I wake up earlier than normal with a goal in mind. I flip over and grab my phone from the nightstand, unlocking it while I slide out of bed. I head into the kitchen, pulling a monster from the fridge as I open up my messages.
Today is June 15, 2023. It's a Wednesday. And Ward's birthday is June 17, on Friday. He turns sixteen. I want to throw a party for him, but I need to figure out literally everything. I need a place, decorations, food, drinks (I'm sure Blake would be overjoyed to buy us drinks.) She's basically an alcoholic at this point. Much different than the last time I saw her, when I was in second grade and she was in eighth. None of that matters right now.
Nathan: Hey dumbass
Lord Farquad: She's not up yet
Nathan: Who am i texting
Lord Farquad: Raiden
I switch to Raiden's contact and tell him to wake up Ember, sipping from the can as I wait for a reply.
Lord Farquad: Howards birthday?
Nathan: Yep
Im coming ovr
Lord Farquad: 123 Loser Lane (still made up)
Ward: Ik ur address dumbass
Also Im bringing Blake
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I have never been in a more awkward situation.
She spent the whole time flicking her eyes between me and the road as she drove, before saying I might find myself in a ditch if I hurt Howard.
Then she said if I ever need a place to stay, I can stay at her house.
How lovely.
Now I'm getting a bottle of water from Ember's fridge as I listen to the two of them laugh at something from Ember's phone. They're sitting on the couch, and when I go sit down across from them, Ember clicks her phone off and the duo turns to me.
"So, Howard's birthday is coming up. We need to figure out what we're getting him, and where to have a party."
"I already know what I'm getting, but it's a surprise, so I won't be telling either of you. However, we can hold the party at my house. I'll also pay for the whole thing. I assume there'll be drinks?"
"Do you know what you're getting him, Ember?"
"Not yet, but I have a few ideas."
"Yes, Blake, if you don't mind. I honestly don't have much left anyways, I'm definitely not going to have enough. I'll help you with getting the house ready."
"I'll help too."
"So that settles it?"
"Nathan, do you know what you're gonna get Howard?"
". . . No."
"I haven't spoken to him in years before about a week ago, don't look at me. I barely got him the one I did, anyway."
"I can help."
"No. I'll figure it out eventually, let's just focus on buying shit for his party, okay?"
"Nathan, why don't you just let Ember help you? She knows Howard pretty well at this point, does she not?" The words put a sour taste in my mouth. She better not know Ward as well as I do. Yesterday's events were amazing, and so is Ward.
"Um. Nathan, why is your face red?" Shit.
"Let's all just work together, alright? " I don't think they need to know or want to know what I'm thinking about.
"Let's go shopping. I think that sounds fun. And it would get us everything we need."
"No, no. I want to know why Nathan's face went red. Did something happen, Nathan? "
"I agree with Blake, let's go shopping. " I stand up, grabbing my monster, and follow Blake out the door, grateful for her interference. She gets in the driver's seat and I get in the backseat, opposite side of Ember.
"So what happened, Nathan?" I can feel my face heat up and as I open my mouth to respond, Blake answers for me.
"Do we need to talk about last Friday, Ember? It's certainly not something you want to share, let alone with Nathan. Let's stop pushing, shall we?" Ember's face goes red and her mouth clamps shut. She stares out the window and I look at Blake, confused. Does she know what happened? Why does she keep defending me?
"We're here."
YOU ARE READING
Hot Starry Nights
RomanceIt's their sophomore year of high school. Summer break is only two weeks away. Howard and Nathaniel have been friends for over a decade and have been with each other through everything. As their time together lengthens, Howard starts catching feelin...
