Ballad of a Broken Boy

Birthday girl (2)

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Nini... Happy birthday to you!" Ricky sang as he approached me with two small envelopes in his hand. I blushed, embarrassed, but hugged him tightly.

"Thanks Ricky. So, I heard you got me a surprise... what the fuck is it? I'm dying here, Richard!" I moaned. He chuckled, holding up the envelopes.

"I believe this is what you're looking for?" he asked me. I grinned and went to grab the envelopes, but he pulled them away.

"Whoa! Hang on! Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you don't have to work for your present..." he said, eyebrows raised. I frowned in confusion for a second, before getting it. I kissed him. I guess I may have been a little overexcited, judging by the way I threw myself at him, sending us both stumbling backwards into my mom's car. He just chuckled and kissed me back, biting my lip temptingly. That was when I decided I knew exactly what I wanted for my birthday.

"Ricky?" I whispered in his ear, supressing a groan as he kissed my neck, feeling his hands sliding lower.

"Yeah?"

"I know what I want for my birthday."

"I already got you a present though..." he groaned. I laughed.

"No, this won't cost you anything extra. And I'm pretty sure you'll like it..." I said.

"What do you want then?" he asked.

"I want you." I whispered, looking at him pointedly. He thought for a second, then he caught on, eyes widening.

"Are you sure?" he asked. I nodded. He grinned.

"Well then, I guess my actual present will come in pretty handy, then, eh?" he asked.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Why don't you open it and find out..."

"Right, yeah... sorry" I said, moving away from him and tearing open the first envelope. It was a card with a cartoon sun on it and the saying 'you're like... the second hottest thing I've ever seen.'" I lightly rolled my eyes at his attempted humor and smiled at the cuteness of it. Then I opened it, and I was surprised at the amount of writing.

Nini! Happy Birthday! I'm sure that by the time you open this, I'll have already said it a few times, but Happy Birthday anyway!

I can't believe you're 18! It still feels like yesterday when we first met... I mean, you took an instant disliking to me, but hey, what can I say? I guess I grew on you.

You are the most amazing girl in the entire world, and I think I've known it since the day I met you, and I can't believe I wasted so much time being an obnoxious asshole. As a little extra birthday present, I've decided to actually do enough work in school to graduate... I really don't want to be stuck in school while you're free to do what you want!

I love you so much, Nini, and I honestly hope you have an amazing birthday because you totally deserve it.

P.s. I hope you like the present! :)

Your sexy boyfriend,

Richard Michael Bowen

"Awe, Ricky... you didn't have to sign your whole name!" I laughed. He shrugged.

"It just felt more sincere." He said, shrugging. I laughed, kissing him again. Then I looked down at the other envelope, and I couldn't help it anymore. I carefully ripped it open, and inside were two plane tickets. To New York. For tonight. I think I might've forgotten how to breathe.