The pact

It was far from cold outside, but I was still shaking like crazy. It wasn’t even windy. I tried to walk as slow as I could to the abandoned bus. Me and Vic would meet each other there for my birthday. We hadn’t been there for a very long time, because we didn’t need to hide or friendship anymore. But this was a special occasion and special occasions required special places. I think the abandoned bus will always have a special place in my heart, just because of all the memories that had happened there. It’s weird because it was far from a special thing. Most of the windows were shattered, animals lived in and around the place, malt covered the ceiling and the walls were covered in graffiti, but it was our place. It was the memories that made the place special.
I don’t know exactly why I was so nervous. Okay, I did know. This would be the first time since the kiss that I would see Vic again and, knowing us, it would be extremely awkward. I honestly didn’t know what to do. Was it better to remain friends? Would we go on a date together? But dates were for people who barely knew each other, right? We already knew everything about each other. So would we just dive into a relationship? Was that how it worked?
To be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to talking to him about it. Mostly because I was afraid I was going to say something stupid. I had never had a boyfriend before, so I just didn’t know how these things worked. At the other hand, he had never had a girlfriend either, at least he told me he hadn’t.
I looked at the watch around my wrist. Almost one pm. I was going to be late, because of my slow walking. Not that he would mind either. He probably felt the same way as I did right now.
Eventually the once blue bus came in view. I could see Vic sit in his usual seat by the window and my heart started beating really fast. He hasn’t seen me yet…Maybe I can still run away?
No Luna. Don’t be a pussy.
I started walking towards the vehicle and stepped through the opening. Vic looked up when thhe floor of the bus creaked under my feet. He shot me an awkward smile and I shot one back. I walked towards him and sat down next to him. It felt uncomfortable sitting so close to him. Normally I wouldn’t have minded, but now everything was different.
“Hi” He said and I chuckled at the awkwardness of the word. “Hi” I said back.
Then the quietness came for which I already feared. Somehow it went through my head that we might have ruined our friendship by falling for each other. That it would always be so quiet.
Then I realised he was still the same person. We were both still the same, this was just temporary.
I was searching my mind for something to say, but I blacked out completely. Luckily he eventually spoke up. “Okay, let’s just for now, forget about what happened yesterday. Let’s celebrate your birthday first.”
I sighed. “We do need to talk about it, Vic.”
He shrugged. “I know, but it can wait. Otherwise it will ruin your birthday and I wouldn’t want that.”
I chuckled. “It’s not like my birthday is a big deal. Seventeen is not a special age and my parents are, especially this year, acting ignorant about my birthday.”
His eyes started to sparkle. “That’s exactly why we should celebrate it! It is about time for you to celebrate your birthday with friends.”
“Friend.” I corrected him. “We’re alone right?” I looked around the bus.
He laughed. “Yeah we are alone, why didn’t you want to celebrate it with Jaime, Tony and Mike too?”
“I will, well, I’ll visit them tonight and we’re just gonna go out for diner. You can come too. But I wanted to celebrate it just with you first. Just by eating nacho’s and listening to music. It’s what I used to do with Casey on our birthdays. We would just chill out with each other and then in the evening we would do something with our other friends.” I said and I thought about my past birthdays in England. I always liked the day part better than the evening part. Partly because I was not a big group person I think.
“And I am Casey now?” Vic asked with a grin on his face.
I laughed at him. “Well the last time I checked you didn’t have blue hair…or boobs.”
“Maybe man-boobs.”
“Vic, you don’t have man-boobs.”
“you wouldn’t know, you haven’t seen me naked.”
I blushed, but tried to not let it get noticed. “I don’t need to see you naked to know you don’t have man-boobs, Vic.”
“Well, I might have them after today, because damn, look at this bag of nacho’s.” He said and he reached over his seat to the seat behind him to get a XXL bag of nacho’s from it.
“I never understood why Americans have an obsession with making everything enormous.” I said while I shook my head. If you ordered a small coke in America, you would get a cup the size of a medium coke in Europe.
“Believe me, most of the population of America doesn’t understand it either.” He said and shrugged “But it sure comes to use now. Happy birthday.” He handed me the bag of nacho’s.
I took it smiling from him. His big, brown puppy eyes lit up and I melted inside. “Thank you.” I said and I ripped the bag open.
“This is not your birthday present by the way. I’m actually more creative than that.” He said while he took a hand of nacho’s and put them in his mouth.
“What is it?!” I said excited. I was going up and down in my seat.
Vic chuckled. “Patience, Luna, Patience.”
I groaned. I loved surprises, but I was always too impatient to wait for them to reveal. “It is my birthday. I can decide whenever you give me my present.” I crossed my arms and curled my bottom lip down.
He looked at me not able to suppress his laughter. “You look five years old now.” He said patting my head. “It’s cute though!” he added as he saw my face.
“Cute five year old waiting for her birthday present. It’s not every day she turns seventeen.”
Vic laughed and sighed. “Okay then. Wait a minute.” He leaned over the seat again and returned with a present. From the shape I could already kind of guess what it was. He handed it to me and I took it from him. I carefully removed the wrapping paper, I wasn’t a big fan of ripping it off.
I smiled as I saw what was in it. It was a copy of my favourite book: pride and prejudice, but it wasn’t a normal version. No, it was one of the first editions. The paper was kind of brownish and the title was printed in old fashioned ink. I let my fingers go over the cover. I opened it to look at the publication date: 1820. Five years after the book was first published. I was actually holding a two hundred year old copy of the book. I was almost afraid to hold it.
I looked up to Vic in complete shock. He laughed at my wide eyes and open mouth. “How did you find this?!” I yelled.
He shrugged. “There’s this bookstore at the mall that sells all these very old books. This was the oldest I could find. It was not cheap, but neither was the guitar you bought for me, so I think it weighs out.”
I looked down at the book, then back up to Vic and then back down to the book. This was probably one of the most creative gifts I had ever gotten. I had only told him once that this was my favourite book, so this meant he actually listened to what I had to say. I was so lucky to have him in my life.
I carefully put the book down at the seat next to me, turned back around and threw my arms around his neck in a hug. He put his arms around my waist. “Thank you.” I whispered in his ear. I felt him let out a breath. “You’re welcome, Luna.” He said against my hair.
I didn’t want to let go of him, but eventually I did. As we pulled back our eyes locked and the tension grew thicker. For a moment I thought we were going to kiss again, but he looked away.
“I actually got another birthday present for you.” He said.
“Vic, you already-“ I began but he interrupted me.
“I know, but this one doesn’t cost any money and I thought of it last night.” He said. He stood up and walked past me and to the back of the bus towards his guitar that was standing in the right corner. I hadn’t even seen it standing there. He climbed back in his seat with his guitar in his hand. “I want to sing to you.” He said and he turned red.
I opened my mouth to say something, but couldn’t think of something so shut it again and just nodded instead.
He looked down at his guitar and started playing the chords to a song I didn’t know. It sounded sweet and I couldn’t help but hope that he was going to sing a love song to me.
Then he started singing:

Childhood living is easy to do
The things you wanted I bought them for you
Graceless lady you know who I am
You know I can't let you slide through my hands

Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain
Now you've decided to show me the same
No sweeping exit or offstage lines
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind

Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away

I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie
I have my freedom but I don't have much time
Faith has been broken tears must be cried
Let's do some living after we'll die

Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day

By the time the song was over a tear rolled over my cheek. I had no idea why exactly I was crying, but that was the effect the lyrics, the melody and his voice had on me.
He looked up from his guitar for the first time since he had started playing the song and raised his hand. His thumb traced over my cheek to wipe away the tear that was still rolling down. My skin started tingling under his touch and I took his hand away from my face to hold it in mine.
He put down his guitar with his other hand and scooped a little closer to me. “I can’t believe you kissed me.” He said very soft, looking down on our hands.
“I can’t believe you just sang a love song to me.” I said making circles on his palm with my thumb.
“Did you like it?” He said looking up to me hopefully.
“I loved it.” I said smiling like a fool. “That was the sweetest thing someone has ever done for me.” And for some reason I was again at the edge of crying again. I was just so extremely happy.
Eventually I felt his hand under my chin and he moved my face up, so I looked at him. “I thought it would be the best way to let you know how special you are to me.”
My stomach felt like it was exploding. I looked down at his lips and leaned in. He also come closer and finally our lips touched. This kiss was different than the last two we had shared. Those were shorted kisses. Now we were really ‘kissing’. Our lips moved synchronised and I threw my arms around his neck. His hands found a way to my back and he placed them there. I had never kissed like this, but for some reason it came natural. I was always afraid that I would do something wrong, but eventually it just went without thinking.
We sat there for a couple of minutes like that until we pulled away and I whispered to his lips: “Best birthday ever.”
I felt his lips curl up in a smile and he put them back on my mouth to kiss me again.
We didn’t really have the serious talk I planned on having with him that day, but I was glad we hadn’t. I was happy with this day as it went. I think now, years later, this day could be seen as our first date.

