I couldn’t believe I was locked out. I rang the doorbell one more time just to make sure. No one came. I turned to my Ali, my best friend, and shrugged.
“I guess we can check the back door. Maybe someone left it open.” I set my bags of new clothes and jewelry on the porch and kicked through a pile of leaves as I headed for the stairs.
“I think it’s about time you reevaluated your policy of not carrying your house key with you whenever you leave,” Ali said.
“I’d just lose it and besides, someone is always here.”
“Not today,” she said. “You are so lucky, Brooklyn. I can’t believe you already have a date. And it’s on your birthday. I still haven’t been on an official date yet, and I’m two years older than you are. The closest I’ve been was holding hands with Matt at the movies that one time.”
I frowned sympathetically, but it didn’t hold for long. Thinking of my upcoming date forced the frown into a grin. “I can’t believe it either. I couldn’t believe it when Luke asked me out.” I stopped before taking the first step.
“Yeah, right,” Ali said. “Every guy at school is drooling to go out with you.”
“Exaggerate much?”
“Okay, maybe not everyone, but I’ve heard about ten guys say they couldn’t wait to take you out.”
“Luke’s the only one that’s asked, though.” I couldn’t help but think back to when he asked me out. There was no way I’d forget it.
It was September, the first week of swim practice. After practice that day, I had been walking across the street to the high school when he’d caught up to me.
After giving me a mind-tingling smile, he said, “You wanna go see a movie on Friday?”
My insides slammed into each other. Luke was asking me out. This guy was attractive. He was not only hot, he was mega-hot and an amazing swimmer. I had no idea why he was giving me so much attention. He had to be the most popular boy on the team. To top it off, he was funny. He made me laugh every day. But I knew what I had to do. I laughed softly before saying, “I can’t date until I’m sixteen.” I could see the disappointment on his face.
He rallied. “And when would that be?”
“October fifth.” I looked at my shoes wondering if he was the type to wait. I hoped he was. But, if not, then he wasn’t worth it, right?
He whistled. “That’s only a month away.”
I nodded, wondering if it were possible for a heart to break free from its cage and flop out onto the ground.
“Sweet sixteen, huh?” His eyes glittered with excitement.
“You got it.” I hoped he felt the same way I did and thought it was cool that I’d waited.
He bumped his shoulder into mine. “Well, I call dibs on your first date. And it has to be on your birthday.” He cocked his head to the side and grinned.
I smiled back.
“Is that a yes, then?”
I looked away and then back at him. “Yes,” I said, trying to keep calm. I couldn’t believe it. I had a date with the hottest senior I knew. And the date was on my sixteenth birthday.
Ali sighed and leaned on the stair railing, bringing me back to the present. “It’s total crap that everyone just hangs out in groups. I guess it’s the easy way out for the guy. They don’t have to spend any money on you and they still get to be with you. Sucks for us.”
“Groups are good, though,” I shrugged, starting down the stairs. “Thanks for taking me birthday shopping. I love the earrings.”
“No problem. I had fun.”
“Me, too.” We headed toward the gate that led to the backyard. Ali made everything great. I loved hanging out with her. It was weird to think we’d only been good friends for a few months. We reached the corner of the house.
“You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if all the guys are just waiting for you to actually turn sixteen to ask you out. You know how they love fresh meat.” She laughed.
I stopped. “Very funny.”
“I’m not kidding. I was shocked how all the senior guys went crazy for all the new sophomore girls at the beginning of the year. They promptly dated them and then dropped them. It’s been what? A month?”
“Are you serious? Why’d they drop them?”
“They just wanted to make out with them. It didn’t take long to achieve that.” She laughed again.
“That’s nuts.”
“Yep. You’re a ten on the hot meter right now because not only are you a virgin dater, you’re a virgin lips.”
I shook my head. “Do you really think that’s the only reason Luke wants to take me out?” I frowned, worried. “He is a senior. And I’m a sophomore.” We started for the gate again.
“Who knows? I don’t really know him.”
“You’re so helpful, Ali. Really, it’s just like talking to a therapist when I’m with you.” I rolled my eyes at her, but she just smirked as I pushed at the tall, wooden gate. It wouldn’t open. I sighed. The stupid thing was always sticking. I bent my knees a little and shoved my shoulder into it. It gave way, leaving me to stumble through into the backyard—and into a waiting crowd of people. I gasped.
