AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Peyton
“Everything’s so pretty,”Lily said from beside me as we wandered down the street, taking in the storefronts decked out with holly wreaths and Christmas trinkets. The holidays were fast approaching and with them… my birthday.
Eighteen.
On Christmas Eve, I would turn eighteen.
As if she heard my thoughts, Lily asked, “What do you want to do for your birthday?”
“I haven’t really thought about it.” I shrugged.
Lily burrowed into my side, leaning her head on my shoulder. “We have to celebrate. I bet my parents would throw you a party—”
“No. No parties.”
“I wish I knew how to make things better for you,” she whispered, but she didn’t look at me.
“It’s not something anyone can fix, Lil.”
“I know, but it’s senior year and maybe I shouldn’t say this because she was your mom, but I hate that she did that to you. I hate that she—”
Slinging my arms around her, I hugged Lily tight, burying my face in her shoulder.
“What’s this for?” she chuckled, wrapping her arms around me too.
“Thank you,” I breathed. “Thank you for being my best friend, for not pushing and giving me space, and for just being you, Lily Ford. I love you.” Lifting my face, I gave her a smile. “You’re my best friend in the whole world.”
“I love you too. And I know you probably don’t feel much like celebrating, but it’s your eighteenth birthday. We have to do something.” Lily pouted.
“Fine. Something small.”
“Yay.” She untangled herself from me and clapped, her smile infectious.
“You still haven’t told me what happened last night, with Kaiden.”
Heat flooded her cheeks, and she ducked her head. “It was… intense.”
“Did he like your new linge—”
“Peyton.” She pressed her hand to my mouth and glanced around the sidewalk.
“Relax, no one is listening.”
“Let’s go to Sprinkles and I’ll buy you a cupcake and tell you all about it.”
“Thank God,” I shot her a bemused look, “because I was beginning to think I’d have to ask Kaiden for all the gory details.”
Lily rolled her eyes, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the small coffee shop she liked. We went inside and she said, “Grab a table, I’ll order.”
“Lily,” I sighed, “I can afford to buy my own dessert.”
“I know, but I want to treat you.”
“Fine. But next time, it’s on me.”
She stuck out her tongue, and I waved her off as I found a table near the back. It was easier to breathe around Lily. She had a calming presence on me, always had. But guilt weighed heavy on my soul because I was keeping secrets from her.
It had been two weeks since the night when everything changed. It was no time, yet, in some ways, it felt like forever.
