One Last Day

8

"Were you guys watching us through the window? If so, then that's creepy." I say.

My mom laughs, looks at my father, and then back at me, "We just wanted to check the weather outside, and you and Remi just happened to be in view." She smiles wholeheartedly.

"It was all your mother's idea." My dad says. "The whole spying thing, she just roped me into it. I was trying to respect your guys' privacy."

My mom elbows my dad in the rib cage, "Thanks for ratting me out. He would've believed what I said."

I stifle out a laugh, "I wouldn't have believed you, mom. Thanks for trying though."

"So," my dad starts. "Are you and Remi dating?"

I sigh. "No, I told you guys she's my friend."

"Friends don't kiss each other. Especially in the rain. I love the rain, it's so romantic." My mom says while smirking.

"Mom! Stop!"

"Is this the first time you kissed her?"

"I'm not answering that."

"Do you like her? Well, you obviously do because you kissed her."

"Mom, please."

"Okay, okay." My mom looks at the clock, 12:01. She smiles enthusiastically, "Happy birthday Joshie!" She runs to hug me. "It seems like just yesterday, you were just born. Brought into this world bringing so much love and happiness with you. I can't believe how much of a boy you've grown into. Sorry, a man I mean. I love you so much, Josh."

"I love you too mom."

"Alright, alright, time for my speech." My dad slightly shoos my mom away so he can hug me. "Son, you are 18. It seems like just yesterday, you were just born." My dad says mockingly. "I am honestly proud of the man you've become. I know I haven't been there for most of your life, but I do get updates from your mom and you. I love you son, you're my one and only."

"I love you too dad."

"We have some cake in the fridge," my mom says, "Do you wanna eat some tonight?"

"Sure, why not."

We all head into the kitchen, my dad and I sit on the barstools seated in front of the island. My mom grabs the cake from the kitchen. It's not a big cake, just a small circle. I know that a bigger cake awaits me later today. We stuff our mouths with red velvet cake, my favorite, we laugh about old stories of me. Of course, before I head off to bed, my parents sing me happy birthday. 

***

I head upstairs to my room, I swing open the door, and I see balloons filling the room. Great. I push my way through them and lay flat on my bed. My phone buzzes, I take it out of my pocket to see that I have a text from Remi.

Rem <3

happy birthday!!! I am honestly glad I met you. 

thanks rem, I'm really glad I met u too

you are better than anyone else in this godforsaken town

awww that means so much from the new girl with no friends

who needs friends when I have you?

are you saying I'm enough?

yes, you are all I need

you're all I need too

alright enough with the cheesy stuff, ill see you tmmr goodnight!

good night rem

I hate lying to her. "You're all I need? Really Josh. You know you're gonna fucking kill yourself, why are you making her fall for you?" Why? 

I get up from my bed to change into my pajamas, and my phone buzzes again. I smile thinking it's from Remi, but it's not.

Emily

Hey Josh, happy birthday

oh, um thanks emily

I know things have been tense because of Joseph, ill try to make him behave today

you guys are coming?

Yeah, your mom invited us 

of course, she did

We don't have to go if you don't want us, it's ur bday

nah nah it's fine, u guys can come

ill make sure joseph plays nice

thanks gn

gn!!

Emily, the lovely girl next door. We used to be friends at the beginning of sophomore year, I always thought she was pretty. I used to have a crush on her when she first transferred, but just as I was becoming close to her Joseph swoops in and turns her to his side. We still remained ok, but we never talked as much. I remember all the late nights of us texting and talking about how we thought the future will be. She seemed like the perfect girl that I would be friends with forever. I guess I was just an easy friend for her because once she got settled in, everything changed. She started hanging out with the popular people, maybe I am just jealous that she got along with people so easily and I just couldn't. Maybe I envy her. I envy her happiness, her life, her friends, I envy her. 

I turn off my phone and play some music on my speaker. I hear my parents come upstairs and hear their bedroom door open and close. Music fills my ears as I drift off to bed. Dreaming of her beautiful face. The gorgeous girl I met just the other day. the gorgeous girl I kissed at the top of a cliff, in a car, at my front door. The same girl who my parents already love after barely being around her. The same girl who makes me think twice about my decision. Remi Ashton Martinez.