The Thirteenth

Nate was born on Friday the 13th. And now he was going to turn thirteen years old on a Friday the 13th. It seemed like bad luck to him, but he was used to feeling unlucky. After all, he was born on an unlucky day, and he was an unlucky person, and even his last name, Wanless, meant hopeless. Nate was a lost cause. He was never good at sports or school or even video games.

The morning of his birthday, his mother greeted him cheerfully with a breakfast of eggs and bacon, his favorite. “What would you like to do today?” she asked him. “Since it’s Friday, we can stay out late and maybe go to the movies or something. And we can eat dinner at that Chinese place you like so much.”

“I don’t know, Mom,” Nate mumbled between bites. “Maybe I’ll just hang out with some friends and listen to music or play video games.”

“Well, it’s your birthday, so whatever you want goes.”

Nate nodded, finished off his breakfast and his mother drove him to school. His day was uneventful, and boring. He talked to a couple of his friends to see what they were doing, but everyone had plans. On the way to the cafeteria, he was talking and not paying attention and walked under a ladder that was in the hallway so the custodian could replace a florescent bulb. His friends teased him about all the bad luck he would have from that misstep.

He was going to his last class period when Shelby fell into step with him. He had been talking with Shelby for awhile, but he couldn’t tell if she was interested in him or not. They had fun together, and had a lot in common. She was also not good at sports and not great at school, and she wasn’t popular or beautiful. But Shelby was pretty, and kind, and funny and he really liked her.

“Hey, I heard you may be looking for something to do tonight?” she asked.

“Why, do you have something in mind?” he asked.

“Well, I have a cooking class tonight. I know it sounds lame, but they are actually fun. There are mostly grown-ups, but the meals aren’t difficult to make. We make something good to eat, and then we eat it. My sister was supposed to go with me, but she’s going to the football game instead. So, would you like to come?”

“Sure! That sounds really cool.” Nate said, smiling and feeling a warm butterfly of happiness flutter in his stomach.

“My mom will pick you up at five and drive us there. Don’t worry, she never stays for the class.”

Nate agreed and the bell was ringing, and they both dashed to their classes.

Nate told his mother about his plans, and she seemed happy for him. Shelby and her mother were right on time, and he slid into the back seat beside Shelby. She smelled like strawberries. They arrived at the cooking class venue in no time, and Nate was surprised to see that the building looked old and kind of creepy. Inside was a large room filled with long tables, and there were about twenty people there, ready to create their meals. Nate stood next to Shelby and listened to the directions called out by the chef. They were working really well together, and Nate found himself relaxing and having a wonderful time. When everyone’s dishes went into the big oven in the kitchen, all the adults stood around drinking wine and talking. Shelby grabbed two glasses and splashed wine into them, her back to the adults.

“Come with me,” Shelby said and put a glass of wine into his hand. She led him past the kitchen and the bathrooms to a small staircase. They went up the creaky steps and came into a small room with a balcony. Nate could see the lights of the city from the french doors. Shelby opened the doors and they walked outside. The night air was cold, and Shelby shivered. She sipped some wine and turned to him. He raised his glass to her and drank the wine down, wondering how people could stand the stuff.

Shelby said, “You know, I knew that today is your birthday.”

“You did? Well, I am surprised. I didn’t know you paid that much attention to the details of Nate Wanless, loser extraordinaire.” He chuckled, feeling the wine go to his head. Shelby came closer.

“You’d be surprised at what I know about you,” she said quietly. Then she raised her face to his and they kissed. Her lips were soft and the kiss was gentle. It seemed everything in the world stopped; the wind stopped blowing, the air stopped being cold, the traffic noises were quiet, and all he could hear was his heart beating and all he could see was this beautiful girl before him and a million stars overhead. For the rest of his life, the smell of strawberries would transport him immediately, right back to this moment. For what seemed like forever, they stood together, his arm around her waist with her leaning into him, watching the night and feeling a joy that was new to him, a joy that opened his eyes to possibilities he had never dared to dream of.

“Come on, I have something else to show you,” Shelby said finally and she led him back into the big cooking room. To his surprise, many of his friends were there, milling around and drinking sodas that had magically appeared. The chef walked up to Nate, smiling.

“You must be a very special young man,” he said, “because all of us have fallen in love with Shelby and would do anything for her, and all she wanted us to do was make this a special night for you, young Nate. All the food we have prepared is for you and Shelby and your friends to enjoy this evening. Please,” he gestured over to the side of the room, which had small round tables and chairs set up. Nate saw that his mother and Shelby’s mother were there, too. “And, the party would not be complete without this little sweet I prepared for you,” and the chef turned and revealed a large cake, complete with candles.

“Shelby, I don’t know what to say,” Nate said, but she only hugged him and his friends howled. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“Let’s eat!” the chef said.

Nate just stood there, looking at Shelby. She smiled at him. Yes, she was beautiful, he had that part wrong.

This would be the best birthday Nate Wanling ever had in his entire life.

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Your final three words for this week are:
UNLUCKY
CREEPY
LADDER

#3TC #threethingschallenge

Three Things Challenge #MM89