A Great Birthday
1299 Words
Me and Jennifer talk and mingle with others for a while before making our way to the room where the catering is set up. We walk up to the drinks table and Jennifer's mom is there.
"Hello Mrs. Johnson." I say
" Hello Maria. How are you doing? Happy Birthday."
" Thank you, I am doing OK."
"Can I get you two anything?"
" I would like a lemonade." I said
" Can I get a Pepsi mom?" Jennifer says
" Happy Birthday." I thought I would never hear his voice again. But, as he said that I could recognize him from anywhere.
" Thank you Justin." I said
" Your dad really went all out on this one."
" Yeah, he wanted a big surprise. You only turn 18 once." I said jokingly.
"Well, I hope you have a good birthday." He says walking past. I walked towards him
" Justin?"
" Yeah Maria?"
" What's wrong with you? You have been so different since you came back from Ohio."
" Nothing is wrong. I just got work to do."
" We need to talk." I said pulling him away from everyone. " Why are you pushing me away?"
" I'm not. I guess we just need to realize what we want will never happen."
" What do you mean?"
" We are just friends. Nothing else. Nothing else would ever happen. We need to realize that. Best we are friends, then nothing at all."
" So that's it? Just friends, you don't feel anything?"
" I thought I did, but I realized it was just that we were good friends. I backed away because I knew you were feeling differently and I didn't want to hurt you."
" Are you serious right now?"
" Yes, I am serious. Now I have to help the Johnsons. There are a lot of guests tonight." he says walking away towards the food table. I look at Jennifer and walk back to her standing by the drinking table.
" What was that?" Jennifer asks
" I gave him a chance and he said we were just friends and he backed off because he knew I was feeling differently."
" Are you serious? What the f**k is his problem?"
" I don't know, but I guess he has made his choice." I said shrugging my shoulders, taking a sip from my glass
" This is absolutely delicious, Ms. Johnson," I said
" Thank you, it's fresh squeezed." Ms. Johnson said
" It is delicious. Its amazing." I said.
Just then, my father and others come into the room. Everyone stands around the perimeter, as my father stands in the middle.
" It is time the birthday girl gets her cake." He says motioning for me to walk to him. Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson comes from the back room with a large gorgeous cake with Lilly decorations on it.
" This is absolutely beautiful" I said to the Johnsons as they started to light the candles.
" OK is everyone ready?" My father says as the Happy Birthday song started to erupt from the crowd.
My father smiles and says " Make a wish."
I stand there thinking what do i want the most at this moment? I then see Leo standing there. Do I wish that me and Leo fall in love? Do I wish Justin would change his mind? So I thought and then that's when I wished that whatever happens I havethe strength to accept it. I blew out the candles and everyone clapped.
" There's more cakes coming out." My father says then hugs me. " Happy Birthday"
" Thank you Father. It is amazing." I said placing my head on his shoulder. He then kisses the top of my head. Everyone starts to line up to get some cake and Leo walks over to me
" So how is it so far?"
" It's actually a great night." I said " Have you tried the cake?"
" No, not yet."
" You have to try it" I said scooping a little into my spoon and gestering it for him to try. As he takes a bite, everyone in the room is just looking at us.
" That is good. One more," he said. I give him some more. We end up sharing the rest of my cake on the plate.
" I would like to keep the tradition of a father-daughter dance. Our last dance of you as a girl, but the first dance of you as a woman. My dear, please join me." I walk towards my father and took his hand as the song when you need me by Bruce Springsteen starts to play. We began to dance.
" I am proud of you."
" Thank you father."
"You have become an amazing woman. I am sorry you did not have much of a mother."
" Its ok. I have you. You have been the most amazing parent anyone could ask for."
" That means a lot, Maria."
We dance for a couple of minutes, then my dad stops and speaks again.
" Thank you, my dear. But I would like to make an announcement the Valentines have welcomed the Romanos as an extended family. What we talked about is still the same (he said looking at me and Leo). As far as how much of the expansion, we currently do not know as of now. But as of now, I would like to let everyone know that, in fact, the Valentines and the Romanos will be working together in the future. With that, let's all celebrate." Everyone starts to cheer.
Me and Leo just look at one another confused. Everyone makes their way to the dance floor and start to dance. Leo and Jennifer are sitting at a table. I walk over to them and Leo gets up and pulls back the chair that was between him and Jennifer. I sit down and he sits beside me. Jennifer leans over and hugs me
" Thank you for being my best friend."
" Thank you for being mine." I said to her. I look at Leo and said
" Ok since our families are doing business in the future, you can quit acting."
" Sorry, this is who I am now. You're stuck with it." We both smile at one another and he gently bumps my shoulder. " Jennifer are you dating anyone?"
Me and Jennifer both look at him with anger on our face
" No listen, not like that, I'm sorry. I have a really good friend, he's not a family and I think you two would really hit it off."
Me and Jennifer start to laugh
"That did sound strange, didn't it? I was just wondering because even though our family has announced its expandment, I would still like to keep what I discussed with your father. Maybe us 4 could go on a double date one night."
" You still want to do that?" I asked looking at him
" Definitely. I told you I want to redeem myself and I stand by that."
" I mean, yeah that's fine with me, we can double date." Jennifer says
" Great, I will let Maria know a day and time."
" OK" Jennifer says
The wobble song came on
"Oh my god we have to dance Maria." Jennifer says taking her heels off. I take mine off and stand up
" Come on." I said to Leo
" What? You want me to dance?" He says
I bent down and whispered in his ear
" If you aren't scared," I said jokingly
I grab his hand as Jennifer is grabbing mine and we all 3 make our way to the dance floor.
- Writer
