The Purple Triangle (On Hold)

Death-Day Wishes

*6* (death day wishes)

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!” Everyone shouted as I walked into the dark rec room.

            “Carroll, you boob, hit the lights!” I heard Emma call in the dark.

            “Right sorry,” Carroll whispered and I laughed. I heard her stumbling around and apologizing to whoever she bumped into. She finally found the light switch and flipped it on. “Surprise…” she said lamely and laughed.

            “Aww, thanks guys,” I went over to her and gave her a big hug. It looked like our entire grade was there.

            “Hey it was my idea!” Emma said with her hands on her hips.

            “Thank you Emma,” I hugged her and smiled looking around. There was every color of balloons either on the floor or handing from the ceiling.

            “Do I get any?” I turned to see Jon wiggling his eyebrows.

            “Hey Amber, come check this out!” one of the girls in my Chem class called me over to her.

            “Later,” I smiled sadly to Jon and was pulled away by another girl. The party was pretty fun and I got a couple good glimpses of the present’s table which was overflowing. I was walking around with a cup of punch that someone had spiked when I bumped into someone.

            “Oh god, I'm so sorry!” he said as I looked down at my spilt drink all over my white blouse.

            “It’s alright, I didn’t really like that shirt anyways,” I sighed. I loved that shirt.

            “Here,’ he grabbed a few napkins from a side table and began wiping my shirt. Or, it was rather my boobs. I looked at him until he realized what he was doing. “Oh uh, sorry,” he blushed.

            “Yeah, it’s ok,” I said mellow-toned.

            “At least let me get you another drink,” he said sweetly.

            “Don’t worry about it.” I saw Jon in the corner and we made eye contact. “Sorry I have to go.’ I apologized.

            “Wait, what’s your name?” he called out.

            “Amber!” I called back. The music volume turned up with the song and I had to yell.

            “Conrad!” he called back. I smiled and let myself flow with the dancing bodies until I made it to the wall where Jon stood. He motioned with his head to the hallway and I nodded.

            “Happy birthday,” he smiled when we got into the hallway.

            “Yup, sixteen.” I rocked on the balls of my feet.

            “Aww, little baby amber is growing up,” he cooed and I rolled my eyes.

            “Do not call me that,” I laughed.

            ‘Then what should I call you/” he leaned in a little closer to my face but I didn’t take it as anything weird.

            “Amber,” I answered in a no-duh tone of voice.

            “Yeah but everyone calls you that, I want something original.” He pointed out.

            “Well, you’ll have to come up with it on your own.” I rolled my eyes.

            “Bambi?” he suggested and I let out an unattractive laugh.

            “No way, not that again.” when I was younger I hadn’t been able to get through that movie without bawling like a baby. Hell I still couldn’t and Jon knew that.

            “Yup that’s your name,” he crossed his arms successfully.

            “I'm leaving,” I laughed and turned away.

            “Wait,” he said putting his hand on my forearm.

            “What?” I turned back to him and he pulled me to his chest.

            “Happy birthday, Bambi,” he said and kissed me. At first I didn’t feel anything but then all I could feel were sparks. Just sparks. And also my back hitting the wall but I honestly didn’t care. He kissed me so passionately I never wanted it to end. I kissed him back for every time I had seen his perfect face and wanted to what I was doing right now. We kissed until dumb Mother Nature reminded us that we needed to breathe. Who invented lungs anyways, they really got in the way! I looked at his flushed face and laughed. Mine probably looked the same way.

            “Bambi…” was all he got out before I heard something fall to the floor and break. I looked to Jon and we both raced back into the room. People were screaming and running in several directions but away from the side of the room where the cake was. Shit, my cake!

            “Hey!” I heard someone yell then another plate fell and broke. I looked around and felt my ankle start to burn. I looked down and saw it glowing right through my jeans.

            ‘Where is she?” a deep voice commanded. I felt ice running through my veins.

            “Come on Amber! Come on!” Jon tugged at my hand but I stayed firmly in place. Whether it was my determination or fear making me stand still, there was no way I was moving.

            “Amber?” I heard someone else call my name. I looked around and saw him standing in the middle of the open space with a dark light surrounding him. I know it sounds weird but that’s exactly what it was.

            “The mark! You must die!” I heard the deep voice yell again and suddenly felt a gush of icy wind blow through my body. I felt it leave my back and I collapsed to the floor. I felt somebody pick me up and then I was flying.

            “Amber, I need you to stay with me.” the voice said as I was laid on the ground. I felt him roll up my left pant leg and gasp. I heard him whisper something to himself but it didn’t sound English. I felt him press a finger to my ankle and it was like a thousand tiny sparks shooting into my body. Only different sparks then I had felt with Jon. Oh god, Jon! I opened my eyes slightly and realized I felt fine. Not like I was dying, or flying. Just normal.

            “Hello?” I asked the boy who had carried me outside.

            “So does saving your life make up for ruining your shirt?” the boy said and came into a lit area where I could see his face.

            “Conrad?” I asked suddenly and he smiled.

            “Welcome home, Alexi.”