Trusting You

Cold-blooded animal

"Are you nervous?", He asked through the phone. "About what?", I asked as I buttoned up my dress. "The whole grave stuff, yunno", he asked as he ate his cereal. "I'm not nervous Skylar, I've been going since I was 14. Why would I be nervous?", I said as I searched my closet for the bag to match the dress. "Yeah but this time, you're going with your mum and Jordan", he said. "Don't worry about it Skylar. If anything, mum starts balling her eyes out but no one will be there so we'll be fine", I said as I picked up my phone from the dresser and looked at him one on one. "Alright alright", he said as he sighed. "How're things with you and Ryan?", I asked as I walked out of my room, phone still in eye level. "Things are great. Dave reached out to us. Sent us some money for the holidays", he said as he stood up from where he was sitting. "That's great!", I smiled. "Rue, we're leaving!", Jordan yelled from outside. I yelled, "Coming" before facing Skylar and waving, "I gotta go. Bye!!!". He smiled, "Bye! Happy birthday again!". "Thanks", I smiled before ending the call.

"Alright so there's no need to be nervous or afraid. If you need to puke, just signal to me. If you feel uncomfortable, we can just leave. If you...". "Mum this is a graveyard not school", Jordan groaned from the back seat. We were in front of the graveyard but mum is nervous. I took her hand in my mine and said, "It's okay mum. It's just dad". She looked at me and smiled before nodding and signalling for us to get out of the car. We get out and walk towards the graveyard with the flowers in our hands. Only a handful of people are here. I feel bad for them, losing someone a day before Christmas most especially if that day is your birthday.

We stopped in front of a grave and there it was written in bold letters

EVANS MATTHEW (1989-2014)
A LOVING FATHER AND HUSBAND

We stood there for a minute just staring his grave. Mum started crying and starting talking to him, apologizing for not coming for years and trying to push her grieve aside. Jordan and I felt it was a private time so we dropped our flowers and stepped aside. I've been doing this for 4 years so I can let mum have her alone time this time. Jordan went to the car. I started heading to the car too but then I got a call no pulled out my phone to see that it's Blake.

"Hey", I said immediately I picked. "Hey. How's everything going? I mean with the grave visit", he said through the phone. "It's good. I'm happy I came here with mum and Jordan. Normally I felt like I was doing it for all of us but now we're all here, I feel like I'm starting to let go", I said with a smile as I watched Jordan hit the door because he realises that the keys are with mum. "That's great babe. I'm happy for you. I miss you!", He said and I could imagine the smile on his face. "Have you found my pebble yet?", I asked and then he cut. I laughed as I remembered our conversation yesterday,

"What do you mean you can't find the pebble?", I asked slightly annoyed. "I mean like I'm not sure if I brought it home or it's still in my apartment but I'm pretty sure I didn't lose it", Blake said as he spoke tentatively into the phone. "Andrews, you aren't sure where it is so technically you lost it!", I said flatly. He sighed, "Why are you so annoyed about the pebble? We can go get another one". "No! It's not like the first time. I can't believe you", I said in a very upset tone. "That pebble meant alot to me", I added. "Fine, I'm sorry. I promise you that I'll find the pebble", Blake said in an attempt to cheer me up. "Promise?", I asked. "Promise", he said firmly. "If you don't, I'm breaking up with you", I said almost immediately. He was silent for a few minutes before I heard him mutter, "Shit". And then he cut.

