"I'm sure it's pretty much the same.. I mean you guys bathe the birthday girl or boy in extra virgin olive oil and re- enact the birth before cutting the cake right?"
"Har"
"Are you sure a party is what Hannah needs right now?" He asks tentatively.
"What do you mean? It's her birthday.." I am about to launch into a sarcastic explanation about the historical links between parties and birthdays when he interrupts me.
"No I know. It's just from what you said about the bathroom incident she is bothered about her Dad relapsing. Maybe being a better friend in this situation means talking about it. Letting her freak out about and not throwing her a birthday party." He expounds patiently.
I run my fingers through my hair exasperatedly.
"I mean sure but I'm English" I am trying to change the tone of the conversation because I know he is right.
"Haha. Now a serious response.." He prompts.
"This is what I know how to do. I'm good at.. distractions and running away. I'm here if Hannah wants to talk but I would be a hypocrite to try and force her to deal."
"Okay." He nods solemnly.
"Okay?" I am confused by how quickly he lets it go.
"Yup. Okay. How can I help?"
"What do normal American teens do for their 17th birthdays?"
"I actually have no idea. This whole normal teen thing is new to me too. At school we would have cake and games and stuff.." He trails off.
"Would your parents come visit?"
"Not unless it was on a weekend usually they would call and send a gift. Why don't you ask Hannah what she wants?"
"I actually did my research on that. Did you know Hannah is a huge musical theatre fan but has never actually seen like a professional show? I was thinking we could all go to Boulder and see Next to Normal for her birthday. What do you think?"
" Teenage boys and girls unsupervised on what I assume has to be an overnight trip to a big city to see a musical that deals with mental illness. Yup I honestly do not see how that wouldn't work out." He teases.
"Do not underestimate me my friend. I have a plan. Hey, are we still going to Nina's after school?"
He turns to face me and grins. My heart constricts because he is so cute.
"Of course we are."
I park the car just as the bell rings for the start of class. After school I am shuffling down the corridor heading to the room where the school paper staff meets. I'm a little late but I think the editor will be pleased with my latest piece. I'm kind of lost in my thoughts so it isn't surprising when I run into someone. I mutter an apology and bend over to help pick up the stuff now scattered on the floor.
"Oh hey- how's it going so far?" It's Hannah's friend Amy. She looks better than the last time I saw her. Her hair looks washed at least.
"It's cool so far. How are you?"
"Medicated" She smiles wryly and I can't help but laugh.
"I could tell something was different. Is it a good different or a bad different?"
"A slightly better different different" She picks up the last pencil brushing her hair out of her face.
"Do you work on the paper?" I ask because it is the only activity that runs on a Wednesday afternoon.
"Uh no. I have a lot of detention to do this semester." She looks kind of embarrassed about it. So much for the tough girl act.
"So Hannah's birthday is coming up and we were going to go down to Boulder and see a musical. Please say that you'll come? Hannah really misses you." I realise I'm laying it on a bit thick but I really want her to come.
"Look I'm late for newspaper but we're all meeting at Nina's at like 5 to hang out. I can give you a ride if you want?"
She nods.
"Okay cool. It's the blue Prius. I'll catch you outside after I'm done. Later." By now I am running to the room. I dodge the editor's annoyed look and settle into a chair in the back. I work diligently for an hour before we all put the paper to bed.
As I head outside a part of me is expecting Amy to flake on me but there she is leaning against the car smoking a cigarette and running her fingers through her long blonde hair.
"Hey" She raises her arm in a greeting.
I open the car and shove my bag in. She settles into the passenger seat.
"Do you mind?" I ask gesturing to the cigarette. Stares blankly at me.
"Are you going to give me the whole spiel about how smoking is bad for me?" She asks her voice tinged with hostility.
"Um no. You can do whatever you want but I've had cancer before and it is not something I care to revisit. This is pure selfish self preservation." I answer cheerfully.
"Right. I'm sorry." She flicks it out of the car as I pull out of the school.
We drive the rest of the way in a semi comfortable silence. As we enter Nina's Jase, Eli and Brett are already sitting in the booth laughing about something. Eli looks up and spots us. He seems confused that Amy is with me but gives her a little half smile and waves at me sliding out of the booth where he is sitting next to Jase. Jase looks puzzled for a second but smiles as he feels me slide in next to him and kiss him on the cheek.
"Awwwwww!" Brett says loudly.
Jase blushes and I laugh.
"So is this really happening?" He points at the two of us "Because I was rooting for you two crazy kids all along."
That seems to close the subject as far as Brett is concerned. Jase and I are a couple and that is it. I shoot him a half smile wondering at the perfect nothingness of our time together. I have a feeling those days are behind me. Eli is deep in conversation with Jase and Amy. I clear my throat to get their attention.
"Sorry to interrupt but we need to talk about this before Hannah gets here. Hannah's birthday- how does everyone feel about a trip to Boulder to celebrate? Before you answer- I have sorted out the transport, accomodation and bought the tickets for the musical. This weekend. Can I count you all in?"
Everyone just stops and stares at me. Jase is shaking his head and his face is turning pink with poorly concealed mirth. I nudge him brutally to remind him of the role he is supposed to play here. The role of supportive boyfriend. He clears his throat rubbing his arm where I hit him.
"I'm in. I'll tell them the boys and girls will be sleeping in separate rooms and my brother will be chaperoning- sorry in advance for that- that the evening would consist of dinner and the theatre and nothing more and we would all be home by Sunday afternoon."
"Is all that true?" Eli asks. I nod in response. "Well then awesome. I am not grounded and my Dad is not great at parenting so I am in."
"My parents may be tougher so I may just ride on Brett's coattails when he asks" Amy mumbles.
"Brett is your brother?"
"Amy is my sister." He corrects with a smile.
I know better than to push harder. They all want to come so I just hope that their parents are in on it. We finish just in time. Hannah walks into the cafe and lights up when she spots us and rushes over.
"Hey everyone. Hey Brett" she blushes as she sits down and it dawns on me that Hannah has the hugest crush on Brett! How on earth did I not spot this before. I spend the rest of the time just watching them together. Hannah blushes every time they touch even when it is accidental, especially when it is accidental. She laughs at all his jokes and watches him like a puppy. She has got it bad. Jase reaches for my hand under the table and I give it a squeeze. All at once it hits me that I am sitting here in a new place with entirely new friends. This is my new life.
