Blue Jay #Wattys2016

PARTY

Saturday went by incredibly expeditious. Alexis had taken me and Andrew on a walk down the beach. I would’ve normally found it to be boring, but with them both there, I was actually entertained. They both just talked and talked. Andrew, as a joke, proposed to me once again on the beach- in front of Alexis.

   She had swoon. I had thought she was going to say yes for me. To please them both, I said yes.

   I established later that night that I was joking just as much as he had been.

   I changed into the one dress I packed for this occasion. When I walked out to the living room, there were more gifts. There were boxes covered in wrapping paper and bows set up on a table on the far wall, a long present wrapped in front of the main window- addressed to me -and a cake set on the coffee table.

   “How many people are coming?” I asked.

   “Nobody, really.” Alexis set out forks and plates by the cake “Just family, friends, some of my neighbours.”

   I rolled my eyes. I walked to the backyard, expecting to find Andrew hidden out there. I couldn’t find him, so I just laid out on the lawn chair while I waited for the guests to arrive.

   The first person to arrive was someone who surprised me by their presence.

   It was Luke Bryan.

   He was wearing simple jeans and a white dress shirt. He walked up and gave me a quick hug “Happy Birthday!” he whispered enthusiastically.

   “Thanks.” I said once I was free. I took the little box in his hand and put it on top of another gift “Did Alexis invite you?”

   “Ah, technically. I read an e-mail from a mutual friend.” he sat on the couch.

   I followed “Well, I’m glad you’re here. I haven’t talked to you in so long.”

   He sighed “Yeah. It’s pretty unfortunate. You look beautiful today.” he smiled.

   “Oh, thank you.” I smiled back.

   I had forgotten about how close me and Luke used to be. Before we started dating, we had been best friends. And after we dated, we hung out all the time. He had been my best friend forever, but I barely ever remembered.

   I guess with everything else going on, someone like Luke, would seem insignificant. It is unfortunate.

   “Where’s your sister?” he wondered aloud.

   “I’m not sure. Give me a minute?” I stood.

   “As long as you promise to come back.” he grinned.

   I returned the grin “Promise.”

   I found Alexis in the kitchen- on the phone -in what seemed like a heated conversation.

   “Well, I don’t care what your brothers have planned!” she yelled into the receiver “I can’t believe you’re not coming to my eighteenth birthday party. You’re my boyfriend… you’re such a jerk.”

   Boyfriend? I listened closer, she had her back to me and was facing the wall. She had no clue I was listening.

   There was a long pause, then she said “Fine. Don’t call me, ever.” and hung up.

   I walked to the cupboard with the cups. I took out two and filled them with water.

   “How much of that did you hear?” she asked me point-blankly.