“Surprise!” More than twenty kids were there, all with big grins on their faces.
I hid my reddening face behind my hands and looked over my shoulder to find Ali.
“You knew about this?”
She threw her arm over my shoulder. “Of course! Come on, let’s enjoy the party.”
I laughed as she pulled me toward my friends. They gathered around me, slapping me on the back and doing impressions of me falling through the gate, making cartoonish gaping faces and exclaiming in falsetto voices. I was embarrassed, but I was also thrilled. A surprise party! It was exactly the perfect start to my magical 16th birthday that I had hoped for.
I was extremely grateful I’d dressed up to go shopping with Ali. I’d worn my cute plaid Converse, trendy dark jeans, and a bright pink, super fun Tee to match my shoes, along with a blue hoodie. I’d even crimped my long blonde hair. I felt good.
My birthday wasn’t for another three days. It was Saturday, though, and since my birthday fell on Tuesday this year, I’m sure my parents held the party today out of sheer practicality. It had to be, because in truth, they were breaking their own rules. Boys were at my house, and I wasn’t even sixteen, yet.
Speaking of boys, just as I was registering the fact that they were actually there at my house, one of them grabbed me around the waist, picked me up, twisted me around and yelled, “Happy Sweet Sixteen.”
Meet Parker. He was by anyone’s standards the most popular guy in school. He was the sophomore class president this year and had been an officer throughout Junior High. You might think that would make him the guy I liked, but it didn’t for some reason. We were just friends. I had been a cheerleader last year, and we’d spent a lot of time with the officers at games, and this year we were on the swim team together, so I knew him pretty well—at least what he was like at school.
I couldn’t stop laughing even after Parker put me down. Before I could even gain my balance, Harrison, the tallest guy at the party, took his turn, lifting me over his shoulder and carrying me across the deck, down the steps, around our large pool, and back up to where everyone talked and hung out on the porch. His shoulder dug into my stomach, but I didn’t care. Boys did this kind of stuff to me at games and in the halls at school. It was fun. A silly worry flew through my brain. What would my parents think of a boy carrying me around my yard? Was it okay since we were in a group? I also wondered what the next guy was going to do to one-up Harrison. Boys. They were so competitive.
But the competition ended when Harrison set me down on the porch in front of a long table filled with all kinds of food and treats. My friend Katherine grabbed me into a hug and screamed. “You are so lucky. My birthday’s not until May.” She had her long, red hair pulled into a ponytail and her thick, fake eye lashes fringed her blue eyes. Even though she was a bit shallow, she mesmerized me. I wasn’t sure why her sixteenth birthday mattered
to her. She dated all the time already. In fact, I thought she had a serious boyfriend. She handed me a small wrapped present and then everyone circled around me giving me cards and presents and wishing me the best.
By the way, I think I neglected to tell you that about eight girls were there, too. Sorry, the guys blinded me a bit to them. My one and only sister Hannah was there too and gave me a cute wave and smile. Even though she was three years younger than I was, we got along great. She had brought her best friend to hang out with at the party and they sat on the brick wall to my right.
Someone turned some music on and I looked up. My mom stood near the door to the house right by the speakers, smiling at me like a raccoon that had just made a huge mess of our garbage. (They do that around here, and it’s no fun to clean it up, but the raccoons loved it—just like my mom was loving this.) She took picture after picture, laughing and talking with all my friends.
I felt a little weird having boys over. My mom must have noticed I was freaking out inside because she mouthed, It’s okay, sweetie. Happy Birthday. I shuffled over to a chair and set all the gifts down on it, some of them spilling onto the patio floor and then ran over to her, smashing her into a big hug.
“Thanks, Mom,” I whispered in her ear.
“You’re welcome. You surprised?”
“Totally. I had no idea.”
“I made your favorite cake,” she sang.
“You didn’t!” I opened my eyes wide, truly not believing her.
“I did. And I can’t wait to tell everyone all about it.” She snickered.
“You wouldn’t,” I said, my nerves exploding.
“Oh, I would.”
“Please, Mom. No. You can’t. It’s my birthday.”
