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The sound of your younger sister yelling woke you up that morning.
“Y/NNNN!! Get up it’s Lucas’s birthday!”
“I know.” you said annoyed. Erica woke you up like this every holiday, Halloween, Christmas, even St. Patrick’s Day. Today was different though, as Erica had said, it was Lucas’s 16th birthday today. His friends were coming over around lunch, to celebrate, you and Erica were to join in too. Though, you didn’t feel like getting out of bed. Then, your mom stuck her head into the room.
“Honey, you got to change out of your pyjamas and come downstairs, I made a special breakfast, french toast.” That would get you out of your bed.
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When you arrived downstairs, you gave Lucas a big hug.
“Happy birthday, dude.” He chuckled.
“Thank you.” He handed you your breakfast and you went to sit down on the table with your family. You reached for the whipped cream, but your sister got it before you and whipped a whole lot of cream onto her plate. You looked to your dad who was thinking the same thing as you.
“Erica, I don’t think you need that much whipped cream.” he said.
“Uh, yes I do.” You gave her a look, but she responded with, “Just the facts!”
“Well on a different note, Lucas, here’s your present!” you said, happily, handing him the gift. He smiled at your sloppy present wrapping skills. He opened it up and it was a photo album. On the cover was a photo of you and him at one Lucas’s basketball finals. He opened it to the first page with photos of you two as babies and toddlers, one photo showed the two of you on Halloween.
You were dressed as a witch and Lucas as a little police officer that year.
“Did you get any sm-a-ar-smar-smarties, Lucas?”
“Yeah! I got, one, two, three, four, five of them!” he said handing all of them to you. “Fank you!” you replied
Lucas smiled at the memory. He gave all of the smarties he had to you because he knew you loved them, you still do. The following page was filled with pictures of you two when you were around the ages of 10-13. One, on the left side of the page, had you, Dustin and Lucas sitting together with Christmas sweaters.
“Okay, kids, say chees- wait Dusty Bun, move a little to the side, please, yes that’s good.” Ms. Henderson said. You and Lucas snickered at her nickname for her son. you nudged Dustin with your elbow.
“Hey, Dusty Bun, how are you doing?” Dustin’s face turned red and Ms. Henderson had to stop all the laughing that proceeded.
Lucas remembered that night so clearly. After the “photoshoot” you all baked cookies and exchanged presents. He had gotten a new basketball. Speaking of basketballs, the last page was pictures from present day and the same picture on the cover was repeated there.
“Go, Lucas, Go!” you cheered, along with your family and friends. Lucas dribbled up the court passing to his teammate, who passed back to him and right then and there, Lucas took a shot. Everyone could’ve sworn the world was going in slow motion. You held your breath and……YES! It went in! Hawkins High had won the game and Lucas scored the winning shot! You all cheered and whooped loudly, even El, who didn’t quite understand the rules of basketball, still seemed really proud of her friend.
Lucas couldn’t contain his smile when looking at that last picture. “Come here.” he said and engulfed you in a hug. This was the best birthday present he could ever ask for.