Savage Love [COMPLETED]

Chapter 15: JK

~Throwback~

Miah stands in the foyer holding her gift for the birthday boy. She's been in his house almost everyday since his mom loves to have her around. A big banner adorned with red and gold balloons greeted her in the entrance with a "Happy 10th Birthday JK!" written on it.

"Oh so he's a year older than me." Miah mutters silently. She didn't want to go but her mom said she had to, besides Mrs. Smith has been so good to her all this time.

"Okay, just give your gift, greet him a happy birthday, stay for a while then make yourself invisible... like always." She runs these thoughts in her head.

She didn't notice some kids looking at her giggling... "Weirdo..." One of the girls said looking at her from head to toe.

Just like that, she felt different again. Miah decided to look for Mrs. Smith but she was probably too busy. She went up the balcony overlooking the vast garden outside where the party was being held.

"Maybe it's okay for me to stay here instead." She said under her breath. She sits on one of the recreational chairs and placed the big box beside her. She watched silently as the the other kids were happily playing in inflatables.

"I don't like it anyway..." She says almost aloud. This is why other kids find Miah different, she says her thoughts out loud, it's like she's talking to herself which in fact she is. Others just don't find it usual so they call her names.

"You don't like the party?" A young boy asked as he stares at Miah from the other side of the balcony.

"Uhmmm, not really... I just don't like those girls in particular." Miah says while gesturing over to a group of girls who were mean to her just a while ago.

"Why? Did they make fun of you?" He asked.

Miah bowed, looked at her nails and played with them on her lap. "Yes... they don't like me 'cause I'm different."

"Well, I like you." The boy said bluntly. He was just being honest. He liked her since the first day she went to their house. He just liked the way she's shy around people  and how she makes his mom happy.

"WHERE'S THE BIRTHDAY BOY?! LET'S ALL LOOK FOR HIM AND WHOEVER FINDS HIM FIRST GETS A PRIZE!" The party host's voice boomed over the entire yard.

He ducked his head, ran to Miah's side and pulled her out to follow him. "Hurry let's go before they find me!"

Oh... he's the Smith boy, Miah realizes. Finally she's seen him after all this time. All her imagination about the boy being rude or a brat faded. This boy right here is far from that. He's sweet and soft spoken, just like her. She was knocked off from her thoughts as JK pulled her wrist.

 

"Wait, your gift!" Miah gestured to the big box she's been carrying around. JK scooped it off and continued to pull her. She just followed where JK was going until they found themselves in a big room full of art pieces.

"Let's hide here." JK sat on a couch in one corner and placed the box on his lap, looking at it excitedly.

Miah sat beside him and giggles as she sees him giddy over a simple present. Miah knew what it was since she wrapped it herself this morning. "Well, open it..." She encourages him.

To Miah's surprise, he went for the card to read what's inside. His eyes looked sad looking at the blank space. "Oh, there's nothing written."