Just you and me

Happy birthday

A few days later
I wasn't really a fan of my birthday only because it was a day that reminded me I was brought into this world by two awful people. I was happy to spend it with the people I had in my life just something still felt wrong about that day in my stomach.

I woke up and went to the bathroom wiping my face off. I was still in my pajamas which, in my definition, was a large t shirt and some pajama pants that had to have a draw string because if not they'd slip right off of me.

I went downstairs and couldn't find my mom or Alyse anywhere. Leo was coming over but not for another few hours. I sat on the couch. Maybe they forgot. Honestly, I wouldn't mind. I wouldn't have to celebrate that way.

There was a knock at the front door and I got up opening it slowly only because of me being followed the other night. I was terrified I'd run into that person. Even though I wasn't sure who it was.

Leo stood on the porch with a goofy smile plastered on his face and flowers in hand.
"Happy birthday." He continued to smile like a dork.
I laughed at him a little, "you're early."
He handed me the flowers, "your mom and Alyse are waiting somewhere. We're gonna drive there."
"Now? I'm not even dressed."
"Than go get dressed." He laughed.

I left Leo in and we went up to my room so he could help me decide what I was going to wear. He sat on my bed looking at me as I rummaged through my closet.

"How about this?" I pulled out a Green Day t shirt and some ripped jeans, "I could put fishnets underneath and than wear my converse."
He nodded, "anything you hold up I'm going to say yes to. Because you'd look great in anything."
I rolled my eyes at him as I smiled.

Leo took my hand and pulled me closer to him. I looked down at him smiling. He leaned up and kissed me gently. He pulled me forward and laid back causing me to fall on top of him. I laughed and kissed his face all over.
"I love you." He said softly.
"I love you too." I said back still smiling.
He was seriously perfect.

He attached his lips to my neck and ran his hands inside of my shirt, up my back, causing me to shiver a little bit.

(Things happen we don't need the details)
Once I was finally dressed we headed to the car and started driving to wherever this place was. Leo directed me as I drove. His directions were really bad so we ended up turning around a few times.

Finally, we pulled up to this house. I looked at him, "where are we?"
"You'll see." He smiled and got out of the car as did I.
I'd never seen this house before in my life. We walked up to the front door and knocked. A woman I didn't know opened the door and smiled at me instantly, "it's been so long."
I was entirely confused. I didn't say anything and she led Leo and I into the house and out to her backyard. She opened the door and I saw nothing but streamers and people. Mom and Alyse were sitting at a picnic table.

"Surprise!" Everyone yelled out, a little too late bc I'd already seen them. 
I only recognized a few faces. My dads sister, Kelly. My cousin, ashlyn. My other cousin, Danny. And my uncle, Marco. I was shocked to see anyone from my birth family. They all resented me because of how my dad was.

"Wow." That's all I could say.
My cousin ashlyn rushed to me squeezing me tight.
"Hey." I laughed and pulled away from her.
"I missed you so much." She smiled.

Mom and Alyse approached me.
"How did you guys do all of this?" I looked at them.
"I've known your family for years, hun." My mom smiled.

"So are you excited?" Alyse was also smiling. I took Leos hand.
"Yeah, just speechless I guess."
Leo could tell by my squeeze on his hand that I was nervous. He took his arms and wrapped them around me.
"What took you guys so long?" Alyse looked at us as mom wondered off.
"Leo sucks at directions." I laughed a bit.
"Maybe you just suck at driving." He laughed back and I nudged his side playfully.

I figured out that all of the people there were friends of my parents or immediate family. They all knew me when I was little, before my dad got really bad. One comment that really didn't sit right with me was, "god, you look just like your dad." Some man that was friends with my father said this.

I felt puke in my throat so I interrupted him and went to the bathroom. I stared at the mirror and felt my eyes become warm as tears formed. I looked at myself in that mirror and never felt more self hatred in my entire life. I feared that some day I'd become him. But hearing that I looked like him set something off. I sat on the floor and put my head in my hands as tears made their way down my cheeks and onto my lap.