After The Rain✔️

18 and a few surprises

I woke up to being eighteen and an adult, well, sort of. I laid there and sighed. I didn't know what to expect on the day. Most of my birthdays were spent not doing much of anything.

As I lay there contemplating my existence and the meaning of life, which I'm still trying to figure out, I had two very excited guys bust into my room.

"Happy birthday!!!" They both shouted, causing me to jump a bit. I just turned eighteen and already had my first heart attack, lovely.

"Stop being a slug," Robbie ordered.

"It's my birthday and if I choose to be a slug then I shall be a slug." I promptly stuck my tongue out at him.

He gave me a look, "That was real mature."

"What are you going to do? Beat me up," I shot back.

"That hurts. I thought we were passed that."

I shrugged and he stomped off mumbling something under his breath. Raven arched his eyebrow, "You're never going to let him live that down are you?"

"Eh," I shrugged.

He strolled over and took a seat on the side of my bed, "Stop being grumpy. We have a lot planned for you."

"Oh, why?"

"Because it may be your eighteenth birthday but we all want to celebrate with you. Now come on," he said as he reached out his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me to him, "But first a birthday kiss." He placed his finger under my chin and placed a kiss upon my lips. Okay, maybe this birthday won't be so bad after all.

We had breakfast and Mom looked at dad, "It's nice having kids in the house."

"A lot more noisy," he added.

"Makes you want to have another, doesn't it?"

He gave her a look as she smiled, then he chuckled, "Can we wait to tell her after her birthday?"

"Oh, I suppose."

Raven looked at me and said, "By the way I have something for you."

"You do?"

"Yep, but you have to wait."

"You do know it's my birthday and I'm entitled not to wait," I said to him.

"Well, it's my gift. So, I say you have to wait."

I gave him a look and he shrugged. Curse him.

After breakfast we got ready and headed out. The afternoon was spent with my friends, hanging out and doing stuff. It was actually a nice birthday.

Eventually we all went back to my house for pizza, cake and ice cream. I also was met with a letter from Eastern. I opened it up and read it. I was officially welcomed to the fall semester. The letter was also accompanied by a receipt.

Paid in full. I looked at my parents, "Did you do this?"

"Don't look at us," dad said.

"Actually, I did," Braydon's mom, Paula said.

I looked at her stunned.

"Sometimes, the right people need a bit of help."

"I'll pay you back," I said quickly.

"Molly, you don't have to worry about paying me back. You deserve this. Plus, my husband would have done the same if he was alive. Just accept it as a gift," she said, giving me a warm smile. I liked Paula. She was always so kind to me. Even as a kid, she was unbelievably kind. "Plus, with Braydon attending Eastern, maybe you can keep him on the strait and narrow."

I looked at Braydon, "Really?"

"Yeah, it was one of the schools I chose. Plus, with my grades, I could practically go anywhere but I would rather go with my friends."

"Molly, we all have been accepted to Eastern," Hunter said.

I was shocked. I had no idea. "Wait, Robbie how are you going to afford going there?"

"Well, thanks to you and your tutoring and finding out I had a learning disability, the school helped me get financial aid. Braydon's Mom is helping with the rest as a loan. I mean I got to start somewhere, right?"

I couldn't believe it. I had a chance to stay with my friends. The only one missing from it is Raven. But like he said, we would figure it out.

We had cake and I opened gifts. Everyone got me things they knew I would enjoy. They were simple things, but nonetheless they were thoughtful gifts.

"So, I guess it's my turn," Raven said.

I looked at him, "Close your eyes." I closed them and opened one eye, "I said close. That means no peeking."

"Fineeee," I groaned.

"Now hold out your hand." I held out my hand and felt something fall into it. "Now open them."

I opened my eyes to find a ring with a heart on top. I held it up in between my thumb and finger.

"Molly, that is a promise ring. It's a promise from me to you that no matter where life takes us, we will do it together. Even if you go to school, that ring is a reminder, that I will still be waiting for you, when you come home."

I looked at him and he looked at me, "Raven, are you sure?"

"More than I have ever been in my whole life. You saved me Molly."

I sighed, "No, actually you saved me. All of you saved me. I was alone and drowning. I figured no one would help me, but then I felt people pull me up. You have no idea what you all did for me this year."

"We know more than you realize," Braydon said. "Molly, you showed us that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. I'm just sorry I didn't learn that years ago."

"Yeah, you've done more for each of us than anyone. I was a complete ass to you and you still gave me a chance," Robbie said.

"Well, you did give me a chance first at Braydon's birthday party," I said to him.

"This is true."

"Molly, you showed what real beauty looked like even when you were kicked around. You showed that even with the ugliness of the world, there still was a beauty which what was actually special," Hunter said.

"See in a way you saved us just like we saved you. Sometimes people just need to find the courage and strength of they are truly meant to be," Raven said to me.

I reached over and took the promise ring from him and slid it on my finger. I held my hand up. It was absolutely beautiful. It was simple but remarkable in so many ways. I reached over and gently placed my hand on his cheek.

"Thank you," I said as I leaned over and gave him a kiss. Who would imagine that one day, not only would I have great friends but someone in my life I really loved and cared about? All it took was one night or a horrendous act to bring us all together. I guess there is light at the end of the tunnel.