“So, we all want to die after hearing his sad little confession of thinking he’s inferior in our friend group—right?” There is a collective series of agreements amongst the crowd.
“We need to smother him in love, I say.” Jenna suggests now that the banner is hung.
“I’ll work extra hard guys—don’t worry.” Josh jokes.
“Big talk for a guy standing on top of a ladder.” I say, narrowing my eyes at him. He throws his hands out in defense.
“Peace! No love from me!” I just shake my head—a small smile breaking its way through my angry façade.
About an hour later, the doorbell rings and everyone damn near has a heart attack. It wouldn’t behorribleif Benjamin was home now as we have most everything set up—but it’s not time yet! I peek through the peephole.
“False alarm!” I open the door to Amber holding a cake box.
“Hey—I’m not late, right?” I smile at her, shaking my head.
“Nope, come on in.” I eye her cake box as she walks past me, curious considering we already have a cake, but leaving it be.
“Hey—” She turns on me suddenly. “If I don’t say something now, I’ll be moody all night and I’d like to be a pleasant guest.” She stares at me for a moment and I give her the floor—us now standing alone in the kitchen. “I’m hurt that I had to find out about your waking up from the group chat. I can understand it being the next day—you needed time with family and with Bear. But my best friend was dead to the world for five fucking months, and I get a casual text from his brother to let me know he’s back?”
I can see the hurt in her eyes—the betrayal. She’s trying so hard to keep it together, to not make too big of a deal out of this as to not make it all about her. But her point is valid.
“You’re right.” I say—bowing my head. “That was very fucked up. I was so wrapped up in Benjamin that I didn’t even think about calling you personally and that’s not right. You’ve been here with me, right by my side for forever and I love you. You deserved to be one of the first to know.” Amber stares at me for a long moment. Then—her eyes slowly soften—her shoulders relaxing.
“It was ascary time—people make mistakes. I forgive you, A.” I scoop her up into a hug.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” She swats at me, laughing. When you’ve been friends for as long as we have and when you’ve barely ever fought, it makes forgiving and forgettinga loteasier. She knows me—I know her.
“Let go, I need to put this up.” I leave her to put up her mystery box and check the rest of the house.
Then my phone begins to ring. Once again, everyone’s heads snap this way, staring right at me in pure silence. I answer—noton speaker this time.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey—I’m driving home. I’m probably like five away, do you need anything?” I hold up a five to everyone and they start rushing around me.
“Nah, I’m good—tell Mom to just drop you off.”
“No—Aaron—I’mdrivinghome.” I stand in silence for a moment because what the fuck is he talking about?
“Uh—did you take the truck?” He laughs.
“They gave me a fucking car.” My eyes widen—a startled laugh bubbling out of me.
“No fucking way. What is it?”
“A BMW.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Swear!”
Right then Felix and Kayla come sprinting in. I hold up a four and they panic—closing the door.
“Fuck, baby—that’s awesome. I’ll come look at it after you come up and eat.”
“Eat? I just had dinner with your parents.” He sounds like he thinks I’m stupid.
“I know—smartass. I got us a cake. You didn’t let me last year, sooo.”
