Lying back on the blanket, we gaze at the stars in the sky.
“You think we’ll see a shooting star, Aussy?” Vix asks. I fold my arms behind my head.
“It’s possible. How lucky would we be to get a third wish tonight?” I ponder.
“Are you ever going to tell me what you wished for?” Vix asks.
“I’ll tell you what,” I say, “let’s make a pact.” Rolling onto my side, I face her. “When we’re nineteen, we will have thirteen butterfly wishes each in the box. We were both born on the thirteenth, so it seems like a good number to go with. That’s when we can dig up the box and read our wishes to see if anything has come true. When we’re nineteen, you can read every wish I’ve ever made, but until then, they stay up here.” I finish, pointing to my head.
She’s silent for a moment, considering my offer, then excitedly shoves her pinky in my face, wanting to seal the deal.
“Pinky promise?” she asks. I loop my pinky with hers without hesitation. I would promise her the world.
“Pinky promise,” I tell her. We lie there, watching and waiting for what feels like hours, and I feel my eyelids getting heavier. We listen to music and lie side by side, gazing up at the illuminated sky.
“Vix,” I whisper, bolting up to lean on my elbows. “Mavix, I saw one!” I say a little louder. I turn my head to see why she’s not answering me. She’s fast asleep. I reach into the basket and pull out another blanket, placing it over her slumbering body. I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “I wished for you, Vix. I’ve always wished for you.”
THIRTEEN
VIX - PRESENT
The last twodays have flown by. I had been mentally preparing myself to avoid the upcoming dread of my twenty-first birthday. I used to love my birthday, because it’s also Austin’s. Over the years, it has become a thing of sadness instead of celebration. When I turned seventeen, I placed my last wish in the box of butterflies, sending out a plea to the universe for Aussy to come home to me. When he didn’t, I had decided I would stop giving myself false hope, and bury the tradition along with our other memories.
Waking up this morning, my emotions are all over the place. I’m excited to be spending this day with Austin again, but I’m also reminded of the several birthdays I spent alone, longing for the company of someone who never came. I force a smile, practicing my enthusiasm in the mirror.
“What in the world are you doing?” Leah questions. I shrug like I wasn’t just completely lost in my own head. “Are you excited to go out tonight?” she asks. I sigh.
“Honestly, I’m not really into the whole birthday thing.” I scrunch my nose.
“Oh, no. That’s not going to fly with me. We’re going out,and we’re going to have a good time. I don’t care if I have to pour shot after shot down your throat. Today is the day your soul decided to grace us with its almighty presence, and that, my beautiful friend, is something to celebrate,” she insists. I let out a laugh despite my sour mood.
“It’s Austin’s birthday too, you know,” I remind her.
“Yeah, yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “How could I forget? He’s only reminded us every day for the past week.” I laugh.
He’s been overly persistent with reminding everyone that our birthday is coming up. I need to shake this feeling of sadness that washes over me every time the subject is brought up. Especially since today is the day there’s nowhere for me to hide, not from Leah, at least. I’m expected to be full of smiles and excitement.
“We’re just going to Booths again anyway!” she reassures me. “You love it there, don’t you?” she asks, and I nod my head in agreement. I do love dancing, and Booths might be the place to help quiet my demons, even if only for a little while. Aussy and I are together again on our birthday. What could be better than that?
Our door flies open without a knock or any respect for our privacy. Kash is wearing a birthday hat and throws handfuls of rainbow confetti in the air.
“Happy Birthday, Gremlin!” he shouts, grinning so wide it’s almost scary. I stand there, arms crossed, scowling at him.
“Do you know how long it’s going to take me to clean this up?” Scolding him, I nod to the disaster he just created.
“Ah, don’t worry about it,” he waves a hand, “this is your day, you don’t have to lift a finger. Leah will clean it up for you, won’t you, Lee?” he volunteers.
“Go away, you nuisance.” She throws a pillow at his head.
“As you wish, angry one,” he teases. “I’ve been tasked tolet you know we’re going to meet you girls at the pub tonight. We have errands to run beforehand,” he says.
“Errands?” I ask. He pats the top of my head as if I’m a dog.
“Yes, Grem, errands. Adios!” he shouts and then heads out the door, leaving us with a colourful disaster spread wide across our floor.
“Idiot,” Leah mutters, and I shake my head.
“Forget him,” I tell her. “Let’s just get ready. I know you’re dying to show me the new outfit you’re wearing tonight.” Leah’s eyes light up,
