Internet Friend (M.C)

s i x

When I wake up the next morning, my mom is hauling some big boxes into my room. Emma's still sleeping next to me, curled up in a tight ball under the blankets.

"Mom? Whatcha doin'?"

"These are your birthday presents, love."

I throw the blankets off myself, gathering my hair into a messy ponytail and jumping off the bed. "MOM OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU!" I scream, taking a pair of scissors and ripping open the boxes.

I find some strings of fairy lights, a new pair of converse, some jeans, a few shirts that I told her I liked, a bunch of wall art that I've had my eye on, a bunch of new books, band merch, and miscellaneous makeup.

"Mom, thank you so much!" I say, hugging her. Wow, she actually listens when I rant about things.

She smiles and hugs me back. "No problem, sweetie. Happy birthday! There's a few more presents downstairs."

I shake Emma awake, jumping up and down next to her. "Em! Wake up! It's my birthday!"

She groans and rolls over, looking up at me. "Happy Birthday... can I sleep?"

"NO WE'RE GONNA GO SEE MY PRESENTS DOWNSTAIRS!!"

She rolls her eyes and gets up, pulling her hair up and following me downstairs.

"Hey, sweetie, remind me again of the name of that band member you like so much?"

"Um... Michael Clifford, why?"

"No reason." she grins, leading me into the kitchen, where there's a large cardboard box and a smaller one next to it.

"Open the small one first."

Emma sits down at the table, watching me. I open the smaller box and find a pastel yellow Polaroid camera, with a few boxes of film as well.

"Thank you so much! I've been wanting this for so long!"

She smiles wide. "Now the big one."

I put down the camera and walk over to the big box, opening the flaps.

I back away and scream when I see what's inside, holding my face in my hands and feeling the tears growing in my eyes.

"Hello, love. Happy Birthday!"

I walk over to my mom quickly, whispering in her ear, "Mom! You see him too, right? What's he doing here?"

"Wishing you a happy birthday, of course!" she says, pushing me towards him.

"Are you real?" I say in a hushed voice, poking his cheek.

He chuckles and wraps me in a hug, pulling my face into his neck. "Hi. I'm Michael." he whispers, kissing the top of my head.

I look from him, to my mom, to Emma, back to him. "I-i'm Sydney..." I stutter, eyes widening even further when he pulls a puppy out of the box.

She's a black pug , with dark brown eyes and extremely small paws. "Oh my god!" I whisper, holding my arms out. He hands me the puppy, grinning.

(A/N : The image up above is the puppy)

"There you go, love."

I cradle the puppy in my arms, giggling and handing her to Emma so I can hug Michael again.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? We talked all night."

He grins. "I'm good at keeping secrets. Besides, I wanted to get to know you a bit. You're even more gorgeous in person." He says, winking. I blush and look at my mom.