L E O N I E

Wednesday morning and I hadn't even stepped out of the car when the five biggest idiots I know, appeared beside my car and started singing Happy Birthday.

I slid out of the Range Rover and slipped my backpack on, cringing at their off key tune. Students wandered past, watching with amusement while Jess held a small cake in her hands.

"Hip hip," Jess shouted.

"Hooray," the rest of them followed.

"Hip hip."

"Hooray!"

"Hip hip."

"Hooray!"

I leaned over, blew out the candles and let Bray wrap me in a bone crushing bear hug. "Happy eighteenth, Lee."

I squeezed him back and moved on to Jess who handed Bray the cake. I went around the circle and everyone took turns giving me hugs. Which I quietly detested. But I endured. When the hugs were done, I turned around and saw Bray holding the cake in his palm. I raised a finger and pointed at him.

"If you even think about smashing that into my face, you're a dead man."

He feigned offence and clutched his chest. "I would never do th— alright. How'd she know?"

"Uh because she knows you," Jess grinned. Her bag strap was on one shoulder and her hair was up in a bun. Bray stuck out his tongue at her and gave her a quick kiss.

"That would be a waste," Amy commented. "Are there eggs in that? What sort of milk?"

Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and didn't let her see the exasperated look on his face. "It's a cake, Putus. Come on."

One of the girls in Amy's Vegan club ran past, jogging to catch up with her and Ethan. She smiled as she slipped through our group. "Happy Birthday, Leonie!"

"Thanks Yulia."

"Why can't we have her in our group?" Bray said as the rest of us started towards the main building. "She's much more reasonable."

"Should we put in a request for a swap?" Jess laughed.

I sighed and walked alongside Alex. "Come on now." It wasn't that I didn't agree. It was more just that I preferred saying things to people's faces rather than behind their backs. "I hope we're going to the cafe to eat that before homeroom."

Bray was still holding the cake. He peeped over his shoulder and shrugged. "Doubt we'll have time. We'll leave it in the staff fridge though. So no one steals it."

"I got you something," Alex said, quiet, as we walked up the outdoor staircase. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a velvet box. It was a little larger than a ring box. Which made me sigh with relief.

The cool air conditioning hit me as the electric doors slid open and we walked into the locker corridor. I opened the velvet box and inside was a pandora charm bracelet. Filled with charms. Purple ones. Little wine glasses and champagne bottles. A punnet of fries. There were some Disney charms. I gawked at it. This wasn't just expensive. It was sentimental.

I inwardly groaned. Alex was definitely still harbouring his little crush.

I inhaled and met him with a kind smile. "Thanks dude. Love it," I slid the bracelet on and then looked at Jess and Bray who were watching. "Bray. You wanna take the cake to the cafe with Alex so I can steal Jess. I need a bathroom stop. I have my period and the bleeding is bad."

Bray scowled. "Alright thanks for fucking sharing. Come on, Alex."

Alex gave me a small smile and nod and the boys hurried off. Jess looked amused. "What was that?"

"That was me letting Alex know that I am not girlfriend material. An attempt to make sure that he thinks I'm a gross mess. Because I am."

She linked her arm through mine and sighed. "He needs a girlfriend. Someone that isn't you. Maybe we should play matchmaker."

"No," I shook my head. "You were the one that encouraged Amy and Ethan together and look how well that's going."

"It's going great."

"For her. The poor dude is miserable."

Jess shrugged. "That's because he won't grow a backbone."

I shrugged. "True."

Throughout the day, I received a number of Happy Birthdays from peers and the occasional teacher who didn't hate me. Harlin flipped me the finger from across the quad during lunch while we ate cake. Might have been because I flipped her off first. Petty perhaps. But she was the one with a staring problem.

Heath sent me a cute little message and I was a bit disappointed that Sarah wasn't at the hospital this afternoon when I went in for volunteer hour. I mean, no. It was a good thing that she didn't have to endure through chemo. But Heath would have been there and that would have been a bonus.

I walked into the recreation lounge, pinning my name tag on as I went. I sort of loved that I got to dress up in scrubs and look all professional. Like a nurse. The scrubs didn't look half bad either. What I found waiting for me was so adorable that I could have died. Seven of the little ones that I spent time with were waiting for me with balloons and another cake.

