16

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Bella. Happy birthday to you." My parents come in singing in their worst singing voices.

I rub my crusty eyes. I slept good. "What's this?" I say, lifting myself.

"It's your birthday breakfast!" My mom says, giving me a tray full of food.

"Wow! Thank you, guys!" I say, picking up my fork.

"Eat up and take a shower to get ready for your big day!"

"Okie," I say, stuffing the food into my mouth.

I got done in the shower, so I'm off to get dressed. I put up my hair in my towel, wrapping it around my head. I settled in my light-washed jeans, a black crop top t-shirt, and I place my checkered shoes by my bedroom door. I walk downstairs to Lucas on the couch.

"Hey! Whatcha doing here." I say, confusedly.

"Just wanted to hang out."

I look over to my mom, giving her the look.

"You two go have fun! I will be shopping for your last birthday gift. Take this visa gift card that is all yours."

"Woah! Thanks." I say, taking it from her. "Let me go get my shoes and dry my hair and then we can head out," I say to Lucas.

(Bella's mom's pov)

"Thanks for coming. I have asked various people to occupy, Bella, but they are all busy with work and kids. You were my last shot considering you don't have any children, and you are starting your new part-time job next week.

"Oh, it's no problem. I'm glad to help."

(Bella's pov)

I come downstairs, all pampered up. "Ready?"

"Yeah, let's hit the road."

We walk outside to his car.

"Where do you want to go." He askes.

"Let's go shopping. I need new clothes for next year."

"To the mall, it is!"

The first store that I decided to go in is Forever 21. I picked two outfits that I would think look good on me. I got a distressed denim overall shorts with a heathered mom tee, a light pink tie-waist paper bag shorts with a cherub & rose graphic tee that will be tucked in. My total ended up being around $70. Lucas was dozing off because I took so long shopping and trying everything on. I saved the rest of my gift card for a time when I'm going to need it. She gave me $150 for clothes and whatever else I fancied.

Lucas suggested to go bowling, so I agreed. I haven't been bowling since elementary, and that was for a birthday party. It's been a half-hour and I am still rusty. Lucas already got two strikes and all I have gotten was gutters and a few pins that were skimmed by the ball. We are taking a recess so our backs can rest. We are munching their decent quality pizza and drinking their amazingly good fizzy sodas.

"Who's texting you?" I say, curiously.

He snatches the phone immediately from the table. "No one. Let's finish up our game and head back."

I roll my orange bowling ball, and I twirl around after it was rolled. "Yes! A strike!" I say, jumping up and down.

He laughs. "You are looking at the wrong lane."

I look to my left to see my ball rolling in the gutter again. I lower my head. "Why you do dat to me. You should have let me absorb the satisfaction of finally getting a first strike."

"Nah. It would never happen in the first place."

"Well, aren't you a Debbie Downer," I say, walking off the lane area.

He gets up from his seat in the waiting area and picks up my purse "Let's get you home."

We walk up to the house with Lucas is behind me walking ridiculously weird. The blinds are closed, and it appears to be dark. My mom must still be at the store. I open the front door to darkness. I switch on the light.

"Surprise!" Everyone in the room says, jumping out behind the furniture and walls.

"You guys!" I say, dropping my bags at the door.

My mom comes up to me and hugs me.

"You shouldn't have," I say, smiling.

"You are one more year closer to being an adult. I had to make your 17 birthday good."

"Thank you," I say softly. "But my last year birthday was enough."

"You deserve the world, my child." She says, kissing me on the forehead. "Go greet the others. I will go get ready for dinner."

I put my hand on her shoulder. "Okay," I say, walking off, putting my arm back against my side.

"Hey, you!" Dalton says, coming up and hugs me.

"I'm glad you are here!"

"Me too!" He says joyously.

"I'm going to go check on my other family, and I will get back to you. Sorry for the quick convo."

"Haha, it's all good. I will be by the food."

I approached the rest of my family. Emily is here of course, which doesn't surprise me. Everyone else said happy birthday besides her. I don't know why she comes along. She is 18 and can make her own decisions.

"Food is all done! Eat up!" My mom shouts graciously.

Tonight we are having my favorite, Olive Garden. I make my plate with pasta, salad, and an extra breadstick. I take it outside to the table. There aren't many people outside. They are all inside talking away, and it's overwhelming me quite a bit.

"What's up birthday girl," Dalton says, setting his plate on the table and scooting his chair close to the table.

"Hey there! I forgot to come and find you." I say, taking a bite of my salad.

"No worries. I was busy staring at the food your mom was setting out."

"Sounds like me," I say, choking on my buttery breadstick.

"So, are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yes, with the help of the food," I say, smiling with residue from the food on my face.

"Haha, typical you." He says, dabbing the corner of my mouth with his napkin.

I cover my mouth. "Oh my gosh, sorry."

"Don't be. I will have to clean your face again when it's dessert time."

"Ugh, I can't wait till the cake!"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you! My dad and I chose the cake."

"Really? You did not..." I say out of shock. "I need to see this," I say, rushing up out of my chair.

"Eat your food first."

I sit back down. "Right."

Everyone is finished with dinner and is ready for dessert. I sit at the kitchen table waiting for my cake. Lucas holds the plastic container and walk towards me. I reenact an evil laugh in my head. There comes my cake. My two cakes. Lucas and that delicious oreo cake. Everyone sings happy birthday, and it sounded beautiful. I blow out my candles with a big blow. My mom cuts the first piece for me and then handing another piece down to the table. We passed each one down, so everyone got a piece.

I take a bite. "Holy shit. Is this ice cream cake!?"

"Bella language." My mom says, trying to hold in her laugh.

"Sorry," I say, taking another bite.

I enjoyed my two pieces of oreo ice cream cake. It's time to get onto gifts. I open my gift from grandma. She got me a gift card to 5 & below. She knows I love shopping there. Next, I open the gift from Dalton, and he got me a target gift card. I open the rest of the cards. I grab the last bag with colorful tissue paper. It was from Emily. I doubt it was from her. I know for a fact, it was from her parents. In the bag are perfume, hand cream, candy, and a candle from bath and body works.

"Thank you, Emily."

She looks up from her phone and gives me a bitch smile.

"Thank you, everyone, for all the gifts," I say, smiling and appreciating everyone.

"I have one more gift for you, Angel." My dad says, walking into the center of the kitchen from standing by a wall. He pulls out something from his back and comes closer to me.

"What else could it be? I have everything I want right here." I say, hugging him from the chair.

He hands me a soft cloth. "Put on this blindfold."

I take it from his hands. "Okay..." I say, placing it on my head smoothly.

He leads me through the front door, to the front lawn where the soft green, rich grass is touching my feet. My dad takes off the blindfold and hands me a set of keys.

My eyes draw me to a vehicle in the street. "DAD YOU GOT ME A JEEP?" I say, hugging him tightly and running over to the car.

I glide my hand across the hood, feeling the smooth white paint. I walk over to the driver's side.

"Take it for a spin!" He shouts.

"Really!" I say excitedly. I stick the keys into the lock and unlocked it. "Bye-bye bus!" I say, getting in.