What If?

A Forgotten Birthday

I wake on a bright, sunny Sunday. I get out of bed and look out of my window at the beautiful autumn trees. We're in the stage where everything is changing color but not falling yet. A slight breeze makes the trees sway their colorful leaves. I look to the sky and see a beautiful shade of blue and just the right amount of clouds. Not too much so they block the sun, but enough to fill the sky and have all different shapes and sizes.
I sigh in admiration of our beautiful world. Hesitantly I leave the window and head to my closet. I might as well try and look decent on my birthday.

I walk downstairs in no hurry and into the kitchen. I see my mom sitting at our table drinking coffee and reading a book.

"Morning mom."
I smile and hug her shoulders from behind.

"Good morning Ellie." She asks as she turns around to face me.
"You look nice. What's the occasion?"
She looks at my outfit which is composed of white washed denim jeans, a mid sleeve loose, white shirt, and my black converse. I took the top half of my hair a braided it down the middle.

"Thanks mom. I just... Wanted to wear this I guess."
I walk over to the freezer and get the frozen strawberries and milk for a smoothie trying to hide my sad face.

"Well I like it. I better leave now. I've got to get to work. See you later sweetie."
She puts her mug of coffee in the sink and kisses me on the cheek.

"Bye mom."
She walks out of the door.

"Happy birthday to me."
I say in a whisper.

I blend up the smoothie and sit outside on our porch swing to drink it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath of the crisp autumn air. My eyes still closed and my head leaning against the wall of our house I just sit there taking a moment to relax.

I have the whole afternoon to myself. I can do whatever I want. I stand up and walk inside newly determined. I'm not going to let myself lay around and mope all day. I can make today great by myself.

I walk upstairs and knock on Nate's room.

"Nate? Are you awake yet?"
I ask.

I can hear him shuffling around.
"Listen I gotta go. Talk to you later. Ok. Bye. Yeah! I'm awake!"
He calls from his room.
"Come in!"

I walk inside of his room and see him sitting at his desk reading a book.

"Um, what's up?"
I question him.

"Nothing much. Whatcha need?"
He smiles at me. It might just be me but I think he looks a little nervous.

"I was just going to tell you I'm going to ride my bike down to Main Street. Maybe do a little shopping or something. Is that alright?"

"Yeah. Yeah sure. That's fine. Do you want me to drive you?"

"Actually that would be great! Can we go now?"
I ask eagerly.

"Uh huh. Sure lets go."
He grabs his keys from his nightstand and briskly walks towards the door. I follow him to his car after I grab my purse from my room.

He drops me off at the first little shop on the street.
"Can you pick me up by 4:15?
It's 11:30 right now and I want a little time at home before I go off to Kade's house."

"Sure! Bye Ell! Have fun."
He drives off leaving me standing on the brick sidewalk.

I look at the shop name. Sumco. I've heard that this little store has some cute things in it. I might as well give it a shot.