“See, piece of cake.” Oliver exaggerated and put his hands behind his head, mocking me.
“It’s certainly a start. Thank you. Now brakes?” I tapped the pedal, and we both sprung forward in our seats. “Oops. A little hard.” We burst into laughter before I started up again, practising the stop and start in a more controlled manner.
We continued the lessons. Turning in a circle, reversing and a sort of three-point turn for the next couple of hours before we headed back to the gate and swapped seats. It was the most fun we’d had together in a while, and just reminded me why I needed Oliver in my life.
I’d nearly forgotten about who was waiting for me at the end of the trip back at the Ray’s.
As we came through into the kitchen, our spirits high and happy, Maddison was sitting at the breakfast table, eating a bowl of cereal, even though it was nearly two in the afternoon.
“Hey,” I offered, hopeful that things would be normal. “Late night?” I asked, taking in his messed-up hair and lazy appearance. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed. All he did was shrug and dig his spoon into his cereal again.
I lingered in the kitchen as Oliver grabbed us a drink and I waited to see if Maddison would acknowledge us. He didn’t look up but stayed focused on his food. “Will you be here for dinner?” I asked, not ready to give up on him.
“Should be,” was his murmured response.
“Whatever. If you can’t be bothered to even look at me, I’ll go.” My mini outburst surprised me, but it had the desired effect. Maddison dropped his spoon and speared me with his glare. Hurt-filled eyes stared at me like all the pain and suffering inside of him was a result of me and my actions. I was taken aback—shocked at his expression. It made me want to run to him and wrap him in my arms, to tell him that he still occupied the same space in my heart, but I wasn’t sure that was enough.
“Come on.” Oliver put his hands on my shoulders, and that movement seemed to make Maddison’s face morph further into hatred. He shook his head and left, storming past us on his way out.
He’d drawn a line in the sand, at least that’s what it felt like from where I was standing, and I wasn’t sure how to rub that away. It was like whatever I did, I was stuck. I could either have one friend or the other and forcing us all together, ended in pain for more than one of us.
How was that fair? And why, after how he was treating me, did I still miss Maddison with every beat of my heart? Why did I crave a way to fix this so that I’d never have to see that look in his eyes again?
Chapter 12
Grace 18 Years Old
With every day closer to my birthday, it was also closer to our exam results. I’d finally know if I could go off to University. In my heart, I knew I’d get the grades. I’d studied hard, and had set my sights on a strong Uni choice, rather than getting my hopes up for Oxford or Cambridge or anything too ambitious. But I hadn’t made my mind up as to where to study. That choice relied on a few other decisions that I’d been putting off forever.
As usual, my summer-time birthday included time with my mum, followed by time over at the Ray’s. Vivien always made me a birthday dinner and cake, and this year was no exception.
“Happy birthday, to you.” They all sang as Vivien brought out the chocolate cake, complete with a flaming eighteen sparkling on the top. Balloons and streamers completed the scene in their kitchen.
I’d always felt like one of the family here, right from the start, and that had never changed, even if my friendship with the boys had changed—as it had with Maddison.
I missed him. I missed talking to him, spending time with him, and more than anything, knowing that he’d always be there for me. The ache in my chest had only grown bigger with the distance between us, and it cast shade over every part of my life. It was sad and considering my friendship pool was shallower than most—the loss carved out a hole in my life that I didn’t know how to fill.
“Hey,” Maddison pulled me over to one side after we’d sliced and eaten cake. “Got a minute?”
“Sure,” I said breezily, covering up the pounding in my chest at what would come next. Each time I saw Maddison, he seemed to have grown in size, bulking out even more and jeopardising the stitching on another t-shirt.
He scowled at Oliver, who seemed to want to intervene with his plan to pull me away. We paused at the doorway to the living room. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks.”
“No, I mean it. Eighteen is pretty special.”
“We’re the same age, Mads.”
“I know.” He shifted in his spot, looking uncomfortable. “I got you a gift. To say sorry, as well.” He pulled out a small silver bracelet from his pocket, with a charm of a cat hanging from the clasp. “I know you’ll miss Bob like mad when you go off to Uni. I wanted you to have something to remind you of him, even if he can’t be with you.”
I stared at the small gift and risked touching the little cat figure, testing it to make sure it was real.
“Here, let me.” He took the bracelet and fastened it on my wrist. “I hope you –”
I flung my arms around his neck and squeezed him to me. He stayed still for a moment before his body warmed to my action, and he pulled me closer into him. For that moment—wrapped in his arms—everything was forgotten and buried. I had my friend back and then some. It was the closest we’d ever been, and I couldn’t deny how good it felt.
“Thank you. I love it. And I’m sorry too. I don’t want to fight. Ever.”
He pulled away, putting air between us again. “We won’t anymore. If, you come with me next week. I’m taking you out for your birthday. No arguments.”
“Out? Like dinner? A movie?” My smile crept up at the corners of my mouth, and a bubble of excitement tickled my stomach.
“More like a club. You’re eighteen now, and I’m taking it upon myself to show you a good time.” He smiled at me, and I saw the boy I’d known my whole life. Recognising him after all this time gave me all the courage I needed.
“Okay, then. I’m in your hands. Tell me when and what I need to wear.”
He shook his head and looked to the ceiling. “Oh, Grace.”
“Oh, Grace, what?” Oliver joined us.
“Oh, nothing for you to worry about.” Maddison stalked off as if he’d forgotten all about the last few minutes and the sulky, aggravated boy returned for everyone else to see.
“What did he want?” Oliver asked unhappily.
“Just to wish me happy birthday. Don’t worry. Is there any cake left? I’ll take some back to Mum.” I shut the conversation down, as I knew it was just another argument waiting to happen.
Walking back home, I looked up at the stars that had begun to bloom over the night sky. I’d walked this path hundreds of times, leaving my heart back in the house I’d just come from. Lately, it hadn’t felt quite so sad to be going home, but tonight, all of that angst came crashing back to me. And deciphering my feelings didn’t seem to be getting any easier now that I was legally an adult. It would have been nice if the mystery of my heart and what it wanted had been resolved on the stroke of midnight. Alas, my world didn’t conform to fantasy or fairy tales.