by Jordan Lynde
Arden patted my knee. ‘The feeling’s mutual.’
I grinned, looking around the room at all my friends. It was strange. For the past year I’d been mostly alone. Now when I looked around me I had more than I could ever hope for. For once, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
Suddenly the door to my apartment swung open, and in came Will and Elliot. Will had a large box in his hand. ‘I brought cake!’ he announced.
‘Cake!’ Elliot repeated with a giggle. ‘Let’s eat, Pig!’
‘Ooh, I’m down for some cake,’ Arden said, pushing himself up to his feet. Then he offered me his hand. ‘Come on.’
I took it and he tugged me off the floor. Then he turned to do the same to Oliver. For a brief second Oliver stared at Arden, but then finally placed his hand in his and allowed himself to be helped up. I put my arm around Oliver’s waist, smiling up at him.
‘Don’t say anything,’ Oliver warned me. As we went to go into my kitchen, he snatched my hand and held me behind everyone. ‘Hold on a second,’ he said.
I glanced up at him. ‘What’s up?’
‘I want to give you my present,’ he told me.
‘You didn’t have to get me a present,’ I said, surprised. Secretly, though, I was pleased. ‘That’s so sweet! Aww!’
He gave me a mock-glare. ‘I can return it, you know.’
‘I want it!’
‘Hold on a second,’ he said, going over to the coat hanger to get his jacket. After fiddling with his pockets for a moment, he pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. ‘It’s not much, but . . .’
Curious, I opened it. There were three pieces of paper inside. I picked one out and looked at it. It was a ticket to the local amusement park.
‘There are three tickets there,’ Oliver said before I could say anything. ‘I thought it would be fun if we all went together. I wasn’t sure if you liked amusement parks – but I figured Elliot would like it anyway. And you don’t have to bring me as the third person, either,’ he added.
I laughed. ‘Why are you explaining yourself? This is perfect.’ Leave it to Oliver to think of my brother while buying gifts for me. But, actually I really appreciated that. ‘Thank you,’ I said, closing the space between us and giving him a hug.
He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed. ‘It’s nothing.’
‘Hey! You two lovebirds, get in the kitchen!’ Arden called over to us. ‘We’re waiting on the birthday girl!’
I rolled my eyes, stepping away from Oliver. ‘Come on.’ Taking his hand, I led him into the kitchen. I figured he would let go once the others could see us, but he didn’t.
‘All right, I’ll light the candles and then we’ll sing,’ Will said, clapping his hands.
‘Yay! Cake!’ Elliot cried happily.
I took a peek at the cake. It was chocolate on chocolate on chocolate. In white frosting it said Happy Birthday, Harley!
Will shut off the lights in the kitchen and then lit the candles. Then, on the count of three, everyone began singing. I stared at the cake, unsure where to look. But I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. My life was finally together again.
My family was around me.
My friends were around me.
It couldn’t be better.
I was happy.
‘Make a wish!’ Zak urged when they were done singing.
‘Don’t get any spit on the cake,’ Tucker said.
‘Hey, it’s her birthday. She can get spit on the cake if she wants to,’ Arden joked.
Melissa made a gesture for me to blow out the candles. ‘Come on, don’t let them burn out!’
I hesitated for a moment. What would I wish for?
Will placed a hand on my shoulder. ‘Your parents would be proud.’
‘I know,’ I told him.
Oliver leaned forward. ‘Well, if you won’t blow out the candles, I will.’
Shaking my head, I quickly took a large inhale. Then I let it out, blowing out all the candles in one go. We were left in semi-darkness for a moment, and then Will turned the lights on again.
‘What did Pig wish for?’ Elliot asked.
‘For you to be able to go to the amusement park,’ I told him.
His eyes grew round. ‘Really?’
‘Typical Harley, spending her wish on her brother,’ Will sighed.
Oliver raised an eyebrow at me. I smiled back at him. Because I hadn’t needed the wish.
I already had everything I could ever want.
About the Author
Jordan Lynde shot to fame with her Wattpad novels under the username xxSkater2Girlxx16. She has been writing for over twelve years. She lives in Massachusetts.
Also by Jordan Lynde
Gold Rush
BELIEVE ME, I’M LYING
AN RHCP DIGITAL EBOOK 978 1 448 19330 1
Published in Great Britain by RHCP Digital,
an imprint of Random House Children’s Publishers UK
A Penguin Random House Company
This ebook edition published 2015
Copyright © Jordan Lynde, 2015
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