Chapter 25

Hayden & Liz had the same birthday, so it was tradition to spend it together. This was something their families had come to accept. This year would be different with Brent’s attendance and the lack of any other guests. Hayden was excited and terrified. Then Liz made the suggestion to get a late lunch at Johnny’s. It meant taking the bus across Carling to the Westgate Mall, but it was worth it. Rockin Johnny’s was everyone’s favorite place to get a bite to eat. It was affordable food with great service, a relaxing environment and the best milkshakes in the world. The doors were retro and metallic. The interior of the restaurant was red, black and white. It brought the 50’s style diner to life. To Hayden, it felt like stepping into an Archie’s comic strip. There was even a jukebox by the counter. The girls chose one of the booths against the wall, with the boys just following along. The boys had no involvement in planning. No one ever did. Hayden and Liz would decide on something they wanted to do and everyone who wanted to come along was welcome to. It was different every year. This year was the first time they both chose an intimate setting without anyone else. Hayden’s birthday was usually the one time of the year she was actually social. It was a big change for both girls.

Liz did not mind giving up a big party. She was happy to be at Johnny’s with Hayden. Brent was just a bonus. At least that was the way Liz expressed it to Hayden privately. Liz had warned her that she was going to be all over Brent. Hayden appreciated the warning. She wasn’t surprised that Liz started kissing Brent the second they were sitting in the booth. Hayden and Rob sat across from them. Hayden didn’t need to look at the menu. She ordered the same thing every time she was at Johnny’s. Their burgers were superior to even home-cooked. Made with love, Hayden could tell. Johnny’s took a lot of pride in their customer experience. It showed in the quality of the food. Rob was quiet as he looked at his menu. When the waitress came around for the drink order, Hayden ordered a vanilla milkshake. Liz looked over at her with a judgmental look that a milkshake should be a dessert. Hayden just rolled her eyes. Everyone else ordered a type of soft drink. It took the waitress a few minutes to make it back to their table. When their drinks arrived, Brent and Liz finally took a break from each other to look at the menu. It didn’t take Liz long to decide what she wanted. It never did. The first thing that jumped off the menu is what she usually ordered. This time, it was something with chicken and pasta. Brent and Rob just wanted burgers, like Hayden. If they were older, or at home, they’d all opt for a beer with their burgers. In the real world, none of them were old enough to even consider drinking. Anne let the boys get away with a lot under her supervision. Hayden was included by default.

“Hey, where are you?” Rob whispered, nudging Hayden’s shoulder. She jumped.

“Sorry. Lost in thought.” She apologized. Rob nodded.

“About what?” He asked softly. She shook her head.

“I can’t tell you, right now.” She hinted. He looked over at Brent and Liz, then back at Hayden.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. Hayden put her hand on his leg.

“It’s not bad.” She assured. Rob looked over, raising his eyebrow. Hayden shrugged.

“Well I was just thinking about how you’ve always tried to include me in things. I don’t think I ever said thank you.” She offered. Rob smiled, nodding.

“You’re welcome.” He assured. There was a laugh hidden under his words and Hayden could tell. He was trying not to embarrass her. She was trying not to embarrass him. Brent & Liz were paying no attention to their side of the table. They were still making out and ignoring the world around them.

“Are they going to be like this all day?” Rob joked, motioning over. Hayden shrugged.

“Not everyone is like us, Rob. Most people aren’t as considerate of other people’s feelings.” She reminded him. He nodded slowly, then looked over at Hayden.

“Does it bug you, that we’re not like them?” He asked softly. Hayden slowly shook her head.

“I like the way I am.” She assured him. He smiled.

“I like the way you are too.” He offered. She blushed, quickly looking away from him. Luckily for her, the waitress came over to the table with their order. Hayden was able to hide behind the distraction of food arriving. Liz and Brent didn’t notice.

When everyone was finished eating, Liz suggested the group walk back through the mall. At first, Hayden was against the idea of extra walking. Rob managed to convince her that it was easier to walk inside than outside. So Hayden agreed. Liz dragged Brent into a few random stores. Hayden and Rob waited outside most of them. Outside one of the novelty stores, Rob disappeared on Hayden. She didn’t really notice he had been absent until he returned. She felt the weight of the bench shift.

“I got you something.” Rob announced. Hayden adjusted to face him, raising her eyebrow.

“What?” She asked with excitement. He pulled a small ring box out of his pocket and held it in her direction. Hayden raised her eyebrow.

“Okay. What the hell?” Hayden corrected. Rob laughed as he opened the box.

“It’s a promise ring.” He assured. She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Rob took the ring out of the box, revealing it was hanging on a chain. He leaned forward and put it around Hayden’s neck. The ring fell heavy against her chest. It made her heart flutter.

“A promise ring? For what?” She chuckled. Rob smirked.

