Not My Hero

She hands the letter back and I go take my seat again. It’s impossible to focus on class because I can’t wait to tell Colton. The second the bell rings, I dart out of my chair and wave happily at Miss Snow before rushing out of class.

I run down the hallway, and when I see Colton standing by his locker, I yell, “I won! Colton, I won!” His head snaps in my direction, and he manages to turn toward me just in time as I jump and throw my arms around his neck. “I won the competition,” I gasp in his ear. The happiness inside me becomes too much to keep in, and a sob escapes my lips as I whimper, “I got accepted.”

Colton holds me tightly and pressing a kiss to my neck, he says, “I told you they’d be crazy not to pick you.” When he sets me down on my feet, his hands move up, and he frames my face. “Congrats. I never doubted you’d kick everyone’s butt.”

Standing on my toes, Colton meets me halfway, and I don’t care that we’re kissing in the middle of the hallway where everyone can see.

No one else matters.

When we pull away, laughter bubbles over my lips. “I won. I won. I won.”

All my excitement makes Colton chuckle, and seeing how happy he is for me only makes me love him more.Time keeps flying, and I can’t believe it’s Colton’s birthday already. The past month has been incredible.

Luckily his birthday falls on a Friday, and we can spend the entire weekend celebrating it.

I didn’t know what to buy him, and instead, I came up with something sentimental. I’ve just finished writing the last message on a piece of paper and fold it in half before counting all the notes to make sure I have ten. I want to give him one every hour.

Gathering the ones I’ll need for school, I neatly tuck them in my pocket and grabbing my bag, I leave my room.

When I walk into the kitchen, Mom’s already busy making breakfast, and the smell of bacon hangs in the air.

“Morning.” I walk to the coffee pot and pour myself a cup. A wrapped gift on the kitchen table catches my eye. “I can’t wait to see what you got him.”

She cups her hand by her mouth and whispers, “Books.”

Grinning, I reply, “The way to his heart.”

Colton comes walking in, asking, “The way to who’s heart?”

“Happy birthday,” Mom shrieks, and dropping the spatula on the counter, she rushes to give him a hug. “I can’t believe my baby’s nineteen already. It feels like just yesterday I was still changing your diapers.”

I wait for Mom to step back before I hug Colton. I press a quick kiss to his lips, then say, “I hope you’ll have a wonderful birthday.”

“I’m sure I will,” he grins, then he glances at the gift, and he darts over to the table. “Can I open it?”

Mom lets out a burst of laughter and nods.

We watch as Colton tears the paper off, and then the smile on his face broadens as he looks at the books. “I love them.” When he gets to the final one, and he opens it, his eyes widen and snap to Mom. “No way! How did you get it signed?” His gaze instantly goes back to the autographed copy of Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston.

“I ordered it on his website,” Mom replies, looking pleased that Colton loves his gift.

“Now, I’m going to reread it.” Colton walks to Mom and gives her cheek a kiss. “Thanks, Mom. This is the best gift ever.”

I walk to the table and clear the discarded paper before I take the first note out and place it on Colton’s plate. Walking to the trashcan, I dump the paper then make Colton a cup of coffee.

“What’s this?” I hear Colton ask, and glancing over my shoulder, I watch as he picks up the note. My eyes are glued to him as he reads it, and then the most gorgeous smile spreads over his face.

He glances at me then reads the quote out loud, “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. Dr. Seuss,” Glancing at Mom, he explains, “I gave Brie quotes of encouragement when we first met.”

“Aww…” Mom pulls a cute face, “That’s so special.”COLTONToday is hands down the best birthday ever.

I take my seat in English, and then Brie places another note on my desk. A grin tugs at my mouth as I fold it open.

‘Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul, and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. Life seems completely different, exciting, and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.’ – Bob Marley.