"Happy Birthday," they cheered. Of course a couple of them were two so they were just clawing for the cake while the nurses held on to them. But it was so sweet that I melted to the ground and let them attack me with cuddles.

"This is so cute," I said to Jillian, one of the nurses. She was tall, thin, sweeter than sweet with her nurturing smiles. She was what every pediatric nurse should be. "Who's birthday is it though?"

She rolled her eyes and handed me an envelope. "Have you had a nice day so far?"

"So nice," I nodded and gave Parker, a little boy who was waiting for a lung transplant, a tickle in his side as he cuddled me tight around the neck. "I've had a lot of cake."

"Well we've got more," she laughed.

I opened the little envelope and found a fifty dollar gift card for Sephora. "Who did this?"

"A few of us went in on it," Jillian stood up and promised the kids that she would cut the cake up. All of them were bouncing on the spot, pleading that it be eaten as soon as possible.

I had the feeling that it wouldn't be the best tasting cake. A lot of these kids had dietary specifications that didn't allow them sugar or gluten etc. Amy would probably love it.

Izzy came toddling over. She was six but she'd lost a leg and suffered mild brain damage when she caught meningitis at the age of three. She was lucky to be alive. Her immune system was shit too. So she was in and out of hospital whenever she caught a cold.

"Happy burfday," she fell into my lap and handed over a scribbled drawing.

"Aw thanks Izzy," I kissed her head and stared at the paper as if it was drawn by Picasso himself. In truth, I had no idea what the hell I was looking at.

"How old are you, Lee?" She stared up at me with those big brown eyes.

"I'm eighteen."

"My granny is eighteen," she said, matter of fact.
I burst out laughing. "Your granny is eighteen? I am both impressed and concerned."

"What's concerned?"

"It's an emotion that someone feels when they think about how old your mom must be if your grandma is eighteen."

I was aware that she probably meant eighty and not eighteen but it was humorous all the same.

The volunteering was always rewarding but it was especially fun this afternoon. Cake and some cute party games. Of course, I went straight over to Sephora after the shift and grabbed a new mascara with the gift card.

When I got home, there was a parcel waiting for me at reception. It was addressed from London and when I unwrapped it upstairs, I found a gorgeous Tom Ford bag wrapped in velvet cloth. It was tan and smelled like brand new designer leather. Gorgeous. I sent mom a message as I fell into the couch after I'd showered and put on a fresh pair of PJs.

Love the bag. Thanks Mom. Miss you x

She responded a few minutes later.

Glad you like it. See you Friday night x

"Pizza pizza pizza," I sang, scrolling through the app while I aimed the remote at the television at the same time. I was a woman of many talents. Simultaneously ordering pizza while I found the perfect movie to watch on my birthday. "Look at me. Living the wildlife."

The doorbell rang while I was half way through customising my toppings. If I didn't get on with this, the order would time out and I would have to start again. So I kept tapping the add/delete button on sausage as I walked towards the front door and swung it open to find Heath with a pretty present, wrapped in a bow.

"Happy birthday," he smiled. My stomach turned in on itself and his scent hit me like a wall, putting a heat between my thighs. The smell of a man should never have that effect on a woman. Sorcery.

"You didn't have to get me anything," I smiled, looking over his broad shoulders which were hugged by a navy long sleeve. His faded distressed jeans fit him so damn well. A whole man. I gestured him inside. He followed along while I finished the order, adding another pizza to it.

"Is it just you?" He looked around the living room as I fell into the sofa and tossed my phone to the other side.

"Yeah."

"On your birthday?"

"I like my own company," I said and patted the space beside me. "But I might let you hang out. There's pizza on its way."

He sat down and put the present on the coffee table. I watched his brows pull together for a minute.

"You don't have to hang around if you've got other stuff to do," I added, feeling his hesitation.

"Oh na," he looked at me and smiled. "I was going to study. But it can wait."

"How is school going doctor Heath?" I curled my feet up under my bum and picked up the remote.

He leaned back in the sofa, exhaling a breath. His legs were spread and he put his hands behind his head. He looked like pure sex in that position. All man. I was basically salivating at his biceps and the way that his knee bounced as he shrugged.

