Boy meets Girl

Bittersweet birthday

December 26, 2019
9:30am

I woke up to Roddi hitting me with one of my pillows.

"Wake yo ass up birthday girl!" He said dropping the pillow.

"Oh trust me," I said sitting up in bed. "I'm up, and you're about to be black and blue!" I lunged are him but he was already halfway out my room when I landed on my side.

He laughed, "Cake's downstairs." He said before heading out the door.

A couple minutes and a band-aid later I made my way down the stairs and to my surprise, no body was in the living room. Odd. I walked around the corner into the kitchen and still, nobody was there. I scoffed. Not even a cake like Roddi said. I looked around the empty room. This doesn't feel right.

I walked to the back of the house and into the laundry room, I peaked out the back door and saw no one. This is ridiculous, I get woken up from my wonderful sleep and nobody is here?

I heard the front door open from the front of the house and I made my way back to the kitchen to peak around the corner. It was Shawn or Dad. I should really get use to calling him that even if it's just in my head.

Shawn noticed I was in the kitchen and sighed. "We thought you went back to sleep."

I shook my head no and crossed my arms.

"Well let's go, everyone is waiting for you."

I made my way to Shawn and when he opened the front door there was a car out on the front lawn that said "Surprise" in bubble letters.

"Where's Mom?" I asked.

Shawn shrugged. "Go check the car."

I raised my eyebrows. "Why?"

"Damn it kid, stop asking questions." He said motioning me towards the car.

It isn't a birthday gift. We don't drive in New York. We enjoyed the walks and our apartment had no place for parking.

When I got close enough the trunk of the car opened up and I jumped back a little and closed my eyes thinking it was a birthday prank. Ha. Ha.

"Did I scare you?" I know that voice.

When I opened my eyes I saw Josh holding a bouquet of daffodils and a box on his side.

I shook my head no and I stepped closer wrapping him into a hug. He squeezed me back and when he let go he bowed. "These are for you birthday girl."

I smiled and took them. We joked back around thanksgiving about how they were my favorite because they had "dil" at the end. I also loved them because my favorite color is yellow.

"I can't believe you remembered.." I said looking at him. I didn't think he would.

"I wouldn't forget. The flowers or your birthday." Josh said and he handed me the box. Before I could open it he stopped me.

"I want you to open it later with the rest of your gifts." He said. "I want everyone to see the look on your beautiful face."

I blushed and nodded.

Then reality hit me.

"How did you get here?" I asked. Austin is a good four hours away and it's almost ten now.

Josh nodded towards Shawn and said, "Your dad came and got me last night."

I looked over my shoulder and mouthed the words 'Thank you' to him. He responded with a smile. "Alright you two, the party is out back."