365 Days

183

183

This past week leading up to my eighteenth birthday has been weird. I feel like I have been left out of some massive plan but I have to forget about it. Finally, my birthday is here. I'm officially eighteen years of age. I can legally drive a car without parental supervision and I can legally consume alcohol. What I can't, or rather shouldn't do, is think about how this will be the last birthday I will ever have. Eighteen is the last age I will ever be, and I don't think I'm okay with that.

I don't have a chance not to be okay with it though, because my family have planned a day jam packed with action.

First, I get a sleep in if that is what I wish to do.

Second, I get to go to breakfast/brunch with my family, including Levi, Nanna, Poppy and Georgia who have all flown down from Mackay to celebrate.

Third, I get to choose what I want to do up until 6pm, where I am going out for a nice dinner with Mum, Dad and Quentin. Another thing to check off my To Do List.

And fourth, I get to have Olive and Lacey over for a girly sleepover.

As I lie in bed with my eyes wide open, I can't help but be a little disappointed that I won't get to see Alex today. When I woke up an hour ago and he wasn't in his usual morning spot beside me, my heart sank a little.

At least he has called me already, twice, leaving a message in my voicemail:

I rang to wish you happy birthday but then I realized it's nine and you will still be sleeping. I hope I haven't woken you and if I have, have your coffee before we talk because you're kinda scary without it. Okay, you're really scary without it. Like, really super Hulk-When-He's-Mad scary. Anyway, call me when you're really awake. Oh, and happy eighteenth gorgeous.

Is it pathetic that I have saved it and listened to it over at least five times?

I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes. The sun is shining through my window, the sky is void of all clouds, there isn't a whisper of wind rustling the trees. It's going to be a good day.

I decide to call Alex back, leaning my back against my headboard. After only a ring and a bit, he picks up. Or, well, someone does.

"Dakota, hi." His voice is sort of similar to Alex's but not quite as deep. "I hear you're eighteen today. Happy Birthday."

Oh, of course! "Thanks, Noah," I grin. My voice is still thick with sleep, not that I can do much about it now.

"No problem. Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I'm answering Alex's phone instead of him, yes?"

I smile because he sounds like he is smirking, and probably infuriating Alex while doing so. That makes me happy. "The thought has crossed my mind."

"You see, my little brother has been a very bad boy," he informs me, his voice coated with humor. I let out a little laugh.

"Oh has he? What did he do?" I ask, playing along.

"Don't listen to him!" I hear in the background, followed by a whispered comments from Noah. "Bonnie, babe. Come on. I thought you could keep him locked in his room for longer than that."

"I'm sorry but he really wants to talk to her," a girl's voice on the other end of the line says, faintly but clearly.

"Well it looks like Alex isn't going to let us have fun," Noah says, to me this time. "You would have enjoyed my joke, I promise. But Alex is frowning at me so I'll put him on."