glitched | ✔️

s i x t e e n

Amara POV

I was woken up by the loudest party blower you've ever heard.

Wtf.

"Happy birthday!" Larissa and Walter cried.

Birthday?
What?!
"My birthday?" I mumbled groggily.

"Yeah girl! It's December fifth-you're sixteen. So up and out of bed! Chop chop!"

I sighed.
I had wanted to forget about this day. I had always celebrated it with Chelsie since we were tiny. It wasn't the same without her.

"We will leave you to get ready. But be quick." Larissa walked out of the room and closed the door behind herself.

I rolled out of bed and crawled over to my dresser, picking out the first pair of clothes I saw.
I tiredly stumbled into the shower, letting all my tiredness wash off me with the water.
I then changed and put on some lipgloss and mascara so I didn't look quite so much like a zombie.
I inhaled my gluten-free pancakes and went upstairs to change into workout clothes.

When I came back down the stairs Larissa and Walter had gift-bags in their hands.
I was shocked.
I hadn't expected any gifts this year.
"Y-you really didn't have to..."

Walter handed me his gift. "It's the least we could do." He said gruffly.
Larissa handed me her gift bag with a smile. "I appreciate how hard you've been working to get your schoolwork done."
I glanced at Destiny.
She licked her nose.

"Now get your butt out that door, Peter is waiting for you in his truck. You can open the gifts in the car."

I mumbled a thank-you and sprinted out the door, hopping into the passenger seat.
Peter smiled at me.
"Happy birthday, Amara."
And because he said Amara, not Vickie, I smiled back.

"Thanks. Though, it doesn't feel much like a birthday this year," I admitted, picking at the leather of the seat.
Peter glanced at me as he drove.
"Maybe it'll feel like a birthday once you open your gifts."

I shrugged, picking up the first present and ripping the wrapping paper off.
It was a tiny box.
I gently opened the box and nearly dropped it a second later.

A necklace gleamed silver with an aquamarine jewel set in the center of silver tendrils.
The other gift was a ring to match.

"Damn," I breathed.

I had been expecting a Giftcard or new socks or something. But this?
Hell nah.

Peter parked the truck in front of the gym and beamed at me like a little child.
"Try 'em on!" He said excitedly.
I rolled my eyes.
"Not before the gym!"

"Here- I'll help you."
He leaned over and took the necklace, brushing my hair gently to the side as he fastened the clasp.
I exhaled shakily.

Peter leaned back and I snapped out of the trance, raising my eyebrows.
"Well?"

He smiled, satisfied. "Beautiful. Perfect, even."

I gasped.
"Was that flattery?!"

He snorted. "Just for your birthday. It won't happen again."

I couldn't help but grin at that, smacking his arm.

"Ow!"

I stuck out my tongue before taking off the necklace and placed it back in its little box before hopping out of the truck into the cold air.

The gym was locked so Peter took out his key and unlocked it.
We slipped inside.
He seemed jumpy today.
Odd.

"Well. Looks like we will have the whole gym to ourselves!" I chirped, looking around.

Peter shook his head. "People should be getting here soon. Let's go to our usual space."

Dang it.
I had really wanted to play on the gym equipment.

I shuffled after Peter with resignation.
He unlocked the special training room and the door slid open.
Holy—

"You did not." I squealed.

Peter was standing back, flushed pink and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Happy birthday, Amara."

"Oh my god." I stepped into the room.
Metallic silver coils hung from the ceiling, reflecting light.
Turquoise and white steamers hung from the gym equipment.
Metallic balloons floated around.

And a huge present wrapped in blue paper sat in the middle of the room. 

"Oh my god." I said again, walking tentatively into the room.
I better not wake up to find myself alone in my room...

Peter was watching me, smiling.
He looked so pleased with himself.
It was kinda cute.

I walked towards the present. "Can I?"

He laughed.
"Why are you suddenly so polite? What would you do if I said no?"

"Open it anyway."
"I figured."
I grinned, tearing off the bow and than the paper afterwards.
A box.
How exciting.

I used my fingernail to cut the tap and opened the flap of the box, staring at all the items inside.

A set of my very own throwing stars and knives, my very own punching bag, and a armored bodysuit were on top.
I turned to Peter excitedly.
"Does this mean I will get to go on a mission soon?"
He laughed. "Not quite. You still have a ways to go."
I pouted.

"Don't give me that look. There's more in there."

I turned back towards the box.
A pair of turquoise blue converse, a bundle of giftcards, a painting of an Australian Shepard, and... a stuffed squid?

I think I was in the presence of the stupidest, sweetest, most idiotic and lovable person in the world.

"Do you like it?" He asked, almost nervously.

In response I jumped into his arms hugging him tightly.
He laughed, wrapping his arms around me. "Will you forgive me now? For everything."

I unwrapped my arms from his neck, tapping my foot as if in thought.
"I don't know..."
His expression fell.
"...how I can forgive you before I get to do this."

I stepped on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.

He blinked.
Opened his mouth.
Closed it again.

I laughed, holding up my fists.
"C'mon Pete, let's train."

•••

Progress. They're making progress. Lol.

Heh I am literally typing this out at 11:50pm when I have work tomorrow at 8:00am so I should probably go to bed.
Love y'all. :)