Carrie's Crush

I counted down the seconds, I was on cloud nine, you know that moment you have been waiting for your entire life? That feels like the turning point of your entire existence? The one you just can't wait for but have no choice but to do so? Yeah, that was exactly how I was feeling, I was so happy, so excited, I felt about ready to explode. ".. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six.." my best friends counted down aloud. They sat crossed legged in matching pyjamas on my bed. I giggled excitedly. ".. Four. Three. Two.. ONE!!!!"

"Happy birthday!!!" They both squealed. I giggled happily. They hugged me tightly. The door to my room burst open, my mom and dad rushed in with a pink frosted ice cream cake. I beamed with happiness, they knew strawberries were my weakness. And pink too. "Happy birthday Carolyn!" Dad exclaimed. I pouted, he knew I didn't like to be called my full name. He chuckled, and rubbed on my head. "My baby is all grown up." Mom said teary eyed. I rolled my eyes, but the smile never left my face, I hugged her. "Oh for heaven's sake, it's just another birthday, can I have some sleep?" My baby sister said annoyed. I just smiled, I was used to her extremely rude ways, it was not new in any way. "Gabriella Jane Anderson!" Mom gasped dramatically. Gabby just rolled her eyes. "Can you at least wish your elder sister a happy birthday? She doesn't turn eighteen again after today." Dad tells her calmly. "Happy birthday, now can I rest?" She asked going back into her room. "Thirteen years old" Andrina said rolling her eyes. "Quick make a wish!" Mom urged. I giggled, closing my eyes, I wished I would get accepted into Yale.. or any prestigious college, but my preference was Yale. I blow out the candles. My two best friends, Andrina and Sophie clapped and giggled. "Welcome to adulthood kiddo." Dad said producing a small box. My heart melted at the sight of it. "Oh Dad, you didn't have to." I opened the box, to reveal a gold chain necklace, with a simple tear drop shaped pendant. It was beautiful. My friends gasped at the sight. "Thank you Dad, it's beautiful." I said sincerely, but not able to tear my gaze away from the necklace. "You are welcome honey, you deserve it and everything good in the world. Now if you would excuse me, I have to go to bed, I have to go to work in the morning." Dad said placing a kiss on my forehead. I smiled widely as he left. "Here you go honey." Mom said smiling widely. She placed a huge box on my bed. My smile grew. "Thank you so much Mom!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Not a problem honey, I have to go to bed now.. don't stay up too late kids, you have school tomorrow." Mom said leaving. I opened the box to reveal a shimmering pink gown, it sparkled everywhere. I loved it immediately. "Wow, this is beautiful." Sophie whispered. "You already have your prom dress ready." Andrina joked. I laughed. "But you might not have any date then." Sophie piped in. I rolled my eyes at the both of them, they were always so quick to talk about boys. "Seriously, you are eighteen years, and you have never fancied any guy in your entire life... That is not normal." Andrina tells me. My friends were very worried about completely unnecessary things, talking about my getting a love interest every chance they got. "Yeah, it is.. I have other goals in life to achieve.." I tell them. "Uh huh, like what?" Sophie asked crossing her arms on her chest. "Like getting into Yale." I tell them. I close the box that mom gave me, and carried it away from my bed and into my walk in closet. "Oh for heaven's sake do not tell me that was what you wished for!" Andrina groaned. "As a matter of fact, that was what I wished for." I said dusting my palms against each other. "You wasted that wish! You of all people know that you will surely get into Yale, the spot was yours from the beginning!" Sophie exclaimed. I shrugged, my friends and parents keep telling me not to bother that if anyone was getting into Yale, it would be me.. but I was not sure, I knew how difficult it is to get in there. "Yeah, what is the guarantee?" I asked them. My glasses were sliding off my nose, I pushed them back. "Because you are you! Straight A student for many years!" Andrina exclaimed. I tried not to let it get to my head. "We have school tomorrow, we have to sleep." I tell them. "You need to loosen up a little though." Sophie says pouting. I rolled my eyes at them. We all got under the duvet, getting ready for bed. "We forgot to give you your present!" Andrina exclaimed. They bolted up immediately, that got me excited. I was anticipating their gift but I didn't want to sound desperate. "Aw guys you didn't have to." I said smiling. "Oh shut up." Sophie said rolling her eyes. I giggle and stretch out my hands. "You know my mom's friend from college is the school's journalism head right?" Sophie says. I blink. "I didn't know that."

