September 2013

Flopping down on my bed I let out a heavy sigh. 2 hours until my birthday and I was currently home alone , what type of parents leave their daughter home alone the week of her 17th birthday?I knew they needed to go on that business meeting , it was an important one and would bring a lot of important clients to the company they worked for if it was successful but seeing as Ricky and the girls were busy it only served to turn my mood even more sour , it was selfish but I didn't care.

I debated whether going to the house party one of the guys from my history class was throwing tonight but without Ricky and the others going it would only end up going one way , a hell of a hangover the next day and a whole lot of regret if I did anything stupid. Time was crawling by at an excruciatingly painful rate , all I wanted was for this night to be over so I can spend the day with my friends and hopefully get wicked drunk at the end of the night. Turning the TV on I flicked through a couple of the channels but as usual there was nothing interesting on so I turned it off in a huff.

I heard my phone vibrate from where it was placed and I dived on it , hoping it was either one of the girls or Ricky and they'd realised that they weren't too busy to spend time with me. Sadly I was mistaken , it was Hayden.

To: Lucia

From: Hayden

What you up to ? I'm bored.

I groaned , the last thing I wanted to do was entertain Hayden Williams when I'd much rather be wallowing in self-pity. I quickly typed out my reply , hoping he got the hint that I was in no mood to talk.

To: Hayden

From: Lucia

In the middle of an episode of self-loathing. You're interrupting.

But as quickly as my reply went out his came right back.

To: Lucia

From: Hayden

Why what's wrong? Thought you'd be out partying ?

Want me to come over and keep you company ?

I knew it would be a feeble attempt to stop him from coming over , he'd just do it anyway. Having your best friend live next door to you was both a blessing and a curse.

To: Hayden

From: Lucia

Sure , why not. You know where the spare key is , I'm in my room.

Not even 5 minutes later he burst through my bedroom door. "Jheeze , knock much?" I laugh as he makes his way over to the bed.

"How come you're all cooped up inside? Aren't there any parties for you to get into trouble at?" He asks , flopping down on the bed next to me.

"I would be at one , but everyone's busy. There's no way in hell I'd ever go on my own. Anyway how come you're at home , not got any lady friends to entertain?"

"Nah not tonight" he chuckled "where are your parents , I thought they'd be here seeing as its your birthday tomorrow?"

I launched into the speech on how both of my parents had been called away to an important business meeting earlier in the week and it meant that they'd be away for the remainder of it , meaning that missing my birthday was collateral damage. "I guess it isn't that important." I sighed "it's only a 17th birthday , I'd be super pissed if it was my 18th but I can't be mad at them , it's was too important."

"Every one of your birthdays are important , Luce. You have the right to be a little pissed off with them. I guess it's up to me to make sure your night doesn't totally suck." He replied.

I was grateful that he was making the effort to cheer me up it was nice having him here , just the two of us. We'd always been close , we'd grown up together after my parents moved next-door before I was born. He was my first friend and we'd clicked instantly but there was an almost 4 year age gap between us and sadly that meant over the last few years we'd drifted slightly , I'd learnt to treasure alone time with him as it came few and far between.

"You have an hour and 15 minutes until you're officially 17. What do you want to do?" Hayden asked "I won't have my best friend wallowing in self-pity."

"I have no idea , you can pick. You know I'm god awful at making decisions." I replied

"How about we go for a drive , we'll grab a load of food and go for a picnic somewhere?"

"That sounds perfect." I couldn't help but smile , my awful night was turning out to be pretty perfect.

After raiding all of the cupboards in the kitchen along with the fridge , we were currently trying to shove all of the food and a couple of blankets into the boot of Hayden's Audi. "So where do you want to go?" Hayden asked as he finally got his boot to shut.

"Umm how about The Old Bridge?" I replied "It's a nice night and we can park up and have the picnic down by the river bank?"

He shot me a look and I instantly knew he wasn't all that keen on the idea , the last time I'd persuaded him to take me , Ricky and the girls down there his car ended up getting covered in mud and he'd vowed to never take 'his baby' down there ever again. "Please Hayden." I begged "if your car gets dirty I promise you I'll clean it for you."

"Seriously?" He chuckled

"God no." I replied "I'll pay for it to get cleaned if it bothers you that much. The thought was there though."

"You know I can't say no to you. Get in the car." He groaned "the things I do for you."

"Don't be such a grouch." I laugh "you love me really."

"See , your precious car is fine. It hasn't rained in weeks." I stated "now be a gentleman and please help me get the stuff out of the car."

"Yes your majesty." He replied while performing a bow.

"God you're such a Dick." I laughed.

Even though it wasn't your 'typical picnic' it was still perfect. After we'd finished what we'd been able to carry we'd wrapped ourselves in one of the blankets we'd brought and had talked for what seemed like forever. "Happy birthday , Luce. You're officially 17." He pulled me in for a hug and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for turning a shitty night into something perfect , you really are the perfect best friend." I replied

"You're worth it was no biggie. Do you want your present now or in the morning?"

"Hayden..." I groaned "I told everyone I didn't want gifts."

"I know , but when do I ever listen?" He asked

"Touché" I giggled "Am I okay to have it now?"

"Of course stupid , it's you're birthday."

He pulled out a medium sized envelope from his jacket pocket and placed it In my hands. It had a little weight to It and had his beautiful writing printed across the centre of it. Carefully opening the envelope I tipped the contents into my lap , what fell out shocked me. Dog tags?" I asked

"Yeah , but take a closer look." So I did and my heart clenched. On the metal was an engraving that read Hayden + Lucia 4 ever. It wouldn't have been special to most people , but I wasn't most people. "H-Hayden , I don't know what to say." I stammered

"Do you like it?" He asked , almost sounding worried.

"Like it? Hayden I love it , it's the best birthday present I've ever had. Thank you so much." This time it was me pulling him in for a hug. "You really are something else."

"I'm just glad you like it." He replied

"How about we pack all this up and go back to mine and watch some movies , like we used to do when we were younger?" I asked

"Sure , go get settled in the car. I'll bring the stuff up."

"You sure?" I ask "I'm more than capable of carrying a few bags."

"You're the birthday girl , I'm sure there's an un written rule somewhere about how you're not supposed to do anything for yourself for a full 24 hours." He said handing me the car keys.

"I'm so taking advantage of that." Slipping the necklace over my head I started making my way back to the car. I would've never imagined the night to turn out like this , as I reached the car I made myself a promise , I would never ever forget tonight and I would never ever take this necklace off.

A/N

Hope you all enjoy the chapter. it's some what a filler but I thought It was important to have a little background knowledge on Lucia and Haydens relationship when she was younger. This chapter was set before she moved away and before she realised she was in love with him , just to avoid confusion.

Please remember to vote ! Your support means the world to me & don't forget to add Love , Drugs & Lies to your library so you don't miss an update ❤️

The next update will be sometime next week !