Scream for love

Chapter twenty

Jake's birthday came. He did all he could to keep it a secret. He didn't want too much attention, even though he was getting a lot ever since the fire.  Jake walked to school as usual. Everything looked okay, so he relaxed. Only to have Damien jump on his back and yelling at the top of his lungs.

-Happy birthday! - he cheered.

-What did I tell you? - Jake asked, voice full of disappointment.

-That you don't celebrate it and it's time to change it. - Damien answered, jumping off his friend's back. - You survived another year and that alone deserves a praise. And look at you, you have a lot of changes made this year.

-For once I have to agree with my brother. - Jake heard Vergilia's voice as she came up to them. - Happy birthday Jake. - she smiled and kissed his cheek.

-Thanks. - he answered. - Both of you.

During the day he got plenty of birthday wishes from Sebastian, the basketball team, the Committee members, also from Halvor. Some of his classmates joined too. Jake didn't know what to do with all of the attention, he begged the day to pass quickly. After the classes, he was invited to Adams', which he accepted.

Eva picked them up as usual. She wished Jake happy birthday, to which Jake responded with a 'thank you'. Damien was talking to his mother most of the road, while Vergilia leaned on Jake's shoulder. Once they arrived and went inside, Jake noticed Simon carrying a cake in the living room.

-Happy birthday Jake, make a wish. - he said.

-I think I'm dreaming. - Jake said. He never had a birthday cake or a birthday party before, regardless the size. He did make a wish in his mind and blew away the two candles in the shapes of one and seven.

-Good job. - Simon smiled lightly and set the cake on the table, before he handed the knife to Jake.

He carefully cut the cake and put the pieces on the plates.

-That's too much for me. - said Vergilia, looking at the piece Jake gave her.

-That's what she said. - laughed Damien, shutting up when Jake whacked him on the back of his head. - Ouch, of course you'd stand up for Verge.

-Forgive me, but you had it coming. - Jake answered.

They ate the cake, before Simon said it was time for presents. Jake didn't expect anything from his birthday, yet it exceeded everything he could think of. He accepted the middle sized box from Damien.

-It's from me, mom and dad. - he grinned. - Verge said she has her own already for you.

-This is crazy, thank you. - Jake didn't know what else to say.

-Open it! - Damien was excited.

Jake undid the ribbon and opened the box. Inside he found a leather jacket with chains jiggling and shining on it. Jake's eyes widened, he immediately tried it on.

-I absolutely love it. - he said, smiling widely. - Thank you.

Jake spent a bit more time with them, before he went with Vergilia to her room. She sat him on the bed before she took a little box from the drawer in her desk and walked up to him.

-You know you didn't have to, right? - he asked taking the box from her.

-Of course I had to, after all I'm celebrating the day my one and only was born on. - she said and sat down in his lap. - Also that jacket looks so good on you I don't think you'd be allowed to wear it. This should be illegal. - she smiled, hugging him tight.

Jake only shook his head, smiling, and opened the box. Inside, he found a thin chain with the necklace of two wings crossed together. He immediately put it on and laid back on Vergilia's bed, pulling her down with him.

-I take it as you like the necklace. -she smiled.

-I do. - Jake answered. - This is the best birthday I've ever had.

-Get used to it. - Vergilia nuzzled Jake's neck. - I also want to see you smile like that more.

-You're my reason to smile, so everything is ahead of us. - Jake answered and started playing with Vergilia's hair.

In the evening, Jake came back home to his mother scolding him for being home so late without informing her. He only sighed, not in the mood to argue with her. In fact, he really considered moving out once he turned eighteen, but then the reality sank in, and he knew he would be able to afford it. He ignored her complaining and grabbed a yoghurt from the fridge. After a deep breath she wished him happy birthday in the end.

-Yeah, thanks. - he said to that. He finished his snack and went to bed.