"Full on. What's to be expected I suppose. I'm doing alright though."

"Mhmm," I pulled my eyes away and tried not to picture how strong those thighs of his must be. The word stamina was punching me right in the puss.
"And where is Sarah tonight?"

"She's at a church thing with Jade's roommate."
"Lillian?"

"Mhmm. She invited Sarah. No pressure. Just swung it past her and Sarah seemed keen so she picked her up just before I came here."

"Aw that's nice," I smiled. Lillian was sweet. One of the nicest girls that I knew. Sarah was in good hands.

"I think she's doing some self discovery. Wants to know what's waiting on the other side and all of that. You believe in any of that?"

I looked at him and nodded. "Yeah for sure. I believe in God."

He smiled.

The doorbell rang and I jumped up from the couch, stealing a glance at Heath who was watching my chest. The air crackled. How could it not. There he was. Strong legs spread, top pulled tight against his chest and shoulders. Would it be inappropriate if I fell into his lap?

Yes.

I rushed for the door and smiled at the pizza girl. She was new. I was sure of it because she seemed relieved to be at the right place when I reached out for the pizza boxes. Eating pizza wasn't sexy. It just wasn't. I don't care how many pornos start off with a pizza being delivered. The fatty, greasy triangles did not entice sexual thoughts and that was just what I needed right now.

"Thanks," I told the girl and handed her a one hundred. Her gaze widened at the generous tip and her lips curled up. I was sure that she'd go home and brag about the perks of delivering in South Beach.

In the living room, Heath hadn't moved and I wanted to kick him straight in his rock hard stomach. How dare he rest so casually and look like a sex bomb while he was at it.

When he saw me walking back towards him, he smiled and sat up straighter. His elbows rested on his knees, fingers clasped and that looked fucking hot too. Could he just stop?

"What'd you get?" He asked.

I put the boxes down, flipped the lids and then sat down beside him. "One with a lot of meat and then my special custom order. Satay base, shredded chicken, bacon, pepperoni, a mayo swirl and stuffed crust."

He looked like someone had just stuffed a sock in his mouth.

"Problem?"

"Just sounds like a lot of different flavours and that's a lot. A lot going on," he laughed and shrugged a shoulder. "Whatever tickles your pickle."

I swallowed and thought about another pickle that I'd like to tickle.

"Don't knock it 'til you try it," I sang and picked up a piece. I bit a chunk off and smiled as I chewed. Yep nothing arousing about pizza. Now if he could just start eating as well so that I could stop thinking about eating something else, that would be great.

"Mind?" He pointed at my pizza. I gestured for him to go ahead.

Yep. Heath looked hot eating pizza too. Someone kill me.

He looked surprised as he chewed and his surprise became pleasant surprise. He made an innocent sound of approval. Just a little noise in the back of the throat that really shouldn't have made my clit twitch. But it did. I had a clitch. Damn it all.

"Huh. It's good."

"Told you," I grinned with triumph. "Now eat the meat lovers and leave mine alone."

He chuckled and slid the box further down the coffee table so that it was in front of him. What I loved about hanging out with Heath, was the comfort and familiarity. It had been a month since we met but it could have been years for all it mattered.

We'd picked up on so much about each other in such a short time. I wasn't oblivious, there was some major chemistry existing between us and it was getting harder to ignore but whenever I thought about taking things further between us, I remembered what it felt like to have my heart ripped out of my chest and I fought the urge to drag his sweet self into my fucked up issues.

"Big plans this weekend?" He asked while we watched The Amazing Spider-Man on Netflix.

"Na. Mom is coming home. So we'll hang I suppose. You should bring Sarah over. She'd love to see you both."

"Yeah?" He gave me a soft grin and dropped a half eaten slice of pizza before he leaned back in the couch. He exhaled like he was stuffed but he'd only eaten three slices. I was going to look like such a pig when I devoured this entire thing.

Oh well.

"Yeah," I nodded. "She loves you guys. Hey, which Spider-Man do you like best. Toby Maguire, Andrew Garfield or Tom Holland?"

"I don't know who any of those people are."

I almost inhaled pizza when I gasped, outraged at the nerve of this man. "Seriously?"

"I just watch the movies," he shrugged and waved a dismissive hand. "I don't pay attention to who's who."

