Remade

Chapter 3

We get hot dogs, pita chips, and watermelon on our plates, which Mason forces me to carry and to which I grumble but later erupt into a huge grin when I see that Mason has swiped the ginormous red velvet cupcake with a big 1-7 candle on it and sparklers waiting to be lit from the main table, and left all the other miniatures for everybody else (always so thoughtful.)

We head up to the big oak tree on a small hill that looks over most of the coast. Florida, Malibu, Fiji, Maui, you name it. The view can easily be whatever beach paradise you like, especially at sundown. It takes my breath away every time. We set up the red blanket that he hid in the knothole of the tree, start up a fire in our fire pit, and pool our food on the blanket as we wait for the others.

"So, how does it feel to be turning 17? You are now the age that I was when I met you."

"You liar, you were 16!"

"Yeah well, still. You're growing up B. How's that gotta feel?"

I pause to think for a little bit. "Honestly, I haven't thought much about it. I mean, sure it's not great that I've had to do that on my own, but I've been so focused on the training, studying, and my friends that I really have nothing to complain about."

"How many times do I have to say it Bridget?" Mason takes my hand. His is warm and reassuring. "You have not been alone since the day you arrived and you sure as hell won't be after that. As long as I'm alive."

As if to further prove his point, we hear James and the girls coming up the hill with a huge basket of food and who knows what. "See and you've even got these dorks! What'd you guys bring??" His hand slips from mine as he raises his arm to bring them in as if he was landing a plane in the descending darkness of the sunset.

"Feast your eyes!" James calls proudly as he swings a big wicker basket over our heads, puts it on the blanket, and plops down next to Mason with his plate of food in his hand. Jo and Alison sit down a bit more gracefully.

"So that's where the cake went!!" Jo exclaims. "We were freaking out about it, you jerk!"

"What can I say, I have a sweet tooth," Mason grins slyly and winks at me. I roll my eyes.

From the basket they pull chips, popcorn, hot dogs, M&Ms, and Sour Patch Kids, which leaves me wondering why they brought the basket in the first place and we quickly dig into our personal little feast.

"Geez, did you leave anything for everybody else?" I mumble with my mouth almost locked shut with sticky gummy candy.

"Eh, who cares, this is all about you anyway," Mason says with as he throws up a piece of chocolate in the air and catches it in his mouth with a throwback of his head.

"Yeah that's true," Alison says. "You've been stuck with us for 4 years, how does that feel?"

I take advantage of the swig of root beer I was taking to think about my answer to the question. "Honestly, I can't believe I have friends that are so sappy and nerdy and loyal like you guys. The kind that make such a big deal about my "birthday" or back me up whenever I need it or make me laugh when I'm at my lowest. You all mean so much to me."

Everyone stays quiet for a couple of minutes. I'm not exactly the touchy feely type but I meant every word. They mean the world to me. They keep me sane, drive me insane, and push me to be the best person I can possibly be. I wouldn't be here if weren't for them.

Thankfully, Mason breaks the silence. "To Bridget. May she have many more years to drive us crazy and may we have many more opportunities to be there for her whenever she needs it." He raises his cup of root beer (we always get the same) and I join my own to clink his as the others bring in their respective drinks to ours as a sign of unity.