[One Best Friend]

[Chapter 15]

My 18th birthday at Van Buren was different from any other birthday I had ever experienced with Ryan.

Not that I walked around with a big sign on that said "I'M 18!" or anything.

But I was woken up at midnight to Ryan nudging me, "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty."

I yawn, "Huh? Is something wrong?"

"I just wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday, Miss Adult."

I chuckled, "Happy Birthday, too."

Ryan looked into my eyes, and said seriously, slowly, emphasizing each word, "My birthday is on August 9th, not September 9th."

It took a second to register in my mind.

He was separating from me, tearing himself away, bit by bit. He was slowly becoming less and less dependent. He barely needed me anymore. The slowly splitting seam that was holding us together was almost the final thread.

Almost.

It was all I could do to hold myself together.

I mean, right on my nightstand, next to a picture of me and Cory, his arm snug around my waist, holding me close, was a picture of me and Ryan from last year on our birthday - my birthday - both out eyes closed, the candles on our cake flickering with our breath, us concentrating, wishing the world away.

I smiled, slightly, not letting him see how much this affected me, "What was I thinking?" I fumbled through my drawer, "I forgot to give this to you," and handed him his birthday card.

"Thanks," he said, and hugged me tight, his lips grazing on my cheek, giving me a peck. "Happy Birthday," his whispered, closing me door, leaving me feel suddenly abandoned.

That night, there was an ice cream cake on our kitchen table, only the four of us there, and I blew out the candles alone, for the first time in nine years.

Then gift time.

Kendra gave me something cheerleading, something forgettable.

And Ryan kept on making this a memorable birthday: he gave me a small box wrapped very, very precisely. When I opened it, there was a small, plain silver band that fit perfectly on my left ring finger. I could only whisper "Wow," and hug it. It was so simple and beautiful and thoughtful and uniquely from Ryan.

Cory walked toward me, unsurely, as I was hugging Ryan. He handed me a box of the same size and shape. As I opened it, it was a thin gold band, with small diamonds impressed around it. "Whoa," was my almost silent explanation now. I slid the ring on next to Ryan's and kissed Cory right then, in front of Kendra and Ryan, trying to drown myself in him, but I kept finding myself being pulled out of the water, no matter how many times I dived in.

A/N: I'm sorry for the short chapter and the late update, but I've been away for 5 weeks, so give me some slack. I'll post a nice long one next time, but I just wanted to give you guys this quick one to hold ya over.

Love Always, Sarah