"Ugh," I wiped my hands on a napkin and twisted so that I was facing him. "Okay so the first Spider-Man movie. The one with the red head. Mary Jane and the old aunt. Peter gets bitten while he's taking photos of Mary Jane at that science place?"

"Oh. Yep. I know the one."

"Okay and the second generation Spider-Man has the taller Peter. And the blonde Gwen Stacy. Her Dad is the cop who hates Peter and there's a big lizard dude."

"Mhmm."

"Right. And the third generation Peter has the super young Aunt and a way more diverse cast. Mary Jane is black and everyone lost their small minds over it."

"Oh Zendaya."

I rolled my eyes. "You know who Zendaya is. Of course."

"What," he shrugged. "She's gorgeous."

I am so not jealous. Who does he think he is?

"Yep. So. Which is your favourite?"

"I don't know. Probably the Toby Maguire one. The first generation."

"Reason," I rested an elbow on the back of the couch and twirled a strand of my hair.

"I guess that was the movie of my time. When I was into all that superhero stuff. Being a kid and all. That was what I watched. How about you?"

"I like them all," I bit my lip in thought and noticed Heath's gave settle on my mouth. "Like they're all good in their own way. I kind of found the third generation a little bit cheese. But I love Tom Holland. He's adorable. It was good. But I dunno. And then Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have fantastic chemistry. So I loved that one. Plus he's quite hot but he felt too hot. For Peter Parker. Peter is meant to be a nerd. But whatever. I liked it.

"And then the first never lets me down. I've always loved his transition. I love how Peter can actually shoot web and he doesn't engineer it. But I kinda felt like Toby didn't pull off that cheeky thing that Spider - Man has going on and that bothered me. I dunno. The jury's out. I didn't read the comic books so there's no way I could get into this debate with a super fan. Like can't some people just like the movies for the movies. I hate people that go on and on about people not having read the comics, not being true fans. Shut up."

I looked at Heath and he had a lazy grin on his seductive lips. He pulled it off so well. "You talk a lot about subjects that interest you, huh?"

I frowned. "And?"

"No no," he laughed. "I like it. I like listening to you. You have a nice voice."

I inhaled. Sharp. "That's a first," I mumbled.

Now that I thought about it, I really had just rambled his ear off about Spider-Man debates. But he sat there and listened. Not once did he appear bored or as if he was zoning out. He was so attentive.

"So this one," Heath cleared his throat and gestured at the television with a slight nod. I'd been staring at him like he was dessert. "This is the Andrew Garfield one. Right?"

"Mhmm," I turned again so that I was facing the television. "I'm still pissed that Gwen dies in the sequel. Like, I don't care if it happens in the comic books. The producers could have changed the plot like they do all the damn time with other shit."

"Spoiler much," Heath stared at me with exasperation.

"You said you've seen it!"

"Not the sequel to this one! With the blue electric dude? Yeah I haven't seen it."

"Oh well that's just your fault then," I shrugged a shoulder. "Watch something within the first year of its release or don't complain about spoilers."

He shook his head and chuckled as he watched the television.

"We'll watch it after this."

His gaze darted down to the coffee table. "You gonna open the present that I brought?"

Embarrassed that I'd forgotten about it, I snatched it up and rested it in my lap. Truthfully, I wasn't used to getting wrapped gifts. Apart from Alex's attempt to slide a bit further from the friend zone this morning, I didn't usually receive wrapped presents from my friends. I insisted they didn't get me anything because I didn't need it.

"Sorry," I said, undoing the bow. "I was so excited for food that I forgot. It's not my fault. It's the magic of stuffed crust."

He laughed.

When I tore the wrapping off the gift and found the Gossip Girl box set DVD collection, I squealed. All six seasons plus bonus footage of behind the scenes, deleted scenes and bloopers.

"I love bloopers!" I cried out. "And behind the scenes! Heath, thank you!"

I threw my arms around him and nuzzled his neck. Not on purpose. It was just right there and it seemed like a nuzzling moment. He smelled masculine and sweet. His hold tightened around me and for a moment, I let myself picture what this would be like if we were in a relationship. What would change? Would we see each other more or less? Would we hang out like this or would he be too busy studying? Would I be a needy bitch who required hours