It was a warm, sunny day. I knew this because Lillith woke me up by opening my curtains, instantly pissing me off.
''Feel like going outside?'' I hated how annoyingly cheerful she was while waking me up.
I grabbed my pillow and threw it at her head before she left my room. I wasn't done with her, but first I needed to get dressed before plotting my revenge.
About an hour later I was ready to go outside. For the first time, we both wore the clothes we bought at the mall. I was still plotting my revenge for the way she woke me up and felt grumpy as I opened the front door so we could leave Lillith handed me a bag, she had the cheeky smile on her face she always had when she gave me something. Lillith pulled me into her room where bags and a couple of boxes were laid out.
''I got you something,'' she said with a giant smile on her face. In her room, she had a few boxes with presents: a phone, a laptop and a camera. I was stunned and surprised, this must've cost a small fortune.
After I unpacked all that she had gotten me Lillith sat me down.
''Can we talk for a bit?'' She asked me.
That sentence always made me tense, like I had to prepare for the worst ''Of course, always, what are you up to now?''
''Well, I talked to my aunt and uncle, the ones in charge of the family company like you know,'' Lillith started, ''Yes, go on,'' I said while I noticed Lillith being a little nervous.
''Okay, and how was it?''
''Well, I reminded them that I have known you since I can remember that you live here too and that I wanted to get you a few presents since a few weeks ago you had your birthday.''
''You know you didn't have to do that right?'' I asked, a little uncomfortable by how much she had given me already.
''But I do, you're my favourite person and you're practically family, it wouldn't be fair if we couldn't share everything,'' Lillith continued. ''So they gave me a budget to give you this,'' Lillith said and walked across her room to grab something out of her closet.
''Happy birthday Jade,'' Lillith saidwith a smile. She handed me a card written by her aunt and uncle.
''Hello Jade,
We're Ruby and Joseph, the aunt and uncle of Lillith and Jake. Since we have lost their parents our family hasn't been the same. As you already know our family means a lot to us, so when Lillith told us how much you were lacking while you supported our niece in these hard times, we couldn't refuse but to tell you we accept you into our family even if this means just in spirit.
Please accept our presents for your birthday and feel free to always reach out to us if you need anything,
kind regards and welcome to the family,
Ruby and Joseph Miller.''
While we were busy with my laptop we heard a knock on the door.
''Jade,'' Lisa said, ''please come to the office, there's some news about your mother.''
I followed Lisa to the office. I was annoyed knowing my mother probably caused trouble again.
"Your mother called, she's sick. Maybe we can arrange for you to visit her after camp." Lisa said as soon as the door was closed.
"What does she have?" I wanted to know.
"We don't know, but she's hospitalized. We assume it's serious."
"I'll visit after camp since I have to leave tomorrow. Anything else?" I wanted to know.
"Nothing else, if you need anything please let me know," Lisa replied with a concerned look on her face.
The next day I left in time to go on the camping trip with school.
When the bus arrived the sun was shining over the camping grounds, the bags were laid out and we had to take our luggage to our assigned cabins. The girls I had to share my cabin with were all strangers, there was a short Asian girl, her name was Kendra and she didn't leave a real impression on me, the other girls were Ashley and Jessica, two blonde girls I just felt I wouldn't like them.
Josie, a girl I just met and I were just sitting down, talking when I suddenly felt something hit my head hard from behind. A second later a football fell on the ground and someone approached us as I heard a voice.
Quickly I tried to pick up the football and wanted to throw it back just as hard as it landed on my head, as soon as I turned around I looked into a pair of dark brown eyes, his oval-shaped face was framed by the same curls as Lillith had, and while Josie started cursing out whoever hit me with a football, I started to recognize Jake.
The last time I saw him was when I was seven and I had to say goodbye to Lillith because my granddad had died and I wouldn't come there anymore. As Lillith and I started talking again years later I may have seen him a few times around, but I never paid attention.
''I'm sorry ladies,'' Jake started when he recognized me. ''Jade, that's a long time ago.'' While Jake has a subtle blush on his face he continues talking. ''How are you?''
''A little sore and bothered, what about you?'' I replied annoyed. Jake smirked, ''Well, it wasn't my intention but there are more things attracted to you than just boys'' he said in an amused tone.
''Don't be gross Jake,'' Josie said while rolling her eyes, ''don't crush on Jade, she deserves better.'' The two of them knew each other already, as Josie continued talking I threw the football in his face before he could catch it.
''Please, allow me to catch up,'' Jake said to Josie. We've known each other for years and it's been a while since we last met.
''As if you have a chance with Jade,'' Josie said while she rolled her eyes at the idea alone. ''Alright,'' she said when she noticed the way Jake looked at me and stood up to go to her cabin before we had dinner time in a bit, ''but one bad word from Jade and I will make you regret bothering her,'' Josie warned.
I suddenly got nervous, I never felt this way around other boys, but I felt my cheeks getting warm and awaited what Jake had to say.