She waved her hand in the air dismissively. "Yeah, whatever.. anyways, I managed to push your name forward.. I don't know if you will be picked, but your name is there." She tells me. I squeal excitedly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" I say hugging them. I had wanted to be on the school's journalism team, but each time I applied something went wrong, at least my name was there, all I had to do was hope that someone would pick me. "And we also got you free passes to the history museum." Sophie says. My heart literally turned to goo. My best friends knew me so well. After I was sure they had both gone to bed, I bring out Dawn. My diary, my friends always called me a child for keeping one, but I loved this pink book that held my deepest thoughts so dearly. "Dear Dawn, " I started, I didn't like using dear diary, it was too cliche. "As you know, it's my birthday today.. and I got really awesome gifts from everyone, well except Gabby, you know how she can be. I'm so excited, I just turned eighteen! Can you believe that?! Anyway, Soph and Andrina talked about boys again, I know right.. I already told them no so many times, they won't listen.. I'm really sleepy right now, so I'll right more later. Good night Dawn."

I close it and place it in my locker safely. I tucked myself in for the night, snoring away.

Chapter Two

The sun was not out yet, still hidden behind the clouds, the birds were starting to wake up, chirping happily like they shared my happiness with me. I smiled in content. My heart swelled as I remembered my friends that offered to have a sleepover at my house to celebrate with me first. I had caring, sweet, adorable friends, although their fascination with boys is something I would never understand, but they were the best, and I wasn't going to trade them for anything. I had a warm, lovely family, even if Dad was the one of the cooperate owners of a chain company, and Mom worked as a vet, they still had time for Gabby and I, I was very grateful to them. I said a quick thanks to whoever was listening, that I lived till my eighteenth birthday and had people that loved me genuinely, not everyone had that. I plucked my glasses from the table and placed the gently on top of my nose. Everything came into focus, without the glasses everything was hazy, like I was squinting. My friends were still sleeping so I let them be, and turned to the bathroom, planning to shower first and then have my morning cocoa, that was my morning ritual.

