California Daze

Chapter 17: Where has time gone?

"Hey sleepy-head wake up." Mr. Bartlett said gently shaking Aspen. 

"Go away." she moaned under her pillow.

"Let's go birthday girl, everyone is waiting for you." Aspen's dad smacked her butt and walked out while Aspen shot up from her bed  chasing after him. 

Aspen couldn't believe it was her birthday, just last month she finished her junior year and watched her best friend Tanner graduate. She quickly looked at her phone and was surprised not to see any text messages from Wes, but she blew it off to go take a shower. 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASPEN!!!!" Jordyn screamed at the top of her lungs when Aspen entered the kitchen. 

"Thank you Jordyn!" Aspen gave her a side smile and strolled to the fridge to find something to eat. 

"What are you doing?" her father asked grabbing his car keys.

"Getting breakfast?"

"Did you miss the part where I said everyone was waiting for you? Come on both of you to the car." he said walking into the garage.

Aspen was confused but tagged along. Ten minutes later they pulled up to the Breakfast Hut where Aspen was attacked by the whole gang.

"Happy 18th Birthday!!" They all yelled once she was inside. Aspen couldn't help but laugh and was grateful for the people in her life. As she looked around the room Wes was still nowhere to be found. 

"Earth to Aspen???" Keaton said tapping her shoulder. "Come on I saved you seat!"

"Coming Keats!!" she smiled. She looked around one more time and thought, oh well he's always late. After breakfast Wes still hadn't shown up and he hadn't texted her either. She finally looked at Keaton and gave him the "where is he" look. Keaton just smiled and suggested they go surfing for a little bit. Just as Aspen was about to protest, she was off the ground spinning in a circle.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!" Wes shouted. 

"WESLEY!!!!!" was all she could yelled. Once she was back on solid ground she gave him a kiss and agreed to go surfing. 

"Where have you been?" she asked while they were heading to the beach. 

"I had some last minute errands I had to run before I could spend all day with the birthday girl." Wes smiled. "Hey, have you heard anything from UCLA about early admissions?"

"No.. I hope to hear something from them by next month. There is a scout that is suppose to come to a few summer practices and then a few of my games at the beginning of the school year for volleyball. Hopefully they will like what they see to give me a full ride like they did Tanner." Aspen gave him a side smile and focused on the view ahead of her. 

"They would be idiots not to give you that full ride scholarship." Wes nudged her arm and continued walking to the beach. 

Once they were all on the beach Keaton looked at all of them and said "Surfing contest anyone?"

"Can we pick teams this time?" Carly said.

"Nope, once again boys vs girls." he said.

"Fine, I just hope y'all are prepared to have your asses handed to you this time." Aspen laughed taking off for the water.

"Alright you guys remember the rules, so with that ladies first." Drew said.

All the girls looked around and when no one else went Aspen headed off to start them off. Aspen got the perfect first wave, it was the perfect half pipe with an excellent landing.