Part 16 (1/2)
”We know you don't want to do the party thing,” Braxton starts, but I cut him off.
”Really? No party?” I jump up and down excitedly.
”Hold up, no one said anything about that,” he says. ”But we are having a party for you right now, before everyone gets here.”
My mom, dad, and Luka walk in holding a birthday cake with eighteen candles, and the other parents file in behind them. Everyone starts to sing a horrible rendition of ”Happy Birthday” that has me laughing. This is exactly the type of party that I wanted: my friends and family-no fuss.
Haden places his hands on my shoulders and tells me to make a wish before I blow out the candles.
I wish I could be this happy forever.
”I love y'all so much.” I smile widely at everyone after I've successfully blown out the candles on my cake.
”All right, Nixon,” Cole smiles and hands me a box, ”my present first.”
I take the box and open it to find a concert T-s.h.i.+rt for Mumford and Sons and an envelope. I open it up and inside are tickets to their concert that's coming up next summer.
”Are you kidding me? Cole, I love you, this is awesome,” I gush.
”You realize that I get one of those tickets, right?” he laughs.
”This show sold out-how did you get these?” I ask, finding six tickets inside.
”Don't ask,” he says before giving me a hug and kissing my cheek. ”Happy birthday, Lai.”
”All right, I'm not sure I can top that, but here's mine,” Joey says, handing me a heavy box.
I rip off the wrapping paper to reveal pristine copies of all seven hardcover Harry Potter books.
”Joey!” I set the box down and give him a hug. ”I can't believe you remembered.”
I have read the entire series twice and told Joey a while back that I was tired of checking them out from the library because they never had the copy I wanted.
”I'm glad you like it.” He smiles.
Braxton hands me something large and flat that is wrapped in purple paper. It feels like a giant coloring book, but I'm certain that's not what it is. I tear the paper off and find a United States atlas inside. I'm not sure what to make of it and Braxton points to it. ”There's a note inside.” He grins at my unease.
Anywhere you want to go.
Love, Braxton ”What?” I ask, bemused.
”Road trip,” the guys yell, putting the pieces together for me.
”Are you serious?” I look around to see all of them nodding.
”We'll head out this summer, one last hurrah for all of us,” he explains. ”You in?”
I can't contain my smile and jump up and down like a kid. ”Yes! Thank you all so much, I love everything,” I almost sing.
”Does that mean you're going to stick around for the other party?”
I look at Haden, who shrugs his shoulders, leaving the decision up to me.
”I'm not going to stay long, but yeah, why not?”
The guys share triumphant high fives and move outside where I suppose things are set up for the party. Mrs. Jameson takes the cake to another part of the kitchen to cut it up, leaving me with my parents and Luka. They manage a smile, but both seem sad.
”Guys, I'm not going anywhere, and it's just a birthday. You're still stuck with me for at least another six months.” I grab my mom and hug her.
”Happy birthday, Laila,” she says while holding my face. ”The day you came into my life, I knew G.o.d had a plan.”
”You always say that,” I counter with a crooked smile.
”And she means it,” Dad interjects. ”We have something for you, but we're going to give it to you tomorrow.”
”Are you leaving?”
”Yeah, we need to get Luka in bed,” Dad says while Luka begins to cry.
”I'm not tired yet,” she argues.
”Hey, we'll hang out tomorrow, okay?” I try to get her to stop, but it only makes her angry.
”No, I want cake,” she pouts.
”I'll bring some cake home and we can eat it for breakfast, right, Mom?” I nod, encouraging her to agree.
”It's Laila's day, so whatever she wants, she gets,” she smiles. That seems to quiet Luka down and I watch them leave, looking as if something is weighing on them.
Haden walks back in and wraps his arms around my waist. I lean my head against his shoulder and relax my back into him.
”Do you really want to stick around?” he asks.
”No, but I told y'all I would.”
”Well, I still haven't given you my present, but we have to go someplace for it.”
I turn to face him, enjoying the mystery of the gift.
”When can we leave?” I ask excitedly.
”Just say when,” he winks.
”One hour,” I tell him, pulling his wrist so I can see his watch. ”Everyone should be getting here any minute, we'll leave in one hour.”