The Girls Next Door

Chapter 19: My 10th Birthday

Chapter 19: My 10th Birthday

** 8 years ago **

"Mom, I was thinking..." I began.

"Well, that's not good." muttered mom. Then she took a deep breath and replied, "What is it, darlin'?"

"Can we throw a little party for my 10th birthday? It's next week."

Mom pulled me in for a hug.

"Of course I know it's next week, honey. What kind of mom wouldn't know her own son's birthday?"

"So can I, mom?"

She rubbed my back. "Sure thing, sweetie. You're hitting the double digits and I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, mommy!"

~~ 1 week later ~~

"Everything's ready, right mom?" I asked, pacing around the fully decorated living room.

"Yes, honey. Now stop worrying. Robin's coming over soon. You don't want her to see you nervous, now do you?" she teased, poking my sides.

She's right.

"Okay..." I mumbled.

I ran up to my room. "Next problem... what to wear?"

Ding dong!

"Oh crap! Robin's here!" I panicked.

I heard footsteps approaching my room.

"I'm not ready. I'm not ready. I'm not ready," I repeated.

Then my door swung open.

"Happy birthday, Jar Head!" greeted Robin. "You're now officially older than me!"

I laughed nervously. "T-thanks," I muttered.

"Why are you nervous?" she asked, eyeing me.

How did she know?!

"Oh... um... I-I... don't know what to... uh... wear..." I stuttered.

She laughed. "Seriously? That's it? Man, I thought you were dying!"

I rolled my eyes. "So can you help me or not?"

"Of course I can!"

She rummaged through my closet.

"Hmm..." she thought.

Then she pulled out a sky blue shirt and denim jeans. She tossed it to me.

"It's still missing something..." she said, tapping her chin.

"I got it!" she yelled as she pulled out a white jacket from my closet.

"This is so... gay," I criticized.

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh please. You just can't see how good I am at fashion," she bragged, flipping her hair.

"Okay, well, out. I need to change into your weird outfit," I said, pushing her out the door.

She spun around and jokingly pouted, "Hmph! How rude!"

I locked the door and changed into the outfit Robin had chosen for me.

***

"Happy birthday, bro!" greeted Cole, my friend from school.

I thanked him then slowly walked away.

He slung his arm over my shoulder.

"Why are you in such a rush to get away, dude?" he asked, chuckling.

What I wanted to say was: Cause I wanna see Robin, not you.

Instead, this came out. "Oh... I... er... nothing..."

"Oh! You're looking for your little birdie, Robin, aren't you?!" he cooed.

He smirked and elbowed me. "Jobin!" he yelled.

I groaned. My whole class (and other students) shipped me and Robin. They called it "Jobin".

We were kind of the Brad and Angelina of 4th grade.

But, I have to admit, I enjoyed it a little bit.

I smacked him on the head. "Shut up," I muttered, getting out of his arm grip.

I couldn't find Robin anywhere. Did she leave when I kicked her out of my room? She did know I was kidding, right? Shoot! What if she didn't know I was kidding?!

I started panicking and ignoring everyone who was greeting me.

"You okay, Jarrett?" asked Luke, a kid from my class.

"Is everything alright?" asked Madison.

But this particular voice made me stop worrying.

"Hey, Jarrett?" she whispered.

I turned around.

"Oh, hi, Harper." I said, scratching the back of my neck.

"Happy birthday! And thanks for inviting me," she replied with a smile.

Her smile calmed me down a bit.

"Oh, um, thanks." I said, avoiding her gaze.

"You seem worried. What's wrong?" Then she looked at me with those dark chocolate eyes.

I looked down at my feet. "Oh... um... I... uh..." I stuttered. Again.

"Stop stuttering, Jarrett." she scolded firmly, yet looking worried.

"Okay..." I said. "I'm looking for my friend but I can't find her anywhere. I'm worried I might have pissed her off."

"Aww..." she cooed. "What did you do?"

"I kicked her out of my room...?"

"Well, I have your solution."

"What?"

She leaned in and whispered into my ear, "Let's go have some fun."

I nodded.

Then she laced her fingers in mine.

My face turned red immediately.

"What's wrong, Jar? Never held a girl's hand before?" she mused. 

My face turned even more red. "Oh... erm... I... um..." I mumbled.

She looked at me those eyes again. "Here we go again with the stuttering," she laughed.

"I wasn't stuttering, I was simply was mumbling," I stated matter-of-factly.

She chuckled. "Fine, whatever." Then she dragged me to my backyard.

"I can't ditch my own party, Harper," I said, trying to go back in.

She pulled me closer to her. "Why not? I'm here."

I smiled. "Okay... but just for a few."

"Please. You're gonna want it to last forever."

"Doubtful."

"Oh yeah? Tag! You're it!" Then she ran off.

"You kinda remind me of someone." I said, thinking of Robin.

"Really? Who?" she asked, turning around.

"Oh, um, never mind." Then I ran after her.

It was fun.