Where We Begin

Chapter 8 - Make A Wish

July 4th, 2002 - Taylor

(I was in an endless field of flowers, the sun low in the sky. A backlit figure was coming toward me, not walking, but almost floating through the tall grass and the daisies. "I've been waiting for you." His voice drifted across the wind. Suddenly I felt a strong hand on the back of my neck, and the other on my waist, drawing my body into his. His brown eyes sparkled in the fading light. The world around us began to slip away. There was nothing left but us, and soon we would become one, as our lips reached to meet...)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!" my little sister Kristen yelled, slamming herself onto my bed. "Wake up wake up wake up!"

"Kristen, holy crap!" I gasped, jolted from my deep sleep. 

"Didn't you hear me? It's... your... BIRTHDAY!" she shouted, jumping around like an over-caffeinated rabbit. 

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. "Thank you for the invigorating wake up call," I said. 

"Hurry up and get downstairs! Woo hoo!" Kristen ran out of the room.

Today was my 16th birthday, the day I had been looking forward to for weeks. I should be bouncing off the walls with my sister, but I couldn't shake the memory of that dream. 

After spending the afternoon with my friends, going over last minute details of my party and talking about how we would wear our hair and what songs we wanted to play, I felt like I had done a good job of pushing Busta out of my head. Now I was pretty sure I had failed.

I got up and put on some cut off shorts and a black blouse. I looked at myself in the mirror above my dresser, and absentmindedly brushed out the tangled mess of my bed head.

My mind drifted to the thought of Busta's hands running through my hair instead...

What was wrong with me?! He had hardly said one decent word to me the past two days, but all I could think about was his smile when he didn't know I was watching. And the way he looked at me for the first time. And those glimmers of sadness that had flashed across his face when we were arguing. 

The rational part of me said he was a waste of time, but this other part of me wasn't convinced. I can't believe how sappy this sounds, but I felt like it was my heart that was telling me he could really be something special. But maybe he just didn't see anything special in me.

I shook it off. 

This wasn't the time to be stressing about a boy. This was my freakin' birthday. I was Taylor freakin' Johansen! It was time to start acting like it. I put on some lipgloss and some mascara, blew my reflection a little kiss and made my way down to the kitchen.

"Happy birthday sweetheart!" my mom exclaimed giving me a big hug. 

My dad and Kristen were sitting at the bar stools around the large center island, where there was a cake with candles lit.

"Thank you, mom! Isn't it a little early for cake though? It's not even 10AM!" I laughed, joining them. 

"Well, we thought you were old enough that we didn't have to fuss over you at your party tonight. We promise to stay upstairs and out of the way, if you oblige us in a little birthday tradition now," my dad smiled.

"Make a wish!" my mom said, poised and ready with her camera. 

My mind instantly jumped to Busta. No, do not waste a wish, I told myself. 

I took a breath and silently thought "I wish for the happiest year yet" and blew out the sixteen candles. My family cheered and my mom snapped about 20 photos.

"OK, we can save the cake for a little later. I was thinking I could whip up some of my famous bacon and egg sandwiches, what do you say?" my dad said.

"That sounds amazing. Thank you guys, this was a great start to my day." 

It really was. I was lucky to have such a awesome family to take my mind off of everything. Then I saw my mom and dad exchange a funny look.

"Should we?" my mom asked quietly.

"What are you guys talking about?" I was immediately suspicious. I glanced at Kristen, who had her lips tightly pursed, looking like her head was going to pop off.

"I think we might be able to make your day even better. Follow me." My dad gestured toward the front of the house. 

My heart was pounding. I was happy as it was with the cake and sandwiches, now what? I followed him through the foyer, my mom and sister giggling behind me. We got to the front door, and my dad looked at me with a big grin. 

"Happy Sweet 16."

He swung open the door and there in the driveway was a brand new, pearly white Lexus convertible with a giant pink bow on the hood. I screamed so loud, I am pretty sure the whole neighborhood could hear me.

"OH MY GOD, NO WAY!" I ran up to the car. It was so beautiful, it was so shiny, it was so mine. "I LOVE it, I absolutely LOVE it! This is the best birthday EVER, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!"

My family joined me next to the car and I hugged them all. My dad held out the keys. 

"Birthday joy ride to the DMV now, or after breakfast?"

"Now!" I declared, taking them and slipping into the driver's seat. 

Who needs a boy anyway? I was back on top of the world.