Falling Asleep On A Stranger

Chapter 21

Jenna:

Tony's gift was absolutely amazing. I felt honored to be given the first girls' Key Street shirt. Even more, that it was because of me that it was started. The complete DVD collection of Star Wars was incredible. I remember I had mentioned to Tony that I loved Star wars, but I did not own any of the movies myself on the first day we met. And the necklace was unbelievably beautiful. It was a small chain holding two streaks of diamonds that created a sort of oval. Inside the oval was a bright blue topaz. I felt like crying when I saw it. It was so gorgeous and I can't even imagine why Tony would give me such an expensive gift only a week into knowing me. I absolutely loved this guy.

After Tony's gift, I opened Vic's. I was surprised that the Fuentes brothers did not get me a gift together but they each got me their own. Vic's gift was a beautiful dress. It was pink and gray. It had sequins in a couple of parts. I loved it even though I didn't know when I'd get the chance to wear it. "Leila helped me choose it." He said. After his, I opened Leila's gift. It was gorgeous silver heart anklet with a red stone in the middle of the heart. Mike's gift was next. He also gave me jewelry. He gave me a charm bracelet that had five charms on it. The charms were the first initial of everyone in the band's name, he explained. There was a T for Tony, an M for Mike, a J for Jaime, and a V for Vic. Plus right in the middle of all four initials stood a charm of a feather. I thanked him as Kristi handed me her gift. She got me a beautiful blouse, which I remember pointing out to her that last time we were shopping. I laughed and blew her a kiss. "Thanks for remembering, K." Finally Jaxin handed over a large silver gift bag that was from him and Natalie. It was a bit heavy when I took it and I wondered what could be in it. I opened up the gift and pulled out a small blue coach purse. I remember I had seen the purse months ago and I've been wanting it since then. "How did you know I loved this purse?" I asked them completely surprised. Natalie laughed. "We didn't princess. Your favorite color is blue so we narrowed it down to the blue purses, and you like small purses, so that narrowed it down even more. There was only a couple to choose from and this was the one that I liked the most. It seemed to scream out that it belonged to you." Jaxin nodded with Natalie's words. "The purse was Nat's idea, but check out what it hanging from the side." I did as he told me. I found a Star Wars rebel keychain that went perfectly with the anklet I was wearing this moment. "Okay, you guys are freaking me out! First, Tony gets me my favorite flowers without knowing which they were. Second, Nat gives me the purse I've been saving up money to get for the past three months. Third, you get me the keychain that matches perfectly with the anklet that my brother gave me two years ago, and which I'm wearing right now. You guys are all starting to creep me out a bit." I said laughing. Jaxin and Nat laughed. "Wait, there's more from my part. Open the small pocket on the outside of the purse." Jaxin said and I followed his instructions. Sure enough there was a small envelope. I retrieved it from the purse and saw that it had fancy writing across the front. It read, Welcome to the Family, Jenna! xoxo Love, Nat and Jaxin. I opened up the envelope and pulled out a Starbucks card envelope with a new card inside. The amount read $50 in Jaxin's messy handwriting. Also in the envelope was a small plastic package. I pulled it out, wondering what it could be. Once I saw it I instantly loved it. Inside the package were some new ear cuffs. They were black with a faded blue line down the middle. It would be held on to my ear by a tiny metallic stud that went through each end of the cuff. "Oh thank you Jaxin! It's perfect! You guys are amazing." I loved their gift. I loved all their gifts.

"Oh wait! When we went by in the morning, your mom asked me to give you this." Tony said as he reached into the inner pocket of his blazer. He took out an envelope and gave it to me. "She said that your dad sent it." I froze. My dad had sent a gift? It had been a month and a half since I'd last seen him. Why didn't he simply come up to visit? "Jenn?" Tony's voice shook me out of my thoughts. "I... uhh... yeah, I'm fine." I said as he handed me the envelope. I opened it and retrieved a card. It had my dad's pretty writing on the front. I read it to myself:

Hey honey. I hope you're having an amazing birthday

I hate not being able to be with you, but I have to work.

