Bitten By Love

Chapter 23

***Simone's POV ***

I had no idea I was asleep until I felt myself jerking on the bed. I squinted my eyes open just enough to see Josh bouncing up and down on my bed like a toddler.

"Josh what the hell is wrong with you? " I growled as I threw the pillow over my head trying to fall back asleep.

"Wake up sleepy head." He said and pulled the covers and the pillow off me. "Happy birthday honey."  He said, then kissed me on my forehead.

I closed my eyes and covered myself halfway to make him take the hint and disappear. When I opened my eyes he was still there and aiming his phone at me.

"Gotcha!" He said, taking my picture.

"Josh. Delete that right now!" I demanded. I didn't want any guy to see how ugly I looked when I just woke up. Well, except Josh.

His laugh echoed around my small room. "This picture is going up on every social media sites!" he said with an evil grin on his face.

I threw the comforter off my body and sprung out of bed. "Josh quit playing!" I chased him around the room, knocking over a chair in the process.

"No way!" He grinned as he clicked away on his mobile phone, possibly uploading my horrible photo.

He slipped through my bedroom door and bounced down the stairs holding the phone in the air. I was hot on his heels and when he reached the last step, I leaped on his back causing him to tumble and fall. I sat on his back keeping him pinned to the ground.

"Now, why are you letting me do so much exercise on my birthday." I huffed as I deleted the picture.

"Sim. You do realize that you're heavy right?" Josh laughed and I tried my best to press my weight on him some more.

He struggled and soon enough he was on his back with me on top of him. I was too winded to continue wrestling with him so I just lay on top of him.

"Hap-py birthday Sim." Josh said, almost out of breath.

With my head on his chest I could hear his heart beating against my ear. "I miss her Josh."  I whispered.

"I know Sim." Josh said, pulling me closer to him, if that was even possible.

I sighed, trying not to think about what Samantha and I would be doing right now.

"Ahem."

Both Josh and I were startled when we looked up to see both my parents and Trey looking down at us.

"Happy birthday honey." My mom smiled as we got up.

Trey looked surprised. "Today is your birthday?"  he asked and I nodded.

"Come to the kitchen honey. We have a surprise for you." My mom squealed like a happy teenager.

We all walked into the kitchen.

I gasped. My mom had prepared an exquisite breakfast and I couldn't wait to dig in. Josh started taking pictures immediately.

"Do you want to skip school today honey?" My dad asked.

I smiled at him. "You know I won't do that dad."

He chuckled lightly. "Happy birthday cupcake. Now go wash up for breakfast." He came over and kissed the top of my head.

I smiled. "Dad you know you're gonna have to stop doing that now, right? I'm an eighteen year old adult today. I'm no longer a little girl."

"You'll always be my little girl."

I left them in the kitchen to go bathe and when I returned everyone was seated at the table, leaving two empty chairs.

I occupied one of the seats. Mom and dad were at both ends of the table and Josh sat beside Trey.

I ate happily for a moment but then I glanced over at Samantha's empty chair. I sighed heavily.
"Happy birthday Sam." I whispered and fortunately only Josh heard me.

He stared at me. "Are you okay?"  He mouthed and I nod.

I smiled. Josh always understands me. I couldn't eat a bite more after that and I was getting late for school anyway.

Josh was riding with us today. He sat in the back as usual.

"So where is your boyfriend taking you for your birthday?" Josh asked suddenly, catching Trey off guard. He coughed uncontrollably.

"You ok man?" Josh asked.

"Yea." Trey recovered. "This shy Simone has a boyfriend?" he asked with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Yeah she does." Josh said, now paying attention to his phone. "She's in love with some jerk named Trey."

Trey started coughing again.

Josh's turned his attention to look at Trey in the mirror. "Veron, are you sure you're ok man."  He asked again.

"Yeah. I'm sure." Trey said hoarsely and I bit my bottom lip to hold back my laughter.

"You need to see a doctor about that cough Veron. You might be coming down with something." Josh said.

We were in the school's parking lot now and Josh got out, leaving me with Trey.

He was silent for a while then he turned to look at me. "How come I'm the last to know about your birthday?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I guess it never came up."

"Simone. I have to break up with you." He said, looking into the distance.

I gasped.

"W-why Trey what did I do?"

Trey turned his gaze back to me.
"Apparently you're in love with some jerk named Trey." He said as he leaned down his head and planted a kiss on my lips.

I giggled. Why am I being so paranoid? Trey doesn't know that Ramon and I kissed so I have nothing to worry about.

Josh and I had biology class today. Mr. Allen remembered Samantha's birthday as he had 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA. WE MISS YOU SO MUCH ' written on the blackboard. Flowers were placed on the desk she used to sit at and the class was in a solemn mood.
I took a glance at the beautiful flowers and couldn't help but remember the dream I had this morning. Samantha wanted me to find her killer and I'm going to do just that. I wondered if now is the right time to show someone the note I found at her grave. I have it tucked away in my math book, safe and secured.

My math book! Josh had borrowed it!

"Josh where's my math book?" I whispered, nudging Josh in his side.

"Uhm. We're in biology class not math. Where is your head these days." Josh joked before he handed me the book.

I flipped the pages frantically, searching for the note. My heart beat seemed to stop for a while. I breathed in and out and searched the book more slowly this time. It was not there.

Why would Josh steal the note? Is he the one who murdered my sister? I decided not to ask him. It's probably safer to keep my mouth shut until I know who I can trust.