Birthday Wishes

Birthday Wishes

By: Megan Graham



“So it’s your birthday right?” I ask him as we walk down the path. Our breath comes out in little puffs in the crisp air. The sun filters through the leaves, making the path look alight with life. It also makes his hair glow like a halo. He makes my heart hurt. Looking at him, I feel imperfect. He is amazing. He’s funny and sweet and just comfortable in himself. He is tall and handsome and is in great shape. It’s everything I’m not. Compared to him, I’m short, but not petite. I have long limbs, and yes, I’m thin, but I’m not strong. I have short, brown, fly-away hair. I have braces and a pale completion. I know he would never like me. Someone as amazing as him would never like someone as plain and average as me. Yet, my heart still sings whenever he is near. “Yep. It is.” He tells me happily. I look at him and smile.

We walk on a little in silence. “So, what have you gotten?” I ask, wanting to keep the conversation going, wanting to wrap up in his deep voice. “Well, not much. My parents are giving me stuff tonight. And my friends mostly got me food. Although, this one guy got me a wireless mouse…” He started to laugh really hard. I did too. Once we caught our breath, we just talked about random things.

Soon, we got to an intersection. He usually went right, and I usually went left. But, I didn’t want to go home. I wanted to stay with him and just keep talking. He raised an eyebrow and said “So, I guess I go right and you go left?” I smiled and nodded. I turned to go, but his voice stops me. “You didn’t give me a birthday present…” I whip around to look at him. He just smiles at me, but his breath is puffing out faster. Mine speeds up just looking at him. I search my brain for something I can give him. Finally, I come up with……… nothing. But, his eyes twinkle beautifully. I’m overcome with an urge to kiss him. I rub my bracelet for reassurance. Suddenly a surge of confidence washes over me. “Close your eyes.” I tell him quietly. He does and I move slowly towards him. I get on my tippy toes and press my lips to his. As quickly as it had come, the confidence disappears. I pull back, horrified with myself. I turn and run before he can see me.

I heard someone calling my name, but I didn’t turn around. I kept running. All I could think was ‘Well that was stupid!’ as I ran. My heart started to hurt. I have never been a very good runner, but, I kept my pace.

Soon I could see my house. My body was seriously starting to hurt now, but I pushed faster. Suddenly my feet came out from under me and the ground rushed up to meet my face. Just in time, I twitched and landed on my side. “Ouch…” I said out loud. The entire right side of my body felt sore. Then a voice said “Are you ok??” And hand stretched out in front of my face.

I took it, and when I was on my feet, arms were around me, hugging me to a strong chest. I smelled chlorine and musk. I loved that smell and immediately knew who it was. But, then my cheeks turned bright red. He let go of me, but only to hold me at arm’s length. His warm hands, felt too hot on my cold arms. He looked me over, his eyes searching for any kind of damage. “Breathe…” He instructed me quietly. I took in a deep breath. My heart was hammering painfully in my chest. The air I took into my lungs burned. I felt light headed and weak and thirsty. I wanted to sleep and drink and shout and collapse all at the same time. Suddenly his voice pulled me out of my head. “Are you hurt?” He asked quietly. I shook my head quickly. He didn’t look as if he believed me, so I said “I’m seriously fine… just some bruises. I landed on my side. I’ll be fine….” I trailed off. He got this intense look in his eyes. “What?” I said quietly. He smiled, and said, “I would like more of my birthday present if you don’t mind…”