Chapter - 2

I opened my eyes with a different excitement the next day .

" IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY " I yelled before getting up from my bed . I literally performed a dance routine on the spot . I don't know why but I was so excited that I was 16 . I mean it was the same like before but it felt amazing to be 16 .

With an awesome slide , I came out of my room and walked downstairs like I was a model , a ramp walk to be specific .

" What are you guys doing here ? " I asked my brother and dad who were in the kitchen cooking . Ignoring what I just asked , they both started singing :

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ELLIE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

" Thank you " I said with a huge smile on my face .

" Happy 16th birthday dear . You're growing fast ." my dad said with slight teary eyes .

" Thanks dad . I love you " I said and hugged him again . " I love you too . "

" Hey !!!! Where's that for me ? " my brother asked, ruffling my hair . " Fine , fine " I said with a sigh and hugged my brother too . " That's like my sis . I love you . Happy birthday . Stop being so annoying from now on . " he said . I hit him with my elbow in his stomach and he started laughing ." Love you too brother . "

" Anyway , what are you guys cooking ? I'm hungry already . " I said pulling away .

" There's some cereal and fruits . " my dad said .

" Oh . Okay . " I then took a bowl and added them together .

Just as I was about to sit down , the doorbell rang . I hurried to go open the door .

" Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Ell Pell

Happy Birthday to you

You were literally born in the zoo

That story was told to me too

But no matter what I love you

'sometimes' BUT

Happy birthday to you . "

sang Olly making me roll my eyes yet laugh at his stupid made up song just as I opened the door . Mrs. Maxwell was smiling there beside him .

I hugged him and said , " Thanks dummy . "

" Happy birthday Ellie " Mrs. Maxwell wished me too . " Thank you " I hugged her as well .

So now , meet Olliver . Olly is my best friend . He has been my friend since day 1 of my school life . We are neighbors too . He has always been there for me and I try to do the same for him as well . He was kicked out of his house right after he was born as he was blonde . Mrs. Maxwell , our neighbor, adopted him and since then he has lived with her . I was only friends with Olly after I met him in school and ever since we've been inseparable .

" So birthday girl , any demands today ? " Olly teased me . " Food - food - FOOD . " I said, battling my eyelashes at him making him roll his eyes .

" This is all I got . " he said and gave me a small box which was wrapped in violet paper with a blue bow on it .

" What's this ?" I asked .

" It's your gift You dummy . " he said with an amused smirk on his face .

With a smile on my face I opened up the box and saw a beautiful locket inside it. It was a golden locket with the letter E in it . The letter was also golden and it had some flowers and butterfly designs in it . The color looked nude and only golden but there was some pink , red and purple too .

" It's so beautiful . Thank you ."

" You're welcome, " he smiled . I then quickly put the box inside my pocket .

" Oh . Come on in . " said my dad who was beside me .

" I'm starving ." Dan said

" Me too " said Olly

As I was about to sit down , there was a knock in the door - again . It was Sam now , one of my friends from school .

" Hey Sam ? What are you doing here ? " I asked .

" Oh sorry .This is for you . Um - happy birthday ? " he said, giving me a bouquet of sunflowers .

" Oh my god . Thank you soo much . These are my favorite ." I hugged him .

" Oh um . You're welcome . " he said, hugging me back . " Thank you very much . This is very sweet of you . "

" You're welcome, " he said with a smile . " Wanna come in ? We're about to have some breakfast . " I said . " Oh no thank you . I have to get home soon . Just wanted to wish you . " he said

" It really means a lot . " I said and hugged him again .

" See you tomorrow then ? " he asked .

" Yeah . Of course . See you . "

" All right . Happy birthday again . " he said . " Thank you again . " I said and closed the door with a smile .

I then went inside and kept the flowers in a vase filled with water .

" Who was that ? " asked dad . " Sam . " I said .

" Who's Sam ? " he asked . " A friend of mine . " I said .

" A guy who brings your favorite flowers . " teased dad . " Dad . "

" What ? " he asked with a smile . I just sighed .

" Dan . " I called my brother as I sat down . " Remember it's your sister's birthday today ." I said .

" So ?" he asked .

" My present ? "

" I'm a dude, Ellie . I don't know what to get you . " he said and I laughed .

" It's ok dude . I'm just messing with you . " I said while shaking my head at my brother .

" Dad ? " I teased my dad .

" What ? Hey ! I'm a dude too ." said dad, making all of us laugh .