wander

50|the big surprise

I fiddle with the envelope, opening it carefully. This envelope is ticker than the card envelopes but it's paper, I know because it's flimsy. I bite my bottom lips nervously and pull the paper out from the envelope. I look up to the 3 impatient people and begin to read.

I skim over the words.

'Private property'

'Chiara Smithers'

'Private Access'

'Fishing lake'

'Louisiana'

Oh. My. God. I look up to the three of them, my bottom lip quivering. "You did not." My voice is shaky.
"Yes. We did." Romeo says proudly.

I run up to him and wrap my arms around my neck. He picks me up from the floor and spins me around.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I squeal happily.
"You're so welcome." He says loud and proud. 

Leo coughs interrupting our moment. I pull from Romeo and go hug my Dad. He wraps his arms around me and I wrap my arms around his torso. 
"Thank you. Thank you so much!" A single tear runs down my face and I laugh at myself. My Dad pulls away as I shake my head at my tears.

"Why are you crying?" His voice is caring.
"You've spoiled me! I don't deserve all of this!" I wave my hands dramatically in the air. Romeo hugs me from behind and his lips hover over my ear. "Shh, you deserve the world." His hand strokes over my hair as Rose rubs her hand over my back. 

My tears come to an end and Rose is preparing breakfast. I asked her if she wants any help but she refused. Romeo and Leo are out in the garden hidden in the ring of flowers Romeo and I always hide in so I'm stuck watching TV. I catch a glance every now and then if Romeo checking in through the window to make sure I'm not peeking or whatever. He scowls when I don't turn away when he caught me watching. 

I sigh and lay back on the couch. My head is leaned against the arm rest and my feet dangle off the other side. I close my eyes and wait for someone to call for me. The clock on the wall ticks aggressively in the silence of the room. I feel myself dozing off but I don't bother to keep myself awake.

I feel myself bouncing uncomfortably. I groan and open my eyes. I'm over Romeo's shoulder and he's carrying me upstairs. 
"Put me down." I protest sleepily. He reaches the top of the stairs and places me back on my feet.
"Take that shower now and then we'll be ready." He winks, kisses my cheek then leaves me in my room. I so shower and get ready. I put some mascara on my lashes and highlighter on my cheekbones. I finish off with a clear lip gloss. 

I walk into the kitchen and everyone's face lights up immediately. Rose places a fork at the final plate. She has all sorts laid out. Fruit. Eggs. Pastry. Bread. The lot. A jug of fresh orange juice is placed in the middle of the table. My mouth waters at the sight ahead of me. Romeo comes up behind me and walks me over to a chair, which he pulls out for me. He sits beside me and Rose and my Dad sit opposite.

We eat as much as we can as our laughter bounces around the room. Romeo is telling the story of Rose's 12th Birthday. She had got a bike and fell off of it whilst riding around the town. Down the walkways by the beach, Romeo informs. I chuckle as I imagine a young Rose toppling onto the sidewalks.

Eventually, breakfast comes to an end and I am full as fuck. I lay on the couch with Romeo as his finger brushes on my bottom lip. 
"How's your birthday so far?" His voice is quiet yet clear.
"Best birthday ever!" My voice is joyful but the same volume as Romeo's.

The day passes on quickly. The four of us play games, binged TV and again, laughed endlessly. As I said before, it was the best birthday ever. It tops from last years for sure...

Flashback...

The morning of my 18th Birthday. I looked out my window and half-smiled. It was sunny so there's hope it could be a decent day. Who am I kidding? Of course it won't be a good day. The last good day I had would have been.. I don't even know that myself.

I take a deep breath and walk over to the fridge. I frown and close it again. Empty. Always empty. I rolled my eyes to get a glass of water instead. As I turn my body, my mom is sat at the table. Her hair styled perfectly and nor a smile nor a frown on her face. I roll my eyes again as she probably doesn't even know it's my birthday.

"You should get a job." Oh so she does know it's my birthday. You had to be 18 to get a job around here. I don't say anything back. I fill my glass with the water and chug it down.
"You shouldn't drink like that. It's not lady like." She finally faces me.
"Whatever." I walk out the room, pick up my bag and walk to school.

I'm sat in my first period classroom. Of course, Harry and his minions all take their seats around me. Harry sits in front of me and would always turn around to annoy me. Zach sits to my right and would always murmer to himself as the teacher did her jib. Will sits behind me, he would throw paper at me all throughout the lesson. Chris sits to my left. He doesn't do much. He just watches me and copies my answers. Luckily Ben wasn't in this class. If he was I would literally change classes.

"Miss Smithers, do you know the answer or not?" Mrs McDonald asked sternly.
"Um- no." I wasn't paying attention. I was too busy replaying this morning events out with my mother in my head. 

"Chiara doesn't know the answer? She must be getting dumber." Harry speaks up, turning around to face me.
"Mr Hunt-" Mrs McDonald starts
"Harry." He corrects her.
"That's enough." She continues.

Class eventually finishes and I quickly try to grab my things, but someone else if faster. Zach knocks my books off my desk. Will grabs my bag and empties it over the floor. Chris pushes his shoulder against mine, rolls his eyes and then leaves. I kneel down to pick my things up and Harry stands behind me. My face turns red as I realise how close he is...

I stand back up and place my things back into my bag. I zip it up and go to throw it over my shoulder. Zach and Will have left leaving me and Harry alone in the classroom. Before I can run off, he grabs my bag, pulling my back into him. He then grips my shoulder so I'm facing him. I roll my eyes and go to walk away but he grips me tighter.

"Harry you're hurting me." I whince. His grip looses but he doesn't let go. He runs his tongue over his bottom lip. I go to pull away, his hand loses it's grip but he continues to walk beside me. 
"Harry what are you doing?" I sigh, I have no time for his bullshit.
"Wishing you a happy birthday." He stops at his car and opens the back seat door. I don't move. I stay still. I'm curious as to what he is doing.

He passes me an envelope which isn't sealed. I scowl at him and look inside. There's a few $20 bills and a $50 dollar bill.
"Ha-ha. Very funny," I throw the envelope back at him and walk away. He doesn't follow. He gets in his posh ass car and drives away.

What the fuck was that? Harry just offered me 100 odd bucks. Of course I wouldn't have taken it even if we were friends. I try to come up with an idea why he would offer me money. But it all made sense the very next day.

As I walk through the hallways, everyone scoffs at me. I hadn't done anything so I have no idea what is going on. Over the intercom, I hear my name being called to the principals office. I sit impatiently waiting to actually find out what's happening.

"Did you steal from Harry Hunt?" The principal says calmly.

"What!" I stand up from the seat opposite him. "No! Oh my god." I shake my head, tears adamant to fall. 

"What really happened Miss Smithers?" Oh so he believes me, thank fuck.

"Last night. He gave me an envelope full of money. I didn't accept it of course!" My voice is high pitched. The audacity.

"I know." He is oddly calm.

"What?"

"Security footage." He waves a recording in the air.

My head leans back in relief. I exhale a breath I didn't know I was holding. My principal at lunch then called us to our homerooms. Every teacher was told to play the security footage of last night. Everyone rolled their eyes at me as I sat back, admiring the moment. Harry wasn't in the room, neither were his minions.