Tears for Fears

Twelve

"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Luca, Happy birthday to you!" my parents and little brother sing to me. Today is my birthday, 2 July. this day is the exact middle of a year. there are 182 days before, and 182 days ahead my b'day. My brother walks up to me, gives me a hug and a little package.

"Congratulations Sis. I bought it myself" he says, his face glowing from pride. I smile at him and open my present. They're headphones, in the color green, my favorite.

"Thank you bro, I love them. Did you pick them all by yourself?"

"Yes! Mum didn't help me"

"I'm proud of you"

"But now you have to open mum and dad's present!" he almost yells, he's twenty times more excited then me. I always feel awkward when someone buys me something, I prefer saving my money and then buy it myself. I don't know why.

"Here you go love, my little girl is growing big" my dad says, my mom stabs him

"Don't be so sentimental" she tells him before she gives me a hug. I smile unintentionally, sometimes my parents really behave like teenagers in love. I admit that I don't really like it, but it also gives me the confirmation that everything is well with their marriage. I slowly start opening the present, to annoy Ward. Ward is short for Edward, but my parents found that to formal. Just like they didn't pick a common name for me. Luca, a guy's name. Not that I mind, I like my name. But everywhere I go, like somewhere they know my name but haven't seen my face yet, they think I'm a guy.

Let me give you an example, my first guitarlesson. I opened the door and the teacher, Mitch, told me he was waiting for his student, Luca. I laughed, walked up to him, shook his hand and told him I was Luca. He got bright red, apologized, and then laughed with me. He was around the twenty back then, I was eleven. we became friends. But let's go back to the real story

"LUUU FASTERRR!!" Ward screams and he rips the paper away. He gasps and my eyes turn big. Right in front of me is a phone, not like the old Nokia I'm using now. It's a flat and beautiful design. It's tiny and the touchsceen responds even before you've touched the screen. I look up to my parents, and so does Ward.

"wow" he only says

"Thanks" I say, I really can't find any other words for it.

"We found that you needed a good mobile, since you're going to a new school after the summer." my mother explains the gift. I hug both her and my father. Next year I'm going to highschool, about which I'm pretty excited.

We ate breakfast and after my parents both went to work. I rush myself to school, I can't believe I'm already twelve! In school I guess around a hunderd of people wished me a happy birthday. I live in a really small village, so pretty much everyone knows each other. I always remember my birthday ing the best day of the year. I don't have to work, I'm allowed to go and help the teacher from the toddlers. They love having me around and I got surrounded by at least ten kids all day. After the day I run home and press the doorbell. Nobody opens the door, I guess my parents aren't home yet. Everytime they're not home my mother tells me I have to go to the neighbours. In case they're not home I should go to the family across the street, whom are close friends too. I walk over to Bea and Paul and ring the doorbell. I expect Bea to open the door, but instead my mum does. She looks upset. I'm about to ask her what's wrong but she's already talking.

"You go to Petra please love, how was school?"

"It was fun mum, I was with the toddlers all day and didn't have to do any work. Everyone liked the cake we made"

"That sounds perfect sweetheart, It's a shame I couldn't be there"

She sowly pushes me in the direction of Petra and Luke's place. I wanted to ask her what's wrong, but I wisely shut my mouth, cross the street and ring the doorbell from the family across the street. Ellie opens the door and I walk in saying hi. I come over at their place all the time. I can almost say I'm just as normal in the house as Ellie or Caroline, who are the daughters from Petra and Luke.

Is it clear? We live on one side of the street. Our neighbours are Bea and Paul, Paul's the one with cancer. on the other side of the street live Petra and Luke with their children, Ellie and Caroline. Their neighbours are Lola and Chris. They will be in the story later

"Come up, I have a new cd, you'll love it!" Ellie tells me.

"I'm already walking" I laugh at her.

"Good, continue, let me get something sweet"

With a smile on my face I walk to her room. I drop myself on the bed and wait untill she comes back up.

"How's school?" she asks me as she walks in with a little bowl full of M&M's. I grab a few before I answer.

"Only next week left, we're doing a musical. I'm glad when we have holidays"

"I already have holidays" Ellie teases me. I push her from the bed.

"I don't have to study yet" I tease her back. she starts stabs me in my belly.

"Only one week left of the goodlife, one week" she says and we both laugh.

"Listen" she says while she turns up the volume of the radio. We listen to the whole cd, which is a mix from all the best summer tunes. When it's just finished Petra walks in.

"Luca you can better go home. Ellie, dinner's ready."

"That was a great timing" Ellie tells while we walk downstairs

"Yes it was, we just finished the cd" I admit

"We should have a sleepover for a week long this summer" Ellie says to me when she lets me out

"We totally should! I'll tell mom" I answer while crossing the street. we wave and then the door closes. another one opens, our door.

"Hi mom! Me and Ellie are going to have a long sleepover in the holidays!" I say, my mothers face doesn't look to happy.

"I'm only across the street, not on the other side of Europe." I quickly add, thinking she isn't to happy about missing me for a week.

"Just sit down love" she says, and I do as I'm told

"Paul passed away today. He didn't feel anything, he died in his sleep. It was a good thing he died before he had to suffer to badly."

I'm shocked, I don't say anything. Before I even realise the tears are streaming down my face and my mothers' arms are wrapped around me. Fuck Lu, stop this. We talked about this before, you remember? You don't have the right to be upset. Think about how Bea feels. Think about the others first, you selfish child. I wipe away my tears.

"Is Bea okay?" I ask

"I think she doesn't realise what's happening yet." Dad says

"She's strong, she'll get over it." mum adds

"Tell her I feel sorry for her loss."

"We will, She told us to wish you a happy birthday."

"Thank you"

We all sit down and start our dinner, which is actually just a pizza from the freezer. I don't mind, it tastes good. After, my parents go to Bea and Ward is at my grandparents. They haven't told him yet.

"Go to bed at eight, okay Luca" mum says before they leave.

"But I'm twelve now, cant I go a little later?"

"Ten past eight, not one second later young lady!" and they're gone

It's already five before eight so I brush my teeth and change into my pyjama. When I'm about to close the curtains I look up to the only star at the sky.

"You didn't deserve to go so early."

Great Luca, nice and sentimental. Why don't you just shut up. It's not the end of the world, and he was sick. Don't make a point of it. Go to your bed and go to sleep. Listen to me, I'll tell you what to do from now on. I do as I'm told and go to sleep. I don't know why but something in my mind tells me it's okay to listen to Lu, she'll help me. She'll make me strong. I close my eyes and let the darkness take me away.