Charlie’s POV
My face tingled.
I caressed the point of impact as Ella put her hand on my shoulder. “Holy shit! Are you okay?” She asked.
I let out a slight chuckle. “I think so.”
I’m not going to lie, it stung a lot. It was like getting smacked in the face by a massive rubber band.
“What the fuck, Ace?” Ella spat.
He had jogged to the foot of the bleachers, alongside Tom, Ryan and other members of the football team.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to kick it at you.”
“Why did you even kick it at all?” Ella asked, deadpanned.
“I wanted to see how far I could kick it.”
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked, climbing the bleachers to sit beside me, resting his hand on my arm.
I laughed. “I’m fine.”
“Why are you laughing?” Ella snapped at me.
Honestly, I don’t know why I was laughing.
“You might have a concussion, we should take you to the nurses office.” Ryan suggested.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Ella chimed in.
“I said I’m fine!” I snapped, standing up abruptly. “Stop treating me like a child!”
I was taken back my own outburst. “Sorry, I must be tired or something.”
“I still think you should go to the nurses office.” Ella said.
I’ve been hit in the face plenty of times, and this time was no different. I didn’t need to go to the nurses office, all I needed was an ice pack, and maybe a painkiller, cause my head was aching like crazy.
I nodded my head and proceeded to walk down from the bleachers and towards the main building.
~
“Happy birthday!” Nora barged into my bedroom a few days later and woke me up an hour before my alarm was set to go off.
“Ugh!” I groaned, attempting to fall back to sleep.
“Wake up!” She nudged me.
“Go away! It’s my birthday, let me sleep!”
“Mom’s making birthday pancakes, so get your ass up!” Nora shoved me again.
I rolled my eyes awake. “I miss when you were at college.”
“No you don’t.” She poked me.
Older siblings truly are irritating.
“Now get up!” She shook me before leaving the room.
I threw my blanket off of me and dragged my legs over the edge of the bed. My feet hit the ground as I sat up, rubbing my eyes awake.
“Happy birthday to me.” I groaned silently.
I was slow to walk downstairs, the scent of freshly cooked pancakes entered my nostrils, getting stronger with every descent.
It was a Harrington family tradition, birthday pancakes. A smooth batch of all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, milk, butter, eggs and chocolate chips.
To sweeten the deal, my mother always added sliced strawberries, a handful of blueberries and a drizzle of chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream.
I entered the dining area to find my mother lighting the candles on my birthday pancakes.
“There he is!” My mom beamed.
“Happy birthday, son.” My dad said.
“Thanks.”
My mother pulled a chair out and gestured for me to take a seat. The second I sat down, they began to sing me happy birthday.
“Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Charlie,
Happy birthday to you!”
I closed my eyes and blew out the candles before digging in.
“So, Ella called the other day, talking about throwing you a party.” Mom began. “And your father and I said yes. As long as there is no alcohol, and definitely no drugs.”
“Okay.” I said, shoving a forkful of pancakes into my mouth.
“Your father and I will spend the night at a hotel. We still haven’t had a honeymoon yet, so, better late than never.”
“Wait, so you’re just going to leave us here? Alone?” I wondered.
“You’re a big boy, son.” Dad said. “You’re smart and good, we trust you.”
“What about me? Do you trust me?” Nora quirked her eyebrows.
“We trust that Charlie will keep you in check.” Mom answered her.
“Great, I’m being babysat by my little brother. Very unbiased of you guys.”
“Oh, and please make sure nobody breaks anything. The backyard is ready, so just try and keep everyone out there.”
“Okay.”
“I can’t believe my baby boy is seventeen.” My mom pinched my cheeks.
“Mooooom!” I groaned. “I’m trying to eat.”
She released her hands from my face, allowing me to take another bite of my pancakes.
“So, Charlie. Is your boyfriend coming?” Nora wondered.
I stared daggers at her.
“Boyfriend?” Mom and dad both raised their eyebrows at me.
“Oops.” Nora smiled.
“Uh, it’s not that big of a deal.” I said.
“Nonsense! We’d love to meet him!”
“Wait, is it that guy with the motorcycle?” Dad wondered.
“No!”
Dad took a sip from his coffee. “Good, he looks like trouble.”
“John, I remember when you rode motorcycles.” Mom said.
I looked up from my breakfast. “You rode a motorcycle?”
“That was a long time ago.” Dad explained.
“That’s how he used to get all the ladies.” Mom spoke. “Then I came along.”
“Can I get a motorcycle?” Nora wondered.
“No. Those things a death machines. And I do not want my children to end up on the side of the road in a ditch.” Mom walked towards the sink and began to wash some dishes.
I can’t believe my parents are going to be gone all night!
They’re letting me throw a party without adult supervision?
Who are they and what have they done with my parents!?
A text came through on my phone, and I opened it eagerly.
Happy birthday xx
It was from Ryan.
Thanks xx I responded.
Another few texts came through from Ella and Clayton in our group chat.
Happy fucking birthday Charlieeeeeeee! Ella wrote.
Clayton’s text came after that. Yeah, Happy birthday dude!
I typed in my reply. Thanks! See you guys later!
I never went to school on my birthday, except for that one time I had to because my parents were out of town and I didn’t want to spend the entire day alone at home.
I’m skipping school today so I’ll come over soon! Ella texted.
Clayton, on the other hand, said he couldn’t skip today because he had a test.
Okay, u better have a present for me!
Speaking of presents, my sister appeared beside me with two gift bags.
“The blue bag is from mom and dad, and the other one is from me.” Nora explained.
I opened the blue bag first. It was bigger than Nora’s so I was more intrigued in opening it.
“The new PlayStation?” I gasped.
How did they find this, and how did they afford it. It’s like six or seven hundred bucks!
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. Don’t stay up all night playing it.” Dad said.
“And don’t play violent games.” Mom warned.
I opened Nora’s gift next.
“A pendulum?”
“Yeah, isn’t it cool?” Nora smiled.
It wasn’t the worst present in the world. Last year, she just bought me a book that I had already read. It was the same edition as well, so that was a bummer.
“Very cool.” I smiled.
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