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I’ve seen it before. Not celebrating your birthday because some asshole makes something your fault.I realize something then. She loves Valentine’s, the day before her birthday. “That’s why you love Valentine’s.” I point out.
The corners of her lips lift softly. “It’s a day I can celebrate without it actually being my birthday. Without feeling the ‘guilt’of celebrating.” She smiles through the words, but I know that’s only on the outside.
I hesitate for a second. That’s why she was so pressing on celebrating. She doesn’t want me to go through what she has. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to upset you like that. I could’ve just said I don’t like celebrating, and you would’ve been fine.”
“No. It’s okay. Roland should be the one apologizing, not you. And that is why we are doing this. He won’t just get away with something like that. At least not on my watch.”
I smile back. “No. No, he won’t,” I affirm. The light her smile brings to her face only makes it harder to draw my eyes away. She’s so pretty. She always has been, but for some reason, now it feels so much clearer.
Lorenzo and Aurora then come back, Aurora holding a mini cake in her hand. It’s a light red, with smudges of orange frosting around the sides. “We got you a cake!” Lorenzo shouts as they walk closer.
On the top are written the wordsHappy 18th Birthday. “You guys really didn’t have to,” I tell them.
“Yeah, but we did anyway. Come on, you’re officially an adult—enjoy,” Aurora says.
“Yeah, Elias. Official adult seems like a seriously big title; I would totally celebrate,” Violet exaggerates, the upset look absent from her face.
I guess maybe celebrating, just this year, isn’t the worst.
Chapter 37 – Quarantotto
Lorenzo
I go through the door and enter a huge room filled with the buttery smell of popcorn. The movie theater. What better place to be? When I get inside, Elias, Aurora, and Val are waiting at the entrance. Wow. Why are they all here early? I mean, Violet explained she’d be here early because she had to take the bus, but why the hell are the other two early? Elias said he got his car back from his father, finally, and Aurora said she’d come on her own.
I approach them, a frown on my face. “Hello early birds. It is exactly six forty-five, why are you all standing like I’m an hour late?” I ask, and they all turn their attention to me.
“Hey Lorenzo. Aurora and I arrived five minutes ago, don’t worry. I don’t know about Violet though,” Elias answers. Still rude of them not to wait in the parking lot for me so we could go in together and not make me look like the late friend.
“I’ve been here for fifteen minutes. Remember, I took the bus. I don’t control when it arrives,” Val reminds us. Aurora turns her head toward her, and I already know she’s going to ask her question. She has that face.
“Do you not have a car, or do you just not drive?” she asks. I should save Val from this, because I already know how she’ll answer. But I want to see how she’s going to play it out.
“We have a car; I just don’t drive much,” she answers, not realizing the hole she dug for herself.
“What about your mom? Why doesn’t she drive you?” Aurora follows up.
“Because my mom would rather die than sit in the driver’s seat of a car,” Val says. Now she’s really stuck, and I’m trying to hold in my laughter. Keep it cool Lorenzo. Don’t ruin this for her, there is still half a month left.
“Wait, why do you have a car if none of you drive?” Elias mentions. Val’s eyes widen, and I can’t help but chuckle quietly.
“Why do we have a car? Well . . .” She hesitates, not knowing what to say. Okay, now it’s my moment to save my best friend.
“I bought her the car when she came to LA, and she drives but only when it’s needed. Going to the movies is not a need,” I explain, and Elias raises his eyebrow. He needs to stop suspecting everything. Take your smart ass somewhere else. I walk toward Val and wrap my arm around her shoulders. “You’re welcome,” I whisper.
“You could’ve stopped me from the beginning, genius,” she whispers back. I ignore her. I know she’s grateful and just doesn’t want to show it.
“Okay, are we going to buy the tickets to the movie or what?” I say aloud. I mean, I’ve already watched the movie at my father’s house, since he apparently gets early private access, but I’m fine with watching it again.
We buy the tickets and snacks, then go to the theater number assigned on the ticket. Our seats are in the middle row, just how they should be. Not too close, not too far from the screen. To be honest, I would’ve asked Elias why he even came to the cinema,but I know Roland. He probably thinks movies are a waste of time, as he does any type of media entertainment.
The movie starts after fifteen minutes because they have to fill the beginning with a bunch of ads. We sit in peace for the first half of the movie. Then Aurora gets a call. She answers it quietly and, once she’s finished, she turns to us.
“Guys, I have to go. It’s urgent. Sorry, Lorenzo.” She excuses herself, standing up.
“You act as if you came for me and not the movie,” I reply, which makes her frown. What? It’s the truth. I should be the last reason she came with us.
“I’m taking my sorry back,” she mutters, leaving. I roll my eyes, looking back to watch the movie. I then realize that my popcorn is finished. I get up and turn to Val and Elias, who are both sitting to my right side.
