Eve
December 20th
“Happy birthday, honey.” Mum hugged me as me and Ruby walked into the small Mexican restaurant. They had plastered the table in thirty glitter and a large helium balloon was flying off the centre piece.
“Thanks, Mum.” I was already fed up of everyone wishing me a happy birthday. It started out with Ruby and Marcus banging on my door at eight this morning. By the time I had got in from Santa Land last night and showered It was nearly two am before I crawled into bed.
“Happy birthday, pumpkin.” Dad said as he kissed me on the cheek.
“Thanks, Dad.”
I pulled out the empty chair by Ruby and slipped my coat off hanging it over the back of it. It was just me, Ruby, mum, dad, Marcus and his girlfriend Melody.
“I see Connor’s been replaced.” I laughed at Marcus, pointing to Melody.
“Shut up, Evelyn.” He made a point of calling me my full name, which he knew that I hated.
“Thanks for joining us, Melody.” I smiled at her.
“Happy birthday.”
“Can I take your order?” A waiter asked as he hovered by the side of the table.
We all gave him our order and dad ordered another two bottles of wine for the table.
“Evelyn, that’s a pretty necklace. Was it a birthday gift?” Mum asked.
“Yeah, Mum. It was, from a friend.” I had been playing with it all evening. Was it bad that I wanted to be at Santa Land with him rather than be sitting here with my family?
“Is it a candy cane?” She asked leaning in closer to get a better look.
“Yep.” I smiled.
“Oh, well you won’t be able to wear that all year round. It’ll be bad luck.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Dad poured me a glass of white wine when the waiter came back.
“A toast,” dad started. “To our baby girl turning thirty. Happy birthday, pumpkin.”
“Happy birthday.” Everyone else cheered as we clinked our glasses together in the middle of the table.
After we had finished the meal I was hoping to go straight home, but Ruby, Marcus and Melody had other plans. That’s why we were standing at the bar doing shots of tequila with a couple of men who had attached themselves to Ruby and me.
“I need to use the bathroom.” I shouted over to Ruby and Marcus.
“Oh, I’ll come with you.” Melody shouted back before downing her drink. I pried the hands off my hips and pointed to the bathroom. Melody and I hurried in the direction and I groaned when there was a queue already formed.
“That guy, what’s his name?” Melody asked.
“Zack.”
“He’s cute.”
“Yeah.” I agreed smiling as I stepped closer to the bathroom as the queue length shortened.
“You don’t think so?” She questioned.
“It’s not that,” I paused. “Can you keep a secret? Especially from my brother?”
“Sure.” She nodded.
“I’m kinda seeing someone. It’s not official yet, but I’d like to see where it goes.”
“Ah, gotcha. Not another peep out of me about hot guys.”
“Thanks.” I did a little cheer inside when it was finally my time to pee. “I’ll see you back out there.” She smiled and nodded her head once again.
I sat on the toilet and put my face in my hands. I hated that I wasn’t spending my birthday with the one person I wanted to be spending it with. Should I just go to Santa Land and tell him who I was and hope he did the same? Yes, that’s what I was going to do.
I finished my business, washed my hands and headed back to where my brother and Ruby were standing.
“I’m gonna head out.” I shouted in Ruby’s ear. As she looked at me I was fiddling with my necklace.
“No, no you’re not.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me away from everyone else. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to do what I think you’re about to do?”
“No.” I looked away as I said it.
“No, Eve. You can’t. What if you tell him who you are and he doesn’t do the same? You’ll be kicked out, never to return.”
“So, it’ll have to end in four days anyway.”
“Exactly, so enjoy him for four more days and see what happens. Please?” She pleaded with me. “Stay and enjoy your birthday celebrations with us. Since when do you let some guy rule how you live your life?”
“Ok, I’ll stay on one condition.”
“Name it?” She smiled.
“Get rid of sleazy Zack. I’ll stay but I’m not hooking up with anyone.”
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes and we walked back over to my brother who was now devouring Melody for all to see. “Sorry guys, we’re not interested.” Ruby told Zack and his friend.
“Speak for yourself, this honey wants me.” Zack said as he flung his arm over my shoulders.
“No, I don’t.” I tried shoving him away but he was too strong.
“Hey, get the hell off my sister, if she says no. She means no.” Marcus squared up to him and his arm fell from around me. I stepped over beside Melody and hoped that it wouldn’t turn into a bar fight.
“She was showing me all the signs for a hook-up tonight,” he boasted.
“Like hell was I.” I mumbled to myself.
Marcus and Zack started shouting at each other about me and they all shut up when Melody screamed.
“She’s seeing someone, ok?”
“Melody!” I snapped, glaring at her.
“Ooops, sorry,” she winced. “I just wanted them to stop arguing.”
“You got a boyfriend?” Marcus asked me.
“No, just someone I’ve been seeing. I don’t know if it will go anywhere.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“Get lost.” Marcus snarled at Zack and he finally left.
“Come on, more shots.” Ruby yelled as we all gathered around the bar.