I'm sorry for missing out on my baby turning 17.

I wanted to send you this small gift and let you know I'm thinking of you.

I love you my dear. I miss you so much.

Hope to see you soon.

Love, Daddy

I set the card down on the table. I hated that my dad hadn't come out to see me for my seventeenth birthday. But then again, when did he? Even when I still lived close to him. He always had to work. And he always thought a gift would make up for it. I missed my father, the one I had when I was eight years old. I looked inside the envelope, and sure enough it wasn't empty. There were five 100 dollar bills in the envelope. I would have been really excited if it weren't for the fact that I wanted my father to give them to me in person. Also inside the envelope was a small bag. Inside the bag, there was a ring with the rebel emblem. I sighed and put the ring and the card back into the envelope and put it into my purse. I knew my father loved me, he just didn't show it in the right way.

I looked up to see all my friends looking at me. "Thanks so much, guys. All of your gifts are amazing and I loved being able to spend tonight with you. You all definitely made my birthday really special." I said with a smile on my face. "It was our honor to be here cutie." Jaime answered and everyone else nodded. I look at my watch, it was 11:45. "Well, it's getting late. Thanks again everyone..." I began to say when Mike cut me off. "Hey! Not so fast young lady! We haven't had dessert. I ordered something special for us." Just on cue, our waiter walked over with a Molten Chocolate Cake that had lit candles at the top. He set it down before me and Tony leaned into my ear. "Make a wish, babygirl." He whispered. I took a hold of his hand and squeezed it tight as I closed my eyes. He gave me a light squeeze back but did not let go. I didn't want him to. I took a deep breath and wished for my life to keep being as great as it was now. I had friends who loved me and my messed up life was finally beginning to make a turn for the best. I breathed in and then blew out the candles on the cake. I kept my eyes closed for a bit and my hand in Tony's as I fought back the tears threatening to escape at the thought of ever losing such great friends. After a little bit I opened my eyes and released Tony's hand. I looked over at him and mouthed the word thanks, as everyone cheered that I blew out my candles. He simply nodded at me and smiled slightly. "Well, let's dig in." I said and everyone started serving themselves cake. I served myself a piece but I picked at it more than I actually ate. Tony seemed to notice so he put his hand on my knee and squeezed it lightly to get my attention. I looked over at him and he mouthed the words you okay? I nodded and smiled. His hand left my knee and he resumed eating.

After we were all finished, the guys all paid and left our table heading outside. Tony was helping me carry my gifts and was walking behind me, his hand on me lower back like before. I liked it, liked him. He made me feel safe. When we stepped outside it was cold and I shivered. Tony immediately took off his blazer and put in on my shoulders. "I'll be right back okay?" he said and left when I nodded. He walked over to Jaime and told him something but I couldn't tell what because just then Jaxin and Nat walked up to me. "Well thanks so much for tonight. We're going to give the girls a ride to Leila's house and then we'll head home. Happy Birthday, princess." Nat said to me. "Thank you for an amazing night and the gifts." I said as I hugged them both. "No problem, Jen. We'll see you around!" I nodded and hugged Leila and Kristi goodbye. They followed after Jaxin and Nat. Vic came up to me along with the boys. "We had a great time. Congrats, Jen." He said as he pulled me into a hug. "Thanks Vic. It was great having you here. As well as the rest of you." I said as I pulled away and looked around at the four guys from PTV. Mike and Jaime gave me hugs in turn. "I'm going to get a ride from Mike and Vic. Goobye, beautiful." Jaime said as he hugged me. Vic gave me back my camera, which had been passed around all night as everyone took pictures, and then they took off. Tony led me back to his car. He opened the passenger side door for me and closed it once I was inside. He went around the back of the car, popped open the trunk and put my gifts in there. Then, he got into the car and soon enough he was pulling out of the parking lot. "So Jenn, tell me what's bothering you." I looked up at him and I knew that if there's anyone I would tell, then it would be him. But then again, I wasn't about to ruin the night with my bummed out mood. It had been perfect and I wanted it to stay that way.