The Tides That Join Us Together

Chapter 32: Happy Birthday China!

Cameron

"Happy Birthday China!" I screamed, running down the hallway at her, balloons and chocolate in my hand.

"Ooo you almost made me drop my shit on the floor." she said. "But thank you freckled baby!" She took the balloons from me, wrapping them around her locker.

"Ima eat these during History class." she said, grabbing the chocolates and giving the biggest hugs. "I love you so much." We rocked each other side to side.

"I love you too, Chi." I said.

"Fuck you for beating me to it, Cam." Lauryn said as she approached the both of us.

"I'm the best friend." I said. "I'm always gonna beat you to it. Fuck you for thinking that you could beat me to it."

"Thems is fighting words." Lauryn said back to me.

"Let's go right now then." I said, playfully getting in a fighting stance.

"It ain't about you right now." she said. "Happy Birthday China!" She jumped on her, engulfing her in a hug. "You go you bad bitch. You get your gift at girl talk tonight."

"A birthday I hear?" Thomas said as he also popped up at her. "China's birthday is it?"

"I think it is." I said. "That's crazy isn't it?"

"It is!" Thomas said, handing her a card and some candy. "Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks Tom." she said, giving him a hug.

"Happy Happy Happy Birthday." Ty said. "Hey I thought the balloons were suppose to be my thing? Who did this?"

"Since when did the boys agree on that?" I asked. "Were you not paying attention in the group chat?"

"No, not really." he said, handing China another set of balloons and some more candy.

"Y'all wanna give me diabetes and the ripe young age of 16." she said.

"Yes." Taj said, popping up behind her. "Because I have more for the birthday girl." He handed her a whole basket. "Happy Birthday!"

"Ahhhhh!" Brenna squealed as she ran up to China. "It's my girl's birthday! Ugh, you're such a Queen. I love you China! Did Lauryn tell you that you would get your gifts at girl talk?"

"Yeah." she said, trying not to cry. "You guys are the best, I swear."

"Oh there's more where that came from." I said. "But you won't see it until this weekend at your party. Sorry not sorry." We were all distracted from our conversation by a group of girls running down the hall towards Chi.

"Here comes my volleyball team." she said. "You guys might wanna step back. We like to do things in a huddle." She quickly closed her locker.

"Shit, a whole bunch of women?" Taj asked. "I'm good. Come get me!"

"Happy Birthday China!!" they all screamed, causing everyone's heads to snap from their lockers.

"Ugh. I can't wait to see you at girls night."one of them said to her, giving her a hug.

"Sofia." China said. "Meet my crew. This is Cameron, Lauryn, Brenna, Taj, Ty, and Thomas."