"Pretty Girl"

19 - happy birthday! (2)

Malorie's POV:

"Okay! Mine next!" Lexi says. She slides the bag toward me. I pull out my gift. Bon Jovi tickets.

My jaw drops.

"Lexi.. Lexi!!" I stand up and throw my arms around her. She laughs.

"I knew you'd love it! Both nights were going."

"I love you so much!!" I say grinning. I pull out the card.

I can't believe you're 16, baby girl. I'm so lucky I've got to see you grow up. And before you know it, I'll be standing at your wedding.

I love you forever and always, little sis.

"I love you too, Lexi." I smile at her.

"Mine!" Star says. I open hers. 100 dollar barnes and noble gift card.

"God damn Star! What the fuck?!" I say smiling.

"That's from me and Leo. He told me you guys talked and he said he always sees you reading in the library. So. We pitched in."

"Aww, I'll make sure to tell him thank you! Thank you, though Star!"

"Mhm!" I pull out a crewneck. It says "I don't know who I am right now. But I know who I'm not. And I like that." And underneath there's a dandelion.

It's from the way I used to be by Amber Smith. My favorite book of all time.

"Star," I whisper. I hug her.

"Thank you. I love it. I'm gonna live in it." She smiles.

"Mineeee!!" Crystal says. I open her's. Crystals.

"I got you some others. This one helps with anxiety. This one is for love, of course. This one is for protection, and this one is for peace."

"Thank you for the crystals, Crystal." She smiles and hugs me.

"I got you a gift," Declan says. He hands me it. A 50 Amazon gift card and a 50 dollar target gift card.

"Oh shit! I'm gonna go shopping! Thank you, Declan! You actually like me?" I say.

"Don't push it," he says. I smile.

"Here!" Brie says.
"Me and Baylie made sure there was no repeats. But she got a lot. So." Barnes and noble, target, Amazon, and a hair store gift card.

"For your hair dye!" She says. I smile.

"Thank you, Brie." She nods. I look at Baylie. She hands me a bag.

"This is a big bag," I say.

"I know." I pull out the first thing. An Arctic Monkeys vinyl.

"Oh! I've been wanting this for so long!" She smiles. I pull out the next. Jane Austen's complete collection in one book.

"I wanted this too.." I say. I pull out the next thing. A locket. I open it.

"That's what moon phase it was when we got together. And then there's a picture from that night, too." I smile up at her. She kisses my nose.

I pull out the next. A speaker.

"Baylie- is this everything I've said that I wanted in the past five months?" She nods.

"Yes! Literally.. everything.. don't pull out the pink box." I look at her.

"I said I wanted a lot of shit.."

"I know. And I got it!"

"Baylie that's so sweet! I just ramble I didn't think you listened for real!"

"Of course I listen, honey." She kisses my head.

"Just.. open the letter." I grab the letter and open it.

"Am I gonna cry?"

"You might. Yes." I take a deep breath.

To my world,

It's been three months. I know that. Most people would call us crazy and blame it on young love. Say we'll learn a lesson one day. But I'm reality, Malorie, I've known you since I was 13. When Brie would stay up late and talk to you. And I'd walk in and hear your pretty laugh. I always wondered who the girl on the other side of the phone was. I wanted to meet you. I wanted to see what she saw in you. What made her get in trouble so much for being so loud at night.

And now that I've met you, baby, I get exactly why Donald was always so damn pissed. Because I want to do nothing but stay up late with you. Laugh until our ribs hurt. I know we do it every weekend, but I want to do it all the time. Because you captivate me, Mal.

You've pulled me out of depression holes and a repeating cycle of PTSD. You, my love, have saved my life. And that I cannot make up to you.

I want nothing more than to get married to you one day. To have children together and have a house with only love. Break the cycle of abuse. I know you can do it, baby. I KNOW you can do it.

You're so sweet, and kind, and I love every thing about you. The side of you that splits and the side of you that needs cuddles and my voice to go to sleep.

I'm so glad you became captivated by me, my love. I love you with all of my heart.

Happy 16th birthday, my love.

Tears fall on my face, and I smile and look up at her.

"I agree," I whisper. She kisses my forehead.
"I know I can do it." She smiles and hugs me.

"I know you can, too." She puts her hands on my face.
"We will be rich white Moms who shop at target for decorations. And our kids stockings will be stuffed to the brim." I nod.

"They will!" I say, voice breaking. She wipes my tears as they fall. I hand the baby to Brie and stand up. I hug her, and she buries her head into my shoulder.

"I love you so much, Baylie."

"I love you more!"

"No, you don't." I pull away.

"Is it a car?" I ask daddy.

"Funny of you to just assume it's a car."

"Yes." He throws me the keys. A Benz.
"I overheard your conversation, and you best believe I got you a Benz."

"Oh shit!" I say. I run outside. It's black. And it's perfect.
"Oh shit! Is this why you had me get my license this morning?!" He nods.

"It turns into a convertible, too, but, it is January so please don't do that." I laugh.

"I won't!" I hug him.

"Thank you, daddy. You're the best." He smiles down at me.

"Always, kiddo." I grin.

"I love all six of you. But. I'm going first! By myself! I love you all!"

"Nooo!" Baylie says.

"Yesss! I'll be back in like 5 minutes!" I get in the car and start it.

"Be careful!!" My dad says.

"I will!" I close the door and buckle my seatbelt. And then drive off grinning.

I go to target and go straight to the lingerie section. Why?

Because. We're going to have some fun tonight.

A/N - I hope you guys aren't overwhelmed with the smut- I mean.. yk?

I love you all so much. I hope you had a great holidays! 💋

(It's 10:43 pm on Christmas Day. I've been writing all day.)

Future A/N - it's... it's not 10:43pm on Christmas Day anymore...

I'm- in school updating this-