Shooting Star

Chapter 16

I crept downstairs to see Jake, Mom, and Dad waiting for me. I smiled at them and held up Adrian's birthday present. It was 8:00 in the morning.

Jake took the gift from me and hid it under the table. As if on cue, we heard Adrian's alarm go off. We knew it was his because it was Cher Lloyd singing 'Want U Back', which he'd changed to his alarm ever since Joelle broke up with him.

It was kind of sad, actually.

We heard the water run and then shut off.

"Hide," Mom hissed as we heard footsteps descend the stairs.

When Adrian walked into the kitchen we all jumped up and yelled, "SURPRISE!"

Adrian stumbled, then grinned. "Wow, thanks," he said.

I hugged him. "Happy 13, little bro."

"Yeah dude," Jake said, hugging the two of us. "Man, you're all catching up!"

We laughed.

"And in three weeks," I said as I sat down at the table with Adrian and Jake while Mom and Dad made breakfast, "it'll be my birthday!"

"Not fair," Jake grumbled.

Yeah, my birthday was January 14th, Jake's was June 21st, and Adrian's was December 23rd.

I reached under the table and handed Adrian my gift.

He read the card out loud:

Dear Adrian,

Haha I can't believe I actually have to start buying gifts for my family this year, but I put a ton of thought into this and I hope you love it. You've had a rough couple of weeks with getting into high school and your relationship heading downhill, but hopefully this'll lift you up and you'll be able to get back on track.

Love, Your Big Sister, 

Bree.

Adrian smiled. "Thanks," he said, hugging me again.

"No problem," I said.

Adrian glanced in the bag. "Where's the present?"

"You'll see," I winked. "Open Jake's."

Jake passed Adrian an envelope.

Adrian opened the envelope:

To My Brother, Adrian,

Sorry I've been kinda mean and stuff to  you lately, I guess we've both been going through some tough times with our girls. I'm not going into detail there, it's kind of complicated.

Anyways, I'm sorry (once again), and I hope you like my gift.

~ JAKE.

"Thanks," Adrian smiled at Jake sincerely. He reached back into the envelope and pulled out a gift card to EB Games.

"Sweet," Adrian said.

"You're welcome," Jake said, ducking his head.

"Here's ours, Adrian," Mom said, handing him a bag.

Adrian read the card:

Dear Adrian,

Our youngest boy is finally a teenager! Oh goodness have the years gone by fast. Soon you'll all be in university and we'll be left alone. I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not.

Anyways, your sister brought up the idea of this gift a while back, and we thought what she said over and decided it would make a perfect gift for you. Plus, it gives Jake's present a purpose. No offense, Jake. So, go ahead, put down the card and reach into the bag.