Impasse • Grayson Dolan

d r e i u n d d r e i z i g

b i r t h d a y

Just when I'd thought I'd healed, my wounds had opened back up and this time, they were taking even longer to heal. Nevertheless I still managed to go to school, though my mind was nowhere to be found.

Jeremy hadn't left my side since then. Along with Jake and Ava, they were the only good thing for me in this fucked up world. I was glad to have them by my side.

Eventually, my birthday arrived before I could even notice. It landed on a Thursday, the same day Jake was coming back home. With them by my side, I could feel the pain being left behind, in the past where it belonged.

It was currently six in the afternoon. Classes were over for today, and Jeremy and I were waiting patiently on the rooftop for Jake and Ava to get back home.

The sun was setting, gliding down the sky, glistening as it waved goodbye to us. The clouds followed and mixed with the colours with what didn't seem to be the sky anymore- It had a mixture of a bright pink, a vivid red and warm orange.

The wind was blowing gently, brushing against our cheeks, while our feet was hanging from the roof. Snow hadn't arrived just yet, but I had wondered from time to time how breathtaking it would've been if it mixed with the sweet colours.

Now we couldn't even see each other, it was getting dark and the colours were now fading. Thinking about what had happened so far, I'd realized everything happened so fast, and maybe for a reason as well. The journey had been such a roller coaster of emotions, but I had made it this far and I was happy to have everything I had.

I smiled at just the thought of it, and looked at Jeremy who was also smiling. I grinned even wider, embarrassed.

"What?" I giggled.

"I got you something"

Jeremy took out a small little silver box that was wrapped around nicely, and it even had a ribbon on top. I took it from his hands slowly, unsure on whether I should accept it or not. After all I had already told them that I wasn't looking for any presents, me being forced to celebrate my birthday party was already enough.

"Jay" I trailed off, still not opening the present.

"No, open it." He cheered on. I hesitated for a while, but decided to finally open it. I ripped the gift wrap off the box, as the Iphone 7 letters revealed. My jaw dropped, as I shook my head, returning the present.

"Jay no, it's-"

"Just shut up and thank me about it" He chuckled as he gently pushed the present back to my chest, pulling me into a hug afterwards. I laughed with him, returning the hug.

"Thank you, really but this is too much" I mumbled against his shoulder.

"You only turn 18 once, remember?" He smiled, pulling away.

Just in time, Jeremy and Ava had arrived. Jeremy looked way better now. He smiled from ear to ear, waving at us. We waved back at him, and decided to get off the roof, into the house.

Everywhere you looked at, you'd encounter balloons everywhere. They'd literally themed the whole entire house, leaving birthday party decor everywhere. There was a small cake in the kitchen and a few candles already.

Gosh, what will I do when they sing me Happy Birthday? I was sure as hell it was going to be awkward.

I gave Jake and Ava a tight hug, as they congratulated me. We all sat in the living room, where they all excitedly began handing me presents. Jake and Jeremy, both sat beside me, leaning their elbows against their knees, while Ava sat down on the armchair, her ankles locked, smiling at us proudly.

Jake bought me a set of headphones. He added then "so you can listen to Blackbear without having to borrow my phone and earphones" We all laughed and I thanked him afterwards, pulling him into another hug.

The next present came from the both of them this time, it was a book- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur- A beautiful book full of poetry, a kind of art I was really into. I gasped loudly and pulled them both for an enthusiastic, tight hug.

"You can't be fucking serious, oh my" I stared at my book with my mouth wide open. "You guys know me so well" I laughed, checking out the book's pages.

"Nah, you're just predictable" Jeremy joked, making me laugh.

Ava smiled at me, and stood up to hand me her present, then sitting back down. They all watched me unwrap the gift slowly. A bunch of choker necklaces revealed, and they all had different pendants- the sun, the moon and planet Saturn.

I instantly fell in love with them, as I stood up, pulling Ava into a tight hug, thanking her for the necklaces and everything she'd done for me.

At this moment I was too emotional, and somehow began crying. I heard Jake and Jeremy's aw's as they joined the hug, making me giggle.

I wiped away the happy tears that peeked through the corner of my eyes while they all pulled away, laughing.

"But that's not all" Ava sang and walked towards a drawer, pulling out an envelope.

"I got one more present" She smiled.