Bad Blood

16.

'Happy birthday.' He whispered as we passed in the Science hallway, heading to our lessons. 'How does it feel to be old?'

'Same as yesterday.' I shrugged. I wanted to kiss him again. I didn't want to have to hide our relationship. But with only a week left until we were free of this place, it was best that no one knew. Dan was still hanging around with Martin, James and Pete. We didn't want anything to kick off and ruin the peace right before prom. I didn't know or care what the stupid gang would think, but Dan assured me they would not be happy. All we had to do was get through a few more days and we would be long gone.

And the whole day passed as a normal day except for the odd wishes of happy birthday from some of my friends. I wasn't having a party and I'd made no plans. It was just another day and I was just a day older.

I was just outside the school gates when I heard Dan call my name.

'Hey.' He said as he caught up with me.

'Hey.' I smiled. I wanted to hold his hand but we were too close to school.

'How was your birthday?'

'Ok I guess. Would've been better if I could've spent it with my boyfriend.' I giggled as he blushed. It still felt strange. Boyfriend.

We reached the crossroads to our streets and it was time to say goodbye.

'Come meet me at the tree later?' He asked.

'Why?' I eyed him up suspiciously.

'I've got a surprise for you.'

'Danny, no, I don't want any surprises.' I sighed.

'You'll like it. I hope. Meet me after dinner!' He smiled and skipped off home. It would be nice to hang out with him for a little while on my birthday. We'd always spent my birthday together. At the tree.

I did as I was told, eating my dinner with Gran hurriedly then making my way straight to the tree. I felt a little excited, my stomach felt funny. It was already beginning to get dark as I walked.

When I got to the park, he was sat on the precipice to the monkey bars, swinging his legs and whistling.

'Are you ready?' He asked and jumped down. I nodded, unsure. 'You have to close your eyes.'

'Hhhrmph.' I said and unwillingly did so. He held both my hands and led me carefully into the woods. We went deeper and deeper and I almost fell a few times. We had walked this path a million times, but blindfolded it felt a lot further. I had no idea what he was up to and I wasn't sure I wanted to know. We walked for five minutes before he stopped and ordered me to open my eyes.

On the floor lay a blanket, surrounded by hundreds of tiny candles. I gasped and smiled. It was so sweet. We both took off our shoes and jackets and sat down, cross legged. I didn't quite understand what all of it was for.

'I just wanted to do something nice for you.' He smiled sweetly. God I'd missed that smile so much. But soon, it would be all mine. 'Oh I do have this though. Happy birthday.' From the backpack he pulled out a bottle of wine. I was apprehensive at first. I hadn't drank since that night my Gran put me in the shower fully clothed. But it felt right. What other way to celebrate our sixteenth birthday? We took it in turns to drink straight from the bottle. It burnt my throat and tasted funny. Within half an hour it had gone to my head and we'd finished it off. I found myself giggling and we felt at ease with other once more. Dan was humming and singing and I tapped my toes along with him. I'd always loved listening to him sing. It made his face light up and his shyness evaporated.

'Thank you.' I told him, whilst gently stroking the side of his face where he was starting to get soft stubble. I could just see his lips and the light of the candles glowing in his eyes. I'd waited all day for this moment.