I don’t know what Mateo told them about my birthday, but it feels like he is personally trying to make up for the last 15 years all in one shot. I discovered quickly that I had to watch what I showed interest in. If he thought for even a second I liked something, he would ask if I wanted him to buy it for me. I was actually worried our father was going to be mad at him for spending unnecessary money on me.
He actually found a little kiosk that sold customizable bracelets. He found one that had several layered straps, some leather, some chain links, some thread. He chose one with black leather and stainless steel and paired it with a tiny charm that the lady engraved with “sis.’ Not to be outdone, Cam chose one that had sea glass green leather, like his eyes. His charm said “Tiny. Kota’s was sky blue, his charm saying “Smalls.’ Oliver’s was orange, which I thought was odd at first, because he always just seems to be in varying shades of black like a biker, but the more I thought about it, when he does wear a color, it is orange. like construction worker neon. His charm says ‘Bite Size.”
Sam makes a big show of choosing his, but by this point have figured out they are all choosing their favorite color and adding the nickname they gave me. Almost like they are marking me, without marking me. It made me smile at the thought. He brought me the red leather bracelet and dropped to one knee holding his hands out in front of him
displaying the bracelet in his upturned palms, really causing a scene.
“Little Bit, will you accept this humble gift and wear my friendship bracelet for ever and ever.” I think he was going for Romeo, but he’s not subtle enough for that.
I just laughed and replied, “I would love to, good sir.” With a curtsy for added effect and held out my wrist to him. He jumped up and squealed like a girl, clapping his hands before finally placing it on my wrist.
“Show off.” I heard someone grumble behind me. Making all of us laugh.
“You’re just jealous, you didn’t think of it.” Sam responds.
Then Sierra walked up, “Let’s finish your arm rainbow.” She wraps her own yellow bracelet around my wrist, the charm having runes inscribed. One for warrior that looked like an arrow pointing up and next to it a three pronged pitchfork with a small circle just above the hilt, two squiggly lines across the handle and a semicircle at the top of the handle looking like a bowl.
“It means warrior friend.” She said before hugging me.
I looked at my arm and a sense of warmth washed over me as I looked at the six inches of multicolored leather and metal wrapped halfway up my forearm. I realized I wasn’t lying when I told Sam I would wear them “forever and ever. don’t think I could part with them.
“Okay, sentimental stuff is all over, let’s feed the birthday girl so she cooperates while dress her up like my own personal doll. Sam, go find your Little Bit some food.” She commands like a dog trainer. He doesn’t even look offended, just turns and walks off, with all of us trailing behind laughing. Once we are all good and fed, we start our second round of shopping. We hit the formal section of a trendy shop. All of my bags are collected and stored next to the five chairs the guys are posted in in front of the three way viewing mirror set up on a little platforrn. They each pulled out their phones settling in for the long wait. Sierra is rushing around the store grabbing things off the rack. without even seeming to look at them properly. I don’t even know if she is grabbing the right size, but, with clothes, I have come to trust her judgment today, so whatever, this is her show right now. I just stand patiently next to the guys and watch the tornado that is my friend running around the store. When her hands were full she ushered me, followed by a sales lady with equally full arms to the dressing room.
She went all out for the first dress. It was full length and huge, have never seen so much material before. The top was strapless and cut straight across, it also had a bunch of sparkles on it and the skirt was miles and miles of layered sheer fabric. It was a pretty gray/blue color that matched my eyes, not too deep or too bright but I wasn’t sure about it. This one was guaranteed to make me trip or get caught
on something and I had to put my platform converse back on just to be able to not get caught up in the skirt