“I’ll consider your request, but there are no promises.”
“You better not, Mom. Seriously.” But, I figured my words meant nothing to her. My mom had a wild and unpredictable nature. It was probably why all my friends adored her. And truthfully, why we got along so well. I could tell her anything.
She stepped back. “Make sure you thank Parker for rounding up all your friends.”
I turned to look at Parker, who was talking animatedly with several of the guys.
“I will! Seriously, this is the best. And don’t tell!” I gave her the look that said I meant business. Then, I made a mental note to thank Parker when I got back to him. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have Luke and Ryker here. I hurried over to talk to my cheerleader friends. Teeny-tiny flyer, Samee, stood next to muscular base, Joslyn, and Joslyn’s full-of-himself boyfriend, Jackson. They were huddled together at the bottom of the steps, near the pool, staring at everyone up on the deck. Since starting high school, the three were inseparable—the three musketeers. I wondered if it was awkward between the three of them, since Samee had a major crush on Jackson. Probably Joslyn didn’t know. I knew, though, because Samee had been my best friend through Jr. High. But when I didn’t make the cheer team this year and she did, we hadn’t had much time for each other, especially since I was on the swim team.
“Thanks for coming, you guys.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it, Brooke,” Samee said laughing, her tiny body hugging me. I didn’t miss the we. I supposed she wouldn’t have come had Jackson and Joslyn been unable. A pang of sadness whipped through me. How had Samee and I grown so far apart in only two short months?
I spotted my dad, out by the fire pit, stoking a red, orange, and white mass of flames, his ear turned toward us so he wouldn’t miss anything over the loud music.
Joslyn and Jackson hugged me soundly, ending with Jackson being his gross, flirty self and grabbing my butt. I scowled and shoved him away. I didn’t see what Samee saw in him. He flirted with everyone. Why did Joslyn stand for it? I wouldn’t want my boyfriend groping every girl he came in contact with.
Mike, a guy from school, interrupted us and pulled me away from the bottom of the stairs to dance with him, the slow beat to the song had him pulling me close. “This will be our song, Brooklyn, yours and mine,” he said in a dramatic soap-opera voice. Mike raised his black eyebrows and pulled me so close, heat filled my cheeks. If I didn’t know him the way I did, I’d have been way more embarrassed. Mike was one of those guys who was the life of the party and he never took anything too seriously. His bulky frame dwarfed mine. He had recently broken his arm in a football game and sported a heavy white cast that was signed all over. He didn’t let a little broken arm stop him from making everything fun. He was invited to all the parties.
Mike and I danced our way up the steps, away from the pool, and onto the patio following the three musketeers. As if a dinner bell rang, everyone left what they were doing and headed for the food table as Mike danced me over to it. I felt my face go hot when Samee waggled her eyebrows at me, as if something was going on between Mike and me.
It was starting already. Real things could happen with guys. At least in three days they could. Was I ready?
Several of the guys had already loaded up their plates and were heading down to the fire pit to cook their hot dogs. We joined the others and as I filled my plate, I couldn’t help but notice the big, turquoise blue banner that ran the length of the patio. In bold black letters it read, HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN, BROOKLYN! Hearts were drawn all over the perimeter. In my mind, I added, and never been kissed. It wasn’t quite true, yet, but would be in a few short days on my real birthday. I was about to make it to sixteen without being kissed. A triumphant tingle spread through my body thinking about it, even though it hadn’t been that hard to remain a kissing virgin. All I had to do was avoid all physical contact with boys in any kind of circumstance that could lead to kissing. Would it be harder now that boys were at my house?
Many of my friends, a large group of them, had decided not to kiss until after they were sixteen and hadn’t made it. Of my close friends, Samee and I were the only ones I knew of who had. And for Samee, it was probably because of that whole “secretly in love with your friend’s boyfriend” thing. I did know of others at school who had made it, but they were mostly people who, in the social scheme of things, had no real chance of kissing anyone anytime soon. Staying a virgin lips lost its pull for that group, I guessed. It seemed like most who had succumbed to the temptation and had lost their VL status, hadn’t stopped kissing since the first little kiss. Kissing must be addictive. What other explanation could there be? I had to stay away from it at all costs. I would not become addicted until I found the man I would spend the rest of my life with. It was fun being one of the few true hold-outs and it felt right.
