25
That Friday, despite the fact that it was her birthday, she was totally bummed. Teddy was leaving the following Monday, and wouldn't be back until about a week before graduation. Just in time to receive his diploma.
She sighed as she rolled out of bed and managed to make her way to the shower to get ready. After throwing on a well worn in pair of faded blue jeans and a purple three-quarter length hoodie over a white shirt, along with a cute pair of sneakers, she grabbed her keys and headed out to her vehicle.
She smiled as she saw that there was a single pink tulip tied to the handle with a pink ribbon. Her favorite flower. She wasn't sure if Chase knew she liked flowers or not, but she knew Teddy and Tim did - but it was safe to say that Tim was not the culprit.
She waved goodbye to her mom, who was smiling at her from where she was holding Maggie on a leash while Maggie did her business. She knew her mom knew who had done it, but she didn't want her to tell her. She liked not knowing.
She put in an Explosions In The Sky cd, which fit her slightly sombre, slightly mellow mood. She hummed along with the lyric-less music calmly; The music just brought out a peaceful side of her that relaxed her and prepared her somewhat, for the day.
Teddy was waiting for her when she pulled up. He had been leaning against his car, waiting. She pulled the gray scarf around her neck a little tighter to block out the chill before grabbing her purse and sliding out.
He gave her a big smile and hug before telling her "Happy Birthday."
She smiled at him. "Thank you. Guess what!"
"What?!" He mocked her enthusiasm jokingly.
"Someone decided it would be a good idea to tie a pink tulip to the door handle of my car."
"Oh yeah?" He said, not surprised. "And how did you like said gift from said anonymous person?"
"Well... I would have to say that it was pretty cool. Whoever did it. I mean, they totally used my favorite flower, so, ya know, its cool."
He smirked.
"Shut up Ted, I know it was you!" She laughed and hit him.
"Know it was Teddy that did what?" Chase asked as he and Amie walked up behind them.
"He tied a flower to my door this morning," Becca told him, smiling. She was happy now. It was her day, she was supposed to be happy.
"Oh. Well, um. I got you something," he said as he held out a bag. He seemed a little surprised that Ted had gotten her a flower.
She reached in and pulled out the season two box set of 'Lost'. "I remembered you mentioned it that day when we were eating pizza, and I noticed you didn't have any of the seasons, so..."
She smiled at him and gave him a hug, although it wasn't as good a hug as Teddy's. "Thanks. I love it. Now I can sit and watch seasons one and two continuously. Perfect!"
"Well, I guess I kind of stole Mr. Freak's idea," Amie laughed as she handed her a bag. "Because I also noticed that you didn't have season three."
Becca let out a little laugh. "Identical gifts from the twins! How cute!"
The siblings rolled their eyes in precisely the same way and exactly the same time. "I'm just kidding, I love them. Thanks." She gave Amie a hug, and then gave Chase another one.
"What about you Ted?" Amie asked him.
"Oh, um. I didn't know we were giving her presents here, so mine is still at home. In my room... Unwrapped." He chuckled. "Don't worry, I totally did get you something."
She laughed. "I know you did. I'll just have to come by later and get it."
"Oh, well I thought I would take you to a movie tonight, Becks." She almost cringed at the way he said 'Becks'. He sounded jealous, like he was afraid that if she went over there something would happen.
"That's fine," Ted said. "I can just bring it to school tomorrow."
She didn't know what to do. Agree with her boyfriend and totally hurt the guy of her dreams' feelings, or ditch her boyfriend and go to Teddy's. It sucked.
- - - - -
Later that night, after dinner with her family, and a movie with her boyfriend, she found herself sitting in her room, staring at the ceiling.
The night went perfect. The dinner was delicious, the movie was awesome, and she even got a quick goodnight kiss as Chase dropped her off that night, but something was missing. She just couldn't put her finger on it.
Her phone vibrated once, signaling a text message.
'Hey, how about some birthday ice cream and coffee?-T'She smiled. Only Teddy would put massive amounts of sugar and caffeine together.
'Sounds great. Where should we meet?'Not even a second later he replied
'Your backyard'She giggled as she grabbed her jacket and ran down the stairs and out onto the deck to see Teddy with her favorite ice cream, as well as two cups of hot coffee. There was a bouquet of pink tulips sitting on a blanket in the middle of the yard as well.
"You know, if I wasn't taken, I would think this was a date." She joked with him, regretting it after she said it.
"Yeah, well, ya know. Lately, I've been all about the coffee and the star gazing, so I figured it would be good to share with my best friend." He stated as he motioned for her to join him on the blanket.
"It is freezing out here."
"Which is why I brought extra blankets." He smiled at her as he handed her a fleece blanket.
"This is a total 'A Walk to Remember' moment." She giggled and he nodded.
"That's where I got it. I knew you liked the movie, so... 'ere go' I decided to do it." He laughed. "Just as long as it doesn't turn into 'The Notebook.'"
"Hey that's a great movie!" She poked his side as she ate her ice cream and sipped her coffee. "And where is my present?"
He chuckled and smiled before turning around and handing her a small bag.
She eyed him curiously before reaching in and pulling out a bracelet. It was a leather string with four faux-turquoise beads spaced equally apart, with a yellow heart-shaped bead in the center.
"My sister was making jewelry in the kitchen one day, and they weren't the cheap looking beads you play with in elementary school, ya know, so I was like, hmm... Plus I totally didn't have anything to do, so I just started messing around with them and I ended up with a nifty little bracelet, and I said 'Hey, this would look good on Becca's wrist' so that, my friend, is the story of this bracelet. Made with love, just for you." He rambled, and she couldn't help but giggle.
"That's very sweet of you, Geiger." She smiled. "I love it. Best present by far."
"Oh you mean that digital camera your parents bought you totally sucks? Too bad. Can I have it?" He joked and she rolled her eyes at him before finishing off the ice cream.
"Speaking of that camera..." She said as she pulled it out of her jacket pocket. "Let's take a picture."
He smiled before wrapping his arm, along with his blanket around her, while she used her free hand to snap the picture.
They looked silly, but happy. It was definitely her best birthday.
Ever.
