| Time Goes By |
| Mandy watched as her best friend lay there, peacefully sleeping into the early afternoon hours. She pulled a blanket over the younger girl softly, so as not to disturb her slumber. It wasn’t working. The girl sat up, glanced at the clock, then gave Mandy a tight hug. “Oh, good morning to you my Sarah. How’d you sleep babe?” Mandy played with Sarah’s hair, giggling as she wiped the sleep from her tired eyes. Sarah gave Mandy a sleepy smile and blinked twice more, “Pretty well, Manny. Can you believe I’m 13 today? It seems like my whole life is flying by!” Sarah stood and walked into the bathroom, Mandy on her heels. “Sweetie, it seems like just yesterday, you were a little girl. This is amazing.” They both glanced out the door frame as Nikki shifted in her bed, then looked in at them scornfully. “Good morning ladies. Do you know what time it is?” Nikki said, not able to hide her smile as she watched the two aply their makeup. “Nik, it’s almost 2 in the afternoon.” Sarah said, raising an eyebrow at the girl that stumbled into the shower stall behind her. “And do you happen to know what day this is?” “Umm… Saturday?” Nikki laughed and reached out from behind the shower curtain for one of them to hand her a towel. “Nah, I’m just playing. How could I forget my favorite 13 year old on her special day?” Sarah shook her head in amazement as Nikki stepped out from behind the curtain, the towel wrapped tightly around her. “Well, Ms. Thang, do you have plans with Ryan tonight, or can I count on you to hang out with me and Mandy?” Nikki rolled her eyes playfully, “I wish I could, sweetie. But Ryan got seats for that new show, and you know me. The phantom of the opera.” She shook her head again, “Actually, I wouldn’t know opera from an NSYNC concert. But gotta keep the ol’ boy happy.” Mandy hit Nikki playfully on the shoulder, “You big oaf. Oh well, me and Sarah will have a great time just sitting here on the couch, watching movies all night. Right, Sar?” Sarah nodded in agreement, and watched Nikki walk back into her bedroom, her hands nervously running through her hair. “What’s got Nik so worked up?” “I don’t know, girlie. I wish I did.” ~~~~~~~~~~ Sarah screeched as two strong hands grabbed her from behind and swung her around in a huge hug, “Oh my God, Trace you better get off me before I do something I’ll regret.” Trace sat her back on hard ground, and snickered at her dazed expression, “Dizzy, little miss Sarah?” He hugged her against him, and kissed her cheek. “Oh happy birthday my babygirl.” Jenny smacked Trace in the back of the head, and he let go of Sarah. “What is it, Jen?” “Nothing. I just wanted to get on the whole, ‘hug Sarah because its her birthday’ fiasco. Mind if I step in?” Jenny didn’t wait for the answer, and had Sarah in a tight hug before Trace could even open his mouth. Sarah watched as Danay and Veronica flew into the room, and enveloped her with hugs, and kisses on the cheek. “You guys, come on! I have the whole day in front of me. Can we save the love fest for later? Oh,” She paused, “Are you guys coming up to our house tonight? I promise it’ll be a blast and a half!” The four of them shook their heads, “Sweetie, we’re busy. I wish you would’ve told us this sooner!” Veronica gave Sarah a sad smile. “But Mandy will be here, right? You two will have fun. You always do.” Sarah nodded and watched the group of people walk out the door. Now that’s just weird. Its like none of them want to be with me for my birthday. Don’t I matter anymore?” ~~~~~~~~~~ “Mandy? Are you in here?” Sarah called into the empty house. She sighed dejectedly and walked up to her room in disgust. “The least they could’ve done was had a little get together. I mean, they’re my best friends! And I’m so surprised that Mandy isn’t here. She promised we’d get together and watch movies tonight! It was supposed to be my special night tonight. You only turn 13 once, you know.” “Oh, come on! That can’t be what you think of me, now can it?” “Mandy? Oh my God, I thought you weren’t here!” Sarah flew into her friend’s arms. “Why didn’t you answer me?” “Girl, you need to get a louder voice box! I could barely hear your so called ‘yelling’. Now come on, we’ve had a change of plans. Put this on.” Mandy handed her a pair of tight leather pants and a leapord print tank top. Sarah’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help thinking it was a little overkill. Then she realized that Mandy was wearing the exact same thing, and she felt her eyes become wet with tears. “This is so cool. Mandy, thank you so much.” “Don’t thank me now,” Mandy said, pushing Sarah through the door of the bathroom and shutting it behind her. “We have yet to begin to party.” |