For the next week and a half Jack picked me up after school and took me somewhere fun. I did feel kind of bad because I'd been spending less time with Leo, but he promised me that he understood.
   It had completely slipped my mind that it was my birthday. Nothing different or special had happened and I didn't particularly care.
  So nothing seemed unusual when Jack picked me up and took me for ice cream. We walked in and I gasped. The table in the corner was surrounded by pastel colored balloons and Alex and Lisa were sitting at the table. There was jar of Nutella with a bow around it and a pink gift bag sitting on the table. I looked up at Jack.
"You remembered my birthday?" I asked. He smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Chocolate ice cream?" I nodded and walked over to the table while he went to get our ice cream.
"Happy birthday!" Alex and Lisa said in unison. I smiled.
"Thanks." I sat down and waited for Jack to come back. A few seconds later he came over with our ice cream and sat beside me. He began to sing the happy birthday song probably louder than was appropriate, but I laughed and thanked him.
"Open the bag! Open the bag!" The excitement in his voice prompted me to grab the bag. I pulled out the tissue paper first. And then stuck my hand in and pulled out a large yellow envelope. I looked over at Jack curiously. He smiled, but stayed silent. I opened the envelope and pulled out a small stack of papers. I read the top and felt my eyes tear up. He wanted to adopt me!
"Really?" I whispered and glanced over at him. He nodded and gave me a goofy grin.
"Yes. Only if you want." He suddenly looked shy and worried as if he was afraid I would say no. After four years of meeting and getting to know various couples and never once have them even began the process of adoption there was nothing that would make me say no.
"Yes!" I threw myself toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
"Congratulations!" Alex said, reminding Jack and I of his and Lisa's presence.
"I'll talk to Allison and we'll work on making it official. You'll have to stay at Allison's place until it's all finalized, but everything should be done by next week. At least that's what Allison said." Jack told me. I nodded and smiled.
"This is by far the best birthday I've ever had." I told him truthfully. He smiled.
"I'm glad."
"Oh! Guess what I did yesterday?"
"Sky diving? Oh no wait. It was probably bungee jumping." He took a bite of his ice cream.
"No. I googled you." He choked on his ice cream.
"You did what?!"
"I listened to a bunch of your music and watched some interviews. You guys are weird." Alex laughed, but Jack just looked horrified.
"But you are amazing musicians."
"Oh yeah? What's your favorite song?" Alex asked.
"I'd have to say either Weightless or Good Times." Although I haven't listened to much of your stuff so it might change." He nodded. I wished that moment could last forever. Just the four of us talking, laughing, imperfectly perfect.
    That night after dinner I pulled Leo aside and told him everything.
"That's amazing Annie. I'm so happy for you." I knew he was happy for me, but I could see the sadness in his eyes.
"Nothing is official yet. Allison still has to call William and set up a court date and all that jazz, but I'm super excited!" Then I realized that getting adopted meant I wouldn't see Leo as often. I frowned, "I'm gonna miss you." I wrapped my arms around his waist.
"I'll miss you to Annie." I sighed and closed my eyes. Then I got an idea. I pulled away and stood up.
"I'll be right back." I ran upstairs and grabbed my dragonfly ring out of my jewelry box. I ran back down stairs to Leo. I pressed the ring into his hand.
"Annie, I can't take your mom's ring." He tried to give it back, but I refused to take it.
"I want you to keep it. Please?" He sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
"Everyone upstairs! Pajamas on, teeth brushed." We followed everyone else upstairs and I left Leo in front of the boys bedroom.
   I woke up and blinked repeatedly. I glance toward the far wall to check the time. Midnight. I felt the blankets get lifted gently and then the bed sank as Leo laid down beside me. This had been our nightly ritual for nearly three years. Since he'd come to the group home he'd had horrible nightmares and once we became friends he started coming to me, claiming that holding me comforted him. He never told me what the nightmares were about and knew that when he was ready he would tell me.
And a few months later he would. I sometimes thought that might've been the reason we were so close. His mother left when he was little and his father became an alcoholic, beating Leo and his little sister. Leo spent every waking moment protecting her from their father. But one night things went too far. Leo's dad killed his little sister, tried to kill Leo and then killed himself. From what he told me it was pretty horrific. We lost our mothers at young ages and our fathers fell victim to alcohol. However mine wasn't abusive, just sad. Leo claimed that holding me comforted him, giving him someone to protect. And eventually I grew used to having his arms around me, keeping me safe. I didn't realize it then, but what I felt for Leo was pure, unconditional, platonic love. He was my best friend and no one would ever take his place in my life.