Friendship on Fire (31 page)

Presents are definitely better. I would wait and see what happens.

‘I love it,' Mum beamed, sifting her fingers through my new hair.

The hairdresser was showing me the back and sides of my head in her large mirror and I was excited at the final result of three hours sitting in this chair. Four girly magazines later, my hair almost looked normal. With a bit more blonde than my natural colour, to cover up the red, my skin was glowing again and not looking as pale against the red. I smiled in appreciation.

‘Just wait until Nate sees you,' Mum whispered. ‘He won't be able to keep his hands off you.'

Heat rushed to my face as I wondered if the hairdresser heard Mum's comment.

‘Mum,' I gasped, horrified. Would it be true?

‘I don't mean it like
that
. I meant he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off your hair. Like me,' she said, playing with it until it annoyed me.

‘Yeah right. You're dirty,' I teased, sticking my tongue out at her in the mirror.

‘Stop it. Your new hair cost me a fortune. You could be grateful,' she sniffed.

She put her cheek out and I kissed it gently. ‘Thank you, Mummy.'

Mum paid the hairdresser and we left the salon. ‘This is the perfect way to prepare for my eighteenth birthday. I will have one more day of looking youthful and fresh.'

‘You're so silly. You have the most beautiful skin. You'll be looking youthful until you're sixty, at least.'

‘Like you?' I smiled at her.

She beamed again. ‘Of course.'

Nate and I met at the park nearest our houses and sat on the swings. I'd texted him and asked if he wanted to see the new me. He was over within ten minutes. I smiled to myself; I liked how he was available for me.

The sun was setting. I'd only just got home from shopping with Mum. The boys noticed my hair and told me I looked good. Josh said, ‘Geez Daisy any blonder and you'll be getting unwanted attention from guys.' When I frowned at him, he said, ‘Don't you know blondes get more attention than anyone else?'

I felt strange at that comment. Why should hair colour mean anything attention-wise? What about my face? Or better still, my personality?

Regardless of Josh's male perspective, for me my hair was feeling light and flowy and I was more confident than before. It must have showed.

‘Daisy. You look gorgeous,' Nate complimented, kissing me firmly on the lips at the park. ‘I'll miss my Greeny, though.'

I smiled widely at his reassurance. ‘Why thank you. It's good to be back to normal. How has your day been? What have you done?'

He looked up at the sky dryly. ‘Well … school … helping Dad at home … a bit of homework. I've been quite nerdy actually, like you.' His grin made me want to kiss him again and again and again.

‘Shush you. What else?'

‘Oh I dunno. It's been a pretty boring day.' He swung gently on the swing. ‘More about you.'

‘What about me?' His games were so silly sometimes.

‘Look at you,' he gushed, teasing me.

‘I can't.'

He chuckled at my observation. ‘I wish you could. You're hot.'

‘Nate, are you on pot? You're so random tonight,' I laughed.

‘No, I'm on lust. If that's a drug, then …'

I pushed him sideways on the swing and he came back just as hard to hit my swing. I scrambled to re-balance, almost flying off my seat.

‘Well that backfired, didn't it,' he teased.

‘Whatever. It was worth it.'

He groaned.

‘What's your problem?' I asked.

‘I wish we weren't in public right now.' His eyes showed danger and mystery.

I played stupid.

‘Why's that?'

‘You know why.'

‘I don't actually. You don't ever spell it out to me, what you want to do, that is,' I said coyly.

He raised his eyebrow and put his hand out. ‘Come with me,' he ordered.

I took it, letting Nate lead me to a bunch of large, gorgeous green trees in the corner of the park.

He said nothing on the way, only taking me firmly to a strong tree trunk nestled between the group. The sun was nearly gone, only a peachy haze left in the sky. The wind started to nip at my neck, freshness replacing the warmth of the sun.

He directed my shoulders against the trunk and pulled my waist to meet his. With intense passion, he kissed my lips, face and neck. His hands roamed my back, slipping up over my hips and securing near the fastening of my bra. Chest heaving with anticipation, mixed with a thrill because we were outside, I pushed his elbow, encouraging him. He stopped kissing me, watching my eyes intently as he undid my bra in a swift one-handed movement.

His right hand then slid up my stomach and I gasped as he whispered in my ear, ‘This is an early birthday present.'

They snuck into my room while I was sleeping last night and laid my gifts out on my dressing table. Then at six, they snuck in softly singing
Happy Birthday
. The whole way through, including
Why was she born so beautiful
and
hip
hip hooray.

I could see they were not about to give up their parental rite of passage yet so I pretended to be happy to see them.

Yay
,
it's my birthday.

I don't think they cared. Dad had the camera swinging on his arm, ready to attack me before I could check if I had sleep in my eyes. My bed hair was wild and I was not in the mood for familial happy snaps.

I rolled over on to my stomach and put the pillow over my head. I figured if I couldn't see them, they weren't there.

‘Open your presents,' Mum threw one at me. It landed on the middle of my back with a thud.

‘Gosh Mum, did you throw the heaviest one at me?' I grumbled.

‘Shush. Sit up and open it. Behave yourself.' Mum turned on her almost severe voice. I guess I was curious to see what it could be …

I sat up and started feeling the present. I couldn't open it until I had a chance to guess what it was.

‘Hurry up, girl,' Dad smiled. ‘We haven't got all day.'

I was thrown the next couple of presents and opened them slowly.

‘Now, Daisy, do you want a party this weekend?' Before I could say anything, Mum put her hand up and kept going. ‘Because I know that's what kids your age are doing and if you want one, we will try to stretch the budget for you. Just don't invite the whole school like Rachael's party a while back.' She shook her head. ‘Maybe a dozen or so.'

‘I …'

‘We're not paying for their alcohol …' Dad added.

I tried to speak quickly so they didn't interrupt me again. ‘Mum, Dad, thanks. But I don't want a party.'

‘And the boys can help with the music.' Mum was listing things off her fingers. ‘And I can make some food.'

I scowled. Not listening to me was their most annoying habit. ‘I've already decided. Parties are hard to plan and I'd kind of prefer a quiet one this year.'

‘And …' Mum's brows knit together. ‘What?'

‘I don't need or want a party. But a family dinner would be nice. Thanks for the cool presents. You guys are awesome.'

I jumped up and gave their stunned bodies a hug. I took a long swig of water and looked at my little pile of presents on the bed. I got a digital camera I'd wanted for a while and some token socks and undies. From Shane and Treston, I got a Roxy t-shirt. I loved my presents and felt very lucky to receive stuff that I needed and wanted.

‘Better get yourself ready, Dais. You've got your driving test in just over an hour. Earliest one I could get you,' Dad said cheerfully and looked at his watch.

I nearly choked. ‘What?'

‘Surprise,' Dad grinned wolfishly before walking out of my room.

I can't do it. I won't do it. I'll look like a fool if I fail. I was one hundred per cent sure the Terminator would fail me. I had only just done enough logbook hours. I still forgot about the handbrake. I still got distracted when Nate tickled my leg. I wasn't ready to be let loose on an unsuspecting world of experienced, confident drivers.

‘All set?' Terry asked in his monotone. He had his clipboard with a million checklists on it, his dorky blue driving teacher's hat and a whistle around his neck. What was the whistle for?

I took a moment to check my seatbelt, chair setting, gears and sun visor.
It's OK
, I said to myself,
you've done this at
least twenty times before with Terry. Only this time, he's your
judge and jury, not your teacher.

I nearly vomited. I was determined not to have to resit this test, although I'm sure everyone would understand if I failed, seeing as it was sprung on me without my knowledge. It would serve Mum and Dad right to lose their money.