The kitchen buzzed with the laughter of the Miller siblings, as we engaged in a spontaneous frosting food fight. Sprinkles littered the countertops, and the air was thick with the sweet scent of victory. Surrounded by my mischievous siblings, I reveled in the carefree chaos of the moment.
Joey, the instigator of the frosting fracas, wielded a cupcake like a sugary weapon. With a mischievous grin, he approached me, the cupcake in his hands poised for a sneak attack. With a swift motion, Joey slammed the cupcake directly into my face.
"Boom, bitch!" The kitchen erupted with laughter and cheers, and I couldn't help but join in on the amusement. I quickly retaliated, scooping the frosting from my face, and with a playful smirk, I grabbed Macy and smeared it onto her face.
Macy, initially surprised, burst into giggles. In the midst of the sweet chaos, Mom walked into the kitchen and let out a loud gasp. A playful smile tugged at her lips as she surveyed the aftermath. She couldn't be mad even if she wanted to. Today was just too good of a day.
"Serenity, what on earth is going on here?" she exclaimed, feigning shock. Still laughing, I pointed at Joey with mock accusation. "Blame him! It's all his fault!" Mom playfully rolled her eyes. "Alright, enough sugar warfare for today. Serenity, go clean up. You're turning into a walking cupcake."
With a mock salute, I obliged, wiping frosting from my face and onto Tyrone's in one last act of sugary defiance. Laughter echoed through the kitchen as I headed upstairs.
I entered my bedroom, scanning my closet for a new shirt. My eyes landed on a box tucked away, far in the back. A lump formed in my throat as I reached for it, my finger trembling.
I had almost forgotten about this.
The box was worn, a vessel of memories waiting to be unearthed. My face still littered with traces of frosting, I decided it was time to confront the lingering shadows.
I cleaned my face, changing into a fresh set of clothes, and sat down on the edge of the bed. The box now resting in my lap, my muscles pulsed. With a deep breath, I lifted the lid, revealing a picture that transported me to a time when life was simpler.
In the photograph, I was only seven, and I beamed with innocence and childlike glee while perched on my father's shoulder. His smile mirrored mine. His face, his skin. The genetics were evident. I was his little twin.
The snapshot was a moment frozen in time. My eyes quickly began to well with a mixture of emotions as I gently traced the contours of our faces in the photograph. "Oh, Dad," I spoke softly, my eyes locked on his own as if my gaze could somehow awaken him.
I wiped the tear from my cheek, gazing back into the box. There was a letter nestled at the bottom. A companion to the photograph. With trembling hands, I unfolded the letter, my eyes scanning the heartfelt words.
I cried. No, sobbed. Harder than I had in a while. This letter had been the last thing I expected, and somehow all the anger I had felt for him over the past couple of years seemed to just melt away. The anger didn't matter anymore. Anger wasn't going to bring him back.
A new emotion crept in. Love. I couldn't bring him back. I couldn't erase the pain, or the hurt. But I could cherish the memories I still had of him. I could cherish the love he made me feel. I could paint his memory in joy instead of sorrow.
The photograph, now a bridge between past and present, found a new home on my dresser. "I love you too dad," I spoke to the photograph, wiping away my tears. The room held the hush of the sentimental moment.
Tyrone's voice echoed from downstairs, beckoning me to join the festivities. "Come on, Serenity! The barbecue is in full swing, and we're about to cut the cake!" he called. I took a moment to compose myself, fixing my mascara and smoothing down my attire. With a steadying breath, I made my way downstairs. The laughter and chatter growing louder with each step.
Upon stepping outside, the heat from the summer sun embraced me, and quickly everyone shouted welcomes in my direction. The backyard was adorned with colorful decorations and my heart swelled with gratitude for the supportive community of people gather today.
Wes, Joey, and I: The trio, united in this milestone, approached a table adorned with a grand cake. The cake bore edible images of our faces. The crowd erupted in cheers as I, Wes, and Joey stood side by side, our arms wrapped around each other.
"On the count of three!" someone called from the crowd.
On three, a unified exhale extinguished the candles. Applause rang out, a symphony of celebration that echoed through the backyard.
As the cheers subsided, I looked around, taking in the faces of everyone smiling in glee.
The backyard buzzed with the lively chatter of family and friends, the aroma of barbecue lingering in the air. Amidst the celebration, Kenji's mischievous chant of "Give a speech, give a speech!" rose above the joyful cacophony. Wes and Joey, quick on their feet, darted away, leaving me standing alone at the center of attention.
A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd as all eyes turned to me, and I took a moment to collect my thoughts, a warm smile playing on my lips. The spontaneity of the moment didn't faze me; instead, it fueled a burst of gratitude that I was eager to share.
