Close As Strangers

1.8

Today was the day. The day I should be seeing Luke, the day I wasn't. I went to school for my first two periods before I got a call from the office saying my mom had excused me for the rest of the day. I drove home and I walked through my house, seeing glitter on the floor leading to my room. My door was closed, and it had a note taped onto it.

Dear Arden,

So this is the first part of your birthday surprise! If you came home right after I excused you, it should be around 12:45. You have an hour to get ready, your chauffeur will be here to get you at 1:50. Remember, do your hair and make-up nicely, wear something comfy, and bring your dress to change into. -xoxo, mom

I took the note off of my door and held it in my hand. I opened up my room door to what looked like hundreds of balloons, each of them having a photo on the bottom of the string. My dress was layed out on my bed, along with my black sparkled heels, and a box. I opened the box to a beautiful necklace. It sparkled perfectly. I went over to my vanity. There was another box. This one was smaller, and more square shaped. I picked it up and took off the cover.

Hi beautiful,

It's probably your birthday now, and I'm sorry I can't be here to celebrate. When I get home we will go somewhere super fun. I promise. I hope you enjoy the present. (Open it before you continue reading please Ü )

I put the note down and did as I was told. I looked down into the box. It was a beautiful silver charm bracelet.

Each charm means something babe. The heart, because you steal mine everyday, the microphone because I love the sound of your voice, the penguin because I like penguins and it was really cute (like you) the house because I see a future with you, and the ice skate, because I'll never forget our one year annivesary when I took you and you kept holding onto me because you were scared of falling. Anyways, I hope you love this, I gave it to your mom to give you on your birthday. Happy 18th birthday babe, you're so old now. ;)
Love, "Lukey"

Tears began to form in my eyes. I placed the bracelet on my bed along with the necklace, I hope my mom doesn't mind if I wear it tonight. I did my make-up, a little more dramatic than most days, and curled my ombre hair the same way I did everyday. I walked to my closet.

Comfertable? I grabbed one of Luke's flannels, a black tank top and some black leggings and threw them on. 1:28. My ride is gonna be here soon. I threw on my black converse and put my necklace, bracelet, heels, purse and other essentials in a bag and grabbed my dress. I walked outside to see the driver already here. It was a beautiuful limo that looked like it could fit 20 people in it.

"Hi." I said shyly. "I'm Arden."

"Hello Ms.Christy, I'm Robert, and I will be your driver tonight. Allow me to take you dress? We must hurry, you and I are running out of time." He asked placing his hand out. I gave him my bag and dress, and sat in the back seat. I was so amazed, what on earth was my mom doing?

"Where are we going?" I asked impatently.

"I'm taking you to the airport."

"Why?" I asked laughing.

"From there, you will fly to Seattle."

I looked at him with my eyes wide. Seattle?

We got to the airport in about 20 minutes, Robert holding my bags throughout the whole airport.

"Your ticket has been payed for already, you just need to get on the plane and go."

I laughed as I picked up my dress and bag from the check point and walked towards the boarding area.

"Arden Christy?" The flight attendent asked. "You've been upgraded to first class, enjoy your flight."

I walked towards the "first class" gate and boarded the plane.

-

"Excuse me Ma'am?" I was awkoken by the flight attendent shaking my arm. "We've landed, enjoy the rest of your day."

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It is 3:57 pm." She said and walked away.

I grabbed my dress and walked off of the plane, it was cold here in Seattle, and here I am about to change into a dress. As I walked into the airport I could already see him.

How did he get here so fast?

"Robert?" I asked the man holding a sign that said 'Arden C.'

"Let me take those." He said grabbing my belongings. "You will change in the back of the limo, let's go Ms.Christy."

I followed Robert to the limo, not looking at my surrondings. I was on my phone trying to get a hold of Ashton.

I sat in the back seat and closed my eyes. "Is Seattle beautiful?" I asked, keeping my eyes shut.

"Yes Ma'am." He answered. "Would you care to change now?" He asked.

I mean I guess. I grabbed my dress and bag and crawled to the back area of the limo, throwing on my dress.

"We're here Arden, are you ready to exit?"

I threw on my necklace and bracelet.

"Yes sir." Robert opened my door and put his arm out. I wrapped mine into his and stepped out of the car. I looked up seeing bright lights. "Where are we?" I asked concerned.

"We are in the back parking lot. Let's go inside."

As we entered the resturant, I noticed more glitter on the floor, it lead all the way to a table with 8 seats. All around the table it was dark, other than the seat with a spotlight on it. It was so dark I could barely make my way to my seat without tripping.

As I sat down, I felt hands slip over my eyes.

"Mom?" I laughed. "Why are we in Seattle?"