Dream Boy

Chapter Seventeen

When my actual birthday comes around, I start the day how I had planned it to be: just me myself and I. I haven't had a "me" day in a long time, and I figure that my birthday is the best day to do it. Especially now that I am technically an adult. I am extremely lucky too because the weathermen got school cancelled with their winter weather advisory. It hasn't snowed a single flake yet, but here I am,  laying in bed way past my alarm.

I finally get up (my stomach is rumbling louder than my alarm clock) and head downstairs. My mom and dad are already at work, and Eric is still sleeping. I pour myself a cup of coffee and add in some almond milk. I then whip up some scrambled eggs and do yoga (or try to anyway) as I wait for my toast to finish. Then I sit down by myself, perfectly content, and eat my meal.

"MAKE ME SOME TOO!" But then my bliss ends, and Eric comes running out of his room, smelling my food. Luckily, I knew this would happen and made some extra eggs for him.

"Here you go. You're welcome." He grins at me and I shake my head. "I think I'm going to head out to the mall later. You'll be alright by yourself?"
"Yeah. I'm in middle school now, remember?" I laugh.
"Yeah, yeah. I remember. Okay then. I'm gonna go clean out my closet and see what I need to buy."
"Okay, whatever. Oh, and happy birthday!"
"Thanks." Somebody remembered.

I trudge back up to my room after cleaning up the kitchen and begin mounting my clothes into different piles. Keep, Throw Away, Donate. I find garment bags to put my "party" dresses from this year in, and hang them in the back of my now empty closet. I realize that I never wear half the clothes in my closet, and only a few things aren't nice enough to donate. I am left with a few pairs of jeans, undergarments, and a few nice shirts. I throw out the damaged garments and then put all of the clothes that I want to donate into a garbage bag; I'll drive by the donation drop off box on the way to the mall.

I pull out my purse and count how much money I have. I guess this is good timing because I have all of my Christmas money, and now birthday money left over, plus the money I made babysitting in the last year, leaving me with just under $300. I need to get out more; I've haven't spent my own money since Christmas.

I grab a pair of jeans and a shirt that I had left out to wear, my purse, keys, and winter jacket, and then I haul the clothing bags out into my car. I dump my things in the driver's seat after throwing the clothes in the trunk and run back inside to make a list of things I need and to say bye to Eric.

I fill a water bottle for myself and then sit down at the table with my phone, ready to type up what I need in my notes. I look through a pinboard on Pinterest to remind myself of some of the things I've been wanting, and then start typing.

Cable Knit Sweater

Nike Leggings

Bras (boy oh boy, don't you just love bra shopping?)

Sweater Dress

All new spring and summer clothes (for some reason the stores have started selling these already)

New pair of jeans

Sneakers

I was going to type more, but I figure that I'll figure out the rest when I get there. I rummage through some catalogs to find coupons for the stores I am planning on hitting and finally head out to my car after yelling my goodbyes to Eric.

I turned the heat on in my car, shivering, because it has suddenly gotten a lot colder. I back out of my driveway and head off to the mall.

Finally in the mall parking lot, I lean back and take a deep breath. Fitting all of the clothes into the donations bin had been a struggle. I check my email for coupons and then head toward the mall.

I get trying on bras over with first, and then jeans, because those are the worst. Girl struggles. Then I do the "fun" shopping. I find a cute sweater and a sweatshirt to last the rest of the winter, along with leggings, sweatpants, and a few long sleeved tops. Then I start my spring and summer shopping, buying two beautiful sundresses, a romper, new sandals, sneakers, gym shorts, and a few other things.

I walk around the mall, trying to remember if there is anything else I need, and remember that I need new makeup, so I run to the beauty store and stock up on the makeup I need (and settle for the cheapest option of everything).

After picking up one more sweater (I realize that I've gotten rid of pretty much all of my winter clothes), I decide that I am starving. Or, I guess I just haven't realized it until now. I get an iced coffee and a salad, and I sit down across from all of my new clothes at a table that's far enough away from everyone else.

I am halfway done with my salad when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around, and there is Evan, smiling at me.

"Oh, hi." I look at him, trying not to show my inner awkwardness.
"Hi. I thought that was you! What are you doing at the mall all by yourself? Where's Taylor?" He's right--I'm always with Taylor.
"Oh, well it's my birthday and I thought I'd go out and buy myself new clothes. I got rid of basically my entire closet and--" I can tell he's stopped listening. "What?"
"You're here all alone on your birthday?" I blush, realizing that he actually cares.
"What? Oh, that, no no. I'm totally fine. I really wanted to just have a me day, you know?"
"But it's your birthday!" I hear him mumble something under his breath, sounding like "that jackass Chris leaving her all alone on her birthday,"  but decide not to comment.
"I know, but it's totally fine! I just spent $200 on myself!"
"I won't have it. We are going to the movies."
"What? But--"
"No buts. Let's put your bags in your car, and then we are going to the movies. You can't be alone on your birthday!"