"Happy Birthdaaaaay to you," my mum's voice sang as I sleepily open my eyes. "Happy Birthday to yooou!"
A slow smile stretched across my face as I rub my eyes, slowly sitting up in bed. It is good to see mum. She had to work my birthday last year and I didn't see her at all.
"Hi mum," I greeted, my voice laced with sleep.
"My little girl is all grown up," she pouted, sitting on the side of my bed. "The big 18! You can legally be out in bars now... Oh God I feel old."
I let out a laugh. "Don't go getting too mushy with me."
She turned, grabbing something off the bed. She passed me a plate filled with toast, hash browns and strips of bacon. I don't like egg but I love bacon. I grin at her. It is hard to make a good breakfast when I'm fussy.
"So, what are you doing today?" she asked me.
I wash down my food with some orange juice and clear my throat.
"I think Hayden is coming over soon. I'll probably try and catch up with Harvey later. Do you have to work?"
"I'm starting at 1pm today, but at least I got to see you this morning," she smiled. "Now eat up, you'll want your energy for today."
"Yes boss," I replied sarcastically.
I was almost finished eating, when she spoke again. "Your present is on the way. Sorry I don't have it for today."
"That's fine," I told her, hardly having expected anything.
After breakfast, I shower and dress quickly. I enter the kitchen, to see a tray of chocolate muffins, with the number 18 written in icing.
"Aw, that's cute," I grinned at her.
She isn't a very good cook, but I must admit her chocolate muffins always taste delicious.
I had just sat the table, when mum turned around. "Would you mind checking the mail?"
"It's Saturday."
"I haven't checked it for a while," she said dismissively.
Frowning, I get to my feet and pad to the door. A shocked gasp left my lips when I see a Mitsubishi Lancer sitting in our driveway with a big red bow on it.
"Holy shit," I breathed, running down the stairs.
The sun is glimmering off the metallic, electric blue colour.
"Oh, I forgot that was there," my mum said lightly. "Thought you might appreciate having some wheels."
"This is for me?" I asked her slowly, my eyes so wide I'm half-surprised my eyeballs didn't pop out of their sockets.
"Well, do you know another Grace Connaway turning 18 today?" she teased.
I threw myself at her with so much force that she fell over backwards onto the porch. I wrap my arms around her tightly and she let out a squeak.
"I love it, I love it, I love it! Thank you!" I beamed, hugging her so tightly that I am possibly cutting off her breathing. "How much did this cost?"
"Don't you worry about that," she told me breathlessly. "I know you can't have a job with your swimming practices and you have to maintain the house while I'm away. This is a thank you gift for having to be an adult before your time. Just be very, verycareful, okay?"
"I will," I assured her, getting to my feet and pulling her up with me.
"Well, are we going to take it for a spin or what?" she asked, tossing me the keys.
After going inside and grabbing my license, I slide behind the wheel. I am only on my learner permit so I can legally drive with mum in the car. Once I have my hours up, I will be eligible for my restricted license.
I start the car and remembered what Hayden told me. I ease out of the driveway, impressed with myself that I didn't stall it.
"That's good," she eyed me suspiciously. "You haven't been driving, have you?"
"Of course not," I told her, avoiding her eyes.
The car felt so smooth and quiet as we drove. I love the feel of the cool leather on my skin. We did three laps of the block, before I pull into the driveway again, accidentally scarping due to the car being low.
"This is such an amazing gift. Thank you, mum."
"I love you, pumpkin," she smiled.
"I love you, too."
We had hardly been inside ten minutes, when I heard Hayden's Ute. I rush outside.
He let out a low whistle. "Nice wheels!"
"Did you know she was doing this?" I demanded.
"Yes, no, maybe so," he shrugged, coming over to me and wrapping his arm around me. "Happy Birthday, gorgeous."
He kissed me delicately, before stepping back.
"Now, my present isn't exactly a car, but anyway," he shrugged, going back towards the Ute.
He emerged a few moments later, with a Victoria Secret bag.
"It’s a bit naughty, sorry," he grinned sheepishly. "My cousin helped me pick it, which is kind of weird, but anyway."
Inside the bag, is a lacey, black nightie with red strips of fabric flaring up the side. It looked very skimpy. I roll my eyes at it. He also bought me scented candles. I can already smell them through the plastic wrapping.
"I wonder what we will be doing later," I said to him sarcastically.
"And last but not least," he grinned, handing me a velvet box.
