The Worst Story Ever (Part Two)

Chapter Eight

I wake up to the sharp ring of my phone. It's one of those old, connected to the wall ones.

Are you poor shaming me?

Before I pick it up, I glance at the electric clock on my bedside table, it's only two-thirty a.m. Who would call me now? After the phone's second ring, curiosity gets the best of me, and I pick it up and bring it to my ear.

"Hello! Do you have time to take a quick survey about your phone service carrier, Verizon Wireless?"

"Happy birthday to me!" Marcus screams in a sing-song voice, stretching out the vowels in 'happy' and 'me.' And I thought I was loud.

what does that mean? PAIGE! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!

"Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday dear Marcus! Happy birthday to me!"

Literally die.

"Oh, today's your birthday already?" I sleepily rub my forehead and sit up.

I thought he was your best friend?

Now I remember, Marcus was really mad last year because his birthday was only two days after every thirteen year old got their familiar. It is exactly a month before mine, and I forgot it.

Marcus, you can do better than this asshole.

"Yep! So, when do I get my present?" he asks happily. His present? Last year I gave him a rock. This year, I think I'll paint one and then give it to him, he'll really appreciate that.

You couldn't even get him a card?

"Uhhh..." Was my genius response, I glance over at Nadime, one of her eyes are open, and watching me carefully as she rests silently in the corner of the room.

That's not creepy at all.

"It's fine, I'll just come over right now!" he exclaims gleefully. I just then remember how I am technically never allowed to speak to him again.

Well no, that's not the rule. You guys aren't allowed over at each other's houses. That's it...

"No! No! Don't come over! Let's go to.....Buddy's house! I'll give you your present there!"

At 2 A.M?

Getting out of bed, I change into a dark green T-shirt and loose jeans. That was a bad idea. Last time I wore those, Marcus stuffed a bunch of worms in the cuffs.

That's low key kinda savage, Marcus. Kudos.

You can imagine what Ophelia did when she noticed.

I dunno, rolled her eyes and then walked away?

"Umm...ok. See you there!" He slams the phone down on the hook, I mean, I don't actually know that, but that's what he always does.

Why does Paige know literally EVERYTHING about Marcus except his birthday?

That is also why my phone has had to have been replaced four times already sinceI got it last year.

You had to replace your phone four times because Marcus slams his own phone? Okay...

I am about to open my door, but it's locked from the outside.

UHhhhHHH??? WHat the heck?

I groan, and then feel something papery under my feet.

Let me guess...It's a piece of paper?!