A Recollection of Ideas: A Series of One Shots

The moment that Mike Fuentes let out a screech that sounded like a dying kangaroo, I knew the world was about to explode in three…two…one…

I looked out my window to see a very flustered Mike run up my driveway and scurry to my door. I set down my book quietly. Now, the Fuentes boy and I had known each other for a good three years. We both met when Mike was chained to the flag pole as a freshman with his pants around his ankles. Back then, we were both young and dumb and I had been stupid enough to pick the lock and unchain him. I was the only one that was left at the school since I had a book club meeting. Jenna had rushed in to tell me that a boy was chained to the flag pole with his pants around his ankles. Everyone else ignored him and went home. I picked the lock to free him.

Now, it was senior year. Not only that, but today was my birthday. I was turning eighteen and I didn’t tell anyone that. I don’t think Mike even knows. No, I revise that statement. I told one person, Jaime. Jaime Preciado, Tony Perry, Mike’s brother Vic, and Mike all hang out. I like to join them when I’m not stuck in the library with book club. I was talking to Jaime once and I told him on an offhand comment. I don’t think he remembers.

But I was snapped out of my thoughts when the doorbell rang not once, not twice, not even three times…but fifteen times in the span of seven seconds. I sighed and got up to answer an excited Mike.

I opened the door to find a very excited Mike staring back at me. Tony was struggling up the drive behind his friend. Mike panted heavily, as if he ran the local marathon.

“Hello, Mike. What is it?” I asked him. He held up a finger, composed himself, and began to yell again.

“AINSLEY! YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW!” He yelled in my face. I put my hand over his mouth, attempting to stop the noise. Without needing a response, he just walked into my hallway, looking around.

“Um, are you okay? Am I okay?”

“NO! There’s…um…a…uh…A BOMB!” He screamed. My eyes went wide. Since when did this happen!?!?!? What had happened!?!?!?

“I’ll call the cops!” I rushed to my phone. Mike snatched it, looking panicked. Finally, Tony caught up, dragging me out the door. I struggled in his grasp.

“No need. I’ll take care of it!” Mike yelled as he pushed me out the door and locked it. Great. Now I was locked out of my own house. I turned to Turtle.

“Is he even cleared to deal with bombs!?” I exclaimed. Tony just dragged me down to his car, parked a little ways away. He was basically taking me hostage.

“Um…yes?”

“SINCE WHEN!?” I yelled.

“The second Tuesday of last week!” Turtle started the engine and drove away with me in the back. I bit my lip and watched my house disappear. Turtle looked determined, as if he had a specific destination in mind.

“That’s not even a day!” I complained.

“You’re not even a day!”

“I’m a person, not a time of the week!” I groaned and fell back into my seat. Soon enough, Tony pulled into Jaime’s driveway. I followed him out. Turtle opened the door for me. Did they just want an excuse for me to hang out with him and Jaime? I mean, they could’ve just asked instead of telling me there was a fake bomb in my house.

Yeah, by now I had figured out that Mike was just locking me out of my own house. If my mom comes back to find that Mike took all of our stuff, I’m sooooo dead.

“Hello Mrs. Preciado.” I waved to Jaime’s mom. She gave me a big hug, taking me by surprise.

“Oh darling! You’ve grown so big!” She exclaimed in her Spanish accent. I laughed and walked towards where Jaime was sitting, staring at a game board. I took a seat next to him. Without saying a word, he turned, lay down on the couch. Put his face down on my lap, and let out a long groan.

“Oh my dear Jaime, what is plaguing you this time?” I asked, rubbing his back.

“Tufny mnt ay am wif mah.” He mumbled into my skinny jeans. I stroked his hair like a cat. He purred.

“What?”

“Tony won’t play a game with me.” He raised his head to speak before plopping back in my lap again. I laughed.

“Did Tony really drag me over here to play a game with you?”

“Yes.” Jaime mumbled. I sighed and looked at the game. It was Monopoly. Of course, it had to be one of the longest games in history. With a sigh, I started to set it up. Jaime helped deal out the money while Tony went to go eat food from the kitchen.

An hour and a half later, it was starting to fade outside and I should really be getting home. Jaime sucked at Monopoly. It was pretty easy to beat him and I would’ve won twenty minutes ago if he hadn’t started to trade household objects like his lamp and his cat.

“Okay, I’ll see you later, Himes.” I waved. He got up and followed me to Tony’s car, where Tony was already waiting.

“Okay. I’m coming with you.”

“Um…okay.” I shrugged, smiling. I hopped into the front while Jaime rode in the back. The short drive to my house went quickly as we pulled into the driveway. I got out with the other two boys following me.

