The Life I Almost Lived

A Birthday - Thirtytwo

I did not dare to tell mum about Kaden... Or Thomas actually. She knew, I know she knew something had happened of course but she did not push me about it. I still had a couple of weeks of summer holiday left and I worked pretty hard on those, leaving barely any time for anything else.

One day I was leaning against the counter at the camping area and I saw a familiar Camry pulling up in the parking lot. It had been a quiet day and I was bored out of my mind so I was glad someone I knew showed up. After a time that felt like forever the door opens and I see Jackie entering the room,

"Heyo!"
"Hi, how are you doing?" I try to perk up and show that I was actually glad he showed up while I was hoping Thomas would've been with him.

"Great great, uhh.. I got something to tell ya." He says quietly and rubs his neck.

"He left?" It is the first thing that comes to mind and I just blurt it out. Jackie stops and looks at me suspiciously.

"What on earth makes you assume that?" He shakes his head, "No, no, no. Thomas's birthday is coming up. I wondered if you would be able to show up, it's next Friday at the house."

"Oh, I just haven't heard from him is all. Yea, yea I could make an appearance so to speak." Jackie nods and gives me his phone number, just in case I need something. Anything, he says.

--

It's friday and I am trying to think what to wear. Mum has already given me a curfew to follow, but it is an hour later than normally which I found intriguing to say the least yet did not dare to ask about in case she takes it back.

"Just go with this." Mum pulls out a summer dress, it is light and flows nicely. It is long enough to be comfortable and it has a very cute pink flower pattern on a white background. I nod, take it to my hand and pull it on. I look at myself in the mirror and agree; what is better than wearing a summer dress on the last weekend of summer holiday?

I set off and head down to the harbor and the house. We called it the house, but I have no clue why actually. It just always been the house.
I was about half way down, when I heard a familiar voice behind me. Too familiar in fact.

"Hey you." I remember how I stopped like a wall would have appeared in front of me. Aron.

"What you doing here?" Is the first thing that comes to mind so I just blurt it out. He chuckles at me and steps closer,

"Just visiting." I nod and turn to continue my way down the hill.

"You coming to the party too?" I hear him asking and catching up to me. I nod again.

"Sweet, we will have fun!" I stop again but this time I turn to look at him. He had not changed, well... His hair had, and his clothing a little more to big city kind. But it was still the same Aron I knew. However something in me had changed. And it was my feelings.

"I am here for Thomas and his birthday. That is all." Aron looks amused,

"Thomas? Sure, sure. Okay." I roll my eyes and continue my way down the hill, Aron following me. I hear the music before stepping to the yard and see that there are quite some people already shown up. Cars in front of the garage and sidewalk full, I make my way through them and recognize JJ's car among them. Thank goodness someone I know. Because it had not actually occured to me I wouldn't know anyone until now. Stupid, stupid!

"Hey! Glad you made it, help me with this, will ya?" I see a guy near one of the cars and I recognize him, never spoke a word but knew him never the less.

"Of course, what is it?"

"Few six packs and some snacks is all." The guy says and passes me some bags from the bag of the car. And as he does he slows down, seeing Aron behind me. He clears his throat,