My Life

Chapter 25: The Gift

      For two days Jayden’s gifts have been sitting on my nightstand. Either he didn’t sober up or he’s afraid to come around. He wasn’t even in school today. When I realized he wasn’t in school I was afraid I would have to deal with Vince or Jordan alone. But luckily Vince wasn’t in school and Jordan left me alone. I’m starting to wonder if the whole kiss-your-boyfriend-on-your-sixteenth-birthday thing is true.

      Stupid right?

      I’m still taken back by the thought of Jayden drunk. He was so different it was like a side of Jayden I never saw. But doesn’t everyone have that side? All I knew was I didn’t want to meet that side of Jayden ever again or the side of him when he’s mad. I liked the soft and happy Jayden I see all the time.

      I wanted him back.

      I wondered what would happen if I go to his house but I knew his Aunt and Uncle don’t like me.

      “Scarlett are you ready to go?” My mom smiled. I took a deep breath. Today was the day I’m going to get my license.  I could finally drive myself places! My dad has been teaching me lately and I’ve been studying the books on driving. I think I’ve gotten good.

      My mom drove me to the DMV and told me good luck. I sure would need it.

      “Good morning Scarlett Taylor are you ready to take the test?” A lady asked standing in front of me. I smiled and nodded my head. I asked a few questions like how far do you stop from a stop sign or what does a sign with a deer on it mean. When I was done with the test it was time to get behind the wheel.

      The first thing I did was put on my seatbelt anyone should know that. The lady smiled and wrote something down on the paper she was holding. I checked the side view mirrors and the rear view mirror before putting the car in drive. I think I was doing things right because the lady kept smiling and writing things on the paper.

       I drove around a little the lady would tell me take a right here or stop at that stop sign then take a left. I think I did pretty good I did struggle a little on the parallel parking. When the test was over I parked the car back in the DMV parking lot and was ready to hear the sweet words of you passed.

      “Congratulations you passed” The lady smiled. She told me to go inside and get everything done for the license. I got my picture token and everything else. Finally when everything was done I walked out to my mom smiling.

      “Did you get it?” She asked putting down the book she was reading. I held it up. She hugged me “Congratulations” Shed smiled.

      “Thanks” When we were walking to her car she threw me her keys. I laughed hopping into the driver’s side and turned the car over. I drove the car home I think my mom was still a little afraid I was going to kill us.

      When we got home everyone was waiting outside. Wow all this for getting my license? After everyone congratulated me my dad said “We have a surprise for you” I felt my heart start beating faster when he hit the switch to the garage. Inside was a brand new dark blue 2011 Toyota Camry. I smiled. “You like it?” My mom asked.

      “I don’t like it… I love it!” I laughed.

      My dad threw me the keys. “Take it for a spin. See how it feels” I smiled walking into the garage and unlocking the windows. When I turned the engine over and listened to the quiet roar of the engine. I loved it. I took in the new car smell.

      I wondered if now I should drive over to Jayden to see if everything is okay. I was too afraid though so I drove over to Rose’s.

       I pulled into her drive way that was already filled with her car and her moms. “Hey I was about to come over… Woe, is that your car?” She stopped in her tracks.

      “Yeah I was surprised too” I laughed. I didn’t think my parents would waist their money on me. We hung out for a while until I decided it was time for me to leave. I parked my car in the driveway and walked into the house.

      “How do you like it?” My mom asked.

      “I love it” I smiled.

      My mom smiled saying, “That’s good” before I can say anything there was a knock at the door. When I opened the door I found Jayden. I was hoping her was okay now.

      “Hey Scarlett,” Jayden said pushing back his black hair from his eyes; it fell right back where it was when he took his hand out. “Do you think we can talk?” He asked. I felt my heart drop. Is he going to break up with me?

      “Uh, sure” I said moving to the side so Jayden could get in. I didn’t know if I could take hearing the words. My heart already feels shattered all he has to do is flick it and it will fall to the ground. We walked straight up to my room. On the steps I felt the tears start to form in my eyes. I loved Jayden, I really love him, and I can’t lose him. Not now, not ever.

      By the time I reached my room Jayden was already sitting on my bed and looking down at his hands. “Please don’t say it’s over. Jayden I love you. Please.” I blurted out.

      Jayden stood up. “Scarlett I’m not here for that,” I could have sworn I heard a bit of laughter in his voice. He helped up the two gifts wrapped in heart wrapping paper. “I want to tell you what they mean” I totally forgot about the gifts.

      “Oh okay” I chocked. He took my arm and sat me on the bed next to him.

      “Open this one first” Jayden handed me the thin rectangular one. Still a little shaken up I opened the gift slowly. When I got the wrapping paper off I found out it was the picture from the beach. “You got this from the boy?” I asked. I loved it.

      “Yeah I had to pay him a few bucks, but I thought you would like it” He smiled.

      “How much did you pay?” I felt bad I told him he didn’t need to get me anything. Him being there would be the best gift.

      “That doesn’t matter. Now open this one” He handed me the small box. It only took one rip at the bottom to get the whole paper off. It was a gray box that looked like it could have held a necklace or a…ring. “Open it” I could hear the smile in his voice as I stared down at it. 

      I opened the box slowly. I felt my heart skip a beat when I looked down at the ring. There was two heart a pink one and a blue one, on the side of the pink one it said “Scarlett” and on the blue side it said “Jayden” I looked at him confused and astonished. “It’s a promise ring. Your mom told me on every 16th birthday a boyfriend is supposed to kiss the birthday girl, and they would grow up together without any problems. When I missed your birthday I got scared that I ruined it. With a little help from my aunt and uncle, they helped me buy this to promise you we would be together forever and I will marry you when we grow up. As long as you wear it” I was speechless when he placed the ring on my ring finger. I threw him into a hug still speechless. “I love you Scarlett” He smiled.

      “I love you too” I kissed him.

      I was so happy when I went to sleep that night. Now only because Jayden was able to spend the night and I felt save in his arms again but because I know we were okay and we are going to be for a long time.