your body is a weapon → brad simpson | ✓

fourteen

I wake up on Monday morning, a small smile on my face. For the first time in a while, I wasn't dreading the idea of going to school. I was actually quite excited since I had a friend I could stay with instead of being alone.

Brad had dropped me off at home early in the morning on Saturday after the party. My dad wasn't happy with me since he expected me to be back beforehand, but he was glad I had fun.

Both Brad and I had played a game of beer pong against James and Tristan and I had to drink all of the beers since Brad doesn't drink and he was driving me home. It was as though the fact he almost punched someone unconscious never happened, not that I was complaining.

I shower quickly and change into my outfit for the day, which was my standard skinny jeans and plain shirt, and then I go downstairs to get something to eat for breakfast.

"How are you?" My dad asks as he makes himself a coffee to take to work.

I smile at him, "I'm fine, actually. I think Brad and I are handing in our project this week." This week was the deadline for our project, which means my birthday is on Friday, too.

"That's good," my dad nods. "Are you ready to go to school?"

I nod and eat my breakfast quickly and we set off promptly, the radio on faintly in the background.

"I got a call from work over the weekend," my dad says with a sad smile on his face and I look over at him. "They want me to work this Friday."

"Tell them that you can't because it's my birthday."

"I tried," he says and I already know what he's going to say. "They really need me there. I'll make it up to you on Saturday, I promise. I told them I'd go in."

I sigh, looking out of the window and we were at school now anyway. I thank him for the ride and climb out of the car and begin my way to tutor. Time passes by slowly and soon enough, it's time for social studies first thing.

"Hey," I smile at Brad, noticing that he's already sat in his seat. He smiles at me as I sit down. Today, he was sporting a cut under his eye and I wanted to ask what happened but it isn't my business.

"I handed in the project already," he tells me as we wait for the class to begin. "I hope you don't mind, I didn't get chance to send the file to you over the weekend."

I smile assuringly at him, "it's fine, don't worry. I'm sure I'll be able to have a look after she's assessed it."

He nods and I face the front, the class finally beginning. When the worksheets are handed out, Brad turns to me with a small smile.

"So, what do you want for your birthday?"

I roll my eyes at him, "You don't need to get me anything."

"I'll find something you like," he ignores me entirely. "Do you want food? Or a new film? A new phone?"

I look at him in astonishment, "firstly, you're not buying me anything for my birthday because I don't need anything. Secondly, you're definitely not buying me a new phone!"

"What are you doing to celebrate, anyway?" He ignores me once more and I throw him a glare. "You gonna hold a party?"

I twirl my thumbs around each other as I look at my empty worksheet, "probably gonna stay at home, to be honest. My dad told me that he's gonna be at work until Saturday."

"He's missing your birthday?" Brad asks, surprised, and I nod at him. "That's stupid, why didn't he just book the day off?"

"He tried but apparently they really needed him," I justify and Brad nods, silently judging my father. "It's fine, he said he'll make it up to me during the weekend."