Carry Me Home

Twenty-Four

Evelyn

The Rowan-Avery drama had settled down for a few hours after Rowan and I had a heart to heart on the football field but that still didn't mean Avery was prepared to back off completely. She did one up me by mentioning that today was Rowan's birthday which I was utterly unaware of but today was also the day of our first date so whilst he was planning the date I could go gift shopping.

"What exactly does he like?" I asked Hayden as I scanned the male section for something adequate enough to be given to Rowan.

"You do know he hates materialistic things such as expensive watches or fancy shoes. I suggest getting something that holds some meaning to it."

"Like a photo album perhaps so that we can document our relationship."

"How cheesy, Evie," Hayden laughed, shaking his head at my suggestion. "But yes he'd actually like that. I'm embarrassed to say this but Rowan is a sappy romantic."

I selected a leather bound photo album with little clockwork designs engraved all over the cover. After paying for it and leaving, Hayden warned me of a few things that Rowan hated to do on his birthday:

1) Sing the happy birthday song.

2) Blow out candles on a cake.

3) Being given a present.

4) Mentioning his birthday at all.

"I have the tiniest of feelings that you're going to do everything I just told you not to," Hayden said, rubbing the back of his head when he realised his mistake.

"Aww you know me so well, Hayden," I pinched his cheeks but he just pinched mine back as a response.

"I also suggest wearing something casual - Rowan isn't the type to go for cliché dates to restaurants but more adventurous ones," he advised, mentally ticking off the checklist of things to tell me.

"Forget about my date aren't you excited or stressed out for yours?"

"Evie honey, please I know my shit when it comes to dates. You don't need to worry your pretty little head about it because mine isn't."

"Someone's being sassy lately ."

"It's in my genes," he said, placing his hand under his chin to act innocent. Idiot.

I'm picking you up at 11:30 so hurry up. (Received at 11:00)

"I hate Rowan sometimes I swear. Hayden, hurry up and drive."

With only fifteen minutes left to get ready I practically threw on anything that would match from my wardrobe. Black jeans, a white loose vest top and a cable knit cardigan came into my hand and I hastily put it on. I took out the hair band holding my hair up in its usual ponytail and let it flow down my back before combing it to look more presentable. The only make up I used was a bit of mascara and lip balm before I put on my black high tops and run downstairs to the car park.

There was my boyfriend looking really smug with himself in chinos and a snug white shirt accompanied with a blue cardigan. Once he saw me he unlocked his car and stepped in. I cocked an eyebrow at his act before marching over and getting in myself.

"You know whoever said chivalry isn't dead is a liar," I exasperated as I fiddled with my seatbelt. I put his birthday present at the back of the car without trying to catch his attention.

"Why is that? Did you want me to hold the door open for you?" He pursed his mouth in a conceited smile at my mood.

"Of course not. I expected nothing less from you." I shot a fake smile at him but that did nothing but make his smirk grow even larger than what it was before.