35

Amora

Of course it was now around the time of back to school and the new school year, meaning one very thing.

My birthday.

Oh what a love and hate relationship I have with my birthday.

I love it because duh it's my birthday! But I also hate it because well, it's the day my mother tragically, and ironically passed.

Just couldn't wait one more day huh?

I huffed to myself as I walked over towards my locker, beginning to take out a few notebooks when suddenly getting pairs of arms wrapped around me.

"Hey! You scared me!" I exclaimed, looking over to see Carrie and William who both hugged me.

"It's your birthday! You're 15!" Carrie exclaimed happily, pulling me into a hug.

"You old woman!" William joked, pulling me into an individual hug after her.

"Oh gosh stop it! That's my worst fear, wrinkles? Oh god no" I cried out, covering my eyes.

"By the way, we're all taking you out tonight!" Carrie informed, clapping her hands with an excited smile.

"Who's were?" I questioned, perking up a confused eyebrow as I took out a book from the locker.

"Us and the boys, silly!" She laughed nudging my shoulder.

——

"Guys! Oh my god you've been messing with my makeup forever now. We've already left the house!" I put my hand out to stop Carrie with her brush.

"Sorry sorry, oh my sweet girl is growing up" she frowned, wiping her fake tear away

"Carrie, you're literally two months older than me?" I questioned, shaking my head as I rubbed her back softly.

I was cut off when I was completely pulled away and tackled into hugs, making me pause and freeze from the suddenness.

Slowly I sighed and smiled releasing the tension as I looked around to see none other than the sandlot boys hugging me.

"Ok! You're going to burst my organs!" I shouted, softly pushing them away and wiggling myself out of there tight grips.

"Move-move!" Benny pushed them away, as he made his way through the group.

I smiled as he tackled me into a hug making me stumble back, yet luckily catching myself.Thanks to Rose for teaching me some skills on these pumps.

"I'm sorry I couldn't see you earlier. I swear I tried to but-

"It's fine Benny" I cut him off, laughing as he continued to squeeze me tightly.

"Here! Open my present!" The boys all bursted, holding up the different gifts in their hands.

I pulled away smiling at them before they stuffed the boxes and bags into my hands, eager for me too hurry up and open them.

I smiled and shook my head at them, seeing they were all stood staring at me intently as I began to open one.

I had received many candy and chocolate and other snacks, cute hair clips and ties. A few bouquets of flowers. Some even attempted to buy me makeup which made my heart melt.

"Awe Kenny? You got me a case of lipsticks" I held it up, pushing his shoulder knowing he certainly didn't like when I teased him.

"I helped him pick it out. By the way!" Carrie held her hand up, nudging his arm to which he scoffed.

"Awe well thank you guys. I love them all!" I smiled, kissing the gift in my hand before giving them all smiles and hugs.

"Here! Oh my god you're so going to love it!" William stepped forward, handing me a wrapped box.

"Oh my god Will?" I squealed once I ripped away the wrapping paper revealing what was underneath.

It was a pearl bracelet that absolutely just dazzled at me.

"Oh thank you Will it's so pretty!" I smiled pulling him onto another hug."Of course, happy birthday" he smiled looking down at me once we pulled away.

I glanced back over to see Benny who rolled his eyes behind him, making me crack a small laugh and shake my head.

"Awe, I'm so about to cry about right now. Thank you guys" I sighed happily, looking to the each of them.

Soon after all the gift giving they all tugged me away and lead me towards a restaurant that they sure seemed extremely excited to show me.

——

I let out a tired huff immediately plopping down onto the bed and kicking my heels off onto the floor.

"Ugh. My feet are so killing me right now!" I groaned, rolling over and stuffing my face into the pillows.

Benny let out a soft laugh before walking over and sitting down next to me. I slowly looked up once I noticed it was silent for a moment to see him smiling as he looked down at me.

"Oh stop that!" I groaned, quickly stuffing my face back into the pillows.

"I can't" he laughed, leaning over and pecking my cheek.

I smiled at him before turning over and sighing as I stared up at the ceiling, slowly my gaze rolled over and landed on the framed photo that hung on the wall in front of us.

"You know.. today's the day she-"I know" he cut me off, giving me a sympathetic smile.

"It happened like 5 years ago. Yet for some stupid reason I miss her like crazy?" I frowned, staring at the photo.

"Especially now. Now that I'm older, and have you. I wish I could have her too talk and gush about you. Like most mothers and daughters do" I rambled letting out a soft sigh.

"You still can, I know it's not the same but I know that she's listening and looking over you" he laid down next to me, staring at the photo as well.

I smiled before looking over and sighing."Sorry for totally bringing the mood down now" I sighed, curling my lips down into a frown.

"You didn't. Hey- I actually..."He stopped himself as he dug his hand into his pocket, before pulling out a small black box.

"I know I should've given it to you sooner. But, I kinda wanted us too be alone when you opened it..happy birthday" he looked down at the box smiling lightly, before handing it over towards me.

I smiled as I took it from him, shooting up from the bed and quickly sitting up in excitement.

I lifted up the lid too see a necklace with a small daisy flower charm that hung from the chain.

It was a simple necklace, but it was still gorgeous and I instantly fell in love with it. Especially knowing it came from him.

Immediately a smile grew across my face as I whipped over towards him.

"I- I know it's not that nice or anything but-

"Stop. Stop right there I love it" I smiled, cutting him off, as I pulled him into a hug.

"You are such a moron for ever thinking I wouldn't totally adore it" I shook my head, resting my head on his shoulder as I squeezed him tightly.

I pulled away to see him smiling, glancing away and motioning over back towards the photo.

"I got the idea because of the picture.. she's holding a daisy bouquet and I know how much she means too you. So I just thought..?" He explained, flickering his gaze back towards me.

Immediately my smile dropped before slowly returning once I heard his reasoning for the charm, leaving me in complete, total shock.

It felt like my heart was doing flips and spins as I stared at him in complete awe.

"Benny, oh my god..shut up" I smiled pulling him into another hug.

He let out a small laugh wrapping his arms around me tightly, as I continued to replay his words over and over in my mind.