CHAPT ER FIVE

Kennedy

I WAS VAGUELY aware of movement in my bedroom. I snuggled deeper into my bed, burrowing beneath the comforter. My alarm was scheduled to go off soon though, my body already stirring in expectation. My body always started waking up before it could start screaming, and I hated it.

I heard a muffled ‘sshhh’, and seconds later two bodies jumped onto my bed, jostling me.

“Happy Birthday!” Jade and Ashley screamed in unison. They continued to jump until I had no choice but to make an appearance.

“Stop,” I groaned. “It’s too early.”

They dropped next to me, and pulled the covers from my face. I opened one eye, and found both girls grinning at me.

So it was my 19th birthday. I wanted to be excited, and maybe a small part of me was. But it wasn’t enough to eclipse the lack of enthusiasm I had for this day. My 17th birthday was the last one I’d ever celebrated, and I’d hoped I could get through this day without fuss. Clearly that wasn’t an option, not with Jade and Ashley for roommates.

When I glanced at my alarm clock on the side of my bed, it read 6:55am, and I groaned again. “You couldn’t wait five minutes?”

“Shut up, grumpy pants, and get up already,” said Jade. “Ash and I have a surprise for you.”

I stared at the eagerness on my friends’ faces, and felt my resolve crumbling, if only slightly. With a huff, I shoved my comforter off and sat up, rubbing the tiredness from my eyes.

Ashley snickered. “You look terrible at this time of the morning.”

Her tone was light, and teasing, and I wanted to capture the essence of it in the hopes that it would make today easier to get through.

“We can’t all look like we’re ready to do a Vogue cover shoot at,” I looked at my alarm again, “7:00am.”

“This is definitely a good look for you,” she replied, laughter lighting up her eyes. Of course she looked ready for a photo shoot, even in her tiny cotton sleep shorts and matching blue tank top.

I rolled my eyes. We’d found out that Ashley was in fact a model, and she’d been on the runways from the tender age of sixteen until she’d decided she wanted to study biochemistry. She was a triple threat – gorgeous, smart, and kind – and it turned out she was the third part of our ‘trio’ we never knew was missing. We’d been at college for almost a month, but it only took days for the three of us to bond, and become tethered to one another.

“Enough blabbing,” said Jade. She slid off my bed, and picked up a large purple box from the floor before crawling back to my side. “This is for you, from me and Ash.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said. I hated this kind of attention, and there was only one person who had ever made me feel worthy of it. But he was gone, and his absence was what made me dread this day. Guilt wrapped around my heart, coiling tightly until it was ready to burst. I should be able to enjoy this day, but how can I when the person who meant the most to me in the world would never have a birthday again?

Something in my expression must’ve given my inner turmoil away because Jade nudged my arm, concern etching its way across her features. “Are you okay? It looked like you were somewhere else.”

I’d been staring at the lid of the box, my mind flicking through all the birthdays I’d managed to enjoy until I turned seventeen.

“Yeah,” I replied, trying for a smile. “I was just thinking of something.”

Understanding took the place of concern on Jade’s face, and the look of pity in her eyes is what made me almost crack. Almost.

I plastered on a grin, and flipped the lid of the box before she could read me any longer. Beneath a layer of light purple tissue paper, I found several paperbacks, all from my favorite authors. I had a predilection for indie authors, and Jade and Ashley had been sure to include some of the books I’d been dying to purchase online. I touched the covers, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the gift itself. I’d never needed expensive gifts. I’d always favored gifts that required thought, and intention.

“I love them,” I said, counting a total of eight books. I looked up to Jade and Ashley’s happy faces.

“There’s more,” replied Ashley. Her body hummed with excitement, and anticipation, which only piqued my curiosity. Jade smirked, and they traded a knowing glance.

What are they up to?

I lifted another piece of tissue paper, this one a darker shade of purple, and almost died when I saw what was lying beneath it. My cheeks warmed, and I stifled what I knew would be a frightening combination of a laugh, and a choke.

“What the hell, Jade?” I squeaked. My face was probably the shade of an over-ripe tomato. She laughed, which in turn caused Ashley to do the same. At least they enjoyed my mortification. Me on the other hand? Not so much.

“Well don’t just stare at it,” said Jade. “Pick it up.”

I looked back at the offending object, and then gingerly picked it up. The plastic packaging was hard beneath my hand, and my eyes immediately went to the label.

Ovo K2 Blackberry Rabbit Vibe

“It’s a vibrator,” said Ashley. How could she be so nonchalant about a plastic penis that vibrated?

“I can see that,” I replied, still a little stunned. “Care to explain the brilliance behind this idea?”

I directed my gaze at Jade. “What? Why would you think it was my idea and not Ashley’s?”

“Because you’re the horniest person in this apartment, and the only one brave enough to think of giving me a gift like this. It’s got your name written all over it,” I replied.

“Okay fine.” Jade sighed. “You caught me. I figured you could have some fun on your own.” She winked, and my blush darkened. I wasn’t a prude, but I wasn’t exactly experienced either.

“You’re crazy,” I replied, looking between Jade and Ashley. “Both of you.”

“There’s one more thing in there,” Ashley added.

More? Good Lord, what else could they have gotten me?

That’s when I saw it. A pale blue lace demi bra with beautifully scalloped edging around the top and bottom, the straps, and bows made of silk and satin. The matching thong was made from sheer mesh, with a skirt of scalloped lace and a bow at the center front.

“It’s one of the new sets from Agent Provocateur,” said Ashley. “I had my agent call in a favor, and get it for you before it hit the stores.”

Sure, it was underwear, fucking gorgeous underwear, but the amount of effort Ashley must have gone through to get it for me made me that much more appreciative.

I placed all the items back in the box, and put it aside before enveloping Jade and Ashley in a hug.

“Thank you,” I said, swallowing the sudden rise of emotion in my throat. “I love my gifts.”

“It’s just the start,” replied Jade. “We have a whole lot more fun planned for you.” The glint in Jade’s eyes told me she wasn’t kidding, and I’d started to feel a little more excited about the day ahead.

“First things first,” Ashley clapped her hands together. “We made you a horrendously sweet, and fattening breakfast.”

As if on cue, my stomach grumbled, and we all meandered out into the kitchen where stacks of waffles had been placed on the counter, accompanied by my favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream. Peanut Butter Fudge. If the gifts hadn’t been able to lift my spirits, then all the sugary goodness in front of me definitely had.

We sat at our kitchen counter, stuffing our faces with more sugar than should have been allowed. It was nice to catch up, since our hectic schedules didn’t always allow us to spend time together. We laughed over and over again, and I allowed myself to enjoy it.