Relocating

Birthday

I had actually forgotten my birthday this year. This morning, Aunt Mary called singing into the phone. I was trying to hold back my laugh while giving a costumer an iced strawberry lemonade. Dan let us take personal calls. The woman I was serving must have heard Aunt Mary's singing because she wished me a happy birthday as well. She also left me a $10 tip, so I was happy. Even Eliza said happy birthday to me! I even got a smile. Dan gave me a bear hug and said I could leave early to hang out with my friends.

"Hey Eliza?" I asked.

"Yeah newbie?"

"You wanna hang out with me and my friends tonight?"

"A bunch of 20 and 21 year olds? No thanks."

"You're 23. I would ask Dan, but he's like 36 and he would cramp our style."

"Hey! I heard that!" He shouted from his office and Eliza and I laughed.

"Please." I said and gave her the sweetest face I could.

"Fine. I'll call you when I get out."

"Thank you!" I shouted.

"Calm down 21." She smiled.

"See you later!"

"Bye.'' She said.

When I got outside I texted Ashton to come pick me up at the hotel in an hour. I checked my watch. 2pm. I usually got out at 5pm, but today was special and Dan wanted me to celebrate.

I waved at Aria on my way to my room. She yelled happy birthday at me and I yelled a thank you back. Ashton must have told her. I dug through the closet and got out a white lace shirt, black skinny jeans, and my black combat boots. I hopped in the shower and did my hair and makeup next. Once I was finally done I took a look at myself. I had to say, I thought I looked pretty good. I took one last look as my phone went off in the other room.

"Hey I'm here birthday girl." He shouted. I ran out of my room, down the hall, and out of the hotel giving Aria one quick wave. I looked around for Ashton's car. I found it, but there was no sign of him. I turned around and saw a guy holding a big box in his hands, covering his face.

"Ashton," I say.

"No Ass-ton here." He said in a terrible accent.

"Is that for me?"

"Are you Miss Rachel?"

"Yeah."

"Then no it is not for you."

"You're a jerk." I laugh and he hands me the box. I put it down on the ground and begin to rip it open. He has a huge grin as I throw out the packing material. Right before my eyes is a Canon. I feel my eyes widen and I slowly stand up.

"You didn't." I say.

"Hell yeah I did!" He shouts and I jumped on him. He fell backwards onto the ground, but I didn't care.

"Thank you so much." I shouted. He stood up, still holding me in a hug.

"You're very welcome. I'll set it up for you tomorrow, then we can go on a photo hunt."

"That's the best thing you could give me!"

"Nothing else?!"

"Nope it's perfect!" I laugh and hug him again.

"Where to?"

"Well, I've had alcohol before, and you guys can't drink, so forget that new experience. How about just going to dinner with Aria, Jacob, and Eliza."

"You got the stubborn Eliza to come?"

"Yeah! I think she likes me now!"

"So, where do you want to eat?"

"Pick a place I'll like."

"Actually, I think I have an idea." He grins and starts the engine. He texts Aria and Jacob where to go, and leaves me the surprise. He takes my phone and texts Eliza. I honestly don't mind the surprise. I trusted him. It was crazy how much I knew a guy in a month and how much he knew me.

We get to a small restaurant and no one is there besides the employees. Ashton steps to the side and asks the waitress something. Probably hitting on her because she smiles and nods. I stand awkwardly until we get a table and wait for the others.

Everyone else gets there around 10 minutes later. Everyone seems so happy to be there, too. Even Eliza looks happy. She brought her boyfriend Sterling. The name suited him. He had a bright personality and silver eyes.

The dinner was simple. Everyone wished me a happy birthday, we ate, and I got a visa gift card from Eliza. She told me I needed to get new clothes. Sterling elbowed her, but she just laughed. I tried to think positive. She cared enough to get me something for my birthday. I found out why Ash had been talking to the waitress. The entire staff came over and sang me a happy birthday.

After dinner, Ashton said he would drive me home, but he drove to his apartment instead. He told me there was no reason I should be alone on my birthday. I obliged and was honestly kind of happy. I sat myself on his couch and he gave me a big comforter and a pillow. He sat at the end of the couch.

"Thanks Ashton." I said, my eyes getting heavy.

"You're welcome. Happy birthday." He said.

I felt him move off the couch and I opened my eyes. He was kneeling in front of me on the floor now. He kissed my cheek and I turned to look at him.

"Goodnight." He said and smiled.

As he stood, I grabbed his arm and pulled myself to a sitting position. I stood. I looked him as much in the eye as I was able to. I felt my cheeks warm and he had a steady gaze on me.

"Uh. Goodnight." I managed and hugged him. I couldn't do it. I couldn't get enough courage to kiss him. I turned away, ashamed. He didn't move an inch. I bit my lip and went to sit down. He grabbed my arm and I turned again to face him. My pulse was racing and my heart exploding out of my chest. I felt like I was going to burst.

Then, he pulled me closer. He had his hands on my shoulders and slowly moved closer to my lips. I couldn't wait and longer. I pushed the rest of the distance between us into oblivion and enjoyed the kiss.

"Goodnight." He smiled and turned. After that, he went straight to his room. All I could think was that I was going to faint if I didn't sit down. Thank god the couch was behind me because that kiss was the greatest feeling I've had in my whole life. All 21 years of it.