Learning To Feel Again

Chapter 11

3 weeks later- Alex's Birthday

The sound of One Direction wakes me from my restless sleep. This whole working thing is killing my feet man, but I love it so much. Especially the free drinks. I stretch in a way that should not be possible but is very rejuvenating. I stand up and grab my phone while making my way towards the bathroom. My phone greets my presence with over 20 text messages. 

I skim through all the messages and realize that today is my nineteenth birthday! Hell yeah! And it's on a Friday! I jump around excitedly in my sports bra and shorts in front of the mirror. I set my phone down with my Disney station on Pandora playing. What can I say? I'm a little kid. I hop into the shower and relax in the warm water. I scrub each part of my body and then shave. I sing along to the song Who You Are from the Moana movie as I step out of the shower.

 Moana is literally my favorite movie at the moment. Asher and I watched it on Netflix the other night and I was entranced. It made me excited to go to the beach and get back on the waves. Which of course I expressed to my handsome boyfriend. 

I walk back into my bedroom to be greeted by a bundle of balloons that read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I smile and walk closer to them and notice that they are attached to a small, velvet box. I pick up the box and open it with my giddy emotions curious to see what's inside. A silver, heart shaped locket attached to a silver chain lays in the box. I pick up the necklace and open it. On the left side it reads, 'Two hearts in one ~Asher' and on the right side is a picture of Asher and me kissing that we took on our one month anniversary. 

I stare at the beautiful trinket as my eyes well up with tears. This is the sweetest thing that I have ever gotten. I put the necklace on and wipe away the runaway drops on my face. I smile to myself as I walk over to my closet and grab my white pineapple shirt. I throw it on my bed as I grab my matching underwear and bra set along with a pair of light washed, ripped jeans. I throw on the outfit and put my Vans on too. I grab my black bag, phone, and glasses and head downstairs. 

"Dad" I shout out expecting to hear him shout back, but nothing. I walk into the kitchen but no one is in there. "Strange" I mutter to myself. I back out of the kitchen and head into the living room which is totally dark. 

"Dad" I shout again, but instead, I am greeted by three faces. 

"Happy Birthday Alex" they all scream and I smile at two of them. 

"Awe guys is this for me?" I refer to the muffin spread on the coffee table and the jug of juice. 

"Of course baby girl" dad says as he hugs me. "Happy birthday sweetheart"

"Thanks, daddy" I smile at him and then look over at Asher who is still standing in front of the table. 

I walk over to the table and grab two blueberry muffins. I hand one to Asher and I eat the other. He pulls my body into the back of him and he whispers, "Happy birthday beautiful" I turn around and give him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you" I say in return. 

"So..." Ethan's voice interrupts my nice moment and we all look at him. 

"So?" I ask back.

"Oh nothing. I just thought it would be a good time to tell you you're gonna be late for school if you don't leave now" 

I roll my eyes in response to his existence. "He's right Alex" my dad agrees with Ethan and I shrug. "Fine. Whatever I'll go. It is the last day anyways" I smile. 

"Good girl" my dad laughs and then walks off. 

"Come on Asher lets go" I say as I grab his hand and a bunch of muffins. I look over at Ethan and see him frowning with a mean glint in his eyes. I pull Asher out into the hallway and give him a puppy dog look.