My Secret, My Bully, My Mates by Miss L

“Alright, burgers are all done, everyone go and fill a plate.” Alpha Lucas calls and ushers everyone into the kitchen with the large platter of grilled meat. We all filled up plates and went back out to take seats at an oversized table off to one side of the pool.

Everything was so delicious. We were all laughing and eating at the large patio table, conversation was effortless. The guys were talking about birthdays in the past and regaling Sierra and I with some of their antics. The adults filled in some more embarrassing details the guys “forgot. knew my stomach was going to hurt tomorrow from laughing so hard. We sat there until the sun started to go down.

As we all finished up and plates were all but licked clean, Mateo got up and grabbed my empty plate. Sam did the same for Sierra. The rest of the boys got up and took plates from all the adults wordlessly. That was strange. The confusion must have shown on Sierra’s and my face.

the house, so it’s their job to clean up dinner when we all get together like this.” Luna Ava explains. “They have done

I think of a well oiled machine. They just move in sync with each other, all communicating without saying words, getting the job done quickly. The whole kitchen is cleaned and put back to normal in less than thirty minutes.

watch. I noticed it at the mall today too. They don’t even have to look at each other or say anything, like all the cogs in a well

didn’t even notice them bringing it out. Singing starts as I look at the beautiful round cake with light blue frosting and dark blue piping spelling out “Happy 15th Skylar.” I blew out the candles and everyone clapped and cheered. The beautiful moment set me off and tears I have been holding back since this morning just spilled over. A warm arm wraps around the back of my shoulders and pulls me sideways into a tight hug. wrap my arms under his and bury my head into his neck and

you forgive me? ” He’s whispering in my ear. ‘l didn’t know, or really didn’t pay enough attention to notice that you never got anything on your birthday. No party, no presents, we didn’t even acknowledge it. I can’t imagine what that must have been like.

and I choose to spend it with the person still here, alive and kicking. Instead of spending it six feet above a person I don’t even remember.” We both start crying and embrace again. I just let it all out and squeeze him as hard as I can, hope I don’t hurt him. I don’t know how long we sat like that, but the rest of our friends just eft us in peace.

The guys and Sierra, do