“My virginity.” He answered boldly. Hayden’s jaw dropped. Rob motioned to the ring, so Hayden took a closer look. There was an inscription on the inside of the ring that read “Stand By Me”. Hayden blushed as she read it. Rob showed her the matching ring as he put it around his own neck. Hayden didn’t really know what to say, but landed on an awkward ‘thank you’. Rob laughed.

“I know you don’t do birthday gifts.” He added. She smiled widely.

“It’s thoughtful, but unnecessary.” She insisted. Rob shrugged.

“I never want you to question the sincerity when I say it’s me, not you.” He explained. She nodded, rubbing the ring between two of her fingers. She couldn’t stop smiling, even when Liz and Brent joined them. Brent raised his eyebrow, motioning to Rob’s necklace.

“What’s that?” He questioned. Rob smirked, moving the chain underneath his shirt.

“Our secret.” Rob answered dismissively. Brent rolled his eyes. He couldn’t really ask further. Liz was demanding all of his attention. He didn’t seem to mind though. Liz dragged everyone around the mall for almost an hour. Finally, she decided the mall was getting crowded and they should go home. Rob and Hayden sat alone on the bus, while Brent and Liz practically sat on top of each other right at the front of the bus. The driver wasn’t paying attention to them though. When they got off the bus, Liz and Brent immediately walked towards his house. Hayden grabbed Rob’s hand before he followed.

“My family is at church late today.” She hinted. Rob nodded. Brent and Liz never looked back to see if Rob and Hayden were following. They weren’t. They walked in the opposite direction, to her house. The door was locked, so she had to let herself in. The house was eerily quiet. She was used to being at church on Sunday. The only reason she wasn’t was because it was her birthday and she begged not to have to go to church. Her mother made a rare exception to their Sunday routine.

“Why are they still at church?” Rob asked as he took his jacket off.

“The kids are at one of those groups.” Hayden sighed. Rob laughed.

“Don’t you go to those too?” He questioned. Hayden nodded.

“Not all of them. I skip whenever I can. You know I don’t really believe in Religion.” She explained.

“I know.” He nodded. Hayden headed into the kitchen. She pulled out a plate covered in tinfoil. She grabbed two forks from the kitchen drawer and headed down the basement stairs. Rob followed along behind her. She pointed towards the couch, but headed into her room. She turned on her stereo, then came back to the living area. She held the plate in his direction. He took the plate and put it down on the table. She held a fork in his direction.

“Here.” She added. Rob took the fork, but raised his eyebrow. Hayden laughed as she pulled the tinfoil off the plate. There were two slices of chocolate cake underneath.

“What’s this?” He asked. Hayden smiled.

“I saved a piece of my birthday cake for you.” She answered. He half-laughed.

“Your birthday cake was chocolate? You don’t even like chocolate.” He noted. She shrugged.

“I know. But you do.” She added. Rob slowly shook his head.

“You’re supposed to get the kind of cake you want on your birthday.” He scolded. She shrugged.

“It was more important that I got to share it with you.” She insisted. Rob nodded, putting the fork down on the plate. He stood up and wrapped his arms around Hayden. He pulled her tightly against his chest.

“I love you.” He announced, looking down at her. She smiled.

“I love you too.” She went up on her tip toes and slowly kissed him. She headed towards the couch and dropped down. Rob seemed frozen in place.

“Rob?” Hayden called, pulling him from his thoughts. He spun around.

“Sorry.” He muttered. Hayden raised her eyebrow.

“Where were you just now?” She asked softly. Rob smirked.

“Your bedroom.” He answered. Hayden bit the side of her lip.

“Your not supposed to be in there without me.” She joked. Rob looked over at her.

“Oh, you were there too.” He assured. Hayden looked down at the floor to hide her smile. Rob moved back to the couch, sitting closely beside her. He put his arm around her shoulder. When she turned to face him, he kissed her. His other hand moved to the side of her face. She put one of her hands on his chest. She could feel the necklace under his shirt. Still kissing him, she moved to straddle his lap.

“Can I?” She asked breathing heavily. Rob nodded.

“Please.” He begged. She pressed herself against him. He let out a soft moan, which sent shivers running up and down her spine. She moved both of her hands to his chest, slowly running them up and wrapping them behind his neck. She used him as leverage to grind against him. Both of them surrendered to the moment, filling the basement with pants and moaning until they couldn’t anymore. When they were finished, Rob headed to the bathroom. Hayden went into her bedroom and turned the stereo down. Her and Rob made it back to the couch at the same time.

After sharing the cake, and making-out a bit more, Rob went home. Hayden spent the rest of the day playing with the ring hanging around her neck. It was a small gift, but a major gesture on his part. The rings said something that words couldn’t really say. Hayden now had something tangible that she could hold when she was feeling insecure. The chain around her neck was a constant reminder that Rob chose her. He would keep choosing her. She was never an after thought to him. She was every thought. Even when her insecurities wanted to lie to her, that necklace would be reassuring and comforting. It was honestly the nicest thing anyone had ever given her. Mostly because of everything it represented. It was Rob’s way of saying it was a serious relationship.