I am literally so tired from the trip. I came down from the car and started walking up the porch, leaving my mum and Jordan behind. Immediately I opened the door, I started to dream of my bed but then I got a shock. I switched on the lights and a loud yell, "Happy Birthday!" followed. There, scrambled around my living room were Bri, Jules, Joe, Ben and Natalie. "We're here too!", I heard someone yell and I looked down at the table to see Bri's phone and she was on a video call with Sam, Jess and Skylar. Tyler, Blake and Sam were both sitting and smiling at the camera. Jess, Jace and Jeff were waving frantically through Jess's screen and Skylar had a big grin on his face. "You guyssss", I drawled as I thought of what to say. "You didn't have to!", I smiled sweetly. "Of course we did! You're 18 bish! And even though you don't want to celebrate it, we just don't want you to think we forgot you because we didn't", Sam yelled through the phone. "Plus, we want you to look back and remember this day, when I stole your WiFi password to do this video call", Bri said confidently. "You're 18 Rue!", Jess squealed through the phone. "Yeahh, we're the same age right now Evans but I'm still the boyfriend. Don't forget that", Blake said dryly. Everyone laughed including my mum and Jordan who I just noticed behind me. "You guys knew?", I looked at them in shock. "You said you didn't want to celebrate. At least you get to have fun with them", my mum shrugged and smiled. I have the best mother in the world. "Alright kids, I'm going to make dinner. Have fun!", My mum said as she walked towards the kitchen. "Yes! That's the reason I came!", Ben yelled and we all laughed.

After dinner, we sat in my living room, the guys still on the video call. We played games and chatted about stuff. I was scared that my friends wouldn't be able to like relate with each other and it would be awkward but it wasn't. Everyone got along with everyone and everything was great. I stood up and turned to face everyone, "Attention guys!". They all turned to look at the birthday girl. Yeah, me.

"I just want to tell you guys for today. You don't know how much this means to me. I'm so grateful for you all. And finally, the most important announcement issssss", I drawled. "Get one with it drama queen!", Jace yelled. I gave him the finger before I continued, "And finallyyyy I can drive!". I jumped around excitedly while everyone watched me dryly. "Oh fuck y'all", I mumbled.

"Wait there's one more thing", Blake said. I rose my brows in confusion. "Bri, you need to add one more person to the video call", Blake said to Bri. "Oh yeah. Almost forgot", she mumbled as she picked her phone. Everyone watched confusedly till I heard that infamous British accent that always brings smiles to my face. "Where's my favourite person in the world?!", Jack yelled through the screen. "Jack!", I screamed as I grabbed the phone away from Bri. "Happy Birthday baby girl. I love you! Sorry I couldn't come earlier. Time difference is a bish but we'll get through it", he smiled widely. "Awwwnnn thanks boo. How's England?", I asked still smiling. "Cold as always. Alright I have to go now but I'll talk to you later!", He said as he waved. I waved back before he left the call.

Today is the best birthday party I've had since 5 years ago. The best.

"Merry Christmas!", Natalie yelled through her window. "Shut up!", I yelled back as I used my pillow to cover my head. "Merry Christmas!", Jordan yelled as he ran into my room. "Get out!", I yelled back as I tried to shut out the sound. My phone started buzzing and I blindly picked it up and put it to my ear. "Merry Christmas!", Jess yelled. "What is wrong with you people?!", I yelled.

"You look like the opposite of the Christmas spirit", my mum said as I walked down the stairs and went straight for the fridge. I grumbled as I gulped the cold water. "I've got the tickets!", Jordan said he walked into the kitchen. "Tickets for what?", I asked confusedly. "We're going to see Gemini man", he said as he spun on the stool. " The Will Smith one?", I asked as I started pouring milk in my cereal. "Yup", he said. "Cool", I said as I picked up my bowl and walked upstairs. "Be down in 10!", My mum yelled as I entered my room.

Christmas day isn't something we normally celebrate. Being the day after my birthday which is the day my dad died, we've never actually been very elaborate with our celebrations. We just go to see a movie or go to an amusement park or just something small and that's why we're going to the movies.

"That was great!", Jordan yelled as we walked out of the cinema. "I was freezing throughout! That place is an igloo", I said as I shivered. "What are you talking about? That place was on fire!", He said with confused eyes. "I always knew you're a cold-blooded animal", I said as I walked off. Jordan's mouth stayed wide open before he pouted and turned to my mum, "Mum!".

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