Chapter 23

It was Friday, the day of the party, and I’d been landed the job of getting Grant over there. Let’s just say it wasn’t going well…

“Grant! Stop,” I whined as he continued to nibble on my neck. “Trent is calling me, look.” I tried to show him the caller ID but he just muttered something incoherent and proceeded to give the other side of my neck just as much attention.

In the end I had to push him away so I could answer my phone. “Hello?”

“Hey Rose, are you and the birthday boy ready?” Trent asked.

“We’re at Jordan’s at the moment. Don’t worry, he can’t hear me talking.” I reassured, pulling a face at Grant. “I’m trying to get him to the house without him suspecting anything so we’ll be there in… I don’t know. Twenty to thirty minutes?”

“Okay then. Text me when you guys are almost here.”

“Sure thing bro,” I hung up, turning my full attention back to my boyfriend.

Jordan’s was this really cute café where poets were able to share their poems and, if I were being truthful, we were nowhere near there. As a matter of fact, we were sat in his car across from the park near my house.

“Before we go, I want to give you your present.” I told Grant, tugging at his hand.

“Why don’t you just give it to me at the party? You don’t get special treatment just because you’re my girlfriend.” He raised his eyebrows, trying to look serious.

I smacked him on the chest. “Shut up! It’s a bit expensive and I don’t want Trent asking questions, okay?”

“Okay,” he laughed. “Lay it on me!”

I chuckled. “Here.” I handed him the little wrapped box casually, as if it wasn’t as big a deal as I felt it was.

He shot me a curious look before he began unwrapping his present. After removing the paper, he flipped open the top to reveal the platinum gold Rolex I’d bought him.

“You bought me a Rolex,” he stated dumbly.

I frowned. “You don’t like it?”

“No, of course I do! But isn’t it a bit too expensive?”

“I wanted to get my man the best present,” I shrugged. “Plus, your watch broke.”

Grant chuckled. “I actually ended up getting you something as well; a kind of thank you present I guess.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, reaching into his blazer pocket and pulling out a tiny box.

When he placed it into my hands, I basically ripped off the wrapping as fast as I could. Grant laughed.

I looked up at him. “What?”

“You’re like a little kid on Christmas or something,” he grinned. “Go on. Open it.”

I lifted the lid to find one of those watch bracelets. “Pretty,” I smiled. “It looks like we think alike, getting each other watches.”

“I actually wanted to give it to you on our date, but I forgot it at home,” he explained.

“I love it, Grant. But I think it’s broken…” I trailed off, trying not to hurt his feelings. Neither of the hands on the watch were moving at all.

“I know,” he grinned. I furrowed my eyebrows. He knows? “I set the time to the exact time we started dating.”

I felt my stomach drop, obviously in a good way. “You remember the time we started dating?” I asked disbelievingly. He nodded. “I love it. I really, really love it.” I leant in and pecked him on the lips.

“That’s all I get?” He joked. “One little kiss?”

I chuckled, giving him a full on make-out session. After a few minutes, I pulled away to catch my breath.

He laughed. “That’s better.”

“I thought so,” I smirked. “We should probably get going; everyone will have arrived by now.”

Grant nodded and turned on the engine, the car turning to life. He reversed and turned us around, heading off in the direction of my house. I texted Trent to tell him we were almost there.

When we reached the house, he pulled up in the garage. A lot of cars were all parked along the street, making Grant’s eyes widen. “Um, Rose?” He asked. “How many people did your brother invite?”

I shrugged. “If I know Trent, probably the whole school.”

I unlocked the front door and Grant and I walked into the dark house.

“Why did you take me to that awful place?” Grant asked, acting out the scene we’d talked about earlier.

I sighed loudly. “I thought you would like it, sorry.” My voice was annoyed.

“Well next time, don’t take me there.” He retorted. “And why is it so dark in here?”

At that moment the lights flashed on and everyone jumped out. “Surprise!”

Grant gasped. “You guys shouldn’t have,” he smiled.

“I can’t believe that my bro finally turned eighteen!” Trent walked over, putting his arm around Grant’s shoulder and dragging him over to a crowd of people.

The DJ started playing music and everyone began to either dance or make their way to the snack table. I caught Ryan’s eye and he started to walk over to me.

“Hey Ry,” I smiled.

“You look beautiful,” he complimented, gesturing to my new hair. I’d twisted it into a fancy bun and I’d thrown on a leopard print dress that flaunted all my curves.

“Thanks,” I grinned. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” And he really didn’t. He was wearing a black suit with a grey tie and some Ryan-esque sparkly red converse. He’d gelled his hair back rather than styling it in its usual spikes.

“Did you bring a date?” I asked.

“Yeah, I brought Jason.” His eyes scanned the room for him. “I have no idea where he is, but he is here somewhere.” He chuckled.

I waved my hand. “You’ll find him sooner or later.”

“So,” Ry began. “Are you really going to give Grant those God awful SpongeBob boxers?”

I didn’t feel like explaining about the Rolex. “Actually, I decided on something else.” I smiled.

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows.

I grinned. “Yeah, and it’s awesome.”

“What did you get him?” Ry asked curiously.

“It’s more like what I’m going to give him.”

Ry sighed impatiently. “Fine then, what are you going to give him?”

I smirked. “My virginity.”