As I open it, the sun caught the shiny silver, making it dazzle. Inside, is a charm bracelet, where you collect beads to put on it. So far, there were two beads on there, one with the letter G engraved and the other, with the letter H.
"Oh," I whispered. "This is so cute."
He shrugged. "I try."
"These gifts are amazing, thank you," I smiled, wrapping my arms around him. "Although I feel the first one is more for your benefit, than mine!"
He grinned. "Guilty."
I let out a laugh, before detangling myself from him and slipping the delicate bracelet onto my wrist. It fit well, but is a little loose due to the lack of beads. I plan to fill it with as many as I can.
"You might want to take that off for what I have planned next," he told me.
"What's that?"
"I can't tell you."
"You are being very mysterious, Mr Cameron."
He winked at me. I made my way inside, with Hayden following me closely. Hayden ducked upstairs with the Victoria Secret bag quickly, to save telling my mum that he brought me lingerie.
I show her the bracelet and she told me she wanted to buy me a bead that had an 18 on it.
Hayden darted back down the stairs and entered the kitchen, an easy smile on his handsome face.
"This is gorgeous, Hayden," she said in awe.
I saw his cheeks turn pink as he smiled at her.
After hanging at the house for another half an hour or so, Hayden told me to change into swimmers. I did as I was told, skipping down the stairs, with my one-suit on underneath my denim shorts and loose t-shirt.
As we got to his Ute, Hayden handed me a black piece of cloth.
"What's this for?" I asked.
"It's your blindfold."
"You're kidding?" I deadpanned.
"No, put it on," he teased. "You can wear it again tonight if you want."
I roll my eyes.
As I sit in the car, I slide the cloth over my eyes. I feel anxious as he drove. I don't like not being able to see. I feel my palms grow sweaty.
Sensing my uneasiness, Hayden reached over, his warm hand finding mine. "It's okay, we'll be there soon."
A few minutes later, the car came to a stop. I wait for Hayden to open the door. When I step out, I feel strong wind slap my cheeks. The blind fold almost flew off my face. He led me over grass, the strands tickling my bare feet as he did. He undid the blind fold and I blink a few times, adjusting to the light.
We are standing on a glade, really high up. The grass glade stretched across in front of me, before dropping off.
"Wow, this place is beautiful," I told him.
"It is," he agreed. "I used to come here as a kid and jump off the cliffs."
My jaw dropped. "You jump from this high?"
"Yeah of course. You're not scared, are you?" he mocked.
"Of course not," I suddenly said, accepting the challenge straight away.
"Still cocky as ever, I see," he replied with an eye roll. "What are you waiting for, then?"
I grin, stepping out of my shorts and sliding my shirt over my head. I thank myself for not wearing my bikini. It might have been awkward if I jumped and lost my pants halfway down.
Hayden stripped to board shorts and we toss our clothes back into the Ute.
We edge towards the cliff edge. I stuck my head over.
"Is this safe?"
Hayden shrugged. "It's legal."
"That's not what I asked."
"I used to do it all the time, you'll be fine," he assured me. "Ready?"
Letting out a breath, I nod.
"Jump wide, there's rocks."
"Hayden!"
"What?" he laughed.
"If we die, I'm going to be really mad," I tell him as we began to back up.
"Well, at least we'll die together," he grinned, before grabbing my hand.
The next moment, we were running. I can feel the cool wind hitting my face in full force as I sprint towards the cliff edge.
With one last fleeting glance at the boy next to me, hand in hand, we jump.
I scream loudly as I feel myself soaring through the air.
It felt like the drop was two seconds long. I submerge into the icy, cold water. I feel myself plunge deeply. I lose Hayden's hand as I flail to the top. I emerge, panting, to see Hayden giving me a wicked, adrenaline-pumped smile.
I can taste the salt on my lips, feel the wind on my cheeks and the sun beating down onto my skin as I stare at him.
"That was such a rush," I said breathlessly as I tread water.
"Amazing, isn't it?"
I paddle over to him. We exchange a breathless, salty kiss, before beginning to paddle back to shore.
We caught a few waves in and I jog up the beach, collapsing down onto the sand, feeling exhilarated.
Hayden flopped down on my side, flicking water droplets onto me. He propped up on his elbow, shielding the fierce sun from me. He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine.
His lips were cold but his tongue warm as the kiss deepened. He sank his fingers into my wet hair, placing more of his weight on me. I hook my leg around his waist. His hand travelled up my bare thigh while my fingers trace the muscles in his back.