*

“Oh look! There are the two love birds!” Jaime yelled as he Mike and Tony came walking towards me and Vic.
We were standing in front of a little diner. It was just a cute, little restaurant where we didn’t really needed to be really quiet or had to have decent table manners. It was somewhere where we could have fun and I wanted that.
They were hard to find around here, those little restaurants. San Diego was a big city, so that meant big, fancy restaurants. In England I had lived in a city too, but there was a little village in walking distance from my house.
Me and Vic looked at each other and blushed. I had almost forgotten that we had kissed in front of them.
“Are you guys like a thing now?” Tony asked, one of the corners of his mouth curled up in a smile.
“uhm..Well, it’s-“ I said.
“We..uhm..not really-“ Vic said equally stuttering as me.
Mike laughed and nodded. “It’s complicated phase?”
I sighed and nodded. I was glad they didn’t ask more about it. I didn’t even feel comfortable discussing this with Vic, let along with the other boys.
We went inside and found a table for six. I had also invited Leah, but she was running late because she had to study for a very important test she had the next day. But because we were nice people we waited with ordering until she would arrive.
“I’m starving” Mike pouted, grabbing his stomach with his hands.
“You literally ate an entire chocolate bar on our way here.” Tony said, rolling his eyes to the rest of us.
“Well, I can’t help it that my body is always hungry.” Mike said stroking his stomach. I was wondering how Mike could everything and still be skinny. It was probably a guy’s thing, because all four of them had that ability. I gained weight only thinking about something slightly fattening. Not that I was fat, I think I was lucky that I was raised on mostly vegetables, because otherwise I would’ve looked very different.
Than Leah came to the door of the diner. I saw her look around for our table, so I put up my hand to wave to her. She saw me, smiled and came my way.
She immediately hugged me. “Happy birthday, Luna!” she said and she let me go.
“Thank you!” I said. “I’m happy you’re here.” I meant it. I loved the boys, but I was happy I had a girl to hang out with too.
She smiled to me and got out a soft, package wrapped in pink wrapping paper, it had rainbows on it. I chuckled.
“Don’t judge me. We bought the wrapping paper for my little sister’s birthday and it was the only one we had left.” She said blushing.
I laughed. “I’m not judging at all, I love rainbows.” I said and I shot her a wink.
I started carefully taking of the wrapping paper. A plain grey beanie appeared. I took it up and looked at the front, there was ‘Luna’ sewn on it.
“It’s a personalized beanie.” She said and she made jazz hands.
“I love it, Leah!” I said. “Thank you so much!” and I put the beanie on my head.
Leah looked over to the guys and awkwardly smiled. “Hi everyone, I’m Leah.” She said doing a little awkward wave. Sometimes Leah was just like a little shy puppy. It was honestly adorable.
The guys introduced themselves and we started ordering. I was sitting next to Leah and Vic. Leah to my right and Vic to my left.
We all ordered our food and it was there within a few minutes. I also got presents from the other guys. From Mike I got five colours of nail polish, they were all dark colours. He had enclosed a package of condoms. I was afraid one of them would do that. “You know people usually get someone condoms when they turn eighteen, right? I’m seventeen.”
He shrugged. “I found it kind of funny. Besides, you’re like almost in a relationship, I’m too young to be an uncle.”
Everyone at the table started laughing and I don’t think neither me or Vic could’ve been more red. I thanked Mike for the presents and quickly moved on.
Jaime got me the good charlotte album. I was always happy to have new albums.
Tony got me a gift card to my favourite shop. I knew what he would give me before he gave it though. He had asked me a few days ago what I wanted for my birthday, because he didn’t know what to get me.
The most surprising and probably most amazing part of the evening was when ‘in the end’ by linkin park came on the radio. Vic immediately turned his head to me with a huge grin on his face.
“Don’t rap, Vic.” I said laughing. “You really can’t rap.”
“But I can sing right?”
“In the middle of the restaurant? Go ahead boy.”
So Vic sang the first sentence from the song after the intro. ‘’it starts with one.’’
I waited for him to ignore my statement and start rapping, but to my surprise Mike cut in and rapped the first chorus.

One thing I don't know why
It doesn’t even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
To explain in due time
All I know
Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
It’s so unreal
Didn’t look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Trying to hold on but didn’t even know
I wasted it all just to watch you go

I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when...

Everyone looked surprised, except for Jaime and Tony, they probably had already heard it before. Vic sang the parts that needed to be sung through the rapping part of Mike. When they got to the chorus Jaime joined in and sang backing vocals to Vic.
It was honestly a beautiful thing to watch. Tony made a beat with his hands. Me and Leah looked at it with open mouths. It was so awesome.
By the time of the second chorus, a rap part, people had come to our table to watch the guys. They rapped and sang the whole song and afterwards they got a standing ovation of almost everyone in the restaurant, including me and Leah.
I think that surprising and beautiful moment made this day officially the best birthday I had ever had. I realised how lucky I was with such amazing friends and lots of music in my life. Yeah, sometimes my life sucked, but it could’ve been a lot worse.

Notes

heyyy guys!

Is it weird that I'm uploading already? I just didn't want to keep this any longer for you guys XD. But it will probably take a while before I will update again after this. I honestly don't know how to go on.

OKAY SUPER MEGA SHOUTOUT TO WHOEVER KNOWS WHICH SONG VIC SINGS TO LUNA. I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER IF YOU KNOW!

love all of you so much <3 thanks for reading and being awesome.

xxxxx

Nicky