ROWAN •dobrik•

Chapter Nineteen

The next morning I refused to move from my bed. I was too caught up in my own shit to leave the comfort of my bed and worry about other people's problems.

David kept texting and calling, wanting to hang out. He got so annoying to the point where I decided to shut off my phone and shove it under my pillows. I needed some time to think over my decisions, even though I felt like I had already made up my mind.

I still continued to find ways of contradicting around Gabbie and Casey's argument, but again I ended up giving up. I need to be honest with David. I need to be honest with everyone.

Why couldn't I have just blurted out my age the day that they met me and then I wouldn't have to worry about this?

If that was the case, you'd probably be back in your boring hometown with your incompetent family and your boring life.

True.

I knew I had to tell them all at some point, but how? When is there ever a good point to bring that up?

I sat up in my bed and cried-crossed my legs. I proceeded to stare at the wall with my stupid ass "thinking face" as I racked my brain for some elaborate plan to simply come out and say "Yo, I'm 17!"

All of a sudden, a door opened. Metaphorically and physically. I looked over at my bedroom door to see Liza casually walking in with a smile on her face. I smiled back and reached out to hug her. She's been so busy lately, I haven't been able to see her in weeks. I'm so proud of her, but of course I'm going to miss her. She lights up a room as soon as she walks in. That's her personality, you know?

"Oh my god I haven't seen you in like 84 years," I exclaimed as I wrapped my arms around Liza tight. She laughed and hugged back, squeezing me just as tight.

"I know right! But enough of my growing career, let's talk about this predicament you're in," Liza sat next to me with one leg crossed over the other, as if she was some type of fancy therapist. I groaned before throwing myself back into the bed.

"Gabbie needs to keep her mouth shut," I screamed at the ceiling. Liza laid down next to me and twisted her head to look over at me.

"You do know she's right though, Casey too."

"Yeah."

We both went silent for a couple of minutes. Liza turned her head to look at the ceiling with me and we both just laid there, absorbing the peaceful silence. But still, that was quick. She's usually the one giving me godly advice.

"So Gabbie talked to David," Liza said quietly. Neither of us moved and continued to look st the ceiling. "How your birthday's in two days and stuff."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, your party is going to be there I guess," Liza shrugged a little. We both went silent again until she said: "So, how are you going to tell him?"

I made a sound that sounded like 'I don't know' until the metaphorical door once again was knocked on and opened. I sat up slowly and looked over at Liza with that look on my face that says 'I have an idea.' Liza sat up too with a smirk on her face.

"Tell me. Tell me now."

"Well it might be a little harsh, but it will be one hell of a surprise," I mumbled before getting up from my bed for the first time today. "Come on, I want Gabbie to hear it too." I swung open my door and stomped out into the hallway.

—

"I fucking hate shopping with you two," I grumbled as Liza and Gabbie wandered around, making us look like an embarrassment to society with some of the things they screamed at each other. They both insisted after hearing my revelation idea to take me dress shopping immediately.