A Birthday Gift

My eyes fly open and I slow my breathing. A cool breeze is in Cabin Six, so the windows must be open. My cabin is silent, except for the occasional tossing, turning, snoring, and muttering. I sit up and rub my eyes. What day is it today? Thursday? Wait a second. Thursday. Thursday, April 12. I'd almost forgotten it, but today is my birthday. I smile to myself knowingly and quietly slip out of bed. It's easy, and fortunately, the wooden floor doesn't creak. I stop for a moment and think. Since it's my birthday, I can decide what I want to wear, right? I slip on my Camp Half-Blood t-shirt. It's very comfortable, and it's my favorite t-shirt. I dress into white shorts and sandals, and braid back my bronze hair. I quietly open the door and close it gently behind me. I turn around, only to realize I have company. A boy with blonde hair and electric blue eyes smiles at me, his hands jammed into the pockets of his aviator jacket. James. We're very close friends, ever since we went on a quest together with his half-sister Fleur, my half-sister Karmen, and my best friend Leo. James tilts his head and those blue eyes stare at me quizzically. A small smile plays on his lips. James. Why did he have to be so...cute? I almost smile, too, at the thought. "Hey." He grins, and his eyes-those gorgeous, captivating blue eyes-sparkle. "Hi." I manage, and wonder if I'm blushing. That sounds like something a camper in Aphrodite Cabin would do, just blush and admire every boy they meet. "It's your birthday, right?" James smiles again, so sweetly with just the right touch of shyness and warmth. "Yeah." I answer, and he shifts. "I've got something for you." He says and pulls out a box from the pocket of his aviator jacket. It smells like the leather on his jacket, and the box is dark blue with a silver ribbon. How does he know my favorite colors? I gently, carefully loosen the ribbon and open the lid. Inside, is another box. Well, what did I expect? A necklace? A picture? I take out the box and study it. The colors are just like the wrapping. The box is painted a deep, night-sky blue, with painted silver stars. I open it carefully, and it takes my breath away. Inside, the night sky is painted, with intricate constellations. A tiny figurine of a girl and a boy twirl inside. The boy has blond hair and painted blue eyes, and the girl…she has bronze hair and gray eyes. She is me. But it's the tinkling music that defines this gift. The melody is soft and smooth, and my lips barely are able to form the words.
"You've been on my mind
I grow fonder every day
loose myself in time
Just thinking of your face
God only knows
Why it's taking me so long
to let my doubts go
You're the only one that I want. I don't know why I'm scared,
I've been here before
Every feeling every word,
I've imagined it all,
You'll never know if you never try
to forgive your past
And simply be mine

I dare you to let me be your,
your one and only
Promise I'm worthy
to hold in your arms
So come on
and give me the chance
To prove I am the one who can
Walk them miles
Until the end starts."

My voice falls flat and I hesitate, glancing up at James. "I forgot the rest. It's One and Only, isn't it?" I whisper, and he nods, that same smile playing on his lips. "Yeah." And he leans forward and his lips touch mine, his warm hand holding mine. And before I know it, he's put his hand on my waist, and we're slowly swaying to the music.

I dare you to let me be your,
your one and only
Promise I'm worthy
to hold in your arms
So come on
and give me the chance
To prove I am the one who can
Walk them miles
Until the end starts.