I loaded my plate and headed to the fire pit with a friend from Davis High. Alyssa and Ali. Bar-S hotdogs were my absolute favorite; I could eat five in one sitting. I know, I know, it wasn’t considered lady-like to stuff my face, but hey, it was my party, couldn’t I do what I wanted? Not only did I stuff my face, but I had a contest with the guys. I didn’t win, but I was the only girl who sunk low enough to get close. And in truth, I wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed.
My mom came out with my cake. Sixteen candles burning like crazy in the waning light. Everyone burst out singing the Happy Birthday song, and I blew them all out in one breath, earning my secret wish: for Ryker, one of my secret crushes, to ask me out on a date. The wish was sure to happen. It was my sixteenth birthday wish, after all.
“What kind of cake is that, Mrs. H?” Samee asked. “It looks fabulous.”
“It’s Brooklyn’s favorite.” She paused, probably for dramatic effect. My eyes went wide and I shook my head at her. She grinned and winked at me. “It’s called better-than-sex-cake.” Her grin was a mile wide.
Everyone burst out laughing.
“No way!” “Awesome!” “I’ve gotta get me some of that!” My face burned and I had to consciously take deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating. Ali came up and put her arm around me.
“You ok?” she whispered.
“It’s just so embarrassing!” I hissed back.
“What kind of mom makes s-e-x cake for her daughter’s birthday?” I glared at my mom, but she was busy dishing up the offending cake as all the guys made immature cracks about its name, whispering, better than and then shouting SEX as loud as they could. They seemed to think they were hilarious, but I was mortified. Happy to have delicious cake, but mortified all the same.
“It’s just cake,” Ali said. “And it looks delicious. Come on, lighten up. If your mom’s cool with it, don’t you think you should be?”
I sighed. I guess she had a point. My mom knew what she was doing, right? It was just a cake. With a stupid embarrassing name, but still just a cake. Someone handed me a slice and I smiled tightly, still a little uncomfortable, though no one really seemed to notice.
After a while, the stupid jokes stopped and I was able to relax. It really was a great party. We continued to stuff our faces with cake and ice cream while loud music pulsed around us. Tate, Zack, and Connor from school— the quiet guys—stood off to the side eating their cake, waiting for me to approach them, I’m sure. They only seemed to talk when few people were around. They’d never attack me like Parker and Harrison. I smiled at them and walked over to say hi.
“Thanks for coming you guys,” I said.
They all looked at their feet. “Wouldn’t miss it,” one of them mumbled, but it was so quiet I couldn’t tell who.
I smiled again, but didn’t know what else to say to draw them out. Luckily I was saved from awkward conversation when Parker’s voice boomed over the music. “Hot tub time!”
The lights around the pool area popped on. It was fully dark now. My mom turned the music down slightly, though it was still loud. I hoped she told the neighbors about the party so they wouldn’t get mad about the music.
That was the do-or-die moment for many. Samee and the other two musketeers weren’t about to get wet. And a couple others left at the same time.
“Later, Brooke. Happy Birthday,” Samee called as the three of them headed out the gate.
Mike yelled out, “Losers. Your loss.”
Those three, the musketeers, were the kind of popular that wouldn’t play along if they thought it would make them look stupid. Most of the kids that stayed at the party were the kind that would do what made them look stupid. Then, they would use it to their advantage and make themselves look cool somehow. Wish I could be like that.
The guys had worn their swim trunks under their pants and were already in the hot tub by the time the girls ran into the house to change. All the girls packed into my room.
“Great party, Brooklyn,” Alyssa, one of my friends from Davis High said. “Every guy here is in love with you.”
“No they’re not,” I said, scoffing.
“You may not be able to see it since you’re with them every day, but take it from a Davis High girl, those guys are in love with you.”
I blushed. I didn’t know what to think. Could they all really like me? No way. She was just misreading the situation.
“Especially Tate and that other guy, Zack? They haven’t taken their eyes off you all night.”
“She’s going to ask Tate to the Halloween dance.” Ali pulled her hair up into a ponytail and Alyssa brought hers into a bun.
“Good call. He’ll be in heaven.” Alyssa said. “But what about Zack? I think he has a crush on you too.”
