The Reality Project (A Reed Deming Love Story)

Birthday

[RILEY'S POV]

"Hey! You're 12 now!" My best friend, Tori, said to me, smiling. She was the first person I invited to my birthday party, but she was pretty late.

"Yep," I said, inviting her inside and led her into the backyard. She went over to our group of friends: Katelyn, Mae, Rose, Alex, and Kaliyah.

I followed her, but I took my time. When I got into the huddled group, I expected them to be raving about a new band or something, but that's not what I heard.

"OMG!! He looked at me during lunch!"

"His name is James!"

"He plays basketball, not baseball."

"I thought he had a girlfriend?"

"He's so CUH-YA-UTE!!"

I frowned, looking at them like they were out of their minds. But no one paid attention to what I thought. They kept right on talking.

I tried to change the subject, which of course, wouldn't work with friends like mine.

"Hey guys, I hear Harry Styles recorded a song solo!" I said, but it came out louder than I have ever thought it would.

Mae turned around and raised an eyebrow. Then she smiled. "Oh, Riley!" Mae giggled and flipped her hair. Since when did she become Queen of Curls and Hair That Whacks You in the Face Kingdom?

Ok, maybe I exaggerated. But really! Mae, my friend til the very end, has "sashayed".

Um excuse me! Did Ursula make a potion for you to lose your "Mae"ness instead of your VOICE?!?!

"We were all talking about that song yesterday!" Mae finally said, smiling. "It's very slow and catchy. Well, new topic!" She snapped her fingers rather loudly and everyone was buzzing about boys again.

I sighed, looking around. Everyone was dancing or swimming, and maybe eating, but no one looked like a loner, which is what I probably looked like.

I felt so left out.. Tears rushed down my face, but I wiped them off before they could ruin my makeup. Then i forced myself not to cry any further. I ran inside my house and got out my diary.

Before I could pick up my pen to begin writing, my mom walked in with different kinds of cupcakes. Red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, you name it.

"Hey! Mae and Rose told me you were in here. What happened?" My mom asked, moving the tray of cupcakes a little closer to me. I took a chocolate one with blue frosting, and sprinkles on top.

"Oh, nothing. My imagination got the best of me." My mom smiled and left, closing the door. I continued eating my cupcake, and once I was done I threw the wrapper away. I rested my head on the edge of my bed, staring at my diary lying next to me.

My friends were talking about boys..what was my dream guy like?

I said every detail out loud, but not way loud or too loud..

"My dream guy has to have a love passion for music. He would be able to sing and play guitar. Looks don't matter, but I'm deeply in love with blue eyes and soft brown hair. But most of all, his name would start with an R, like mine."

Then I closed my eyes, dreaming of everything I could have if I just said it out loud.