The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 11: The Birthdays

Grace

I woke up to see Carl still asleep and still holding on to me. I lied back down not wanting to wake him up. The time on my watch read 8:17. I turned 14 five hours ago.

I was filled with excitement and almost shook Carl awake.

Then I remembered.

I remembered that the world had gone to shit. My parents died. Members of the group died. And Sofia, well Sofia wasn't here. I was so worried about her.

I took in a deep breath trying to hold back my tears in efforts of not waking Carl. I bit my lip as tears rolled down my face.

"Happy birthday to us." I muttered.

Carl woke up. Damn, I was too loud.

"What?" He asked groggily as he rubbed his eyes.

"Oh nothing." I lied.

"Okay." He yawned and fell back asleep.

I laughed quietly. I decided to fall back  asleep too.

I woke up again and read the time on my watch to be 9:38! It was so late! I looked over to my side to see Carl still sleeping. God that boy slept so much!

I got out of the bed to check around and see if anyone else was in the RV. Nope.

I walked outside to see everyone scavenging the nearby cars. Lori walked over to me

"Happy bi-" she was cut off by me shaking my head.

"Thanks mom- I mean Lori. Ummm it's just... with Sofia being missing... I don't want to make my birthday a 'priority' and I don't want anyone to feel bad." I said.

"Well Carl's birthday was yesterday and we couldn't do anything for him... so I was thinkin maybe we could do a little something. I found some Hostess cupcakes on a run last week..." Lori said looking nervous, yet excited.

Was she embarrassed that she was trying to plan this for us? A/N (yes lol). If so she shouldn't be. It's so sweet!

I let out a big grin and hugged her. "You know what Lori? You can do whatever you please for our birthdays. I love you so much and I'm so glad you're here with me." I said as I saw a tear of happiness fall out of her eye.

"I'll go wake Carl." I laughed excitedly, running off to the RV.

"Wake up idiot. I get you're an even older teenager now but it hasn't been that long." I laughed as I hit him with a pillow.

He bolted up like a poptart in the toaster and screeched.

"Did I scare you?" I laughed so hysterically that I almost couldn't breathe.

Then I couldn't. Carl laughed for a moment then realized I wasn't playing around. I was having an asthma attack. I pointed to my bag which had my emergency inhalers in it.

A/n: Ik this is bad but I wanted to add something.  I'm sorry I didn't put it in that you had asthma before! I just wanted to make some "drama" in this chapter I guess no hate plz!

"Mom! Dad! Carol! Somebody!" Carl screamed out the RV window as he handed me my bag. I fell onto the bed as I couldn't breathe. I saw figures running to the RV as I began to black out.

"Grace stay with me! Grace it's gonna be okay! I know you can't but please try to brea-"      
Carl cried to me when I blacked out.

I woke up to the feeling of air being pumped into my chest. My eyes opened quickly and I felt my heart pounding.

"She's waking up!" I heard someone yell.

It was Lori. Lori was giving me CPR and my inhalers. I saw my group surrounding me as I tried to speak, but I felt a terrible pain in my lungs.

Once I started to feel a little more stable Carl came over to the bed. "This is my fault I made you laugh an-" he said quickly

"My god Carl. Will you please shut the hell up? Stop blaming yourself for everything that happens to me. This isn't anyone's fault but my genetics. You think I want you to make me cry instead of laugh? Because if so then boy, you have a storm coming." I said confidently.

He looked shocked. Surprised that such a usually timid girl just spoke out like that. To be honest I was too. But let's be real, you were a badass in the making.

 
                             Carl

I remembered it was Graces birthday. I didn't say anything since she acted like she didn't want anyone to. I was still asleep as I was woken up by Grace yelling at me and hitting me with a pillow.

"Wake up idiot. I get youre a teenager now but it hasn't been that long." I popped up terrified and startled. I let out a not so manly scream which sent Grace into an insane laughing match.

Next thing I know she was gasping for air. I laughed at it until I realized she wasn't playing around. I remembered she had asthma. She hasn't had an attack since the beginning of sixth grade.

I screamed for people to come to the RV since I didn't know what to do. She fell over onto the mattress and I begged her to stay with me for a few more moments and that the others would be here soon.

My mom was the first to run in. She pulled the inhaler out of her bag but didn't give it to her since she was unconscious.

She started blowing air into her mouth and pumping down on her chest. She started breathing again which was good. They gave her the inhaler since she was breathing now.

A little bit later she awoke. She looked like she was trying to speak but she grabbed her upper chest as it probably hurt her.

Once she was awake and claimed to be feeling better I went over and sat with her. I felt so bad! This was my fault for making her laugh so hard. I should've remembered.

"This is my fault I made you laugh an-" I said as I was cut off by Graces yelling.

"My god Carl. Will you please shut the helł up? Stop blaming yourself for everything that happens to me. This isn't anyone's fault but my genetics. You think I want you to make me cry instead of laugh? Because if so, then boy do you have a storm coming." She said. I tell you she said it so confidently and did NOT stutter.

I was surprised she said that. Especially since she was usually so calm. It didn't bother me, in fact I thought it was quite cool.

My mom walked in handing us each a hostess cupcake. My eyes widened and I smiled. This would be so good! I could see Grace was trying to hide a smile.

She couldn't anymore. "Oh thank you thank you! This is all I could wish for on my birthday. Thank you Lori!" She squealed as we both laughed at her excitement.

I inhaled my cupcake as Grace ate hers slowly knowing she probably wouldn't ever have another one. I slumped back because right was jealous she still had hers.

She noticed and handed me the last bite of hers and nodded. "What? No. This is yours. You have it." I said. She shook her head and pushed it closer towards me.

I knew she wouldn't take no for an answer so I hugged her and said thanks as I enjoyed the last bite.

We stayed up talking about random things like our favorite colors and why. Or people from our classrooms before.

Then we went to sleep.

Sorry that this chapter was long! Ik I slipped the asthma thing in but I just needed to add some drama I guess. Plz continue reading! I will try to update as much as I can! Ty!