what had happened since his last birthday.

"My hair is getting super long, I really need a haircut."

"I miss dads cooking."

"Can you believe I’m trying to be an idol?"

"My French is getting bad these days since I have nobody to talk to. It’s a bit sad."

From dying and getting NOVA, to getting on the show, what he had gone through, Ari properly complained and let all his grievances flow before his parents the same way he would when they were alive.

Except this time around, there was nobody to ruffle his hair, kiss and pinch his cheeks, or make him a snack as he complained.

"Just know that I’m listening to dads words properly; if I have the chance to complain about how I’m treated, I do so. And I always advocate for my friends and those who are quieter."

"I don’t hit people first, but if they hit me, I make sure to hit them back worse."

"Thankfully, my cheeks are less fluffy, so they get pinched a lot less nowadays."

"I am properly eating my meals and being less picky, so hopefully I can add an inch or two more so I can be taller than dad. I still refuse to go to the gym, but I have been exercising more."

"I hope somebody has been feeding Matagot and that he’s fat and happy and healthy, eating all the fish that gets tossed his way and taking all the long naps in the sun that he wants. In my next life, I want to be a cat too."

"Also, I really can’t believe you both didn’t leave me a single dime in your will. I know you said you wouldn’t but I can’t believe you both really did it. I’m your only child for goodness’ sake!"

After grumbling for a while, Ari sighed while wiping tears from his face.

"I miss you both. A lot. But I want you to know that I’m doing much better. I’ve made pretty good friends, met crazy people, I’m staying with a family that’s far kinder to me than I deserve, and...I think things are going to work out. I might have found something that I might actually want to do. Of course, I’m good at it because I’m good at everything, but...it seems pretty fun, especially if I can do it with these friends, so don’t worry about me. At least not right now."

As his phone alarm vibrated, Ari laughed sadly, "See you again in a year. I have to go back now because I’m on bathroom duty and Grace wants to go hang out with her friends. Grace is the granddaughter of the family that I’m staying with, that I was telling you about, and apparently, the head of the PR firm that’s managing me. She’s doing a really good job, so I can’t complain. I really owe her and her family a lot. But yeah...I have to go. Je t’aime."

Standing up and dusting off his pants, Ari gently stroked the tombstones, kissing each one before grabbing his trash and leaving.

He was silent the whole taxi ride back, a bit stuck in his memories as he once again celebrated another birthday alone.

As he walked into the bathhouse, he glanced at Granny Choi, who was messing around with a clipboard at the register.

"Where’s Grace?"

"She went to karaoke with her friends. If you can wipe the tables, I’ll have Grandpa Choi make you some dinner."

"That’s okay. I’m not very hungry. I ate when I was out."

"A small snack then. So you can grow big and tall."

"Haha. Okay."

Knowing that it was futile to say no to food, Ari just laughed quietly before opening the door that led to the restaurant.

Surprisingly, it was dark, but before he could say anything, the lights suddenly turned and then-

Pop!

Pop!

Pop!

Pop!

A whole bunch of confetti exploded into his face, causing Ari to sneeze, then blink as he saw 5 boys who were definitely not supposed to be here, Granny Kim, Granny Lisa, Grandpa Choi, Priest Steven Choi, and Grace, all wearing birthday cone hats while holding confetti poppers toward his face.

"What the-?"

"Surprise!"

Click!

As Ari looked around, shocked, the light of a camera flashed, and a voice called out.

"1, 2, 3 go!"

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Joyeux anniversaire"

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Joyeux anniversaire"

"Happy birthday, Dear Ariel!"

"Joyeux anniversaire Ariel"

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Joyeux anniversaire" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

In a mix of English and terribly accented French, the ’Happy Birthday’ song was sung beautifully to him in two different languages, causing Ari to laugh but also wipe away tears from his eyes at how equally good and bad it sounded.

Still, at the unexpected surprise, Ari couldn’t help but be touched.

"Thank you very much! But why? How?"

The question was directed at Jamie, Benjamin, Carlos, Vishal, and Mathew, who were absolutely not supposed to be here or even know about his birthday considering the fact that he hadn’t told anyone the date except for the PD.

"Grace told us the date." Jamie confessed as he stuck a bright pink party hat on Ari’s head.

When Ari glanced at her, Grace held up a peace sign before taking another photo.

"And we got permission-"

"We snuck out." Benjamin quickly interrupted Jamie’s explanation, causing the blonde boy to gasp at him in shock.

"You said you asked for permission!"

"I lied."

"WHAT?"

"Don’t worry about it. Anyway, Ari, we all pitched in to get you a cake, presents, and food. Grandpa made all of your favorites and we even ordered weird french food from some restaurant, so let’s have a party to celebrate your big 18, innit. In London, I would have taken you to the pub for a proper bev, but here in the States, even I have to drink juice."

"It’s fine, I don’t like alcohol anyway. But thank you. I appreciate the thought, though."

"Ah, that’s right, you did say that. Well, let’s eat and party! We boys only have an hour or two to spare before we have to go back or we’ll get in trouble."

"Okay. Thank you again for coming!"

Ari went around, greeting and thanking everyone for taking the time to come and celebrate with him.

He received lots of hugs, and for once, he gratefully accepted them, truly touched.

Then he got his face smashed in one cake, smashed Benjamin and Jamie’s faces in the same cake in retaliation, before cutting the spare cake so everyone could have some.

Afterward, he ate a lot of food while chatting with everyone as Grace took pictures, and his separate worlds began to intermingle even more.

By the time Jamie and Benjamin left with all the others, he was thoroughly stuffed after eating more than he usually did, and his heart felt full.

And as Steven Choi helped him carry his boxes of gifts back to the church, including several polaroids that Grace had taken throughout the night, Ari looked over them once more, smiling as he saw the various antics of his friends captured and immortalized.

For the first time, rather than a song cover, Ari posted a photo of himself along with everyone else with the simple tagline, "Mes Potes (my friends)"

Then, after taking a much-needed shower to wash the icing out of his hair, he packed his clothing and went to bed.

Tomorrow, he would join the Pop Star Academy Contestants once more.