The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller(32)

But there will be no mention of any marriage today.
There will only be me, in this moment, as I shut myself in the bathroom alone and relive my very first kiss.
A kiss that will forever alter my life and revive my soul.

Chapter Sixteen

The wooing (if that’s what you want to call it) began later that same night via text:
K: 1651 Vinebrook. You can leave Starlight at home. I’m picking you up at 7:00.
Me: Um, you know the name of Rainbow Brite’s horse? Really? :/
K: I possess an ungodly amount of random knowledge. Be impressed. ;)
Me: I’m not impressed. I’m concerned.
K: As you should be.
Me: Where are you taking me btw?
K: Not telling you. You’re going to have to leave Rainbow Land and the sprites for a bit though. Be sure to leave them food and water.
Me: You realize I can just Google the address, right?
Me: And really? :/
K: You seem to know a lot about Ms. Brite yourself.
Me: Shut up.
K: ;) See ya at 7.
Our first date…well, it was typical. Kaeleb asked that I wear anything but my usual attire, so I happily answered the door in my Docs, and my olive-green pair of baggy cargo pants, along with my favorite black Minipop concert hoodie. He just grinned and shook his head, looking as hot as ever with his sexy, lopsided grin, spiked hair, and navy-thermal-Henley-over-white -T-shirt combo. The tops of his dark jeans covered his blindingly bright red Nike’s, which I made sure to make fun of the entire evening.
Our usual banter continued as we ate our pizza and he filled me in on his life plan. He officially decided to major in Kinesiology and work his way into Sports Medicine or Physical Therapy. I couldn’t help but think that it had something to do with his sister, but he made no such correlation. He seemed happy and resolved about the decision which made me smile. I, of course, had nothing to add. After all, I still had no idea where to concentrate my courses. This year is still the basics like Physics, Chem II, Biology II, Microbiology, etc., but I still haven’t quite found my direction.
That was the first night we held hands, like really held hands, and it was nice. Comfortable.
We walked the streets for a while, our fingers interlaced as we discussed anything and everything. By the end of the night, my face hurt from smiling and as he concluded the date, he gave me a kiss that curled my toes. I’ve never quite understood the expression but after that night, I’ll never forget the feeling.
It’s been a little over a month since our first official date, and for someone who recently just reentered my life, I can’t seem to picture him ever being out of it. And I hope to God I never have to.
Quinn is still going strong with Josh and has recently been quoted as saying he might be “the one” because she “just has a feeling”.
Sigh.
I don’t see him much, except when he picks her up to take her out. They go out often, and I find myself pleased to see her finally gaining some much needed weight in her blissful state. I can tell it makes her uncomfortable though; the way she changes a gazillion times because something’s “too tight” or “makes her look fat” but personally, I think she looks better. And when she’s with him she seems happy, which makes me happy for her.
But now, as she stands on my bed with her feet on either side of my waist, bouncing up and down and singing “Happy Birthday”, I find myself wanting to knock her happy ass onto the floor. Pillow over my face, I hold it tightly against my ears, trying to muffle the horrid sound. That is until she unexpectedly yanks it away. My hands shoot up to my face as I roll on my stomach, which earns me a swift swat on the ass.
“God, Aubrey, you’re such a freaking vampire!” She falls to my side and starts poking her finger in my ear. “Get up! The sun is shining, it’s Saturday, and it’s YOUR BIRTHDAY!” I turn my head in the opposite direction, but she continues with her finger assault.
Slapping at her hand, I groan and slowly rise, stretching once I’m finally upright. My eyes feel as though they’ve been sewn shut, but after a good head shake, I finally manage to peel them open. They are immediately met with Quinn’s, full of excitement, and her smile, brighter than the sun.
I squint in response. It hurts my eyes.
“What are you doing up so early?” I ask, my voice still raspy.
“It’s your birthday, dummy! I have a whole day planned and we need to get started! November 2nd only comes once a year! It’s time to par-tay!” she says as she performs some ridiculous sashay with her shoulders.
“Stop. Yelling. Please.” I scrub my face with my hands to assist in this whole waking up shenanigan she insists upon.
“Besides, we partied last night, remember? Halloween party in Apartment 254?”
“Yes, I remember, but like I said, it’s a new day! Now, get up! We have plans!”
“God, Quinn, I will do anything if you just stop screaming. You’re like an inch away from my face.” The bed lifts as she hops off, giggling as she leaves the room, but not before poking her head back inside.
“We have an appointment at ten. Get your ass up.”
“An appointment? What?” My brain is just not working with me this morning.
Silence follows, and I glance at the doorway to see that my hyperactive roommate has abandoned me in my clouded mental state.
Fine.
Just as I’m about to force myself out of bed, my phone vibrates on the table next to me. A small grin breaks my muddled expression at the sight of Linda’s name.
“Hello.”
“Happy birthday, honey! You’re officially in your twenties! Can you believe it?!”