Side By Side

19.

"Oh my god," was all Lily said for a solid two minutes after I arrived with Lissa and Jake at school on Monday, "What are you gonna do next? Dye it? Bangs? Oh oh! I know! Shave one side!"

"Whoa— slow down. You have more ambitious plans for my hair than Marcus does for after high school,"

"Hey! I'll have you know I've applied to multiple universities," Marcus, who had barley noticed the change, grumbled.

"Well, doesn't matter. You look super cute. And I know someone else who agrees," Lily nudged my shoulder playfully with hers.

"Really?" Jake asked.

"Duh Jake— it's obvious," Lily rolled her eyes.

"Well-" Jake started.

"Riley was totally checking you out at the party!" Lily shook my shoulder, "and it's only been amplified since this morning with your new and, if you won't take offence, improved hair,"

Riley. Riley? I racked my brain for the face that went with the name.

"I'm sorry, who?" I asked.

"Tall, hot,"

"I'm gonna need more description than that, Lily," I told her dryly.

"He was dressed as a Capri sun at the party, he's in our business class, number 13 in football," Lissa clarified.

"Oh," was all I said. I wasn't sure what they wanted me to say. I had never talked with the guy, and had no idea why he'd be ogling me when there really wasn't anything to ogle.

"Doesn't matter," Jake said quickly, "what does matter is this Friday,"

"What's Friday?" I asked.

"You're kidding," Jake told me. I shrugged.

"Your seventeenth birthday. Ring any bells?"

"Oh. Right," was all I said for a long time. I suddenly felt sick and overwhelmed, "Yeah don't worry about that,"

"You're kidding," Jake repeated, "it's your birthday, you can't just not do something,"

"Right," I said turning the words over in my head. Why couldn't I? The day before would mark four months of my parents being gone, and they wouldn't be there to celebrate it with me, what was the point?

"Come on, we'll bake you a cake, hang some cheesy streamers, presents-"

"Oh you guys don't have to get me anything," I twisted the end of my sweater.

"You can't stop us," Marcus said, "we've already done it anyways,"

"Yeah we're gonna throw you the best birthday party and there's nothing you can do about it," Jake was moving to drape an arm around my shoulders but the bell rang, "I'll see you guys later. And Addi think of a colour scheme for your party!" He called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the crowd of students.

I groan and headed in the direction of business with Lily laughing behind me.

"I'm serious about Riley by the way. He was checking you out,"

"I'm not really sure that means much— and I'm really sure I care," I told her as we stepped into business.

"Well here he comes. Brace yourself," Lily slipped away to our usual desk in the back and I was cornered by Riley.

"Hey Addi," he greeted. Riley had easy charm that oozed and made all the girls weak in the knees. He only made me uncomfortable with his excessive eye contact and the way he stood a little too close when he talked to me.