help me do this - Aaron Carpenter FF

Chapter 30 - mom

--Lisas POV--

LaserTag was great fun. It's almost 3 now and we were both really hungry so we decided to go.

"So what do you wanna eat?" Aaron asks me, while we're getting into his car.

"I don't know, you choose something..." I reply and buckle up.

"I know you love pizza, but that's too casual for your birthday. I love sushi, but you don't like raw fish, you only like it cooked so maybe we can eat at Red Lobster?" he suggests.

"That's actually a very good idea." I say and Aaron starts driving.

"So how was your first time of LaserTag?"

"Really cool, we gotta do that again sometime." I chuckle

"Definitely." he replies and we remain silent on the rest of the short drive.

"Here we are." Aaron smiles and we get inside.

The waiter seats us at a table for two beside a small aquarium. 

I get a call from my dad.

"Hey, Lisa? Where are you? I got a half an hour break and wanted to give you your birthday present." my dad speaks rushed.

"I'm at Red Lobster with Aaron." I answer.

"Okay, I'll be right there." he says and hangs up.

"Your dad?" Aaron questions, after I put my phone down.

"Yeah... He's gonna come here in a couple of minutes. Lunch break, birthday present.." I roll my eyes.

Aaron smiles at me and we order.

He decided on sushi and I went for surf & turf. 

"I really love sushi.." he tells me.

"More than chicken?" I ask him.

"That's a tough one.. I'd say chicken though." he answers.

"So what've you received for your 17th birthday?" I ask just to start a short-term conversation until my dad arrives.

"Oh uh- actually my grandparents got me a watch and Nash gifted me some Vans and yeah, my parents bought me a new phone.."

"That's great. I don't have that big of a family. My mom sent me something last year, for the first time since my parents got divorced, 'cause apparently sweet 16 is kind of a special thing but, yeah usually it's my dad, Chelsea and me for my birthday, so I'm really excited for some party tonight." I smile.

"I'm glad you came." he replies.

"I don't really understand... Of course I came, I can't just jump out of your car." I laugh.

"No, I mean for 'hanging out with Parker and some of his friends'." he smiles.

"Yeah.." I grin.

"Happy Birthday!" my dad surprises me from behind and I first wince, before seeing him.

"All the best darling." he smiles at me and gives me a regular sized, blue envelope. 

Carefully, to not break anything I open it with a knife and take a letter out first before I look at the rest in the envelope.

"Oh my gosh." I exclaim. 

"What does it say?" Aaron asks me curious.

I pull out the card and show him.

"Your drivers license!" he says happy.

"It already came Monday, but I thought that'd be a great present." my dad smiles at me.

But there's one more letter in the envelope.

It's handwritten.

'Dear Lisa,

I'm sorry I can't be here for your birthday. I wish you everything possible. The last time I saw you was when you came into school and now you only got one more year to go until you might like to visit college. You're growing up so fast and it makes me sad to not see your evolution. I miss you.

Don't make any of the mistakes I've made when I was your age. Especially don't let your heart get broken by anyone, because you earned someone treating you right. Don't party too hard, have fun, but don't do anything you'll regret as your dad always says.

I love you,

Mom.'

Tears fill my eyes and I quickly go to the restroom.

Even though I only remember my mom from photos, I miss her too. Because I never had that mother, who would make me lunch everyday and talk with me about girls things. I had to do that all with Chelsea and I know it's not the same with a friend than it would be with a mom. I also was scared, of any conflict I could possibly have with Chelsea because I was frightend to loose her.

Now was one of these moments I feel lonely in. 

I know I have Aaron and my dad and Chelsea, but what if sometime they're all gone.

I bet Aaron will apply for college soon, maybe he'll go far away.

My dad was working all the time, so I saw him rarely.

And Chelsea? She wants to go to Washington University. That was her dream since she's been small.

I don't have any plans. I don't know who I am, or who I want to be.

I try to be as quiet as you can be, if you're crying on the toilet of Red Lobster.

Trying to breathe, I wipe away my tears. 

You have to go out there and enjoy the time you have left. Time is limited. I remember the words I once read in a book.

I exit the restroom and return to our table.

"Is everything alright?" Aaron asks me concerned.

"Yes, I was just a little overwhelmed." I answer, still having these thoughts in mind, trying to push them away.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart, I have to go. See you tomorrow." my dad winkes at me and leaves.

"I told him about tonight." Aaron says, his voice having a positive impact on my mind.

"Okay." I say and watch the waiter bringing our food.

I start eating.

"You wanna get distracted?" Aaron smiles at me, what already makes me feel better.

I nod.

"So what do you wanna do after lunch?" he asks me.

"Your couch, a movie and us making out." I grin.

"Well then you better hurry up eating." he instructs and I do so.

About 10 minutes later we get out of the restaurant.

Aaron wants to get in the drivers seat, but I stop him.

"I didn't know you were willing to make out outside the car." he smirks.

"'Cause I don't." I reply and open the door.

"Ah, you wanna drive?" he asks, getting into the passengers'.

"I got a brand new license and I really have to use it." I say and start driving.

Actually I am pretty good at driving.