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Once Nate goes, I head downstairs to talk to my grandparents and tell them my decision. At first, like Nate, they tried to persuade me to reconsider, suggesting I go to Georgetown as well. But once I explain my reasons, they soon come around and seem genuinely happy for me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
ISABELLA
2 YEARS LATER
Tomorrow is Nate's 21st birthday, and it’s his first big one we're gonna celebrate properly. Nate and I had only just reunited a few weeks before his 18th birthday. Our friendship group wasn't as solid as it is now, and Gabe still hated us all, so we didn't get a chance to throw a party then.
Plus, Nate didn't even tell us about his birthday until it was already over, and then there wasn't much we could do. So, this year, I'm even more determined to make sure it's perfect. Nate says he doesn't want to do anything because birthdays aren't that important to him, but it's not like I'm going to listen to him anyway.
This may be the last birthday we all get to spend together before we all go off to live our lives all over the place. Tomorrow, one of us could get a job in another state or country. We need to do things like this now so we don't have regrets. So I'll be damned if I don't make sure it's a memorable one because if anyone deserves to be spoiled and cared for, it's Nate.
So after talking it over with the group, we've decided to throw him a big surprise 21st birthday party. We all saved up our money and pulled together to rent a huge private cabin outside of Washington. I'm so grateful to Tucker's dad for being close friends with the owner and being able to get us the place at a discounted rate.
It's a few hours away, but if the pictures are to be believed, it's stunning. It has five bedrooms, a huge living room with an open-plan kitchen, a large wall-mounted TV, and a real fireplace. It even has its own private beach with no one around for miles, so it'll be absolutely perfect.
And more importantly, Nate has absolutely no idea that any of this is happening. As far as he knows, we're just having a few drinks and a take-out meal to celebrate. Since the cabin is a few hours away, rather than driving and paying for gas, we decided to rent a minivan big enough for all of us. And it's enormous, considering there will be 8 or 9 people.
So far, it'll be Nate and me, Tucker and Ava, Riley and Harper, Danny and his new girlfriend, Sophie. There's even a room here for Gabe, if he pulls his head out of his ass and joins us in celebrating his only brother's birthday.
Relations between Gabe and the rest of the group are still a bit strained and heated. Gabe’s drinking has been getting completely out of hand. He promised to stop, and Nate even took him to a few AA meetings, but now it's worse than ever.
The group was a little apprehensive about even inviting him, but after some convincing, they agreed with me that he deserves to be here.
Plus, the whole dynamic between us and him is still a little awkward; it's almost like we're taking two steps forward and one step back with him. Sometimes he can be fine with us, not necessarily treating us like friends but more like acquaintances, while other times he acts like he wants to murder us in our sleep. There have been a few times when he and I have had some really good conversations, and I think we're making a breakthrough, but as soon as others come along, he gets dismissive again. It's almost like somewhere in his head, he feels like he has to play the role of the mean, unapproving asshole whenever anyone else is around to witness it. God forbid anyone besides me and Nate realize that he actually has a heart buried somewhere deep inside.
Only recently has he allowed me to see that side of him, and even that has been hard work. But on the few occasions he has let me in, we have really laughed. Yes, most of the time he drives me crazy by trying to make me mad and then laughing when I explode, or we insult each other non-stop, but this kind of annoying banter seems to be our thing. There have even been a few times when he's opened up enough for me to see the broken boy he's hiding inside, but those moments only come in flashes before his armor slides back into place. Still, I know that an entire weekend with the whole group where he has to fight to behave and has nowhere to run when the feelings get too big will be hard. I've begged him to come and even suggested to him that he drive himself, so he can come and go as he pleases, but I'm still not sure if he'll be there or cancel at the last minute. Either way, there is an empty room with his name on it.
I decide to send him a message since I haven't heard from him yet and he still hasn't confirmed whether he's joining us or not.
Me:Gabe, as you know, we're leaving for Nate's party in a few hours. Are you coming or not?
I watch as the three dots pop up to show me he read it and is responding. I stare anxiously at the dots, waiting for his response, but they disappear.Obviously, he has changed his mind about his answer.
I can't wait here all day as we have things to do, so I send a message to the girls instead.
Izzy:Who's ready to party?!!!
Ava:You know it!!!
Riley:When am I not?
Izzy:I'm on my way into town right now to get a few last minute things if anyone wants to help me.
Ava:We're already on our way there!
Riley:You didn't think we were going to let you have all the fun, did you? I'm already in the car with Harper and Ava. We should be with you in about 20 minutes.
Izzy:You guys are the best. What would I do without you?
Ava:Throw a lame ass party, I guess x
True to their word, the girls arrive at my house a few minutes later, and we all head into town to get the final decorations. We've already bought the booze in advance, thanks to Gabe, who shockingly offered to buy it for us. Danny picked up the minivan last night, so we've already set about putting banners and balloons on the side to ensure everyone on the ride can see it's for Nate's birthday.
Is that tacky? Yep.
Is it over the top? Also yes.
