F*ckin' Perfect

Chapter 15: Birth-Week

Natalie's POV

Ever since Nic found out my birthday, she never left me alone, and when she did, she texted me constantly. Granted, I didn't actually mind, it made me feel great that someone would actually want to spend that much time with me, but I couldn't necessarily tell Nic that since she would never let me live it down.

At school, during each day, she would do something different to make me feel special. Monday it was a stream of texts, mostly bad pick-up lines. I swear, that girl had an unlimited source of them. Tuesday was a huge card, as it movie poster size, Wednesday it was enough balloons to carry me into the air, and Thursday was a bit more... intimate since we got out of school early for a busted pipe which flooded the library and half the classes. Now it was Friday, the day before my birthday, and I had no idea what to expect.

We had the day off for fall break, so it was just Nic and myself. This morning when she woke me up to breakfast in bed, she told me we would be going out somewhere, and I had no complaints. Like always, she didn't tell me where we were going, however, as a small park came into view, I knew instantly where we were.

"You really like this park, huh?" My question escaped my lips before I had a chance to actually think about it, but she just nodded.

"Yep, I used to come here all the time when I was little. We used to live just down the street, so I practically lived at this park." I nodded, a small smile raising on my lips as I pictured a little Nic playing on the swing set as we passed.

"Has it changed much?" She just shrugged, stopping the car in a spot and undoing her seat belt.

"Not really, everything seems to be pretty much the same. Well, except the view has changed." By the way she winked at me, I knew she wasn't talking about the trees. A blush covered my cheeks as we got out of the car, still not sure how to react to Nic when she did things like that.

"Do you need any help there?" I questioned as she began to gather things from the trunk of her car and she answered it by placing a basket and blanket into my arms.

"Head up the hill and spread out the blanket." I nodded, doing what she said and began to trek up the hill. It only took a moment once I reached the shady spot beneath the tree to spread out the blanket. I sat on the blanket, placing the basket in the middle of the spot before watching Nic as she walked up, something large on her back and shoulder.

"What's that?" She smiled at me, setting the large item on the blanket in front of me. It was a broad guitar case.

"Just a little surprise I've conjured up for you." I smiled widely and watched as she opened the case. At first, I couldn't see the guitar within it, but when she pulled it out, I gasped a bit. The guitar was beautiful; an old classic acoustic. It was a deep blue with silver patterns all over it, and Nic looked comfortable holding it.

"Wow, that is a gorgeous guitar." She smiled at me then proceeded to quietly tune the strings.

"Not as gorgeous as you." I blushed and she smirked. "But really, thank you. It was given to me by an old friend. Maybe I'll introduce you some time." There was a sad look in her eyes, but she smiled still. I began to ask why she was suddenly sad, but she shook her head at me. "I didn't bring it to get all sad, I brought it to play."

I couldn't take my eyes off hers as she played a few cords before beginning to sing.

"Made a wrong turn, once or twice

Dug my way out, blood and fire

Bad decisions, that's alright

Welcome to my silly life" The sound sounded familiar with that line, but I didn't dare interrupt her.