After a warm bath, I dressed in my bath robe, and wrapped my towel on my head, I stood on front of the mirror, looking for any physical changes to show that I had actually reached adulthood. My eyes were still a warm shade of brown, I was still petite, my hair was still straight, long and brown. So much for being an adult. I walked away feeling a little bit disappointed, I mean, how were people going to know that I was now an adult? I asked in my head. "Surprise!!" Mom's voice shouted from downstairs, immediately I went down the stairs. I placed my palm on my chest due to the shock I felt. "Mom, you scared me.. I thought I was the only one awake." I say, but I couldn't fight the smile on my face. "Oh sweetie, I just wanted to see my adult daughter first thing in the morning, I didn't mean to scare you.. anddd I made your favorite!" Mom exclaimed. I chuckled. "Thank you so much, Mom." I say sitting down to eat breakfast. She placed my mug of hot cocoa on the table, I smiled appreciatively and took a sip. Just the way I like it. "I put your cake in the fridge, you can have it if you want." Mom said. I nodded gratefully, I didn't want to talk because I was savouring the taste of the cocoa. Mom placed my plate of spaghetti in front of me, I almost squealed. She chuckled and took the cup from me. "So, you planned any party?" Mom asked me. I shook my head no, as I ate a fork full of spaghetti. "Honestly, I'm proud of you, I really am, but you make parenting really boring for me, all you do is read and pass, quite honestly I don't get anxious about your results anymore, they are always the same." Mom shrugged. My mouth hung open, okay what in the world? My brain couldn't even begin to process what she was saying. "You never have boy problems, I have never been to your principal's office, sometimes I envy Andrina's mom, she always have something to say about her, I only say you are good and have good grades, I can't believe I have to tell you this, but try to live a little!" Mom exclaimed, I could sense her frustration. "I do not know what to say right now, I am speechless." I tell her. She stared at me for a couple of seconds before huffing and walking away. Wow, I have never heard a parent complain that their child was too good. I will never understand my mother. "Birthday girl!" I heard my dad exclaim. "Good morning Dad." I say smiling at him. "I would love to stay and chat with you, but I have to be in the office, now." He said struggling with his wrist watch. I smile in understanding. "It's okay Dad, see you later!" I wave as he leaves. When I finally go back upstairs, I find my friends getting dressed. "Good morning!" I greet cheerily. "Of course, only you would be so happy on a Monday morning." Sophie grumbled. I nearly forgot, it was Monday and it was morning, they would be in a really foul mood. "I will just go get dressed." I say leaving them to their thing. My clothes mostly consisted of pink and white, my mom calls me a living, breathing candy because of it, but I don't mind. Pink is my fav. I wore a pink wool sweater, and white pants, my favorite pink ankle boots to go with it. "Oh hey human candy!" Sophie greeted sarcastically. I rolled my eyes. They both thought I was still a child, for wearing pink and keeping a diary. "If you guys are ready, can we get going, we are already running late." I tell them whilst packing my books into my bag. "What good is our best friend the student body president if we can't go late?" Andrina asked me. "Well, as the student body president, I am expected to be there early, and as my best friends, you are expected to be there early too." I tell them. "That was not the reason we campaigned for you." Sophie said tying her hair. "When you guys are done sulking, meet me outside." I said, I placed the necklace that dad got me on my neck carefully. Smiling I walk outside my room. "I got you something." Gabby's voice murmured. I smiled and went towards her. "Oh yeah, thank you Gabby." I tell her. She snorts, "thank you Gabby." She says immitating me. I roll my eyes. She has this theory that I'm actually mean, but pretends to be nice to everyone, I don't know where she got the idea, because she is the only one on it. I collect the small box from her outstretched hands. It was wrapped in pink ribbons, I smiled at her effort, even if she says pink disgusted her, I think it is a lie though. The box contained a tube of lipstick, I smiled at her, she knows I didn't like make up, I didn't feel comfortable with it, but she bought it anyway, because she thinks I'll come around. "When you are thirty and finally want a boyfriend." She tells me. I throw my head back in laughter, "Yeah? I don't think this would still be around when I'm thirty." I tell her. She looks like she is thinking for about twenty seconds, then she shrugs.

"Thank you Gab Gab." I tell her. She scrunched her face in disgust at my nickname for her, and goes back to her food. "Mom! We are leaving!!" I shout. I had to wait for them to come down, and drive since I didn't have my driver's license yet. Well I could now. "You guys, we have a transfer student!" Sophie exclaimed looking at her phone. She is on this school group where all the latest gossips were posted. I roll my eyes, and Andrina starts the car, driving us to school.

Chapter Three

"Happy birthday!!!" Echoes of students wishing me a happy birthday filled my ears immediately Andrina parked the car. I smiled so wide, genuinely happy that people cared enough to wish me a happy birthday.

"Would you look at that? Someone is quite loved." Sophie commented. I chuckle happily as I get down from the car. I see a huge banner, a pink banner with my face by the side, and a happy birthday note, it brought tears to my eyes.

"We the entire student body of Brook High School, wish the best Student body president a happy birthday!" Someone exclaimed with a megaphone. Everyone cheered. And my heart warmed, I didn't even have the time to tell anyone about my birthday, but somehow they knew, and made sure it was special for me. I noticed everyone had a touch of pink, anything they wore, it somehow had pink on it. I laughed in genuine happiness, this was what love felt like, not the ones Sophie and Andrina always talked about and later cried because the supposed "love of their lives" broke their hearts. I walked through towards them, hugging a few, waved them, some gave me cards, others presents.. and I couldn't be happier.

"Thank you all so much, I really appreciate everything you have done for me right now, I feel so blessed to be your president." I tell them sincerely. "No, the students of Brook High School, are lucky to have you as our president." Someone tells me. I smile happily. All giddy. I was not really sure I was this happy before. One by one, they dispersed to their classes. I turn to my friends, smiling. "When did they plan all this?"

