Teenage Millionaire

Chapter 36: Birthday

I wake up the next morning to a knock at my bedroom door, which is unusual. Usually my parents are long gone by the time I get to school. It's enough to put an automatic smile on my face as I call, "Come in!"- and for once I'm in my own room.

Both my parents walk in, smiling. "Happy birthday, Todd!"

I grin as they come to sit on my bed. My mom clasps her hands and starts. "Since it's such a special day, we decided to take the first part of the morning off work so we could say happy birthday to you before you went to school."

"And," my dad adds, "we made you a special birthday breakfast, so don't take too long getting dressed, or it'll get cold."

"Thank you. Both of you. You didn't have to do this."

My mom raises her eyebrows at me. "Yes, sweetie, we did. It's your eighteenth birthday!"

I blush a little and my parents spend a few more moments embarrassing me before leaving. It's really nice, though, to see them in the morning, before I go to school. And for them to make me breakfast.

I get ready quickly, before going downstairs. My mom beams at me, then says to my dad, "Oh, just look at how grown-up he looks. It seems like just yesterday that he was a baby..."

"Mom," I groan, and she laughs.

"So, son, how does it feel to be an adult?" my dad asks.

"Weird. It hasn't fully sunk in, yet."

"I can't believe we're not your legal guardians anymore..." my mom places a hand over her chest, looking emotional.

My heart hurts a little. "Mom, I'm still living at home. It just means less work for you guys. You don't have to sign forms anymore. That's all."

"Of course, of course. No huge changes. Just legal things. Let's focus on the important thing: it's your birthday! So, here's your special birthday breakfast!" My dad gestures to the table grandly, and I look over to see blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs. A smile automatically takes over my face. Blueberry pancakes were always my favourite breakfast when I was younger- and honestly, they never really got replaced. I just started eating toast every day for breakfast at about junior high, since my parents started working early mornings around then.

"Blueberry pancakes! Thanks so much, you guys," I say, grinning as I go over to hug them.

"Oh, your mother did all the work," my dad says, though he's smiling as he hugs me back.

"I did not! Your father did the eggs, and he had the idea to do the special design," my mom protests, though she's also smiling as she embraces me.

I go over to the table to see that all of the pancakes are arranged with large number 18's on them, within a circular border of more blueberries to ensure sufficient blueberry-to-pancake proportions. I can't stop smiling (it actually makes it difficult to eat).

By the time I actually look at the clock, I realize I'm going to be late for school and jump out of my seat. "Heck, I'm going to be late for school!"

My parents both smile mysteriously, which makes me immediately suspicious. I hug them both, thank them for breakfast and tell them I love them so much, then go outside, figuring I'll probably have to run to only be a few minutes late.

When I open the door, however, I stop in my tracks.

Parked in the driveway is a gorgeous purple convertible. He's leaning against the passenger door looking extremely suave with his reflective sunglasses. When he hears the door close, he turns to me and smirks a little, pulling down his glasses to look over the rim and survey me like he's checking me out. I blush and roll my eyes, and he smirks a little more.