Faults, Scars, and Guitar Strings

Chapter 53

Chapter 53

"Happy Birthday!" Maria and Anastasia ran to me at my locker and hugged me. Maria went first and hugged me.

"Thanks," I laughed and hugged Anastasia next.

"What are you doing?"

"I don't know. Dylan has it all planned. I could not figure out what I wanted to do so I told him to figure it out."

"Is it going to be big?"

"Who knows," I laughed. "I just know that I did not want a large party like last year."

"How does it feel to be 17?" Anastasia asked.

"Well it's one year closer to 18," I chuckled. "By the way, you two did hear the plan right? You weren't at the meeting so I wasn't sure."

"Yeah we had a meeting with my parents about jobs," Maria said, "Sorry we couldn't make it."

"What did they say?"

"Well I already have a job," Anastasia said, "But they're having a hard time paying the bills with me staying there so I need to help out."

"Since I already have a summer job I had to agree to help out around the house instead."

I nodded in understanding, "Sounds fair. What did you think of the plan? Could you handle it?"

"If I could get that weekend off," Anastasia said, "because it sounds great but I usually work on weekends."

"That's okay."

"I'll help when I can though."

"Good," I smiled, "Maria?"

She nodded, "I totally can. It sounds like fun and a great chance at helping a lot of schools."

"Great! We start by going through the school requests this weekend. The principal is calling the schools to get more details and she's going to pass the messages onto us and we'll decide who to see first. My manager is going to help by creating a schedule with us after we've decided where to go."

Maria nodded, "Sounds like a plan. Let me know where to be and when."

"I will," I closed my locker, "I'll go find Dylan and meet you in class."

"Okay, happy birthday!"

I waved and walked down a different hall to find Dylan. I put my hands over his eyes while he was trying to open his locker, "Guess who?"

"Is it the birthday girl?" he smiled.

I took my hands off his face, "Yup!"

He hugged me, "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," I smiled. "What do you have planned?"

"That's a secret," he grinned, "You'll find out tonight."

"How many people are involved?"

He shrugged, "A couple."

I chuckled, "Not even a hint?"

He shook his head, "Sorry. I do have a present for you now though."

"Really? What is it?" He handed me a medium sized box. I opened the top and smiled, "It's beautiful."

"My mom actually helped me with it this time I was surprised. She did give me a rather dirty look though when I told her what it was for."

I continued smiling, "It's a blanket with our pictures on it."