"It was hard, you are everywhere, we couldn't plan it so well." Andrina say shrugging. I looked closely, Andrina wore a pink blouse, and Sophie wore a pink scarf. I didn't even realize it before. "But, it happened because you simply refused to join any social media platform, which was very helpful by the way." Sophie tells me.

I roll my eyes, she always bugged me about signing up on a social media platform, said something about meeting people my own age, and doing stuff I would regret later, but why do stuff I would regret later? And besides, I was a generally busy person, either I was at the library, or the museum, or volunteering at some place. Or I was in school. I didn't have time to socialize. After all, I socialized with everyone at school, I was not a loner, I think my social life is good enough, Sophie was just being extra, but don't tell her I said that. We linked hands and walked inside the School building. The principal made sure my friends locker's were close to mine, although some say it's favouritism, I like it, that way I was always close to my friends.

As we each stood in front of our different lockers, I brought out my notes for the day, replacing them with the old ones. I sight the history textbook I borrowed from the library, I mentally set a reminder to return it before it got too late. "Hey look, who is that?" Sophie asked, pointing in the direction of the principal's office. I followed the movement with my eyes, and find only the grey material of the person's clothes. I squinted to see clearly, but he walked too fast, and I only know it's a 'he' because of his body structure, from what I saw he was really tall. "None of our business, we need to get to class, right now." I tell them. Hastily locking my locker. I always like getting to class like fifteen minutes before the teacher. And my fifteen minutes had come down to eight minutes, I didn't like it. "The perks of being the best student's best friend." Andrina said sarcastically. I ignore her, and turn towards the direction of our classroom, opposite the principal's office. We walked in silence, I could see Sophie on her phone, her brows drawn together in total concentration, her perfectly manicured fingers typing really fast on her Mobile phone. Her pink coated lips tucked between her teeth, that was her morning ritual, something she always did before classes. That's why I was in the middle, so I could swerve her away from in coming persons. Andrina's jaw was shut tight, her brown eyes locked on the road ahead of us, as we walked, I knew she was deep in thought, not like she had something to think so deeply about, but she said it helps her come up with ideas for her fashion designs, she is completely in love with fashion, she makes her own clothes sometimes. When she was deep in thoughts, I didn't distract her, so she could get her perfect dress, that she always dreamed of. Before I could open the door, someone rudely pushed past us and got in, breaking both my friends from their stuff, I didn't even look at the intruder, I focused on calming down the both of them, especially Sophie. She looked.. scary. "Take it out on the boys during P.E later." I say frantically. They both smirk, I sighed a sigh of relief before going in. Our official seat was in front, I liked it, they didn't, but had no other choice. They went back to doing them, and I brought out Dawn, I had to tell her, yes my diary is a girl, I had to tell her how happy I was. "Dear Dawn, I am so excited, the whole school, or maybe not the whole school, remembered and planned a birthday surprise for me, I felt so loved! I don't regret ever running for president, today is the best day ever." I end it here for now.

"You still write there?" Sophie asked. I look at her and smile shyly. I put Dawn back in her place. "You are eighteen you know?" Sophie says chuckling. "And I don't still feel tired of Dawn, I don't think I ever will." I tell her proudly. She pinched my cheeks. "You are so cute."

I frowned at her, but just as I was about to say something. The teacher walks in. "Happy birthday Carrie" he says smiling at me. I smiled back, everyone in school loved Mr Karl, he was super nice. "Thank you Mr K." I say. "The Principal is asking for you..." He tells me. I nod, I get up and quickly go to the principal's office. Walking fast to end it quickly, as I didn't want to miss out on the class. I knocked once, and enter after hearing the voice of the Principal calling me in. "Happy birthday Carolyn." He starts smiling warmly. I smile back, he was probably the only one that called me Carolyn in School. "Thank you sir."

"There is a new student in town, think you can show him around?" He asked. I nodded, it was one of my many presidential duties. "Okay thank you, his name is Joseph Wilson."

I briefly wondered what kind of person he was, I prayed he wouldn't be difficult, so I could get back to the class. "I think he already went to your class, show him around during lunch." He says. I nodded, and left the office to my class. Wondering who transfers during this time.