The lock clicks when I slip my key into the keyhole. I back into the door to push it open, almost spilling my coffee and dropping my binder, papers scatter all over the floor. Great.
I slam the door behind me with my boot, set my coffee on the dining room table, and drop all my books and bags on the floor. Running my fingers through my hair, I scan the room.
"SURPRISE!!!" My mom, dad, brother, and sister yell, making my heart skip a beat. Oh. It's my eighteenth birthday. How could I forget?
My little sister Natalie runs over and hugs me tight. "Hey bug!" I say to her. "Sissy's home! Let's give her her present!" She squeals, her short brown bob bouncing while she skips down the hallway.
"Happy birthday, Jai." My mom says in a loving tone, wrapping her arms around me. "I can't believe you're 18 years old. Where has the time gone?"
Tears well in her eyes.
"Yes doodle, happy birthday." I cringe at my old nickname that my dad gave me when I was a baby.
"Thanks guys, I love you all. Now, I believe a present was mentioned?" My tone is playful.
"Oh! I almost forgot. It's in the kitchen." My mom leads me down the hall where Natalie is practically bouncing off the walls.
"Did you give her cake?" I whisper to my mom.
"Nope, she just missed you today."
A small envelope is sitting on the island when I enter the kitchen. What kind of present is this? Money or something? (Which wouldn't be too bad but I was like expecting a new car or something.)
"You're going to love it, Jai." My older brother says, running his hands through his hair, hand stuffed in his pocket.
I grab the envelope and plop down on the couch, my family scattering out around me to watch. "Okay..." I say, sliding my finger under the seal. I finally open the envelope and pull out two tickets. My eyes scan them, once, then twice just to be sure that this is real.
"You got me front row tickets to a 5 Seconds of Summer concert?!" I squeak , heart pounding.
"Yeah, do you like it?" My mom says with a hopeful expression. "Are you kidding? This is the best thing ever! Thank you so so so much!" I exclaim, jumping up to hug everyone. "This is so amazing! I'm not going alone, am I?" I ask.
"Of course not, we thought that maybe you could go with Kenna." My mom says, playing with her fingers. "Yes!" I squeal. I haven't been this excited in a long time.
I trudge back to my room, almost forgetting the mess at the door. I take my phone out of my pocket and dial Kenna's number.
"Happy birthdayyy!" She answers on the first ring.
"Guess what? Wait no, don't guess. I'm just gonna tell you. I got two front row tickets to the 5SOS concert on Saturday and you're coming with."
"OH MY GOSH YOU DIDN'T."
"But I did!"
"I'm so down for this."
"I was hoping you would be." I can't help but think of She Looks so Perfect at the mention of "I'm so down".
"So where is it? What time? What should I wear?"
"It's at Ak-Chin Pavilion. 7:30. I don't know? We'll get ready together."
"Okay. Thank you so much! Bye! By the way, have a great birthday." She says before hanging up.
