Rafe and Kie: Kook Year

Chapter 25: The Playlist

I've never been a fan of birthdays. Especially since I've gotten older. When you're little, a birthday is always fun. An excuse to hang out with friends, get gifts and eat a shit load of junk food without your parents getting mad. But the older you get, the more you realize a birthday is just another day to reevaluate your life. Where you think about your new responsibilities for the year and just feel...old. The Pogues made my birthdays better.

Last year John B, Pope and JJ baked me a chocolate cake. It was honestly the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. Extremely lopsided, chocolate everywhere, and a single candle dripping wax on the icing. Somehow it tasted pretty good despite its horrible appearance. They threw fairy lights all over the tree at John B's house, and some streamers too. Big John wasn't too happy about that part, he spent the entire morning cleaning up the falling paper. We promised not to do it again this year. If there even is a this year.

Today was November 24th. Also knows as: my birthday. I walked down the hallway, greeting my smiling parents in the kitchen. I think they still believe I'm 10 years old. It's annoying when I want to do things that teenagers do, but pretty fun when I want to feel like a kid again.

"Morning guys," I smile.

"Happy birthday Kiara!" My mom says, running around the table to hug me. My dad follows.

I feel their arms wrap around me tightly. I push them off after a few seconds, trying to breathe again. There's a big plate of pancakes on the table, surrounded by whipped cream and strawberries. The official Kiara birthday breakfast.

"Thanks guys. You really didn't have to." I blush, pulling out a chair to sit.

"Are you kidding? Our baby girl is turning 15, it's a big day!" My mom sits down at the table beside me.

My dad passes out the pancakes, spraying on a mountain of whipped cream.

"So Kiara...we have some news," he says uncomfortably.

I put down the fork.

"What is it?" My parents look like they're sinking in their chairs.

"We got to work today unfortunately. I hope you don't mind spending the day by yourself. We'll still have our usual dinner out by the beach." He smiles.

I frown, as if that's supposed to make me feel better. The one thing I hate more than birthdays, is being alone on them. It just makes the day extra depressing.

"I thought you said you're closing The Wreck for today," I say, visibly upset.

"We were baby, but um- a group of fishermen are sailing up from the coast and we're expecting a huge surge of customers." My mom holds my hand.

"We can make triple the money if we just work for a few hours." My dad persuades.

"So that's what this is about. Money?" I scoff.

"Of course not baby, your birthday means everything to us. It's just helpful for paying tuition at the academy. Money is tight right now."

I can tell they're not lying. My school costs at least $15,000 more than it did before. I understand where they're coming from, but why today?

"Ok. Well then, I think I'm going to spend the day at Sarah's place." I say pushing my chair back.

They look at each other with worry.

"Is something wrong with that?"

"No- no. That's fine." My mom nods.

"Okay then...I'll see you at dinner." I walk off with a suspicious look.