My Life

Chapter 24: Happy Birthday?

      One month has passed since that day. I’m not myself anymore, at all. The world around me seems to be speeding passed me and I’m walking in slow motion.  No one has seen Vince since that day either. I wonder if he took off because he knew Jayden would beat the crap out of him. I’m happy though I think I would want to curl up in a ball and cry if I saw his face ever again.

      The only thing that seems to be keeping me at bay is the words that Jayden keeps telling me over and over again. “I will never let anything happen to you ever again, I promise.” I believe him. I know he’s protecting me everywhere we go he keeps me close to him; he’s always keeping a close eye on me. To be honest I love it. I feel so safe with him by my side. But when he’s not with me I feel so alone.  

      “Scarlett wake up.” My mom whispered in my ear. I groaned it was just like every other morning. I don’t want to wake up. The only time I really like waking up is when I wake up to Jayden. “Guess what today is?” She asked.

      “Another annoying day like every other day.” I groaned.

      My mom let out a little chuckle, “No sweetie, it’s your birthday” I heard the smile in her voice. After a little it finally hit me. I’m 16!

      I hopped out of bed and ran to get change. I need to look great. I went to run into Adria’s room but she wasn’t there. I frowned maybe I won’t look perfect today. I walked to my closet trying to pick something out that Adria would pick. I ran my hands over the hangers humming to myself. Then I got to the dress. The dress I wore that day. I knew if I wore it I would look good but the memories would haunt me all day. I decided to wear what I wore on the first day of school but added and took out some stuff.

      I looked at myself in the mirror I looked pretty good. I still had a hint of pain in my eyes, not even a little eyeliner could mask the fear lingering in my eyes. A fear that I will see Vince again.

      A heard a honk, meaning Jayden was outside waiting for me. I wondered if he knew today was my birthday. I yelled to my mom bye and ran outside. I smiled when I saw Jayden standing near the door with it open. “Good morning baby” he smiled. I looked at him funny. “You get the special treatment today, happy birthday” He kissed me before closing the door behind me and walking to the driver’s side.

      “Thank you babe” I smiled. He drove to school; I couldn’t shake the feeling something was going to happen today. I was praying I was just excited I will finally get my license.

      Jayden walked me into school with his hand on the center of my back. Kind of like a body guard, that wasn’t that big but I still knew I was being protected. Suddenly I got the urge to turn my head to the right. Then I saw him… Vince was standing next to his locker smiling at me.

      I turned around barring my face in Jayden’s chest. I didn’t want to see Vince, not now, not on my birthday. “What’s wrong?” he asked. I fought back the tears, images of that day flooded into my brain playing like a slide show for my eyes. I remember the look on his face, the way I tried screaming but no one heard me, when I ran my nails down his arm the way he slapped me. I felt the hot tears run down my cheek, there was no way I could keep them back.

      “Hey Jayden, is Scarlett okay?”  I heard a familiar French voice say. Max, we’ve become good friends since the first day of school.

      “I don’t know what happened she was fine for-“Jayden stopped in the middle of a sentence. I heard his heart pick up in speed he must have saw Vince. “Max do me a favor keep Scarlett here.” I felt Max wrap his arms around me and Jayden walk away.