After a few moments, he pulled back, offering me his dimpled smile.
"I love you, Grace Connaway."
"I love you, too, Hayden Cameron."
***
After completing the cliff-jump three more times and then laying in the sun for twenty minutes to dry, we finally retired to the Ute. After having all that adrenaline course through my veins, I actually feel a little tired, even though it is only lunch time.
"We have to do that more often," I said to Hayden, closing my eyes briefly. "That was so much fun."
"Definitely."
We listen to the radio on the drive home. I tap my fingers against my thigh. I ditched my shirt, now only wearing my high-waist, denim shorts and my swim suit. The day had become warm out. Last year, it rained all day.
I can't help but smile as we pull up, seeing my shiny, new car sitting in the driveway. After we hop out, I trail my fingers along it.
"I can't believe I own a car now."
"I know, it's bloody dangerous," Hayden joked.
I lightly slap his arm as we walk through the door. I can hear music. I raise my eyebrows, looking around, trying to decipher where the sound is coming from.
The ground is vibrating as we walk through the house.
"What the...?" I asked, staring at Hayden.
He tried to hold back a smile, but failed. When I walk out the back, I gasp left my lips. There is a big streamer that said "Happy 18th Birthday", strung up near the pool. There is a table set up with finger food and soft drink. There are cooler bags dumped around the pavement, filled with alcohol, I'm assuming.
Clumped in small clusters, are people from school. Straight away, I see Harvey, Caitlyn, Leisel, Mia, Mike, David, Ryan and a few others that I have hung around with before.
They all turned to me and began cheering. Harvey placed his drink down and ran over to me, picking me up as he spun me around.
"Happy Birthday, best friend," he smiled.
"Who organised this?" I asked, my eyes wide.
"Me, Hayden, Leisel and your mum," Harvey replied.
My mother appeared at the doorway, dressed in her scrubs. She always wore a pair there, changed upon arrival and then re-changed, before heading home.
"I'm heading out now, Grace. Have a good time with your friends," she said to me. "Don't do anything I wouldn't!"
After giving her a hug, she disappeared into the house and I walk back outside. Everyone came over and said happy birthday to me, even Mia. I had to laugh, David has been out of school for the past couple of weeks, due to getting his wisdom teeth out. His face is still a little puffy and he looked like a chipmunk.
"I can't believe you're all here," I said to them, embarrassed that my eyes were tearing up. "You guys are the best."
"Aw, are you getting a bit emotional?" Harvey teased.
"Shut up!"
He laughed, wrapping an arm around me.
It is so weird to think that a few months ago, these people despised me. Now they were all at my house, celebrating my birthday with me.
Hayden came over to me, just as Harvey left for a re-fill.
He passed me a drink.
"You are amazing."
"I know," he joked.
I stood on my tip-toes, meeting his lips.
He smiled at me, before taking a sip of his coke.
The rest of the afternoon sailed by quickly. We began drinking at about 4pm, still out by the pool as the sun slowly began to sink away, leaving a hazy, orange glow in its wake. After paddling around in the pool until night, it eventually got too cold. We all retired into the lounge room.
Everyone has been really chilled out and having a good time. I'm surprised that they're all so easy-going. They did not seem like that when I first met them.
I walk into the kitchen to see Hayden holding a beer.
"What?" I asked stupidly, moving my eyes from the beer, to Hayden and back to the beer again.
"Spending a few nights in a cell, made me realise that I am nothing like my father. I will never do what he did."
"I don't care about drinking. Please don't feel like you have to-"
"Grace, this is something I need to do. I have been afraid of alcohol and honestly, I know now that I will never let it consume me like it did my father. I'm ready for this."
"I feel like we're making this dramatic," I said with a laugh. "But sure, if it's something you want to do, I won't stop you."
He wearily brought the beer to his lips and took a sip.
"I wonder what you're like drunk," I grinned, giggling.
"I guess you're going to find out," he replied with an eye roll, pulling me to him.
After we all danced around the house for a while, we all ended up putting a movie on. I'm surprised everyone came and has stayed all day. It's been really fun, spending time with everyone outside of school.
Despite have a few beers; Hayden didn’t get very drunk. He was more relaxed, actually dancing with me and the others, but still holding himself back a bit.
As I perch on the lounge, I reach over, placing Hayden's hand in mine.
"Thank you for making this day one I will never forget," I whispered.
He turned to me, a warm smile on his lips. "This is only the beginning."
As I sit back, watching the T.V, I find myself smiling.
Today has been perfect.