“You think?” Ali said snickering. “It’s tricky. They’re best friends.”
“I thought I’d go out with both of them. You don’t think that will be a problem, do you?”
Ali and Alyssa giggled.
Great! Was I making a mistake asking Tate out? “Seriously, should I not ask him out?”
“I think Zack is so hot,” Katherine said, ignoring my question.
“I thought you had a boyfriend,” Ali said.
“I do, but that doesn’t mean I can’t look.”
“Amen to that,” Alyssa said.
We all laughed and ran outside and stormed the hot tub.
After the obligatory splashing and dunking settled down, Parker jutted his chin at me and teased. “You’re sixteen now, Brooklyn, the question is, are you still in the VL club?”
A strange silence fell over the group. I guess they really wanted to hear my response. I paused just long enough to give the answer away. I looked up, noticing a few stars speckled the skyline.
“Oooh,” Mike said. “’nough said. Well, my dear, your pain will now be over.” He moved toward me, lips puckered, eye brows waggling. I turned my head before he could make contact. My whole body was on fire.
Ali and Katherine, my two red-headed friends, pushed him back. “Down boy. Unlike you, she wants her first kiss to be special, meaningful, and with someone she wants to kiss. So, back off.” Ali could be forceful when she wanted to be. I loved and hated that about her.
He whimpered like a wounded dog as he sat back in his spot.
“Buurrrn!” Mike yelled.
“Burn, baby, burn,” Parker sang.
Zack and Tate laughed softly, without making eye contact with anyone. Mike probably didn’t like me. He was just a flirty, fun guy that liked to take advantage of a situation when he was allowed.
Parker popped out of the water, came around behind me, and started to massage my shoulders. “Guys, let me fill you in on Brooklyn. She and I, we are kindred spirits and well, that first kiss has to be just right. Isn’t that true, Brooklyn?”
Parker was famous for creating long massage lines at swim meets. Between heats, everyone would sit behind each other, legs straddling the person in front of them and then massage whoever was in front of them. One line was twenty long. It really helped get rid of muscle soreness from swimming.
I nodded. The great thing about Parker was that he wasn’t the wild-playboy-popular type. Sure, he was wild in a raucous, fun way, but not a disrespectful, awful boy way. The way he talked about me made me feel good.
“Yes siree, the two of us will die old and decrepit, kiss-less…unless, of course,” he said with a flourish, “we find that special someone.”
Only Parker could get away with a speech like that and not come out looking like a total loser. I wondered why that was. Why some could get away with stuff and others couldn’t.
“Then you’ll be missing out on the best stuff in life,” Ty said. Ty was on the swim team with Parker and me and was known for his roving lips.
“Just ‘cause you’re a lip-slut, Ty,” Ali said, “doesn’t mean you can diss on those saving themselves for something special.”
“Ohhh!” Harrison said, “Ali’s on the war path tonight. You guys better be careful what you say!”
“From the mouth of the oldest VL in the group,” Ty shot back at Ali and splashed her with water.
I could tell she was blushing wildly even in the semi-darkness.
“Actually,” I said, “Ali isn’t in the club.”
“No way!” Parker called out. “Ali, you disappoint me.” He frowned in an exaggerated way.
Ali splashed me. “Thanks a lot, birthday girl.”
That started everyone telling about their first kisses.
Mike said, “I went away with sore teeth after my first kiss. Instead of leading with our lips, our teeth clacked hard against each others’. But don’t worry, Brooklyn, I’ve got all that worked out, now.”
Before I could be too embarrassed, Katherine spoke up. “Nobody’s first kiss was worse than mine. He was salivating so much it dripped down my chin.”
“Well, my first was amazing. After all, I am Ty.”
Alyssa scoffed, “Yeah right.”
“I’m serious. We were just sitting there, not talking, and all of a sudden—a shooting star streaked across the sky.” He shushed all the mocking and sounds of disbelief. “It totally happened! And then, it was like we were telepathically connected, we looked at each other and without even thinking about it, I kissed her, soft and slow. When we stopped, she asked me my wish was, and I said—‘I just got it.’”
All the girls in
the group sighed wistfully. I was impressed. I had no idea Ty was such a romantic. Then he broke the spell. “And, man, her lips were so hot. I’ll never forget those lips.”
