Hidden Behind our Secrets (ON HOLD)

Secret Gardens and Happy Surprises

As I walked through the front doors of the building, new car keys in hand, I felt good. The hallway seemed to part as I walked through and a few brave souls murmured greetings and nods of acknowledgement. My locker came into view placing a small frown onto my face as I stared at the blank, navy door. They couldn't have forgotten could they? I mean, it's not like I'd been dropping hints for the past forty-three days or anything - I just figured that at least my friends would remember. Slowly, I reached for the small lock and turned the dial as the disappointment began to settle in but before I had the chance to give up on my hopes there was a loud bang as streamers and balloons began to fly out of the small door. There was pink glitter and sequins covering my uniform and I could only imagine what my hair looked like as the corridor began to settle. Beneath all the chaos was a small, white envelope with familiar handwriting that read 'Tamzin Everhart'. Smiling, I carefully peeled back the seal and removed the colourful homemade card and began to read the message inside:

Find me with some bars so neat,

I stop open flight but not a tweet,

When you find me you will admire,

My structure made of sculptured wire.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I laughed gently as I closed the locker and turned down the hall. I knew it was describing the birdcage in the hidden courtyard we had found during our second year at the school. It had become our secret hangout where many pranks and events had been planned.

I skipped quietly down long deserted halls and down the creaky staircases, which hadn't been used for years except for our little adventures, until I came to the shadowy, stone archway and heard quiet voices around the corner.

"She's coming!" whispered an excited, high-pitched voice.

"You've been saying that every two minutes for the past half hour! Maybe she decided to bunk off today."

"Or maybe she didn't understand the stupid riddle and went to class like a normal person!" replied the third voice with his thick Australian accent. I snickered at his blunt and clearly irritated voice but one of them must have heard me because the whispers hushed creating an eerie and tense silence. I froze and held my breath as I shrunk closer to the wall in hopes that they hadn't noticed me lurking and would continue with their amusing conversation. However, as the moments stretched into years I started to worry that it was too late and I had been rumbled. Deciding to reveal myself I stepped forward but it seemed as though someone had the same idea as I walked straight into a hard chest and three large voices yelled "SURPRISE!" The outburst was followed by loud chuckles at my clumsiness as I rubbed my sore forehead and stared at the three people in front of me, although my death stare didn't last long as I soon joined in on the laughter.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, Tam!" yelled one of my best friends Brooklyn as she tackled me to the ground in a huge hug. I looked up to the sound of laughter as three boys stood patiently waiting for their turn to wish me a happy birthday. I stood up gracefully - not - and was enveloped in three bear hugs buy my other best friends Jack, Micah and Scott. I suddenly felt a warmth spread through my body as a strong blush reached my cheeks and tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

"HEY! No tears allowed!" exclaimed Scott as he gave me another large hug causing me to giggle into his chest.

"I'm sorry! I'm just so happy to have you guys." I blushed as I wiped the stray tears from my cheeks.

"Don't thank us yet!" Brooke said as she wandered towards a large picnic basket and spread out the red checkered blanket. "You haven't tasted Scott's questionable baking..."

"If you can't appreciate my amazing cooking skills then maybe I should take my cake elsewhere!"

"I know where you can shove your cake!" muttered Brooke with a sly smirk on her face.