Chapter Forty Eight-1

---------------------- We re-joined with Harvey and Caitlyn. Harvey had a sour look on his face. "What?" I asked. "We get our HSC exam tibles today. Can you believe that in a few months, we won't be school students anymore?" "I don't even want to think about it," I replied honestly. We all began to make our way to class and I couldn't help but smile. Even though the thought of finishing school is scary, I know I'll be fine - because I am going to make sure, I'm with my best friends, no matter what. ----------------------- "Happy Birthdaaaaay to you," my mum's voice sings as I sleepily open my eyes. A slow smile stretches across my face as I rub my eyes, slowly sitting up in bed. It is good to see mum. She had to work my birthday last year and I didn't see her at all. "Hi mum," I greet, my voice laced with sleep. "My little girl is all grown up," she pouts, sitting on the side of my bed. "The big 18! You can legally be out in bars now... Oh God, I feel old." I let out a laugh. "Don't go getting too mushy with me." She turns, grabbing something off the bed. She passes me a plate filled with toast, hash browns and strips of bacon, thankfully no egg.I grin at her. It is hard to make a good breakfast when I'm fussy. "So, what are you doing today?" she asks me. I wash down my food with some orange juice and clear my throat. "I think Hayden is coming over soon. I'll probably try and catch up with Harvey later. Do you have to work?" "I'm starting at 1pm today, but at least I got to see you this morning," she smiles. "Now eat up, you'll want your energy for today." "Yes boss," I reply sarcastically. I am almost finished eating, when she speaks again. "Your present is on the way. Sorry I don't have it for today." "That's fine." After breakfast, I shower and dress quickly. I enter the kitchen, to see a tray of chocolate muffins, with the number 18 written in icing. "Aw, that's so cute." She isn't a very good cook, but I must admit her chocolate muffins always taste delicious. I had just sat the table, when mum turned around. "Would you mind checking the mail?" "It's a Saturday." "I haven't checked it for a while," she says dismissively. Frowning, I get to my feet and pad to the door. A shocked gasp leaves my lips when I see a Mitsubishi Lancer sitting in our driveway with a big red bow on it. "Holy shit," I breathe, running down the stairs. It is an electric blue with dark windows and a spoiler. The blue is sparkling underneath the sun. "Oh, I forgot that was there," my mum says lightly. "Thought you might appreciate having some wheels." "This is for me?" I ask her slowly, my eyes so wide I'm half-surprised my eyeballs don't pop out of their sockets. "Well, do you know another Grace Connaway turning 18 today?" she teases. I throw myself at her with so much force that she falls over backwards onto the porch. I wrap my arms around her tightly and she lets out a squeak. "I love it, I love it, I love it! Thank you! How much did this cost?" "Don't you worry about that. I know you can't have a job with your swimming practises and you have to maintain the house while I'm away. This is a thank you gift for having to be an adult before your time. Just be very, very careful, okay?" "I will," I assure her, getting to my feet and pulling her up with me. "Well, are we going to take it for a spin or what?" she asks, tossing me the keys. After going inside and grabbing my license, I slide behind the wheel. I am only on my learner permit so I can legally drive with mum in the car. Once I have my hours up, I will be eligible for my restricted license. I start the car and remember what Hayden told me. I ease out of the driveway, impressed with myself that I didn't stall it. "That's good," she eyes me suspiciously. "You haven't been driving, have you?" "Of course not," I say, avoiding her eyes. The car is smooth and quiet as we drive. I love the feel of the cool leather on my skin. We do three laps of the block, before I pull into the driveway again, accidentally scraping due to the car being low. Still, I can't wipe the smile off of my face. "This is such an amazing gift. Thank you, mum." "I love you, pumpkin," she smiles. "I love you, too." We had hardly been inside ten minutes, when I hear Hayden's ute. I rush outside. He let out a low whistle. "Nice wheels!" "Did you know she was doing this?" I demand. "Yes, no, maybe so," he shrugs, coming over to me and wrapping his arm around me. "Happy Birthday, gorgeous." He kisses me delicately, before stepping back. "Now, my present isn't exactly a car, but anyway," he shrugs, going back towards the ute. He emerges a few moments later with a Victoria Secret bag clutched in his palm. "My present is a bit naughty, sorry," he grins sheepishly. "My cousin helped me pick it, which is kind of weird, but anyway." Inside the bag is a lacey, black night-gown with red strips of fabric flaring up the side. It is very skimpy. I roll my eyes at it. It is hot. He also bought me scented candles. I could already smell them through the plastic wrapping. "I wonder what we will be doing later," I say to him sarcastically. "And last but not least," he grins, handing me a velvet box. As I open it, the sun caught the shiny silver, making it dazzle. Inside is a charm bracelet, one where you collect beads to put on it. So far, there are two beads on there, one with the letter G engraved and the other with the letter H. "Oh my God," I whisper. "This is so cute." "You like it?" "These gifts are amazing, thank you," I smile, wrapping my arms around him. "Although I feel the first one is more for your benefit, than mine!" "Guilty." I let out a laugh, before detangling myself from him and slipping the delicate bracelet onto my wrist. It fit well, but a little loose due to the lack of beads. I plan to fill it with as many as I can. "You might want to take that off for what I have planned next," says Hayden. "What's that?" "I can't tell you." "You are being very mysterious, Mr Cameron." He winks at me. I make my way inside, with Hayden following me closely. Hayden ducks upstairs with the Victoria Secret bag quickly, to save telling my mum that he brought me sexy lingerie. I show her the bracelet and she tells me she wants to buy me a bead that has an 18 on it. Hayden darts back down the stairs and enter the kitchen, an easy smile on his handsome face. "This is gorgeous, Hayden," she compliments in awe. His cheeks turn pink as he smiles shyly at her. After hanging at the house for another half an hour or so, Hayden instructs me to change into swimmers. I do as I am told, skipping down the stairs, with my one-suit on underneath my denim shorts and loose t-shirt. As we get to his ute, Hayden hands me a black piece of cloth. "What's this for?" "It's your blindfold." "You're kidding?" "No, put it on," he teases. "You can wear it again tonight if you want." I roll my eyes. As I sit in the car, I slide the cloth over my eyes. I felt anxious. Sensing my uneasiness, Hayden reaches over, his warm hand finding mine. "It's okay, we'll be there soon." A few minutes later, the car stops. I wait for Hayden to open the door. When I step out, I feel the strong wind slap my cheeks. The blind fold almost flies off my face. Strands of grass tickle my bare feet as he does. He undoes the blind fold and I b a few times, adjusting to the light.