My Childhood Sweetheart's Brother

Part 39: I Hate My Birthday

The day had finally come. I had been waiting for my 18th birthday ever since I was old enough to know what being 18 actually meant. But due to recent events, my 18th birthday had drastically lost all of its significance. I didn't care for it anymore, not when I had other more important things to care and worry about.

It was when I got out of the shower and I had approximately twenty minutes to get ready before Natalie and Bella were due to pick me up. I chose a black cropped wrap tank top, a black bodycon wrap skirt and a pair of black lace up sandal heels. I quickly straightened my hair and did my make up to make me look more enthusiastic than I actually was.

The cab was on time, and the ride to the club was short. To be completely honest, all I could think about was alcohol. Yeah, I'm a hypocrite seeing as I had a go at Tyler for the exact same thing on Monday, but I was drastically losing my mental stability and I needed to forget my problems for at least one night if I was going to have to enjoy it.

The bar was the first thing I rushed to when we entered the club, and having the girls sponsor me on this very special night made all of this so much easier.

The sensation of the alcohol burning my throat lit up my body and sent a spark through my nerves. I automatically felt better, taking shot number 4.

We were only in the club for an hour before Bella and Natalie dragged me away from the very nice bearded man I was talking to and into can that was waiting for us. The cab arrived just minutes later at our destination and when I got out and looked around I couldn't help but be confused.

"Why are we at my house?" I asked.

Bella and Natalie exchanged a look. "The first thing you reached for was alcohol Abbie, you were right, this wasn't a good idea."

I rolled my eyes. "That's because I'm always right."

"You are." Natalie nodded, putting her arms around my shoulders. "I think we should go inside, maybe watch a movie or something, have a girls night in instead of clubbing and getting drunk."

I nodded. "Thank you."

I proceeded to walk to the front door, my friends following me. When I walked in, everything was dark.

I turned to my friends as I switched on the light in the living room. "Who's up for a drink--"

"SURPRISE!"

I jumped to face a whole crowd of people grinning at me as they jumped out from behind the sofa.

"Oh my god." I breathed, as the crowd started getting up and coming towards me.

"Happy birthday sweetheart." My mum hugged me.

"Wow thank you. Did you do this?" I asked.

"No, actually it was Bella and Natalie." She smiled.

I took a quick glance at the two of them and gave them an appreciative smile.

As the line of guests waiting to tell me happy birthday was coming to an end, a spotted an all too familiar face.

"Thank you Gemma." I hugged my cousin before turning to my Bella. "Erm I need a drink, like ASAP." I grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked.

I poured myself a shot. "Why is Grace here?"

"Pour me one too." She said quickly before returning to my question. "And I have no idea. Dan probably brought her."

My eyes popped as my throat burned from the spirit. "Dans here?!"

Bella put her arms up in a surrendering manner. "Your mum organised the guest list."

I poured myself another shot.

"I think you should stop doing so many at once."

I shook my head, picking up the shot glass. "If I'm gonna get through with my ex boyfriend and my ex best friend making out in front of me while my own boyfriend is lying in hospital in a coma because of me, then I need alcohol in my system."

Bella sighed, walking up beside me to the counter. "Well then, don't be so greedy, we're in this together."

I smiled, pouring her a shot before it landed down my throat.

***

2 hours into the surprise party, I found myself lying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling feeling like every nerve in my body had just died out.

I had been lying there for about half an hour and my brain was going blank, until I got an idea.

I rolled off of my bed - literally - and crawled to my bag where I fished out my phone.

Five minutes later, the cab was waiting for me outside. I told the driver not to come up in my driveway because I knew that if anyone saw me leave, they would try to stop me. I went into Holly's room, before climbing out of her window, onto the veranda roof, and sliding down it onto the barriers, before running along the hedge, cautious to not set off any of the outside lights on.

"Good evening miss, can I have the address please?" The driver asked as I got in the back seat.

"Hayes Memorial Hospital please."

"I hate my birthday." I cried into his arm. I couldn't help but hope that his hand would win expectedly wrap around mine that was already on the perfect position for that to happen. Obviously though, it wouldn't.

"I hate it. I've been looking forward to today ever since I can remember and aside from prom, this is the most important day of my life so far. The only difference is, that you saved prom for me, but you're not able to save my eighteenth birthday." I mumbled through the waterfalls of tears. "The girls took me out and then took me home to a surprise party. I should have been happy Caleb, I should have been smiling and laughing and dancing, preferably with you. Instead, instead I found myself Downing shots in hope of going numb to any feelings. I snuck out just to be here with you." I smiled at the thought. "Because the only person I want to spend my birthday with is you. God damn it Caleb I love you so much."

At that moment the glass door to Caleb's hospital room opened and entered Bella.

I looked at her blankly, not feeling any regret for leaving my party, but not knowing what to say.

"Oh Abbie." Bella sighed sympathetically.

"Bella, I had to come. I had to see him on my birthday." I told her though my tears.

She came up to me, helping me up from the bed and took me into a tight hug. "I know babe. I know. But you're drunk and exhausted and you need some sleep."

I shook my head. "No. No Bella I want to stay here."

"Abbie, that's not going to make him wake up faster but it is going to make you more upset. He's going to wake up I promise. But if you want to see the day that he does, you need some sleep. You're about to collapse yourself." She explained.

I sighed, kissing Caleb's lips and following Bella out of the hospital.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked as we pulled up to my house.

"Well, you left your phone, so I checked your call history and as soon as a saw the taxi company I knew where you went." Bella smiled.

"Damn."

"Come on." Bella led me inside which was quite already. I guessed the guests had all left when they knew I escaped. My mum took over and put me in bed where I drifted off immediately, wondering how much longer I could wait.