The Bright Side

Thirty seven

"Happy birthday!" Levina wraps her arms around me and squeezes me so hard I'm surprised my head doesn't pop off my neck.

"Thank you, thank you." I close my eyes and smile in appreciation as I hug her back, resting my chin on her shoulder.

"You're finally eighteen! Do you feel any different?"

"Not at all." I laugh.

Its early in the morning and classes haven't even started yet.  Levina just came up from behind me out of nowhere.

"Oh...well hey, you're finally eighteen, which means time is passing, which means we're going to be graduating soon. Which means we won't have to be in high school anymore." She smiles brightly as she places her hands on my shoulders and shakes me.

The thought of graduating high school makes me stomach churn with anxiety.

Don't get me wrong, I'm beyond relieved that my high school career is almost over, but I'm scared for life after it. I have no clue what I want to do with my life.

I hate school.  I don't even want to go to college.

"I know right! I'm kind of nervous, but it's whatever." I smile and roll my eyes.

She shrugs. "Okay, well I gotta get to class, but I'm gonna give you your present later! Promise." Levina pats my cheek before walking away.

Today her long braids are tied in a bun at the back of her head. Her outfit consists of white air force's, plain skinny blue jeans, and a dark green tank top with a green sweater over it.  Gold jewelry on her neck, ears, fingers, and hair.

I wish I could pull off skinny jeans, except they make my legs look way too skinny for my liking, and they emphasize my little curves.

I used to try gaining more weight, but it didn't work, so I gave up. Whatever, I think baggy jeans are more comfortable anyways.

As I stand off to the side of the hallway reading the book in my hand, the feeling of someone staring at me makes me look up.

Owen is leaning on the wall next to me, watching me like a stalker.

"Are you just gonna stand there and stare at me like a fucking creep?" I mock the first ever words he said to me.

His tongue rests on his cheek as he tries to block his smile.

"Ha-ha-ha. Very fuckin' funny." He rolls his eyes, lightly grinning.

"I know right! I'm literally hilarious!" I joke.

He ignores me, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me to him instead. "Happy birthday." His arms wrap around me.

My cheeks heat, I hug back immediately. His calming vanilla scent making me close my eyes and sweetly smile.

"Thanks loser." I lean back and stand up on my tippy-toes to kiss his cheek.

It gets harder to keep just a small smile on my face when I see his cheeks turn pink.

He's so cute even when he's not even trying to be.

"What're you getting me for my birthday? Food? Jewelry? Money? Nothing?" I begin questioning him.

"Nothing." He sarcastically smiles at me, his eyes becoming smaller.

Ever since he opened up to me about his brother all that time ago he's been more...light? If that's the correct word to use.

I just notice that he's been smiling more.  It makes me happy that he seems happier.

I scoff.  "Rude.  I got you a toy dinosaur and you can't even get me a card?"