Chris brings me to my favorite restaurant, Ruby Tuesday's, after we finish the movie. I don't know how he remembers but he doesn't even ask me where I would like to go. Maybe he asked Clarissa or something. Anyway, it's really nice having him back.

"So..." He says. Awkward silence hovering in the air.

"Awkward silence." I whisper. It a thing we do. When things get kinda awkward we would always say it. It kinda took some tension away as we both laugh.

"See that was one of the things I have always love about you. You know how to make people feel comfortable around you." He smiles. Wait, love? Chris... Loves me?

"I try. Sometimes it doesn't always work though." I giggle.

"Well most of the time it does." He reaches over and grabs my hand. He does it casually, like we've done it for years. To be honest, I've had feelings toward him since I was in 6th grade. He is always the sweetest person to me. He knows my likes and dislikes. He knows how to make me laugh when I don't really feel like laughing or smiling. He knows how to brighten my day when they are dark and gloomy. He knows just about everything about me. Well maybe except the whole, I have feelings for him. Actually scratch that. He probably does know I like him cause I was stupid and opened my stupid mouth. Great job, Rebecca, real great.

"Hello?" A hand waves in front of my face. I look at a smiling Chris.

"Hey there day dreamer. What do you  want to eat?" He motions to the waitress who's standing beside our table.

"I want the BBQ Burger and a Czar Salad please." I look up at her as she jots it all down.

"And your drink?"

"Water. Thank you." I hand her the menu as Chris orders. I don't pay attention to what he gets but he whispers something in the waitresses ear. She nods and flashes a smile my way before leaving.

"What was that about?" I ask.

"What?" He tries to play the innocent card on me

"What did you do? Give you number to her or something?* I ask, annoyed.

"Nah. She's hot but she's not my type."

"Ah.." I think I want to die from embarrassment now.

"Yep." Our food arrives and we eat in silence. When I'm done, I put my silverware on the plate with my napkins and put the plate away.

"All done?" He asks. I nod and he calls the waitress over.

"Check please. Oh and tell them to go ahead." He winks at her and she walks away. I get bored  and start ripping a napkins into tiny little pieces of fluff.

"Chill." He still my hands and puts the little pieces on my plate.

"Sorry." I mutter.

The waitress comes back over with the check and then leaves. Chris signs the check and sits it on the edge of the table.

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear, Rebecca. Happy Birthday to you." A whole bunch of people come up and a slice of cake is sat in front of me on the table. I look around and see most of my friends and Clarissa. Why are they saying Happy Birthday? It's not my birthday... My birthday is on the 21 of August... Today's... Oh wait.... Today's my birthday... Cause today was the first day of school... Wow... I forgot my own birthday.

I look at Chris and he smiles.

"Happy Birthday, Becca." He whispers before I'm surrounded by my friends, who keep giving me hugs so I lose sight of Chris.

"I can't believe you forgot your own birthday!!" My best friend, Abby, comes up and trows her arms around me, squeezing me into her.

"I've been busy..." I mutter but no one seems to hear me and I lose Abby in the crowd.

***

I eventually sneak away and go to the bathroom. I go into a stall and sink to the floor, crying. Elizabeth would be 18 too. We would be 18 on the same day. We promised each other we would do something special on our 18th birthday... But she's not here. I broke our promise. I lived and she died. She died for me. She pushed me out of the car before it hit the water and although I still sunk because I was knocked unconscious she didn't save herself.

I rock myself back and forth on the floor, balling my eyes out.

I'm still balling when I hear someone come in the bathroom.

"Bex?" I hear Abby's voice call out unsurely.

"I'm in here." I tell her, unlocking the stall so she can come in and sit beside me. She pulls me in for a side hug once she is beside me. She doesn't ask if I'm okay or what's wrong of if I want to talk about it. She just sits there, knowing that the only thing I need right now is her presence.

"I feel like I've lost everything..." I tell her in a soft voice, unsure of how to explain everything to her. When Abby doesn't ask what's wrong, it makes me want to tell her. Because I know I can trust her no matter what.

"Sometimes things are hidden away, tucked behind memories and clouds of dust. You just have to pick off with the cleaning from where you left off. Some of the things you find might surprise you. I know it's not easy, and I can't promise it will ever be easier, but you always have me here for you. I'm going to be here no matter what. If we are having a fight and aren't talking, if you need me I will still come. I don't care where I am, what I'm doing, and how I am feeling; you call and I'll be here right beside you." She laces her fingers through mine, letting me cry on her shoulder until it's all out.

Letting go of her hand, I grab the bar in the stall of the bathroom to pull myself up. I hold a hand out to Abby and she takes it with a grin.

"I do believe we have a party to attend to." Smirking at her I open the stall and walk out.

"There's my girl." She smiles. Not sadly or happy, but proudly. She's proud of me. Glancing in the mirror, even with believing I look like total crap, I smile.

"Let's go have some fun." I grab her hand and pull her out of the bathroom and into the awaiting crowd of people.

Who's your best friend? What are they like? What's the number one thing you will always do for them?

Think about it. Think about your friendships and how they have impacted you. Whether that be for good or bad.

Until text time,

Marissa