In the shadows, under the bleachers

Chapter11

Today was the day. My birthday. I know I should be excited, I mean I'm going to drive and that's exciting something to look forward to. But unfortunately today I woke up in a shitty mood. Why? I don't know.

"Come on Aiden cheer up." Mark encouraged. I stabbed my fork into the eggs on my plate. Why am I in such a bad mood anyway?

I put on my best convincing smile, "I am."

Mark raised a brow, "You are?" He didn't sound convinced but I nodded anyways. He finally shook his head, "You stabbing your eggs like you hate the world sure isn't helping your case. Also your smile is fake. So like I said cheer up, it's your birthday."

Yeah, birthday, as in just a day. There's nothing special about a day.

"I'll try." My smile slowly shrank away as I continued eating my eggs. "Be excited and cheer up he says, it's so easy." I muttered dragging out the 'so' as I washed my plate, "Like it's so easy." I continued muttering as my washing got more aggressive. I thought I would honestly break the plate with how I'm holding it.

"That's not trying." I heard Mark yell, I dropped the plate in the sink and turned around in a matter of seconds. He wasn't any where in sight. Today is starting off really fucking weird. I thought turning back to dry my plate.

Just cheer up and be excited, how hard can that be?

—

Not as hard as I thought apparently.

"As cute as you look snoring and being in and out of sleep, you need to wake up."

"I don't snore." I muttered defensively, half asleep.

"Sure you don't reckless artist."

"It's to early for this sunshine." I yawned stepping out of the car. So I went from hating the world to just being tired. He glanced at me and smiled before turning the other way.

"Follow me."

"Where are we going again?"

"A junkyard."

"Oh yeah now that you mention it I've been meaning to ask you, how did you manage this whole thing."I motioned to the big door we were standing in front of. He didn't answer me, instead he pulled out a key and opened the lock pushing the doors to the side.

"I asked my parents." He hesitated before closing the doors with a loud bang.

"Your parents?" I asked. He never mentioned them, to either of us.

"Yeah." He motioned me to follow him. Is it always this bright in the morning? I shielded my eyes. "Here are the keys." He threw them to me. The car wasn't anything special, not that I expected anything thing like that. It was beat up car but still looked to be in decent condition.

"You want to ride with me?" I asked a mischievous grin formed on my lips.

He laughed, "I'll pass, also please for the love of god don't get seriously hurt."

"Or die." I added.

"Or die." He repeated. "Knock yourself out." He finally muttered walking in the other direction. I waited until he was a good distance away before I unlocked the car eagerly. It felt exhilarating. I started off driving slow and careful as I notice Will watching me but eventually got bored and decided.

Fuck it. I hit the gas and the car went faster and faster. I was to busy loving the adrenaline rush to even notice I was going to hit something. Fuck

"Aiden." Will shouted, snapping me out of my trance. I swerved out of the way of the huge pile of junk and hit the break.

"What the fuck?" I said in between labored breaths. I suddenly started laughing hysterically. I shouldn't be laughing, I almost died. So why am I laughing?

I laughed harder.

"Aiden what the hell?" Will asked, I was still laughing as I turned to him. He sighed, "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, "No." I tried to stifle my laughter but failed miserably.

"Are you seriously laughing reckless?" Will asked, he didn't sound angry just concerned.

"Sorry?" I shrugged, not entirely sure how respond.

He shook his head, "And you wanted me to ride with you."

I smiled proudly and leaned over to kiss him before doing a U-turn and continued driving in circles.

After an hour of driving safely I got bored. So I decided to go a bit faster, just a bit. It wasn't as exhilarating as before, or as adrenaline rushing but I would just have to make due. I heard my phone go off.

It was Mark.

"What do you want Mark? " I asked, my hand on the steering wheel as I looked forward.

"You hurt yet?"

"No."

"Really? So you're not being an idiot." He sounded surprised, because of course he did. It irritated me.

I rolled my eyes, "Surprise." I replied sarcastically.

"Don't give me that Aiden."

"What? At least I'm in a good mood." I pointed out. He didn't say anything for a minute. "You still there?" I asked.

"Just be home soon." He hung up.

I sighed before taking the keys out of the ignition. I sat back in my seat before abruptly stepping out of the car making my way over to Will. He was sitting under a tree which was the only source of shade.

"Hey reckless, you finished?" Will asked glancing to me then to the car behind me.

I nodded, "Yeah I'm done. Thank you by the way." I handed him the keys.

"Don't mention it."

That seems to be his favorite line.

—

"Finally." Muttered exasperated when he opened the door.

Will tilted his head and smiled, except the thing is it wasn't his normal cheery smile. It was faked, forced, "Calm down Mark." He motioned me to follow him inside into the kitchen. "Did you make or buy the cake?" Will asked, his usual smile was back.

"Made." Mark replied following behind us into the kitchen.

For the rest of the night we ate cake, played games and I opened gifts.