Thorns in the Heart

Birthday (Part 1) (EDIT #1)

 The next day I wake up at 5:37 in the morning to my phone buzzing. I look and see my mom calling me.

"Hello?" I answer with a voice filled with sleep.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Xorina, Happy birthday to you!" My mom sings over the phone.

"Awe thank you, mom!"

"I wish I could be there with you to celebrate your 18th birthday," my mom says. She sounds like she is trying to hold back tears.

"I wish that too, mom. I haven't told anyone it is my birthday so I will be celebrating by myself."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"It wasn't something I wanted everyone to know."

"Okay, just make sure you do something fun for yourself."

"I will. Since it is Saturday I think I will go to the mall." Shopping wasn't my favorite thing but I think I need a new outfit. I haven't shopped for myself in a while.

"Oh, that sounds fun. Well, babe, I love you. I'm gonna let you get back to sleep. Talk with you later."

"Bye, mom! I love you!" I decided to sleep some more because it was way too early to get up and do anything.

At about 9:00 I wake up again. I decide that I want to go for a run. I put on my workout clothes and go to the gym. I run on the treadmill for about 45 minutes. I need to blow off some steam, I have so much going on right now. I really miss my family and friends. While I was on the treadmill Zeke calls me and we talk for a while. He wasn't going to let me hang up but Aria starts to call me. I've missed Zeke and Aria so much! Aria and I are like sisters, we have been friends since we were in diapers. Aria and I have not spoken in a while since it has been so difficult trying to find times when we are both free to talk. This is so hard since this is the first time I will be celebrating my birthday all by myself.

My three best friends are so amazing! I miss them Zeke knows me so well, he can always make me laugh when I don't feel like it. Aria knows me probably better than I know myself. She knows all my secrets and still loves me. Jess is another best friend. She has helped me through the tough times and I have been there for her through difficult times with her mother and her bipolar diagnosis. I can't wait to hear from her today.

Once I was done working out I went back to my dorm.  Walking in to my room I am startled by Ember, Kamila, Erin, and Nick in the living room.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" they shout when I walk in the door.

"What? How did you guys know?"

"Well, Facebook reminded us," Kamila answers. She walks up to me and hands me a card and a gift bag.

"Guys, you didn't have to do anything!"

"We know because you clearly didn't want us knowing," Erin said rolling her eyes.

"I didn't want to be a bother."

"A bother? It's your day!" Nick exclaims.

"That doesn't mean anything!"

"Yeah, it does! You're another year older! Time to party!" Ember yells.

"Do you have anything planned?" Kamila asks.

"I was planning on going to the mall. But, that's it," I reply.

"Oh good! Cause tonight we will go to dinner, then we will PARTY," Ember says.

"What do you mean party?" I ask a little skeptical on what she has planned.

"Well, there is going to be a party at the beach tonight," Ember replies.