The girls all groaned and splashed him. “Typical!” Alyssa said, rolling her eyes.
A few more kids shared their first kiss stories. Most sounded awful. We were either laughing hysterically or completely grossed out during the conversation. I held hope that my first kiss would be dreamy, like Ty said his was.
As quickly as the party flew into action, it ended. Parker suddenly popped out of the water and grabbed his towel, dried himself off a bit and said, “Happy Birthday, again, Brooklyn! I’ve gotta hurry. I just turned into a pumpkin. It’s midnight.” After hugging me, he rushed up to the porch and out the gate. That caused a flurry of activity. Everyone had a twelve o’clock curfew it seemed. The speed at which everyone hugged me and took off was completely dependent on the strictness of the parent, I’m sure.
“Can’t wait for our first date, sexy,” Ty said.
“I get dibs on her first,” Mike called out from the porch.
“Love ya, Brooklyn!” Katherine called. “My mom’s out front waiting. Been waiting for ten already. Didn’t realize she’d texted. I’m toast.”
Everyone but Zack and Tate disappeared in about one minute flat. The two silent best friends stared at me, which was fitting since they almost never spoke. “Soooo,” I said. “No curfew?”
They looked at each other and smiled. “Not really.”
“We’re supposed to call when the party’s over.”
“Oh,” I said, giving a pronounced frown and nodding. “Great.” I wondered what we should talk about.
That’s when the music suddenly turned off and my dad said, “It’s past midnight, kids. Party’s over.”
A strange relief flooded over me. “All right, Dad.” I turned to the guys. “I guess the party’s over.”
Zack pulled out his phone.
“Can we help clean up?” Tate asked.
“No way! That’s no fun.” I wrapped my towel tightly around me against the cold.
“My sister’s on her way,” Zack said. He gave me a hug. “Great party.”
“I’m glad you had fun.”
“I did.” He headed up the stairs, a towel wrapped around his waist.
Tate’s eyes fell on mine. He smiled, looking really nervous.
“I had a lot of fun, Brooklyn.”
I smiled.
“Thanks again,” Tate said. He started to go then turned back. “I’m not sixteen yet, but I’d love to take you out when I am.”
I’d just assumed he already was. I bit my lip. “I’d love that. When’s your birthday?” I hoped it was before the Halloween dance.
“Not until November fifteenth.”
“That’s not too far away.” I tried to hide my disappointment. Who was I going to take to the dance now? Did I dare ask Ryker?
Tate moved in for another hug. It lingered. It felt great and wrong at the same time. I’d spent so long thinking of guys as a sort of enemy—always wary and careful around them—and now I could spend as much time with them as I wanted? One day sure can make a huge difference in a life. I felt all kinds of awkward and strange thinking about it. Tate pulled back, gave me a big smile, and then leaned in. I thought he was going to try to kiss me. There was no way my first kiss would be here in my backyard in front of Zack and my parents. I sucked in a breath and turned away. He did, too. Our foreheads collided.
“Ouch!” we both said, grabbing our smarting heads. We looked at each other and laughed.
“Sorry,” I said, relieved.
“No, I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just going to ask if you’d like to hang out sometime before my birthday.”
There it was—the words hang out.
Before the party, Ali had told me that a lot of guys didn’t go out on dates anymore. I wondered if the rumors were true that if a boy actually took you on a date, that meant you were boyfriend and girlfriend. Would people think Luke was my boyfriend if I went on a date with him? I chose not to believe them. I would change that perception. I wanted to date, expected to date, and I would demand a proper date. I certainly wouldn’t be anyone’s girlfriend until I was in college. I thought that was a bit of sage advice from my mom that would save me a lot of trouble.
Just as I was about to say we should wait, he said, “I mean, it wouldn’t be a date and I’d just have a bunch of friends over, ya know?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, his face hopeful.
“Sure,” I said. It wouldn’t be a date, after all.
“Great!” He hugged me quickly again and hurried up the steps.
I leaned my back on the brick wall surrounding the hot tub. I closed my eyes and balled my hands in fists then squealed. I had just had the best early birthday party ever.
If only I could say the same about my actual birthday.
Chapter 2