Shadows

38.

'mom' I whined 'I really need to go'

'you haven't tasted my new recipe yet' she told me and basically pushed a spoon of her new "avocado, tomato soup" in my mouth.

'it's good mom' I lied, it was awful and I would appreciate it if I could throw away the whole pan now.

'really' she exclaimed 'thank you so much, you know I've bene trying to make a new recipe for the whole spring break now but every time-'

'it tasted like garbage' I cut her off

'something like that' she mumbled

'this does too' I told her 'never ever put avocado in a soup again, it's disgusting'

'oh' was her only reaction

'anyway, love you' I smiled, gave her a kiss on her cheek and walked to the door.

'tell Blake that I said hi' my yelled from up the stairs

'I will' I yelled back and closed the door behind me.

Today was Blake's birthday. It was the middle of spring break so most of our friends are on vacation. Only Sophie, Julian and I are coming.

Tonight Blake is giving his annual birthday party. Just like every other year everyone is invited. But, this year I'm coming, and I've never been.

Also, I got my drivers license about 2 weeks ago. I'm still kind of nervous on the road but I'm getting better. I don't have a car though, so I'm still driving in Bella's car, or my parents car, or Blake's.

When I arrive at Baalke's house Sophie and Julian are waiting outside, just like I asked.

'hello bride of the birthday boy' Sophie greeted me

'just girlfriends, ;let's not push it' I chuckled and gave her a hug.

'hello Julian' I also gave him a hug.

Me and the guys, not only Julian but also Brendon. We have gotten really close. We can talk about everything, they even come to me for girls advise.

'let's go inside' I said as I walked around the house to the back.

'you're here' Blake said happily as he saw us.

Blake has been very happy lately. There a literally no days where he doesn't smile, which is very cute.

'happy birthday pretty boy' I smiled and gave wrapped my arms around his neck.

'cut the cuteness, I want to celebrate the birthday boy' i heard Sophie

'okay okay okay' I chuckled and let Sophie gave Blake a hug and his present.

'this is from both of us because Julian forgot to buy a present' she gave Julian a warning look.

'don't worry bud, I'm not surprised' Blake said and I chuckled at Sophie's annoyed look.

Blake opened the present. It was a power bank in the form of a vodka bottle.

He started laughing and nodding his head, 'this sure fits me'.

He may have said that I have changed him, and I did, he hasn't touched any sort of drug in more than half a year. But he still drinks, a lot. I don't like that, he knows. But it's part of him, it's part of being young and I accepted that.

'now it's my turn' I said and pulled Blake's gift out of my bag.

'Jesus' he mumbled when he saw the pretty big box.

'let's just keep it at I love you' I smiled and gave him the box.

Without saying anything he opened the box.

'and I love you' he smiled 'these are amazing'.

He held up the black and white checkered vans I got him.

'you kept saying you wanted them, so I thought I gave you them' I smiled at him.

'I love you' he gave me a long kiss.

We then went inside. Julian and Sophie started preparing the drinks for the party tonight, that starts in about 2 hours.

'you're particularly happy today' I noticed.

'yeah well' he smiled and sat next to me on the sofa.

'what' I smiled

'this morning we had breakfast together, and I got presents. It felt like the birthdays I remembered again.' He smiled

Since I talked to his dad he's been very happy. I think- well know my plan worked. His dad even thanked me for the tip. Natalie- Blake's dad's fiancée also got closer with Blake. He told me they have talked and he told her she was never going to feel like a mom to him, but he was capable of feeling a family bond. So that's what they're working on. and from what I heard it's going great.

I smiled wide and bit my lip, seeing him this happy made me feel a kind of happiness I have never felt. It's pride, happiness and love all in one.

'I'm happy for you' I put my arms around him.

I haven't told him that I talked to his dad. Not because I don't want him to know, I just don't feel the need to.

'you know what also happened' he looked at me

'no, tell me' I shook my head

'my dad and I we're just talking about all sorts of stuff. And then he told me that about 4 or 5 months ago this very pretty lady came to his door. My dad dais he thought she came for me but she said she came for him. so they talked and this very sweet young lady told him about me. And that he should give me a bit more attention, that he should let me know that he was there for me' he told me

I licked my lips and looked down.

'he told me that story and you know what my reaction was?' he put his finger under my chin so that I was forced to look at him. 'do you know what I said?'

I looked in his eyes, I couldn't really figure out what he was going to say.

'I said that I have the most beautiful girlfriend ever. And that I am the most lucky guy on earth to have her'