your city gave me asthma // Wilbur Soot

seventeen

Skylar

I roll over, immediately bumping against Claire. It was hard to fit us both into the twin bed, but if Wilbur and I can do it, Claire and I can do it. I sit up, thankful my head has finally stopped pounding.

"Happy birthday," Claire mutters, keeping her eyes closed.

"Thanks," I whisper back, grabbing my phone from the night stand.

Mom: Call when you can!! 🩷🩷🩷🩷

I grin and call her, a few rings before she picks up. Immediately, I hear her and Maddie singing happy birthday to me, making me laugh as I lean against the wall.

"Thanks you guys," I say, sad that I'm not there with them. "I miss you."

"We miss you more, honey." Mom sighs. "Did you just wake up?"

"Yeah, Claire is still asleep and Marie is at class already. I'm skipping today, even though I maybe shouldn't tell you that."

"You're an adult now!" Maddie chimes in. "She can't get mad at you anymore."

I hear my mom laugh. "Well, I can, I just will choose not to for today. How was your date last night?"

I frown, all of the moments from last night coming back to me. I don't remember much, but enough. But mom is worried enough with me in another continent, I shouldn't make it worse for her. "Oh, it was nice. I'm excited for you to meet him, you'll adore him."

I talk with them for a bit longer before Claire is finally up. I give them a goodbye and set my phone down, a little upset no one else has texted me. To be fair, my only friends are the group I have now, Claire, and my sister. But the group is in class, I shouldn't expect them to text me.

Claire sits up and rests her head on my shoulder. "You feeling alright?"

"Mhmm," I hum, standing from the bed. I pull on a pair of jeans and one of Wilbur's sweatshirts, twisting my hair into a braid. She slips into some comfy clothes and I grab my keys. "Let's get breakfast."

We go to the cafe, who already knows my order, and sit down once we have our drinks. I look down at my phone, grinning at the fact that he's finally texted me.

Wilbur: Hi baby

Wilbur: Oh sorry, I can't call you that anymore since you're 18!

Me: you're funny

Wilbur: I know ☺️ I'm excited to see you I miss you

Me: i miss youuuu. i'm sorry i ruined the date last night.

Wilbur: You did not do anything wrong. Plus we're gonna have a good party for ya tonight to make up for it ❤️

Me: eeee i'm excited :))

Suddenly, a plate with a pastry appears next to me. I look up and smile, Wilbur towering over me.

"Oh, hello there," I giggle, watching him lean down to peck my cheek before sitting next to me. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't order that."

"Aw, too bad." He pouts, moving his hair away from his glasses. "Happy birthday, darling."

"Thanks, baby," I grin, giving him a quick kiss before starting on the pastry he got me, letting Claire steal a bit. "What time are we all leaving today?"

"Oh, I'm not sure..." Wilbur says suspiciously, looking out the window with a smile. I follow his glance and see Matt's car parked in front of the cafe, the words 'Happy Birthday Skylar!' spray painted on the side.