The Panic of Fear (Book One of The Fearful Trilogy)

Chapter Thirty Three

  Jordan's dad makes the best chicken noodle soup. I smile after eating my fourth bowl finally full. A hungry teenager and good food go great together.
  Jordan smiles at me. "Finally full?" I smile and nod. I get up to take my bowl to the kitchen but Jordan stops me. "Let me." He picks up my bowl and heads to kitchen.
  I watch him leave. "Alex?" I look at his parents and the look at each other. "We want to give you something." I sit up. "You didn't have to. The bedroom was already to much." I say. They insist on giving me whatever they're gonna give me.
  "Okay fine." I give in. They smile and tell me to close my eyes. I figure that I might as well so I close my eyes. After a few minutes i hear someone say. "Open them." I open my eyes to see a cake in front of me. Jordan's parents and Jordan are standing next to me.
  "What's this about?" I ask. Jordan walks over and hands me a book. "This." I look at the cover.

Driver's Manual

  I look at them. "But. What's the cake about?" They smile. "Today's your birthday." I blink I totally forgot about my birthday with everything that had happened.
  My dad almost killing me, killing my mom, and himself. All of that had made me forget about my birthday. I stand up and on top of the cake is cursive writing.

Happy Birthday
Alex
16

  I look at all of them and smile. "Thank you." Jordan walks over and puts sixteen candles in the cake. He lights them. They all sing happy birthday and I can't help but feel happy. I make my wish and blow out all the candles.
  Jordan bear hugs me. My arm is pressed into my stomach but I'm too happy to complain. His mom slices me a big piece and gives it to me. I smile as I notice the flavor of the cake. Chocolate.
  I smile and grab the plate with my one hand. "Oh no." Jordan takes my plate from me. I go to protest but he shoves a forkful of cake into my mouth. After I eat that piece I start laughing.
  "You stole my cake just to feed it to me?" I say laughing. He grins. "Yep. And I'm not gonna stop till this plate is clean." I laugh. "Fine."  After being fed my birthday cake I go to my room and lay on my stomach on my bed reading the driver's manual.
  There's a knock on the door and Jordan walks in. "So. Did you like your surprise birthday party?" I smile. "Yeah." Jordan lays next to me on my bed. He puts an arm around my waist and I smile.
  "Now about what you said earlier." He practically purrs the words. I laugh. "How'd you learn to do that?" He just smiles at me and flips me on my back. "I've been thinking about what you said about that kiss." His voice is silky.
  I can't help but notice how close he is to me. He has me pinned under him and I feel so warm. He leans down next to my ear. "Do you like me?" He whispers.
  "Yes." I breathe. He moves so he can look at me. He smiles and he presses his lips against mine.