I roll my eyes and shake my head. “If only.” My voice is dripping with sarcasm.
We enjoy the rest of the day together without any more unwanted interruptions. Later in the evening, my mum and Ihave a cosy night in on the sofa watching the Twilight Saga. We have Chinese delivered and crack open a bottle of wine seeing as I'm 18 in only a few hours. As we sit and relax my mind wanders to what my mum said this morning and my curiosity gets the best of me.
“So, what was your cryptic advice all about this morning? Does it have anything to do with your surprise tomorrow?” I try and keep my voice nonchalant as I glance sideways at her whilst I take a sip of wine.
“I was wondering when that would come up. You've never been a fan of surprises.” She smiles and continues to watch the film.
Is that it? Is that all I'm gonna get? She's really playing her cards tight to her chest. I decide to probe a bit further. “Soooo.... is it crazy? Or weird?”
“You'll find out tomorrow.” She has a mischievous smile as she empties her glass and re-fills hers and mine. It'll be easier trying to get blood out of a stone.
We both get engrossed into the film and before we know it the bottle of wine is empty and we're yawning and giggling. Mum gets up and stretches. “Right I'm going to bed and I suggest you do to. You've got a big day tomorrow.” She's smiles excitedly and scurries upstairs.
I laugh to myself and go upstairs. I take my phone off charge, get comfy in bed and scroll though Facebook. It's past midnight and already the first 'happy birthdays' from people are popping up on my wall. I start clicking 'like' on them when my phone bleeps with a text from an unknown number.
'I'll hold you to that favour. Happy birthday Psychi Mou '
Alistair! How did he get my number? Bloody Stalker. And what the fuck is Psychi Mou?
'I don't owe you a favour. If you text me again I'm blocking your number.'
He messages back in seconds.
'No. You won't. I have the answers to all your questions. Aren't you the least bit curious?'
I'm beyond curious but he doesn't need to know that. He's so sure of himself it's annoying. Strange how he turns up just as loads of weird stuff starts happening to me though. The answers my mum has might have nothing to do with any of this but Alistair is without a doubt involved in this. Maybe if my mums surprise tomorrow doesn't clear anything up I should try talking to him about it all. I've no proof that he's done anything bad and all he has done so far is help. Perhaps I should give him a chance? I can almost hear Cassey's voice in my ear screaming at me that I'm being stupid for even considering it, but she's not the one who all this is happening to. Argh! I really don't know what to do. If that awful aura that surrounds him isn't a bad sign then I don't know what is, but talking to him now without that invading my senses is a lot easier because my instincts aren't telling me to get away from him as fast as possible.
'Why do you want to help me?'
I stare at my phone waiting anxiously for his reply. Finally, I might come closer to understanding what the hell is going on.
'I have my reasons. Have dinner with me. I won't leave you wanting for anything...'
Is he implying what I think he is? What on earth has given him the impression that I'm even remotely interested? Even over text he's insufferable. If putting up with him for a couple of hours over dinner is what it takes to know what the hell is going on, then maybe I should do it. Something tells me he's not going away until he gets whatever it is that he wants anyway, so might as well go along with it. I've got to make sure I have my guard upat all times. He seems like the sort of guy who'll easily get under my skin if I'm not careful. I chew my lip as I figure out the best way to reply.
'Fine. When? And I only want answers. Nothing more.'
Nerves fill my stomach. I can't believe I'm actually agreeing to this. It must be the bottle of wine mum and I had. I hope I'm not making a huge mistake. My phone beeps with his reply.
'I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7pm and wear that Peach dress you got Saturday.”
I flash back to that time in the changing room. So he was there! I feel violated at the thought of him seeing me in just my underwear. Shivers run up my spine when I remember him tracing his fingertips up and down my back whilst I struggled to pull the dress over my head. Fear coils in my stomach, but there's also a spark of excitement. What is wrong with me?! I stamp down those absurd feelings and focus on the fact that he violated my privacy. He's a total fucking creep. At least I'll be able to set him straight tomorrow. There's no chance he's getting anything from me. No matter how gorgeous he is.
With that settled I get myself comfy in bed. Looks like tomorrow is gonna be a long day. I close my eyes and eventually drift off with a certain Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome haunting my dreams.
I'm woken in the morning by my alarm at 7am beeping loudly in my ear. I must have forgotten to turn it off as I'm not going into college today. As I wake up it feels like my body is humming and buzzing with adrenalin. I'm pumped! It's my birthday!
I'm 18 and I've got the day off! I get out of bed and glance outside. The sun is shining without a cloud in the sky. I remember what Alistair said about wanting me to wear the peach dress. I stare at it hanging in my wardrobe. It's the perfectday for it today and it is pretty. I decide to wear it whilst telling myself it's becauseIwant to not because of whathewants. I feel on top of the world and I'm gonna make the most of this newfound confidence. I check myself in the mirror and I look hot! My complexion is perfect. My hair has volume and a shine to it that I've never seen before. Mother nature is loving me today! I practically skip downstairs and my mum looks at me with this knowing look and a big grin and I just run up to her and give her the biggest hug.
“Happy birthday baby girl!” She has tears in her eyes as she leans back with both hands either side of my face. “You look beautiful. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Today has been a long day coming and it's full of change.” She tucks my hair behind my ear and as she looks at me I feel like she's waiting for something. There's an excitement and anticipation in her expression that I've never seen before. She's buzzing more than I am!
She lets me go and pours me a coffee. It's a new day and I feel reborn. Today is gonna be great I can feel it.
I dare to ask the question that's been on my mind all weekend. “So, what is this big birthday surprise? Must be awesome if it gets me a day off college.” I glance sideways at mum and see a smile play on her lips.
“You will have to wait and see.” She puts a fried egg sandwich in front of me. “Now, eat up, we have a long drive ahead of us.” This time she has a full-on grin as she busies about the kitchen.
I scoff my breakfast and in no time, we are in the car driving to who knows where. I've never seen my mum this excited, it's contagious. Every negative thought is blown completely from my mind. All that matters is this awesome time I'm having with the best mum in the world.
