“What’s going on?” I mutter, taking a cautious step closer.
All my friends are here but never in my wildest dreams would I have expected them to be dressed like this. Or the yard to look the way it does.
No blue or purple streamers in sight. Absolutely anything party themed or related invisible. Instead, it looks like a recycled prank on the mansion’s patio.
I want to ask if I showed up at the right address, but I know I did. It’s all so… so…
“Welcome to your anti-birthday!” Finn hollers, extending an arm out wide.
Confusion must mar my face because he opens his mouth to explain further.
“Without the megaphone, this time,” Cole deadpans.
Finn does as he asks but not before side-eyeing his disapproval. A smile right back in place before I can blink.
The enthusiasm is nice. The oversized green top hat and burnt-orange tailcoat are unneeded accessories.
“You said you didn’t want anything, so that’s what we’re doing. We’re having the opposite of a party. An anti-birthday.”
“Sooo, you’re boycotting my birthday?” I ask, clicking my tongue. Thinking I’m getting it.
“Exactly,” Hailey adds, stepping in. “No over-the-top celebration, no fancy decorations. A complete reverse to the stereotype.”
“Oh,” I breathe.
Underwhelmed but overwhelmed at the same time.
The theme, which is no theme at all, is exactly as they described. The yard makes absolutely no sense and I love it all.
Instead of balloons, they used kites. Piles of fruity cereal litter the tables instead of confetti. Toilet paper hangs, blowing from the trees like streamers. I find it both comical and endearing that Finn TP’d his own house.
Each of them adds its own flair to the rest. Hailey tied brightly colored mismatched socks around the base of her two braids. Eli put on a vest that looks like a pattern from a soft burrito shell.
Even Iceman joined in. Although he did seem the most uncomfortable. Flicking at his eyebrow as I try to swallow my laughter behind my hand.
I’m positive Hailey’s the one who forced him to put on the fanny pack. The strap loosely hanging over one shoulder. The bag rests right below the center of his pecs. The words “children’s souls” in a bright-red font on the front.
We did have cupcakes, but they were in the shape of squares and the icing was on the bottom. That’s the same way we ate them too.
It’d been messy, but we managed to do it through fits of laughter.
This is the first time since coming back that I felt almost like before. No extra tension, no nothing. Everyone enjoying themselves.
Even after we all somehow ended up in the pool fully clothed.
Cole’s arm snaking around my middle. Taking the incentive to decide the opposite of opening presents is a dive in the water. Logically.
We laughed and joked long past sundown, and for a single evening, everything was right in the world.
It, by far, was the best anti-birthday I’ve ever had.
nineteen
Rory
Atendersmirkpassesmy face the next morning as I look back down at all the useless things my friends have gotten me.
Every single one of them as pointless and worthless as the last.