"Okay, okay, you asked for it!" I playfully exclaimed, stepping forward to claim the makeshift podium that was an overturned crate. The backyard hushed into an expectant silence as I cleared my throat.
"Firstly, I want to thank everyone for being here today. It means the world to me to celebrate this moment with all of you," I began. I turned toward Coen's mom, who stood among the crowd next to my mom. "Thank you, Miss Helen. Your love and encouragement have been a guiding light through the school year. As my gaze shifted, my eyes landed on my family. The bedrock of my support system.
"To my incredible parents, who have been my rock from day one. You've raised me to be resilient, and have shown me a love I never imagined I could ever have." It was now time to talk about my siblings, and Macy smiled at me expectantly.
"Macy, you always know how to make me smile. Tyrone, you keep me on my toes. Wesley, you're the twin I never wanted but definitely enjoy having, and Joey, you're my heart and you keep me going forward." My siblings all smiled, and Macy ran forward hugging my legs.
My eyes then traced each friend. Each face a chapter in my high school story. "Nova, your optimism is always inspiring. Blair, your laughter is the soundtrack to my happiest moments. Dominic, you are the calm within the raging storm, and Kenji, your friendship is a treasure that I will carry with me forever." A couple of coos sounded from the audience, just as my eyes moved over to the last person.
My expression softened as our gaze connected. "And then there's Coen McAllister," I began, my eyes locking onto him with an intensity that spoke volumes. "Coen, you are the love of my life. Thank you for being my anchor, my confidant, and my partner in all of life's adventures. I wouldn't be standing here without you."
A collective sigh of admiration swept through the crowd; the atmosphere heavy with shared emotions. I raised my cup of soda in a silent toast and everyone raised their own. "Cheers!"
Coen calls me over to a quieter corner of the backyard, and I oblige, joining him. We stand side by side, observing the vibrant festivities still unfolding around us.
Coen reaches into his back pocket, retrieving a small velvet box. A tinge of guilt flickers through me. "I didn't get you anything," I tell him, a slight frown on my face. He grins in reply, his eyes reflecting an understanding warmth. "Don't worry about that. Just open it."
I raise my brow and accept the gift. I hesitate for a moment, butterflies taking flight in my stomach. Then I lift the lid, my eyes immediately widening at the sight of a delicate gold ring nestled inside.
Coen's smile widens as he observes my reaction. "It's a promise ring, Serenity."
A quiet gasp escaped my lips as I delicately picked up the ring. The metal gleamed in the soft evening light, and as she held it in her hand.
"I promise to stand by you through thick and thin, to support you in all your dreams, and to cherish every moment we share," Coen speaks, his voice a tender melody to my ears. My eyes glistening with a mix of emotions, I look up at him. "Coen, I... I don't know what to say."
He gently takes the ring from my hands and, with a serene smile, slides it onto her finger. "You don't have to say anything. Just know that this ring is a symbol of the promises we've made and the journey we're embarking on together. Some day, I'm gonna replace it with the real thing."
I quickly capture his face in my hands, bringing our lips together in an explosion of emotion. In that moment, my heart swells with love and gratitude. We stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing that this is just the beginning of a beautiful and everlasting love story. The taste of his lips against mine ignites a fire within me, a burning desire to begin and end with him.
He was once the boy I shared my first kiss with. The boy who experienced loss and grief and still survived. The boy who could cry into my arms and soak the fibers of my clothes and then make me laugh until my stomach twisted. The boy who became my friend-with-benefits because of my need for distractions, confessed his love for me, became my boyfriend, and my prom date.
He's my motivator, the love of my life, and my best friend.
And every time I look at him, I hope he knows that I love him, even on those days he may feel like he's unlovable.
And so, we stand here. With the quiet symphony of our friends and family laughing, the warm summer breeze dancing through our hair, and the feeling of our lanky ring fingers pressing against each other as our warm hands interlock. Our gaze holds as the background fades away into blurred lights. Something that occurs often; getting trapped in his gaze, and he in mine.
His pink lips relax into a smile. Not an unconfined or reckless one. A smile that is confident. A smile that loves being on the face of a boy who can stare at the girl in front of him for hours.
And it was at this moment I knew for certain that Coen McAllister was indeed my always and forever.
Dear my beloved reader,
I did it. Through happiness and laughter, heartache and pain, death and life, Uniquely Normal is now completed. I thank each and every single person who was here for my journey and for those of you who come after. As I bid adieu to this narrative, remember, it's not the conclusion but the start of a new journey. Until we meet again, consider this a "see you later."
Sincerely your pocket best friend,
PS: GO READ THE EPILOGUE WHEN IT DROPS! I PROMISE YOU'LL SMILE :)