The sun had barely touched the horizon when Jena sat up in bed, she was feeling very much unusual than normally she couldn't even figure out what the problem was all she knew was that she just felt different like something inside her was growing ...she glanced at the clock 6:16 am ,then she recalled that it was sixteenth birthday she didn't even remember cause normally she isn't the type that celebrates her birthday or likes to make a big deal out of it .
Downstairs , the smell of toast and burnt eggs filled the kitchen ,Her mom ,Amira was already halfway out of the door, dressed in her hospital scrub "Happy birthday ,sweet heart"she said ,kissing Jena's forehead, Grab your bag ,I'll drop you on my way off .
Her father's car wasn't in the driveway as usual
He worked for the government ,at least that's what Jena was told ...something about recruitment ,but it was vague . He missed her last three birthdays .
As Amira drove ,her grip on the wheel tightened she kept glancing at Jena through the rearview mirrors ,watching her as she walked into her school.
*************
At school , things we're normal ...as usual
She was greeter first by her best friend Charles Jefferson ,but she normally calls him Charlie though other of his friend refer him as CJ .Charles was a tall, light brown skinned boy with eyes so beautiful that they could have been painted ,his voice was deep though he was seventeen but soft and he was always calm ...They both had been close since childhood ,inseparable ....what jena didn't know was that Charles watched her a little to closely like he knew something she didn't .He noticed her mood shifts the way she sometime stared off like she could hear something no one else could but he really didn't much thoughts into that though he knew she was changing.
Later along the line while Charles was with Jena came along her other friends ,"Get out of the way you hobbo" said one of Jena's friend Mira to Charles
Mira bold and dramatic ,was dating the soccer captain Jordan.
Her others friends were selene : graceful and dramatic ,always on call
Faith ,unpredictable and loud was with Ronnie the bassist
Lexi on the other hand an introvert and was really always self aware but was a softie she was recently in a relationship with keon a coding nerd ,but she is usually in and out of relationships .
They were loud ,chaotic and loyal exactly what Jena needed .
Jena herself had eye on someone still ,Rayden the basket ball team star .He was a mysterious ,confident ,silent in class ,deadly on the court .she barely spoke to him,but something about him puller her in ,she didn't know that he too watched her secretly ,telling his friends ,she's not like the others .
********
The group huddled by the lockers "Tonight samira's place party " Mira announced " No excuses Jena
But ...
"No buts .I know you don't like celebrating your birthday but I can't let you miss out on the fun still
And plus if you don't show up I'll drag you in your sleep"
Jena laughed ....
*****
The party at samira's house was louder than Jena liked - bodies swaying ,music , thumping , lights flashing .But her friends wouldn't let her miss out on all the fun ,the laughed ,dranked ,took pictures like the world was gonna end tomorrow .
Charles showed late ,His walk was slow and deliberate his eyes only to Jena .
He didn't say much just leaned over at a point , happy birthday and disappeared into the crowd .But the way her heart slammed in her chest when their eyes locked .....she couldn't explain it .
Near midnight ,while the party was still going wild ,Jena stepped out quietly .The was heavy .Her skin prickled like something unseen was touching her ,she almost screamed when she heard a voice behind her
"Walking alone on your birthday ?
Charles stepped out of the shadows.
"I needed air"
"I figured I'd walk you home you shouldn't be alone tonight "
Jena nodded ,Grateful
They walked side by side under the moonlight , silent at first .Then came the questions
" Do you ever feel like you don't belong ?
She asked softly .
Charles didn't look at her "Everyday"
A long pause .Then he added "some of us re made for more. We just don't know it yet "
She didn't answer but her chest ached the truth of it .
Happy birthday Jena sixteen is a big number
She smiled , "Thanks"
And just as she was about to turn away he added " I will always be here for you"
She blinked "what"?
But he was already walking away
WERITTEN BY EDEDE GRACE