“Okay, bye.” I said to them as I knocked on the door. They smiled but stayed behind me. “Okay, come in I guess.” I grumbled and waited for Mike to open the door. A minute later, he opened it up, smiling happily.

“Welcome home.”

“Did you clear the fake bomb?” I asked. He nodded.

“And much more. We have a surprise upstairs.” Mike winked. I smiled widely. Did he know? Did he really know about my birthday? I walked inside with Mike leading me and the others trailing like a shadow. We went to the living room where I turned the corner to find a colorful surprise.

There was an arrangement of balloons and streamers that made the normally drab area into a colorful party room. Vic was in the middle, looking like he was about to pass out as he attempted to blow up a final purple orb.

“You guys did this…for me?”

“Of course, silly Ainsley! Happy birthday, Ain.” He smiled and gave me a big hug. I squeezed him back as tight as I could. I couldn’t believe he went to such great lengths, just for me!

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Everyone cheered. I blushed hard and gave each of them a tight hug, including short little Vic who was on the floor, about to pass out. Eventually, he was triumphant with the balloon, succeeding in tying it up and letting it drift to the ground.

We spent well until dark opening presents and eating cake. It was my favorite flavor and Tony helped himself to a fourth slice while we were still nibbling on our first. Jaime and Vic had fun telling stories about my stupidest moments. Mike recounted when I saved him from the flag pole. I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. When we were done with cake, Tony came up and set a little box in my lap, making me open his present first.

“I made it in woodshop.” He stated proudly. I carefully ripped through the wrapping paper to find a tiny little carved and painted turtle family.

“Hey, that one looks like me!” I smiled and pointed to one with my favorite colors on it. Tony sat next to me on the couch, explaining the turtles.

“Yeah, I made one for each of us, since we’re like, you know, your family.” He grinned. I leaned into his shoulder.

“Yeah, you guys are.” I murmured. Tony picked one up and showed me that he carved his initials into the bottom.

“Hey, which one is me?” Jaime asked.

“The deformed one.”

“HEY!” Jaime chuckled and swatted at Tony who took the blow and couldn’t stop laughing. I hugged him and put the turtles on the coffee table. They were large enough to hold in my palm.

I opened Jaime and Vic’s next. Jaime got me some tee shirts with my favorite bands, and Vic gifted me a set of books. I gave both of them a hug and thanked them for the presents. Mike was next and he handed me a tiny little package, it was just a small bag. We all were silent as I opened it up.

Inside was a folded piece of paper with my name in Mike’s familiar, loopy handwriting. I grinned at him and opened it up, wondering what it could be.

I found that he had taken the time to write out my favorite poem. I couldn’t stop smiling as I read through it. A second piece of paper was attached to it. I flipped it over to read through the lines.

It was a poem, written by him. I looked over, tilting my head in wonder. He looked nervous.

“I didn’t know you were a poet.” I admired softly. He shrugged.

“I’m not. I had to look up rhymes for most of the lines.” He said nervously. I started to read it. The poem was filled with all our best memories, all the funny moments and all the things that we shared. I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the lines, but when I came to the end, I nearly started to cry with joy.

When you rescued me from the pole, I knew
You’re my forever and end.
I couldn’t do these things without you.
So would you be my girlfriend?

“Yes!” I cried out and jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. He let out a shaky breath, tightening his grip around me. I grinned as hard as I could. Mike was my best friend, the one who supported me most, the one that would stick with me when the going gets tough. How could I ever say no?

“What was it!?” The other three cried out. I handed them the poem, still hugging Mike.

They took a few minutes to read it and I heard Tony sniffle.

“THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!” He sobbed. Mike chuckled.

“Yes, yes I will be your girlfriend!” Jaime cried out. Mike laughed harder.

“Excuuuuse me but that spot’s filled!” I turned around. Jaime stuck out his tongue and handed me back the paper. I carefully folded them up and placed them with my other gifts.

The rest of the late night was quiet. We watched a movie and I curled up in Mike’s arms. When my mom came back home, it was almost eleven. Since Vic and Tony were passed out, it looks like the boys were staying over.

“Happy birthday.” My mom whispered to me. I turned to her. She winked. Mike kissed my cheek.

“Good birthday?” he whispered over the movie.

“The best.” I agreed.

Notes

This is a special one shot for my awesome friend I_Ship_KalanXD! It's her birthday so I just want to say, happy Birthday, babe!!! You're beautiful and awesome and I hope it feels great to turn another year older! :)

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