More Than Enough

Chapter 7

Nico

I knocked on the door and waited for Cami. She took longer than usual and when she appeared, she looked exhausted. Her eyes were red and puffy and they had dark circles underneath them.

"Are you ok?" I asked Cami and she nodded. She was avoiding the question. I knew her little habits by now and I knew something was wrong.

"Cami, what's wrong? I'm worried about you."

"It's nothing," she whispered.

"Not if it's making you upset."

"My birthday was yesterday," she whispered.

"Happy birthday! I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"I know. But my parents should have."

Her parents?

"They forgot?"

Cami nodded and I could see tears start to fill her eyes.

"It's stupid," she said and the first tear fell.

I leaned over the center console and gave Cami a hug.

"It's not stupid," I told her. "You deserve the biggest birthday celebration ever."

Cami chuckled and I pulled back. I wiped away the tears that had fallen down her cheeks and she blushed.

"Today after school, we are going out to celebrate."

"You don't have to-" she started but I cut her off.

"I want to."

Cami nodded and settled back in her seat. I was going to give her the best birthday ever.

After math, I pulled Cami's friends aside. I'd learned their names were Taryn and Sammy.

"Did you guys know yesterday was Cami's birthday?" I asked them. I wasn't accusing them of anything, I was just curious.

"No," Taryn told me.

"She would never tell us," Sammy chimed in.

"Me either, but I found out this morning that her family forgot."

"Oh no," Taryn said and she put a hand over her mouth.

"Yeah. We are going out after school to celebrate and since you guys are friends I was wondering if you wanted to come."

They both happily agreed and we exchanged numbers so we could meet up after school.

With that settled, I was ready to start planning. I had study hall and lunch to get everything ready and be back for class, but if I had to miss lit I would. Cami was more important.

I got in my car and called my buddy AJ through the Bluetooth system.

"What's up?" he said when he answered the phone.

"We're throwing a party tonight."

"For what?" he asked.

"It's a birthday party for a girl from school," I told him.

"A girl you say?" AJ teased.

"Shut up. I need you to get my apartment looking good. I'll drop off supplies and stuff before I have to get back to school."

"Fine. This girl better be worth it though."

"She is."

I hung up on AJ and drove to the nearest Dollar Store. I bought everything birthday related that I could find. Streamers, balloons, table cloths, plates. I checked out quickly and went to Target to buy snacks and drinks.

When all of that was settled, I dropped the stuff off at my apartment where AJ was already waiting.

"You got this?" I asked him.

"I've got this."

I had one last stop to make before going back to school. I drove to the jewelry store I'd seen on my way to the store the other day and went inside.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" a salesperson asked me.

"Yeah. I'm looking for a necklace for a friend of mine."

She raised her eyebrows and I shrugged. I was led over to a glass case and the woman pulled out a few different options.

"I want something unique," I told her. "Something that will make her feel special."

"I think I know the perfect necklace," the woman said and disappeared into the back. When she came back she was holding a velvet box. I took one look at the necklace and knew it was the perfect gift for Cami.

"I'll take it," I said and handed over my card.

____________________________________

Cami

"Hello Birthday Girl," Nico greeted me at the end of the day.

"Hi."

"You ready?" He said and offered me his hand. I'd gotten used to holding Nico's hand. It was reassuring to me and I liked it.

Nico walked me out to his car and we drove to his apartment.

I listened to the music and wondered what we were going to do. Maybe another movie night? I wouldn't mind that.

Nico parked and led me up to his apartment. When we walked in the lights were off and I could barely see.

"SURPRISE!"

I jumped when the lights were turned on and I saw my friends in Nico's apartment which was set up for a birthday party. There was someone else there who I didn't know, but Nico led me over to introduce me.

"Cami, this is my friend AJ."

"It's nice to meet you," AJ said and offered me his hand. I shook it and turned to Nico.

"You threw me a surprise party?" I asked.

"Yeah. Do you like it?"

"I love it."

And then I surprised myself by burying myself into Nico's chest and hugging him tightly. He chuckled and hugged me back.

"I'm glad."

The five of us ate snacks, watched movies, and talked until the pizza arrived. After we ate, Nico announced it was time for cake and presents so we all went into the kitchen.

Nico pulled out a bakery box and inside was a cake that said:

Happy Birthday Cami!

I almost cried when I saw it and then again when everyone sang happy birthday to me.

"Make a wish," Nico whispered into my ear.

I blew out my candles and made my wish as everyone cheered.

"Time for presents!" Taryn shouted and thrusted a bag into my hands. I pulled out the tissue paper and underneath was a new set of colored pencils, a new sketchbook, and a card. I read the card and hugged Taryn close.

"Thank you."

Sammy's gift came next. He got me some books by an author he knew I really liked. I hugged and thanked him. I was so lucky.

"Here," Nico said and handed me a small velvet box.

I gasped when I opened it and saw the most beautiful necklace I'd ever laid eyes on. It was a gold butterfly with colored gems on the wings.

"Thank you so much. I love it," I whispered to Nico.
He took the necklace and stepped behind me to put it on. He brushed my hair aside and clasped the necklace around my neck. It was perfect. The whole night was perfect.

We dug into the cake and I laughed as I enjoyed the company of my friends. My blood family may not have cared about my birthday, but this one did.