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I’hteenth birthday, and Michael gave me a bottle of wine for us to split She was hesitant at first because we’ve never been the type to drink But I pleaded that her eighteenth birthday only happens once Plus, we’re probably going to drink in college It’s best that we do it together first, now, in the safety of our own ho as we stay in while we do it, then she’ll have a sip of wine

But first, we’re going bowling and then out to our favorite pizza joint Then, we’ll sneak the bottle of wine up to her bedrooet our wine buzz on Then, I’ for Michael’s place, while she sleeps off the alcohol

I stick a box wrapped in silver paper in ave the to just die when she sees them

“I’ to Nicole’s! Bye everyone!”

My dad pokes his head out from the kitchen

“Again? Don’t you two ever get sick of each other?” William asks with a puzzled look on his face

I smile

“It’s her birthday! We haven’t rade We sure aren’t about to start flaking now”

“But didn’t you celebrate earlier this week?” my mom asks, a look of confusion on her face Oh shit! I realize that I’ve finally slipped up I can’t believe I was duet out of the house for a night But I really a with her!

“U We want to have a night with just the two of us That e don’t have to deal with her little brother and all her boy cousins We are doing the usual: bowling, pizza, and a ht” I wait on tenterhooks for their response

Do they buy it?

“You only turn eighteen once, you know,” I say to fill the silence I feel like I reen, or they ht just tell me to stay ho?

“Okay, have fun!” Dad says “Tell Nicole happy birthday from us”