The Beating of Our Hearts

I woke the next morning to my phone buzzing on my bedside table. It was well before my alarm was due to go off, I knew that much. Bleary eyed, I groped in the darkness for my phone, grabbing it and bringing it to eye level. The brightness of the screen caused me to scrunch my eyes for several seconds before I could read what it wanted to tell me.

One New Message: Jared
I’ve just realised that we’re not gunna be around for your birthday! We’re in Prague then. I’m sorry, I promise we’ll make it up to you. X

I was still half asleep, so wasn’t able to take in the words properly before my eyes closed and I fell back into a slumber.
Several hours later, when I was properly awake and already at school preparing for the day, I remembered the message. I opened my inbox to re-read it. It’s contents made me frown slightly. He was right, I was going to be alone on my birthday. Fantastic.

There was no mention of the kiss, that spell binding kiss that I was still trying to get my head around. Well, if he wasn’t going to mention it then neither was I.

Don’t worry about it. It’s not like you did it on purpose :P Just dedicate a show to me or something, hehe x

I snapped my phone shut and put it away. Now to focus on the steady stream of children filing through the door. They were going to be my only company for a while.
The next few months seemed to go through a time warp. There were moments that seemed to stretch on forever, these were usually the evenings when I sat on my sofa alone staring at the TV. Other times, weeks seemed to flash past in a blur.

The guy’s tour was a massive hit, selling out every date. I was following it religiously; I even made myself a Twitter account so I could follow them and their official band page. It made me feel closer to them. I kept my promise to Tomo and had already sent them several gifts hand crafted by my students. Every time he received one he would take a picture and post it on his Twitter, saying how much he loved it. Shannon made sure to email me as often as possible, keeping me in the loop of what was happening. But Jared, ever since that text about my birthday I had hardly heard from him, a couple of emails and one call. That was it.

On October 7th, the day before my birthday, I was sat at home on the sofa when my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Alright doll? How’s it going?”
“Shannon! It’s so good to hear your voice!”
“I know, it’s gorgeous isn’t it?”
“Shut up. How’s the tour going?” I asked.
“Amazing. The crowds are truly amazing. I wish you were here.”
“I wish I was too.”
“Sooooo, guess what?” He said in a sing-song voice.
“I dunno, what?”
“It’s your birthday tomorrow!” He squealed, I could imagine him jumping up and down like a little girl.
“I know! 26....ew.”
“Oh please, you’re a baby compared to me.”
“Yeah, but you’ll always have such a baby face.” I cooed.
“This is true.” He laughed.
“So how is everyone?” I asked.
“And by everyone, you mean Jared?” He said knowingly.
“I mean everyone.” I persisted.
“Jared is fine. Working on some new stuff and the next video.”
“So pretty busy then?”
“Well, mainly he just sits around with either a guitar or a computer in his lap. But it’s not like he’s running around like a headless chicken.”
“Oh, OK then.”
“How come doll?” He questioned.
“Oh no reason. I just haven’t spoken to him much, but if he’s busy then that’s perfectly reasonable.”
“Not spoken much like what? In the last few days?”
“Well, since you guys left, if I’m honest.”
“What? He’s always to disappearing to talk to you.”
“Nope.”
“Hmmm.....”
“Look, don’t worry about it Shannon, I’m sure he’s got an explanation.” I was trying to persuade both of us.
“Yeah. Well I just wanted to be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you Shan. Now I’m sure this is racking up a huge phone bill. So I’m gunna save you some pennies and say goodnight.”
“All right then doll. Have a fantastic day tomorrow.”
“I will. Bye.”
“Bye.”

I sighed deeply as I hung up the phone. What on earth was going on with Jared, lying to his friends.
Tomorrow was Friday, so I could have my lonely birthday celebrations stretch into the weekend. I dragged myself to bed and climbed in sluggishly, trying not to let my mind wander to the kiss Jared and I shared so many weeks ago; but it forced its way to the forefront of my mind, as it did every night before I went to sleep.

My birthday was slightly better than I expected it to be. The children somehow found out it was my birthday and surprised me with a lot of home baked goods and a big card. I was touched, I really had the sweetest kids in my class.

And when I got home there were three parcels sat outside my door. I gathered them into my arms and opened my door. Placing them on the coffee table, I dumped the rest of my stuff on the floor and quickly changed into more comfortable clothes before sitting myself on the floor in front of my deliveries.
I opened the first and saw Tomo’s handwriting on a card which was sat at the top of the pile. It was a birthday card. I read it quickly before delving into the box, pulling out a gift wrapped object. Tearing through the paper, my eyes set upon a mini candy grabber. It was a mini version of those claw games and it was filled to the brim with snack sized chocolates! I messed around with it for several minutes, winning myself some chocolate, before I remembered the other two boxes.

I repeated my actions with the second box, tearing it open, reading the card and delving for the wrapped present. This one, as indicated by the card, was from Shannon. It was Naughty Weekend Kit. Complete with blindfold, feather, massage oil, edible body dust and other such items. I blushed just looking at it, I should’ve known Shannon would get me something dirty.

Turning my gaze to the last box, I hoped it continued the theme of being from one of the guys, something from the last remaining member of the band, who I had hardly spoken to since they had left. I took off the tape and opened the box. There was no card, no my hand dived right into the box to pull out a small blue velvet box. Suddenly I was extremely nervous to open this little box. This was the type of box expensive things came in, things that had meaning and value. With slightly shaking hands, I reached out and gently pried the lip away from the base, and my breath caught in my throat. Inside was a small silver locket; I pulled it out carefully and inspected it more closely. It was beautiful; turning it over I noticed an engraving, my name.

Jared had my name engraved onto this amazing piece of jewellery. I pulled at the clasp and it popped open to reveal two pictures already inserted into it. On one side was a picture of Tomo, Shannon, myself and Jared; and on the other side was a picture of me and Jared fast asleep on a couch.
I smiled at the memory, vaguely remembering Shannon taking pictures, before securing the necklace around my neck.

Even with the guys not able to be here, it wasn’t such a bad birthday. I got up and proceeded over to my laptop to email them my thanks and catch up on how they had been.