I'M NOT INTO YOU

CHAPTER 3 ; BIRTHDAY SURPRISES

Morning ; Saturday ; 9 : 27

I woke up not so early as it was a Saturday, I smiled remembering that I just turned 18, finally becoming an adult. I got a knock on the door and saw Tiffany with a tray of food. Pancakes with strawberries, pineapple juice and a little flower as décor. “Happy birthday Lilah!” She said with her signature smile. I thanked her before putting the tray on my lap. “Do you have any plans for your birthday today?” I thought for a while and opened my mouth to speak until someone interrupted, and by someone I mean Ezekiel Wood. “Happy birthday Lilah!!” He run up to me, hugging tightly. I giggled. “Well, I better get going to work. Have a nice day you guys!” Tiffany said closing the door. I started to eat and it was quiet, to quiet that I can hear my own breathing. “Do you want to throw a party for your birthday? Mom and dad will come home late tonight and I don’t think they’ll mind.” He suggested, I bit my lip, tilting my head a little bit. “I don’t know Zeik…I mean, I’m not really a party person…” He sighs and holds my hand. “I know, but I also want you to experience these types of things, I mean ever since your mom died you haven’t been adventurous as before…” I frowned reminiscing the good times when I was a child. I looked up at Ezekiel who’s eager to throw this party. I chuckled, “Or maybe you want to throw a party for yourself.” I said emphasizing the word you. He shakes his head denying it. “Fine…” giving up, sighing. He smiles and stands up. “Ok well get ready cos Axel said he has a surprise for you.” My heart started beating fastly nervous and scared of this surprise, I mean if it’s Axel with a surprise then it’s something that you have to be scared of.

I went through some clothes and picked out a white plain tank top, a oversized gray jacket, with high-waisted shorts to go with, that’s revealing just a little bit of my stomach. I went outside my hand over my eyes, covering myself from the hot sun. I saw Axel leaning against his car wearing shades and focusing on his phone. I walked up to him, coughing making him look up. He smiles and opens the car door signaling me to get in. “Where are we going exactly? Cos I’m not getting in that car until you tell me.” He smiles cheekily, “Well how would this be a surprise if I just tell you? That’s no fun.” I rolled my eyes. His car was one of those cars from the 90’s. You know, those cars with no roof? Yeah those, so once that car starts driving your hair will be all over the place. He usually puts the roof up but not today, it’s pretty fun to ride in but realizing that A LOT of girls have been in this car just makes the car disgusting and has no spark to it to be honest.

I watch other cars passing by and I noticed that we were heading to the beach. I sat up straight once I saw the seashore. He parked somewhere and he grabbed my hand bringing me to where our feet hits the sand. He suddenly took off his shirt showing his tone abs, he ran to the water and looked back at me. “Come here!” I tilted my head a little and took off my jacket and sandals. “Swimming? Really?” He raises his hands, “Surprise!!” I shook my head in disbelief, chuckling after. “Come on!!” I took off my shirt and shorts leaving me in my undergarments. I jumped in and we both went to the deep area.

We swam for a few hours and got out, relaxing in the sand covering ourselves with a huge towel, our shoulders bumping into each other. “Wait here.” He said standing up getting something out from the car. He came back with two glasses and champagne, I chuckled. “Since your 18 you can finally drink the alcoholic ones.” He stated pouring me a glass. “Thanks…” I took a sip not liking the taste, he laughed, “You’ll get used to it.” He took a sip of his. “Thanks…I really needed this.” He looked at me confused. “What do you mean?” I bit my lip before speaking. “I’ve been so stressed with the final exams coming up, and I really need to make my dad proud. My sleeping schedule is messed up, not having friends to have fun with, being to caught up with my dad’s business-” He stops me, “Wait his still forcing you to take your family business?” I nodded slowly making him click his tongue. “You have to stand up for yourself Lilah, I mean don’t you want to be a photographer?” My eyes shot wide, I look at him my eyebrows furrowed. “You remember?” He looked away, completely panicked. “Of-of course I remember, you’ve been talking about being one when you were 15…” My eyes never left his, but he looked away coughing. “Look all I’m saying Is that your father can’t always control you. Its your life, so live the way you want…” I smiled softly and took a sip of the champagne, “Thanks Ax.” He looks at me in an awe way, “To turning 18?” He said holding up his glass, I hesitated looking at the glass and then to him. We clink our glasses before taking another sip.

Time check – 1 : 55

I woke up my head hurting, I was in the back of the car with the blanket we covered ourselves in, I got dressed and got out of the car. I saw that we already finished the bottle of champagne I cursed to myself not really remembering what happened. I looked around seeing no Axel in sight. I then started to walk around the area. I saw a convenient store, seeing a familiar body figure. I walked in and saw Axel up in the counter. He was done paying, once he turned around, he flinched seeing me a little mad at him for leaving me. “I got us some hangover food.” He said showing the bag of food in his hand.

“I can’t believe you just left me there!” He groans opening up some strawberry milk. “Stop overreacting.” I scoffed folding my arms, “Should’ve at least woke me up?” He shot a glare at me and stopped drinking, “You were sleeping soundly, I didn’t want to wake you because you might be all grumpy.” He got in the car making me get in as well. “Well guess what, I still am.” He started the car, “Where are we going?” He didn’t answer. “Axel where are we going?!” He glanced at me and back to the road. “Somewhere far. I have a gift for you. It’s just an hour away but trust me it will be worth it.” He said focusing on driving. I sighed and leaned in the car seat, shivering from the wind. I got my headphones and played some music, as we go to this place he was talking about.

Time check – 3 : 30

We arrived and I saw a photoshop. He got out of the car and so did I, I followed him inside and he was talking to the owner. I looked around seeing kinds of photos and a lot of varieties of cameras. I heard my name being called out, I walked up to them with a smile on my face. “You must be Lilah, I heard so much about you. I’m a good friend of your boyfriend here.” He said patting his back, I look at Axel my face looking like a tomato. “I-I’m not her boyfriend…” the room went silent. I bit my lip looking down. “Oh…my bad. Anyways happy birthday Lilah.” I smiled lightly and thanked him.

We went out of the store a little awkward with each other. “Err…here happy birthday…” He said giving me a big box that’s wrapped in a birthday wrapper. I opened it quickly and gasped seeing a camera. “I bought that a few weeks before your birthday, Jack said it’s a really good quality camera so-” I cut him off by hugging him tightly, loving the present. “Thank you.” I whispered, he then caress my hair hugging back.

“I have another surprise…” He grabbed my hand and brought me up to a hill where I saw the beautiful city we live in, the sun was setting pretty early and some of the lights of the city were shining bright. Axel walked closer to the view sitting down. I turned on the camera, as I test it out. I took a picture of the view and zoomed out capturing Axel. I took a picture and checked it out. And I have to say…the view and himself was all gorgeous.

I sat next to him, “It’s so beautiful...” I said looking at the city below us, he looked at me, “Yeah, it really is…” I looked back at him, our face inches away from each other. He leaned in, I closed my eyes shut but then his phone rang, “Its Zeik.” I sighed. To be honest...I kind of wished he didn’t call.