Here today, Gone Tomorrow

Chapter 2

I get into the car and watch the trees go by and I see a banner with my name on it. We turn into the drive way my mom takes my hand and squeezes it then let's go.
"Have fun sweetie, I love you." It's been a long time since mom has called, me sweetie so I look at her and say
"I will mom, love you to." When I open the car door the summer air is hot and mugging making my hands damp. I close the door and watch my moms red car leave. I wanted her to stay with me but she said that she had to work. I take a deep breath and start up the driveway. The house is big and yellow with a white trim that's inviting, with trees all around. I get close to the door but I don't hear and music so it must be a surprise party even though I know it's not a surprise. I open the door and nobody screams happy birthday, the room remains dark. "Hello? I'm here!" I walk to the center of the room and find a note on the floor. A look up a little bit and I see another one five feet away. Oh. They want me to follow the note cards.
They lead me outside the house and down a path with trees that are green and flowers with vibrant colors. I don't see any more notecards when I hear a cracking sound. I turn around and everyone screams surprise. Music starts and konfedie falls from the cliff above me. Cole comes to me from around the tree and ask me to dance with him. I take his hand and a warm tingle shoots up my arm. He smilies a award winning smile with his tan skin and deep brown eyes, with a dimple in his left cheek. I feel myself smiling back and say,"Wouldn't miss it." He leads me to a patch of flowers and someone puts on music. I look around and a beautiful redwood tree forest surrounds me. It's crazy to think that I live in a small town of a little over 600 people. Everybody knows one another and even at school we have small classes. I have known Cole ever since he stole my juice box in kindergarten. The twigs snap under our feet as we dance, Cole looks at me like he knows something I don't. I give him a curious lift of my eyebrow and he starts to grin and tells me, " Happy 16th birthday Elodie." When we were younger Cole used to always call me melody because he thought that's what I whispered to him in class.
"Thanks. You really out done yourself." He doesn't look away when he shrugs and starts to smile a knowing smile, again I wonder what he has planned. He gives me a short hug and tells me he will be back. I watch him leave, then look around for Liz. I find her talking to two guys I have never seen before. Liz was always the natural flirt out of the two of us. I can't flirt to save my life, it's sad but it's the truth. I usually just get sweaty and awkward. The sun is shooting a ray on Liz making her long black hair gleam and her soft pink dress sparkle. The two guys are tall and one has his hand inches away from hers on the makeshift table. I approach her quietly hoping not to draw attention to myself, but when she sees me my plan is ruined. Liz stands up with her arms out wide and runs to me saying happy birthday. I hug her back and when she pulls away she says
" You look beautiful." She takes my damp hand and says," I want you to meet Dillion and Justin. They are new here and I invited them to your birthday party.... Is that okay?" Well considering they are already here it would be rude to say no and make them leave.
"Of corse. More the merrier, right?" I turn to Dillion who is at least a foot taller than me and then I look at Justin that looks like he has a secret that nobody knows. "Hi.My name is Elodie, thanks for coming." Dillion takes my hand and kisses it. I fight the urge to pull my and away as he does.
"Thanks or letting us stay. Elodie is a beautiful name." I feel my cheeks get hot and I, thankful for the heat outside. Dillion has dirty blond hair with green eyes. A hint of something else, charm maybe? I can't but feel a strange feeling to go into his arms and feel safe. Justin has black hair and deep blue eyes, a sharp jawline and is very lean. There is also something I just can't put my finger on....
" Hey. Who is this?" I glance sideways to see how said that but I already know it's the oh so perfect Brianna that everyone loves. She thinks every one is special just to have her around them, she thinks that every bows to her because her daddy has the most money and because she is beautiful. I didn't get a chance to say before she said, " I'm Brianna, and you are...?"
"Dillion. And this is my friend Justin. We are new here." Dillion shook Brianna hand after she shoved me out of the way to get to them. I give Liz a look saying, Why the hell is she here? To my best ability. Liz gave me the look of, She just showed up!!, and I understood that very well. She can't let me be the center of attention, I guess it's a good thing because I don't want to be. I take Lizs hand and walk her farther into the beautiful forest. I hug her again and I feel a tear go down my cheek. She pats my back and I don't even have to say I'm thinking about my dad for her to understand. She was the one I talked to for hours after midnight when I wasn't ready to move on. Cole was there for me to, but sometimes you just need a girl to talk to. I am the one to pull away after a minute and say
" How do I look? Because I have to go back to a party and I don't want to be a raccoon."
" You look good Elodie remember I got you the water proof makeup for this reason. Now let's go back and have some fun." When we got back to the party Cole came to me and gave me a hug.
" I lost you. I thought you left or something." At his words my heart breaks a little bit more and I hug him tighter.
" I will never leave. Ever." Liz says she will see me later and walks away.
" Something tells me you want to see what I had to leave for... Want to look?" I smile up at him and say
" You read my mind."